Veterans in Search of Employment
Do you have any idea how valuable the real estate at the top of your resume is? What information does @yahoo.com give about you as a candidate? None. It’s an incomplete pushup, a weak flutter kick, or worse yet, an excuse. Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be challenging for many veterans. One way to make this transition smoother and increase the chances of success in the job market is by having a professional email address that identifies you as a Military Veteran.
The Advantage of Your Veteran Status at the Top of Your Resume
I’ll start by showing you what it looks like, then we can have a discussion about the power of your veteran email address versus your generic email address. Here are two examples of the very top of a resume. If you are a hiring manager from a company that values military service, which most do, which resume to you set aside for further review?
Don’t waste the valuable space at the top of your resume. Replace that empty lot in the middle of the most exclusive neighborhood in your city with a home that is the envy of everyone who passes. You aren’t mowing grass and painting rocks for the Sergeant Major, you just built a home that puts the Post Commander’s home to shame.
Having a professional email address that identifies you as a veteran helps to immediately differentiate yourself from other applicants. By showcasing your veteran status in your email address, you make it clear to potential employers that you have a unique background and skill set that sets you apart from the competition.
Research shows that when veterans are identified as such, they gain significant advantages in the job market and networking opportunities. This “war of recognition” highlights how veteran status can be a powerful asset when leveraged effectively.
The Power of Veteran Identity in Job Applications
Studies have demonstrated that employers are more likely to respond positively to job applications from candidates identified as veterans. A 2020 study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 64% of organizations actively recruit veterans, recognizing the unique skills and experiences they bring to the workforce [1]. This proactive approach translates into tangible benefits for job-seeking veterans. “According to Completing the Mission: Best Practices for Recruiting and Hiring Veterans, a report based on a survey of 1,075 HR professionals conducted earlier this year by SHRM and the SHRM Foundation and sponsored by USAA, an overwhelming majority of HR professionals (90%) agreed that hiring veterans is appealing to their organization.” [2]
When veterans clearly identify themselves on resumes and applications, they increase their chances of securing interviews. A survey conducted by LinkedIn showed that job applications highlighting veteran status are more likely to be viewed by recruiters compared to non-veteran applications.
“Many companies who aren’t federal contractors are still serious about hiring veterans. They recognize the value that former military members bring to their organizations and go to great lengths to recruit them. These companies are likely monitoring their recruiting efforts in order to ensure they are effective and give applicants the opportunity to voluntarily disclose their veteran status on their application.” [3]
This increased visibility can be a crucial first step in the hiring process.
Citations:
[1] https://usveteransmagazine.com/usvm/veterans-unemployment-rate-lowest-monthly-
[2] https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition/shrm-report-highlights-barriers-and-solutions-for-veteran-hiringaverage-in-20-years/
[3] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-companies-ask-you-veteran-caleb-roberson