Here's What Veterans Want in Their Civilian Careers

By Peter A. Gudmundsson

Savvy employers know that military veterans often hold the solution to their continuing struggle to attract and retain high-quality talent. They understand that military-experienced personnel possess skills, attitudes and abilities beyond those of most people who have not served. Thus, veterans can add disproportionate value to any team or organization.

But as veteran unemployment drops to one of the lowest levels in years (now 4.4 percent), hiring managers are finding themselves competing aggressively for this worthy talent pool. To compete effectively, companies need to ramp up their veteran-hiring strategies. They must develop branding and outreach tactics that communicate clearly to veterans why their employment opportunities are worthy of consideration. At the core of this effort, companies must understand what most veterans seek as they transition to, or further develop, their civilian careers.

Veterans seek essentially the same features in their careers as everyone else, but two factors set veterans apart. One factor is the alacrity, focus and dedication with which they seek these benefits. The other is that, due to their military experience, veterans tend to focus on certain special sets of needs. Successful hiring managers and recruiters will pay careful attention to these needs as they craft their veteran hiring and retention strategies.

One way to conceptualize and remember this universe of needs is with an alliterative summary – The Four M's: Mission, Momentum, Money and Mentorship. Companies that dependably and consistently deliver on the Four M's will find themselves assembling teams from the pool of America's finest talent – its veterans.