A Call To Duty: Strategies for Recruiting and Hiring Veterans MiAHCR January 9, 2014 Michael A. Poyma, U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs
Topics Military Culture Obstacles Veterans Face Challenges to Employers The Business Case for Hiring Veterans Sourcing Veteran Talent Veteran-Friendly Practices Recommended Reading and Resources
Military Culture Joining the military From one to team Chain of Command Deployment Combat Separating from service
Obstacles Veterans Face Transition from military to civilian From team to one Re-assimilation, self-advocacy, and social / professional norms Transferable skills translation Lack of work experience prior to military Lack of job-seeking experience prior to military Pursuit of higher education Military and veteran stereotyping
Challenges to Employers Transferable skills translation Perceptions of acclimation issues Stereotypes Future Deployments Too many (different) resources
The Business Case for Hiring Veterans Entrepreneurial Assume high levels of trust Adept at skills transfer across tasks Advanced technical training Discontinuous, uncertain environments Resiliency Team-builders and organizational commitment Cross-cultural experience and diverse work settings
The Business Case for Hiring Veterans (continued) Succession Planning Advantage Education and training savings VA Healthcare = lower insurance rates Tax credits and other incentives Company image and public relations
Sourcing Veteran Talent Low / no-cost solutions State Workforce Agency VA VR&E Universities H2H – MI Talent Connect Outreach and events targeted to veterans
Veteran-Friendly Practices Identify veteran employees Information and training towards creating a veteran-friendly work environment Encourage informational interviewing, mentoring, and internship opportunities Veterans in human resource positions Amend position descriptions Buddy systems help with acclimation process Affinity programs help retention ESGR Statement of Support / Freedom Award
Recommended Reading and Resources Veterans Hiring Toolkit National Resource Directory Onetonline.org SHRM surveys Business Case Employing America’s Veterans TALENT 2025 Veterans Hiring Guide
Michigan Michigan Veterans: A Workforce Study Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) West Michigan Veterans Coalition Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) LinkedIn: Michigan Veterans Employment Solutions Michigan Veterans Employment Council
Questions? Michael Poyma Employment Specialist Dept. of Veterans Affairs 3001 Coolidge Rd. Suite 401 East Lansing, MI