Unlocking the Power of Veterans in the Workplace: Unique Skills and Qualities
Veterans bring qualities to the workplace that you’ll find in few other employees. They come with unique skills, experience, and attributes that make them an asset to any workplace. Adding veterans to your team does more than empower them as individuals. You also promote a culture of excellence, growth and success throughout your organization. The value veterans bring to the workplace with their unique skills, experience and other benefits make hiring veterans a worthwhile objective for employers.
The Value Veterans Bring to the Workforce
Veterans bring a wealth of skills, experience, and dedication that can enhance your workforce. By tapping into veterans’ unique talents, employers open their businesses to increased innovation, success, and growth. Military service cultivates a strong sense of responsibility, adherence to rules, and unfailing honesty. These traits make veterans reliable and trustworthy employees. They inspire their coworkers and have a strong respect for authority, making them exceptional leaders and receptive to being led.
The Unique Skills and Qualities of Veterans
If you don’t know veterans, you would be surprised by what they learn as service members. You would expect them to be trained in defense-related skills, but when they join the military, they choose or are assigned a specialty – often one that can easily translate to the civilian world. During their military training and experience, they develop qualities that make them stand out in the civilian workforce, from leadership and resilience to technical expertise and community engagement. Of course, each veteran is unique and brings their own specific skills and experiences, but many veterans have some of the following qualities in common.
Leadership
One of the qualities veterans are noted for is their exceptional leadership abilities. Veterans receive extensive leadership training in the military, learning to motivate their teams and make quick, informed decisions. During their military service, they often find themselves in roles where they must lead and inspire others in high-pressure situations. This experience translates seamlessly into the corporate world, where veterans can take charge and drive teams toward success. This ability to lead under pressure makes them valuable additions to any organization.
Problem-Solving and Adaptability
Veterans are known for their problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to any conditions. The unpredictable nature of military life requires veterans to rapidly assess situations, adapt to changes, and effectively solve problems. They have been trained to think on their feet, make quick decisions, and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. These skills are critical in industries where adapting to changes and taking on new challenges is crucial for success. These skills are especially valuable in jobs that depend on innovation and flexibility.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Collaboration is essential to any military operation — veterans thrive as part of a team. They are accustomed to working side-by-side with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences in situations more challenging than typical work environments. They understand the importance of clear communication, trust, and support in achieving team goals. They know that any team is only as strong as its weakest member. Inspiring every person on the team to perform at their best is second nature to them. This teamwork mindset builds a positive work environment and drives productivity.
Technical and Specialized Skills
Military training often includes advanced technical and specialized skills, making veterans highly proficient in their fields. These specialized skills can be applied across various industries, enabling veterans to acclimate to new professional environments quickly. If you’re considering a veteran as a candidate, encourage them to discuss their skills in detail. Military jargon often differs from corporate terminology, so you may need to dig deep to understand their technical abilities or specialized training.
Resilience and Mental Strength
Service members are trained to overcome challenges and maintain focus, even in high-pressure environments. While the projects and tasks they will encounter in most work environments are not as high-stakes as national defense, resilience and mental toughness are welcomed in civilian jobs. For example, resilience enables an employee in sales to persist in the face of repeated rejection. Mental toughness can help people cope with challenges unique to their industry and even rise through the ranks.
Community Engagement & Service
Veterans often maintain a strong commitment to service and their communities after leaving the military. Their dedication to giving back fosters a positive organizational culture and boosts employee morale. Companies that hire veterans are seen as socially responsible, which can improve brand image and reputation and appeal to consumers who value supporting businesses that advocate for veterans.
Strong Work Ethic
Veterans are known for their work ethic. Their dedication and commitment to duty is legendary. They are goal-oriented and driven to achieve with a level of tenacity and perseverance that is envied by many and sought after by employers. They can dig deep to achieve objectives, often in uncomfortable, dangerous, stressful situations; almost anything asked of them in a civilian job will pale next to their previous training and experience.
Retention and Loyalty
Veterans are known for their loyalty in the workplace, resulting in lower turnover rates and longer retention, ultimately saving businesses valuable resources in the long run. They ramp up fast because of their ability to learn and adapt quickly to new procedures and technologies. Their independent, entrepreneurial spirit enables them to think creatively, take calculated risks, and contribute to innovative problem-solving, making them a long-term asset to any workplace.
Benefits & Incentives for Hiring Veterans
Employers can take advantage of several benefits and incentives when hiring veterans. Adding vets to your workforce gives you access to the unique skills and qualities they bring and governmental and organizational incentives. These benefits make hiring veterans a winning prospect for businesses on multiple fronts – from obtaining top talent to the potential for financial advantages.
Potential Tax Breaks
Organizations may qualify for tax breaks like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) by hiring eligible veterans. This financial incentive can help offset the cost of onboarding and training. Employers may be eligible for a tax credit for veterans they hire. Depending on how many veterans you employ, the WOTC tax credit can add up over time.
Salary Subsidies & Reimbursements
Certain programs, like the Veterans Affairs (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program, offer salary subsidies and reimbursements to employers who hire veterans. This can help reduce labor costs while supporting veteran talent. For example, VR&E subsidizes veterans’ salaries, so employers can pay a smaller percentage of their wage while the veteran is in training. Once training is completed and the vet can fully contribute to the organization, the employer takes over paying the full salary.
Free Assistance
The federal government and other organizations offer free resources to help employers connect with veteran talent, such as the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS). Contact a Regional Veterans’ Employment Coordinator to learn about federal, state, and local resources to help you hire veterans. You can also download the Department of Labor’s Employer Guide to Hiring Veterans.
PrideStaff: Taking Pride in Our Veterans
At PrideStaff, our experienced team of recruiters is deeply committed to helping veterans transition seamlessly into fulfilling civilian careers. We believe in a personalized approach in which we take the time to understand each veteran’s military skills, training, and experiences. As a veteran staffing firm, our job is to ensure that these capabilities are effectively matched with the right opportunities in the civilian workforce. Many of our offices are veteran-owned, and we’re proud that PrideStaff was featured on the Top Franchises for Veterans List by Entrepreneur Magazine for the fifth consecutive year.
Contact Our Recruiters Today to Find Top Veteran Talent in Your Area!
Veterans can make a valuable contribution to any organization. Hiring vets offers advantages few employers can afford to miss. If you’re an employer looking to unlock the power of veterans in your workforce, don’t hesitate to contact our recruiters at PrideStaff. We have gained a reputation as a veteran staffing firm with a vast network of skilled and dedicated veterans ready to contribute to your organization’s success.
Hiring veterans isn’t just a smart business move; it’s a way to honor and support those who have served our nation. By recognizing the unique skills and qualities veterans bring to the workplace, you can create a stronger, more diverse, and more resilient team to help your organization thrive in today’s competitive environment.
PrideStaff is a national staffing agency with offices located throughout the country. To learn more about our staffing services or to find top veteran talent in your area, contact your local PrideStaff office today.
