(Spc. Pierre-Etienne Courtejoie/U.S. Army photo) Companies love to hire veterans, especially those looking for their first post-military job. Young vets bring leadership, the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and a host of other skills many new college graduates don’t have yet.
Separating veterans in their first two years after the military do have one negative trait in their reputation: Retention. In 2016, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families found that half of veterans left their first civilian jobs within the first year. In a two-year span, that number goes up to 65%.
For many, the issue was unhappiness in underemployment, taking a job that didn’t utilize their skills and abilities adequately. Underemployment affects veterans at much higher rates than their civilian counterparts: A third of veteran job seekers are underemployed , a rate more than 15% higher than civilians in the same or similar fields.
There are other reasons for leaving a job, even one that veterans find fulfilling. In a job interview, they might find the interviewer asking why they left their job, or left it so quickly after being hired. Here are a few ways to translate the most common reasons for leaving in ways that can bolster one’s reputation. 1. Burnout
It’s natural for a newly separated veteran to arrive at their first job and want to leave their mark, make the bosses happy and set a standard for excellence, just like they did in the military. Many will accomplish this by taking on a lot of work or working all the time. There’s nothing wrong with working hard at a demanding job, but the work never ends, and without a healthy work-life balance, anyone will find themselves looking for another job.
If this is the reason for leaving, tell the interviewer you believe you thrive in an environment that embraces a healthy work-life balance and find yourself performing at your best when other areas of your life are taken care of. 2. Ethical Conflicts
Companies and workplaces, like people, have their own personalities and moods. Veterans will find that most […]
How Veterans Can Explain Why They Left Their First Post-Military Job
