Posted on Feb 19, 2021
Transitioning from active duty, what do you look for in an employer?
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This question has been asked time and time again, but with the changing world and employment landscape, as a recruiter this is critically important to know what we're missing, or what we could be doing better for our veterans. I would love to hear what folks transitioning from duty are looking for. For full time positions here at King County we have you covered already with health benefits, transportation options, compensation. In the below survey, what on this list is most important to you?
Have a great weekend everybody! :)
Have a great weekend everybody! :)
Civilian Career
Employment
Transition
ETS/EAS
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 6
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I hate to disappoint you, but there is no "one true way" for your answer. We are not Mandalorians there is no "it is the way."
When I was transitioning, I shocked almost all of the folks in my transition class because high on my priority list was uniforms. I had worn a uniform for so long that I don't have a wide assortment of business clothes, and, frankly, didn't want to invest thousands of dollars in creating a professional closet. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy because they couldn't wait to STOP wearing a uniform.
And every single person in that class had at least one "wierd" thing they were looking for. None of us had the same list of priorities. No two out of the 35 in the class matched.
Most retirees couldn't care less about your health benefits - TriCare retired is cheaper. Guaranteed. Especially once you get to family coverage. However those who are getting out prior to retirement, those health benefits may be a TOP priority.
Same is (partially) true for money. I worked until retirement so that I have a paycheck for life and I don't have to worry about finding a high-paying job. I make $25K / year in retirement (and most retirees will make more than that), and I count that as part of my income when looking at jobs. I don't need a six figure job - a $75K job means I AM making six figures. (And when you add in disability from VA, I only need a $35K job). Those who are getting out prior to retirement are much more likely to be motivated by the benjamins.
Combat Arms folks are probably looking for more physical / active jobs, while Intelligence folks are looking for cerebral jobs and Supply folks are looking for logistics job. Generally speaking, folks will want to find jobs where they can put their hard-earned skills and knowledge to use. Except for the ones who don't - I retired with 4 years in Combat Arms and 16 in Intelligence, with 5 deployments, including some REAL DEAL stuff - but I intentionally took a job as a pizza driver so that I could have VERY low stress and make decent (liveable) money (remember that part where I only need to make $35K / year to make 6 figures - I make $30K a year in a low cost of living area). I literally planned on being a Wal-Mart greeter, but I can't handle standing that long.
What I am trying to say is that if you are looking for a one-size fits all path to recruiting former service members, the ONLY path you can follow is to LISTEN and treat each person as an individual. We each have our own wants, needs, and priorities.
When I was transitioning, I shocked almost all of the folks in my transition class because high on my priority list was uniforms. I had worn a uniform for so long that I don't have a wide assortment of business clothes, and, frankly, didn't want to invest thousands of dollars in creating a professional closet. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy because they couldn't wait to STOP wearing a uniform.
And every single person in that class had at least one "wierd" thing they were looking for. None of us had the same list of priorities. No two out of the 35 in the class matched.
Most retirees couldn't care less about your health benefits - TriCare retired is cheaper. Guaranteed. Especially once you get to family coverage. However those who are getting out prior to retirement, those health benefits may be a TOP priority.
Same is (partially) true for money. I worked until retirement so that I have a paycheck for life and I don't have to worry about finding a high-paying job. I make $25K / year in retirement (and most retirees will make more than that), and I count that as part of my income when looking at jobs. I don't need a six figure job - a $75K job means I AM making six figures. (And when you add in disability from VA, I only need a $35K job). Those who are getting out prior to retirement are much more likely to be motivated by the benjamins.
Combat Arms folks are probably looking for more physical / active jobs, while Intelligence folks are looking for cerebral jobs and Supply folks are looking for logistics job. Generally speaking, folks will want to find jobs where they can put their hard-earned skills and knowledge to use. Except for the ones who don't - I retired with 4 years in Combat Arms and 16 in Intelligence, with 5 deployments, including some REAL DEAL stuff - but I intentionally took a job as a pizza driver so that I could have VERY low stress and make decent (liveable) money (remember that part where I only need to make $35K / year to make 6 figures - I make $30K a year in a low cost of living area). I literally planned on being a Wal-Mart greeter, but I can't handle standing that long.
What I am trying to say is that if you are looking for a one-size fits all path to recruiting former service members, the ONLY path you can follow is to LISTEN and treat each person as an individual. We each have our own wants, needs, and priorities.
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Suspended Profile
Consider PAE when you are transitioning from active military duty. We hire a lot of Veterans and transitioning Service Members. Join us and continue to make a difference!
SSG William Thaxton
Very well said! Being retired with TRICARE benefits, I usually scroll right past the benefits when looking for job offers online. I have yet to come across any company that will pay higher in Salary if you decline their benefits though.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
SSG William Thaxton Depending on the job, you CAN negotiate that. Some of those benefits cost companies big time. If you give up the $600 / health care many places will be happy to give you an extra $200 a paycheck.
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SSgt Mathew Cummings
No disrespect towards the Mandalorian comment. Truly had no idea of what it was.
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Blake Bennett
That is also a good point, and an idea for a future post to ask a similar question from the lens of a specific body of work, such as program management, info tech, etc.
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Culture and values because that is the peg from which everything else hangs from. I have said this and will say it again. An organization that has bad values, does not follow rules, regulations, and laws is a corrupt organization and the employees will suffer.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
Blake Bennett - Case in point. I knew someone who worked for a VA hospital. She got fired after missing time due to a heart problem. You can't fire a person for a disability. Nobody in the VA hospital would help her. The manager wanted to make a position open to hire her friend. She hired an attorney who asked the personnel manager what the protected classes were and he could not list them. The attorney also asked the personnel manager if the VA gave consideration to those with a disability and answered no. That was a bullshit answer because the fvcker was blind. The attorney was badass. He had two policemen go to the VA hospital and take possession of a couple hard drives to conduct searches on them. She won!
That is when the husband decided that the VA hospital was unethical and did not follow values, rules, regulations, and laws. In the end they thought it was appropriate to fire someone who had a heart procedure done on her. Irony is her husband was the OIC for Veterans Day for that very large city and they fvcked over a military spouse and family. It took a heavy toll on the family. What the VA hospital did was evil and showed that many people in the organization had no conscience.
None of this shit would have happened in my organization because I respected all the soldiers, I took care of them, and I loved them. My intentions were always pure.
That is when the husband decided that the VA hospital was unethical and did not follow values, rules, regulations, and laws. In the end they thought it was appropriate to fire someone who had a heart procedure done on her. Irony is her husband was the OIC for Veterans Day for that very large city and they fvcked over a military spouse and family. It took a heavy toll on the family. What the VA hospital did was evil and showed that many people in the organization had no conscience.
None of this shit would have happened in my organization because I respected all the soldiers, I took care of them, and I loved them. My intentions were always pure.
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