How to Find a Job as a Veteran in Minnesota

Your military experience makes you an excellent candidate for a wide variety of civilian jobs. It’s frustrating when you know you have a lot of training and skills but can’t find the right job. Qualified veterans sometimes struggle to find employment, but there are many programs working to correct this and encouraging employers to hire vets. Making a few changes to your search can help you find the right job.

Whether you’re looking to land your first civilian job or are a veteran of civilian and military employment, here are a few tips to help you in your search.

Find your passion

In the military, you completed whatever was asked of you with efficiency and accuracy. Now, you get to choose from a wide variety of jobs where you think you’d fit best. Consider the jobs that you enjoyed during military service. Maybe you felt comfortable conducting trainings, or you liked making repairs. Think about the kinds of activities you like doing both professionally and personally to find a career path that’s right for you.

Translate your military work

Civilians won’t understand the titles and acronyms for the different jobs you performed. You’ll need to translate the work you did and the responsibilities you had. Instead of using military jargon, list your accomplishments with strong verbs like “managed,” “coordinated,” and “communicated.” If you’ve had other civilian jobs, describe how your military experience helped you in those roles. Ask a civilian to look over your resume to ensure it makes sense (in fact, you should always have someone look over your resume just in case).

Find positions using military skills

Instead of translating your military skills into civilian jobs, look for jobs where you can use those skills. Security firms are eager to hire employees with military expertise. Government contractors would rather hire veterans than train civilians to understand how military life works. If you have a security clearance, that can give you the edge over other candidates for certain positions.

Use your network

There are thousands of fellow servicemen and women who share your experience. Use your military network to let others know you’re on the job hunt. Participating in social groups will keep you connected during your search and help you find opportunities. You may not always want to talk about it, but letting people know you’re a veteran can open doors for your future.

Research government and nonprofit programs

There are many resources available for veterans seeking employment. Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development has a page where Minnesota veterans can find resources and services to help them find employment.

Connect with a staffing agency

Staffing agencies are excellent resources for connecting you with the best employers in the area. Even if the positions are only temporary, you’ll earn a steady paycheck and sharpen your skills while you make the career transition. Instead of finding a job on your own, the staffing agency will be your partner in connecting you with the right fit.

Award Staffing thanks you for your service to our country. We’re here to help you find fulfilling and meaningful work. Check out our job opportunities today to get started.