The Business Case for Hiring Veterans
A quick internet search reveals that many recognized business leaders endorse hiring veterans as a good business practice. But why? Veterans bring a unique set of attributes and characteristics to the workplace that can significantly benefit your organization.
Key Attributes of Veteran Employees
- Proven Leadership: Veterans often come with leadership experience and readiness to take on new challenges.
- Mission-Focused: Veterans bring a goal-oriented approach to their work, focusing on achieving objectives efficiently.
- Team Players: Experience working in diverse teams and organizations makes veterans excellent collaborators.
- Adaptable: Veterans are quick to adapt and become immediate contributors in new environments.
- Strong Work Ethic: Military service instills a robust work ethic that translates well to civilian workplaces.
- Perform Under Pressure: Veterans are trained to maintain strong performance even in high-stress situations.
- Problem Solvers: Creative problem-solving skills are honed through military service and training.
- Self-Starters: Veterans often show initiative and can work independently when needed.
- Integrity: Military service emphasizes ethical behavior and personal integrity.
- Technical Expertise: Military experience often includes exposure to advanced technology and technical training.
- Loyalty: Veterans often show high loyalty to their employers, potentially leading to lower turnover rates.
- World-Class Training: Veterans have already received extensive training in many valuable areas:
Challenging and purposeful high-stress exercises
Technical military occupational specialties
Professional military education courses
Critical "soft skills," including ethics and leadership
- Positive Impact on Business: Studies have shown that veterans are often more productive and have higher retention rates than their civilian counterparts. This can lead to a higher return on investment for businesses that prioritize hiring veterans.
Learn More
For a more comprehensive look at the business case for hiring veterans, we recommend reading the brief published by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families. This document draws from academic literature to present a robust, specific, and compelling case for hiring veterans that goes beyond common clichés.