Do you know anyone that has served our country in the military?
An email I received yesterday from Anita Bruzzese brought my attention to a worthy cause.
Apparently, finding work after a tour in the military may not be as easy as it is for civilians.
Anita writes:
I recently spent nearly an hour talking to Caulfield, an articulate, passionate and committed guy who gave me a real earful about the pitiful state of affairs regarding employment for our veterans. Despite having served with honor and serving in some of the most dangerous parts of the world, these vets have a tougher time than other job seekers looking for work – those age 20-24 often have an unemployment rate two to three times higher than non-veterans of the same age group.
Our veterans are usually impressive people with a sense of pride and integrity that immediately distinguishes them from the candidate pool. Beyond that though, these are often highly trained individuals in the areas of leadership and problem-solving in addition to the abilities and interests they bring to the work world.
This organization is a strong effort to help match these noteworthy prospects to the corporate world’s needs by compensating for the unique challenges created by being otherwise occupied during the typical first years of a civilian career.
Hire a Hero focuses on helping vets connect with people locally who can help them get jobs. By allowing vets to post requests for help, and information about themselves, the site helps connect vets with hundreds of companies willing to employ those who have served. At the same time, the social networking aspect helps vets support each other during the difficult period of returning to civilian life and trying to find a job.
Take a moment to visit Hire a Hero. Have a great weekend!
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13 responses so far ↓
1 Peggy // Sep 28, 2007 at 2:19 pm
My military son is just going through the process of trying to return to civilian life.
The organization, discipline, mandated physical fitness, teamwork and steady income that he was accustomed to for so long is no longer there.
But there are great positives. He has straightened the kitchen pantry, reorganized the linen closet, sorted through the mounds of tupperware in the cupboard and helped the kid brother fold his t-shirts to properly stow them in his dresser
He has drive, focus, determination, politeness and so much more upon his return—things I would hope any employer would find valuable.
He is going to venture forward and try to find a job in law enforcement.
Thanks to the folks who launched such a site and thanks for giving them a plug, Chuck.
2 elysa // Oct 1, 2007 at 12:08 pm
I think that is a great idea. I am going to let the non-profit soldier adoption program I work with know about that site.
3 Chuck Westbrook // Oct 2, 2007 at 11:22 am
@Peggy & Elysa– Definitely a good cause. I’m glad you both found this helpful.
4 MN // Oct 2, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Interesting article. It is hard for a lot of people to find a job unless you know someone. Did you know that the government gives credits to those who are spouses, vetrans, and those who are in the military when applying for a government position.
5 Chuck Westbrook // Oct 3, 2007 at 2:46 pm
@MN– I did not know that, thanks for sharing.
6 Jason // Oct 4, 2007 at 2:56 pm
When I got out of the Navy, I was 22 and full of all sorts of electrical knowledge. Nobody wanted to hire me because I didn’t have a experience in the civilian world, doing “civilian” electronic repair. It was pretty lame. I had to go back to school so I can get a degree to prove I’m worth something. It’s to bad the Hire a Hero thing wasn’t around in 2003.
7 Chuck Westbrook // Oct 5, 2007 at 11:13 am
@Jason– I have a friend who just got back from the Navy, and he’s looking at law enforcement options. I guess it’s sort of a natural association.
8 Jason // Oct 5, 2007 at 12:21 pm
A friend of mine is doing the same thing right now. The thing about “law enforcement” is that they will generally hire anybody willing to go through the training and that passes their entrance tests.
Although I was in the Navy for 4 years, I have no “law enforcement” experience. It all depends on what you do for those 4 years I suppose. My friend that I mentioned has been in for 6 years, and the last two she spent specifically doing law enforcement training that when she got out she can get a job doing that.
9 Chuck Westbrook // Oct 5, 2007 at 12:37 pm
@Jason– True enough. This friend had an interest in law enforcement within the Navy as a Master at Arms. I didn’t mean to imply that Navy=law enforcement, I know better than that.
All this to say, you should have been given greater consideration without having to get a degree if you were qualified from your Navy experience. That’s the kind of change that makes sense.
10 Jason // Oct 5, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Indeed, and I believe that was my point, I had just failed to put it so simply.
Although I have heard that most law enforcement agencies will look at your resume harder if you have been in the military. Law enforcement is not for me though. Well, it is, buy my wife won’t let me for fear of being killed in the line of duty. She couldn’t stop me from going in the military, as we were not married at the time, but now I suppose she has some say in my life, as I hope I have some say in her life choices. Know what I mean?
11 Chuck Westbrook // Oct 8, 2007 at 2:26 pm
@Jason– I know exactly what you mean. My wife’s requested that I never own a motorcycle for safety reasons. She rarely makes requests like that, so when she does, it’s obvious that she feels strongly about it.
12 Jason // Oct 10, 2007 at 1:23 am
For sure. I’m not allowed to own a motorcycle for the same reason. Although I was informed that a Vespa would be acceptable. Apparently, if I die in an accident involving a two wheeled vehicle, she’d rather it be because I got hit by somebody else for going to slow rather than crash for driving too fast. Whatever.
13 Denise Smith // Apr 25, 2008 at 9:40 pm
PLEASE PUBLISH: I came to this site doing a search on Hire-A-Hero for a client of mine but also to find sites where I can find those with similiar training as I in the United States Navy.
The facinating thing about the military is that we have EVERY type of civilian job plus some not-so-civilian jobs. It IS about what you did in the Navy (or other service). You just need to understand how what you did translates into the civilian community, not all of it is law enforcement. We have medics, human resources, construction. We have it all. Further, BECAUSE of our disciplined training, tight communities, and integrity, one would think we’d be the preferred choice among employers. It is unfortunate that many in the private sector don’t understand that loyalty, honor and belief in doing the right thing is really good for their business rather than bad. When we elected to serve - and we’re the ONLY all-volunteer military force in the world (to my knowledge), we elected to serve the constitution. We have been an all-volunteer force since 1975. We don’t get a choice in which military leader we are following. The nation elects that leader. Thus, when the nation disapproves of a military action, it is the individual service men and women who pay the price.
I was recently thanked by my Navy “niece” for my own service, as I enlisted in 1976 and served active for 8 years, inactive for 4. I thank you who read this for your own service.
We veterans who served before you are out there working to ensure you get jobs.
My name is Denise Smith, and I am looking for those with CTT/CTR/CTN (or similar ratings in other services) background who want to come into the civilian world and learn about implementing Human Resources (HRIS) information systems. Travel is required with the job. The location is San Francisco and relocation is not available but remote/telecommuting will be considered. I need people who can connect the dots with the data. Those of you who served in this capacity know of what I speak. I WILL be using the Hire a Hero site.
Sincerely,
Denise L. Smith, PHR
Director, Client Services
BPOMS/HRO Division
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