Factors Impacting Veteran HiringHiring factors for veterans may be different than those faced by the private sector, according to a study by the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Christopher Stone, a Ph.D. student at the university’s College of Business, conducted research to determine any issues that may prevent veterans from landing jobs. His paper, “Factors affecting hiring decisions about veterans,” has been published in the Human Resource Management Review.

As a veteran himself, Stone realized after his eight years in the Air Force that many of his peers faced difficulties being hired into appropriate careers. He then decided to pursue this line of research when he began his Ph.D. studies.

Stone told Phys.org that though plenty of research shows that veterans often struggle to find and keep jobs, there has been a lack of information about what to do to change it.

Using the contributing factors of the treatment of people with disabilities as a model, Stone and his fellow researchers examined variables that they believed affected employers during their decision-making throughout the hiring process.

The attributes of the person hiring and the veteran applying for the job come into play during the hiring process. The particulars of the job, differences in organizational culture and how well the hiring manager believes military abilities can transfer to civilian positions can also impact the decision.

According to the study, here are some techniques that can improve the veteran hiring process:

  • Companies can make positive changes to make it easier for veterans to transition in. Ideas include making the company culture more veteran-friendly by showing the value veterans bring and showcasing their hiring successes.
  • Educating hiring managers to recognize the unique abilities of veterans can also help. Some companies may want to hire HR personnel or recruiters that specialize in placing veterans into jobs. Rewarding employees who refer veterans to the company can also help.
  • Career placement organizations should work with veterans to understand the roles and company values of civilian companies and positions.
  • Companies can educate their teams on military positions and how they relate to civilian positions as far as job skills and knowledge.
  • Veterans can work with career coaches to learn necessary career search skills and get feedback throughout the process. Learning to be honest about any health issues and how to communicate their value to potential employers can also help.

For more information about Stone’s research, his paper is available for download.

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