How Hard Is It for Veterans to Find Jobs?

Historically, it’s been difficult for veterans to find employment, at least employment that makes ends meet and provides them with job satisfaction. But is that still the situation now? And what factors affect how hard it is for veterans to find jobs?

A Steady Improvement (But Challenges Remain)

Finding and keeping a job is generally more difficult for veterans than for civilians. Those coming out of the military have a unique set of challenges that they face in their job hunts and unemployment rates for the military population have historically been higher than the average, especially for those that have served since 9/11.

In 2016, unemployment rates for post-9/11 veterans, known as Gulf War-era II veterans, hit a record low of 5.1 percent. During that same year, the annual unemployment rate for all veterans was 4.3 percent. These numbers are comparable to those of the overall population.

Before the last few years, however, veterans had an unemployment that was higher than that of the general population. Since 9/11, it has been steadily falling from 12.1 percent, but many veterans still face plenty of challenges in their search for a job.

Although unemployment rates have dropped, some say that this misrepresents the situation of most veterans. Many of them are stuck in jobs that don’t pay enough and don’t utilize their skills, leaving them unhappy at work and struggling with financial difficulties.

Common Issues Facing Veterans

1.Lack of Preparedness for Civilian Life

Transitioning from the military to civilian life is difficult. When they joined the military, veterans completed a boot camp that prepared them for the change. After they leave, they receive no such training and often find themselves unprepared to readapt to civilian life.

The job market also isn’t always set up in a way that benefits veterans. Although they may have managed a group of people and learned valuable skills during their service, their skills and experience might not translate

well to a non-military job.

Sometimes, veterans just need to find the right match for their military skills in a civilian environment. Other times, employers just might not understand how their skills could translate to the business world. A veteran might also benefit from job training and continuing education programs.

2.Stereotypes and Assumptions

Some of veterans’ difficulties with finding employment may come from misunderstandings and false beliefs on the part of employers. Employers may have stereotypes about veterans that cause them to worry that they’re too rigid and formal or that they won’t fit into their company culture.

Others may be concerned that they’ll have mental health issues such as anger management problems and post-traumatic stress disorder. Although some veterans do experience these issues, not all do and, even if they do, it might not affect their work. They might also worry that service-connected disabilities might hamper veterans’ ability to work.

In reality, though, veterans with disabilities are employed at about the same rate as those without them. PTSD and other mental health issues can be addressed. Accommodating an injured veteran has an average cost of only $500 for an employer. And they’ll likely make more than that back on their investment in hiring a vet.

3.Worries About Future Deployment

Employers also often worry that a veteran will get called back into duty and leave their business in a difficult situation. However, employers have little reason to worry. Candidates are supposed to tell potential employers before they’re hired if they’re active duty, and there’s a chance they’ll be redeployed. Most ex-military folks in the workforce are there because they’ve chosen to separate from the military or were discharged, and they’re not likely to go back.

Working Toward an Easier Transition

Although the employment rate for veterans has improved, they still face unique difficulties when seeking employment. A number of organizations, such as the American Legion, the Wounded Warrior Project and Hire Heroes USA, are working to match military vets with job opportunities and educate employers about hiring veterans.

Programs like these help veterans be better prepared for joining the civilian workforce and make the job market more accepting of and knowledgeable about vets and their skills. The situation may be improving, but we can still make the situation even better for military heroes joining the civilian workforce.

Αbout the author

Kate Harveston is an online journalist with particular interests in social change, health, politics and news. She holds a Bachelors in English and enjoys reading and hiking in her spare time. If you enjoy her work, you can visit her blog, Only Slightly Biased.