Veterans remain a valuable addition to the workforce

Veterans remain a valuable addition to the workforce

Nine years ago, I nervously started the job search, looking to begin a new chapter.  One that didn’t involve combat boots and the unpredictability that comes with military service. I had just wrapped up my company command with a 15-month deployment and found myself at a crossroads. I knew this chapter was coming to a close and it was time to look ahead.  Pushing forward with my decision to leave the military, I picked up my DD214 and moved back home to the Northwest. It was there that I created my first LinkedIn account and bravely sent a handful of connection requests to industry leaders who also shared a military background.  I humbly asked for advice on how to translate my experience, network, and navigate the job search, something that did not come naturally to me. After a series of interviews and informationals, I landed my first job outside the military. 

After several years focused on creating veteran hiring programs, I believed that the employment narrative had improved; however, it was clear that service members continued to face barriers when leaving the military.  My continued work across the military community cultivated a deep appreciation for the real challenges service members face in finding their sense of purpose while searching for a meaningful career. The struggle to translate deployments, combat missions, and training exercises into valuable skills that an employer might recognize felt daunting.  It was difficult for employers to understand how the skills service members learned in the military were translatable and transferable. As such, many service members believed it was necessary to take a step back, in order to take a step forward.  

Shortly after starting at LinkedIn, I reached out to LinkedIn’s insights team to develop an insights report to better understand the real story, using data, about the post-military employment journey.  I was curious about LinkedIn’s data and if it was possible to understand what really happens when service members leave active duty. I was introduced to Melissa Boatwright, an Air Force veteran leading an insights team, that supported LinkedIn’s key customers.  I was immediately drawn to Melissa, intrigued by her passion and excitement for pushing the envelope as to what was possible, which fueled our collaboration.  Melissa took the reins, and with her deep knowledge of how to leverage data, convened a team of experts. We felt a deep inclination that something was amiss when service members leave the military.  What started as a hypothesis around networks, perception, and skills evolved, giving us a deeper understanding of what really happens when service members leave the ranks and join the civilian workforce.  The Veteran Opportunity Report was born.  

What the data unveiled was astounding and humbling.  Transitioning service members experienced relatively low unemployment and were finding jobs; however, we began to see underemployment emerge across the veteran community.  At LinkedIn, underemployment is quantified as the percentage of members who have at least a bachelor’s degree and are in skilled and hourly jobs based on LinkedIn’s taxonomy. Through this research, we found that underemployment has steadily increased since 2010, reaching the highest gap in 2017, where veterans were 38% more likely to be underemployed.  As we explored the data further, we also found that veterans are 70% more likely to take a step back in seniority when compared to their peers. We persisted, exploring deeper and found data that brought to light the value veterans bring to organizations. Veterans with bachelor’s degrees had 2.9 times more work experience than non-veterans with bachelor’s degrees and were 160% more likely to have a graduate degree.  The data also told us that veterans are 39% more likely to move into a leadership position and 43% more likely to get promoted in their first three years at their initial organization. This left me inspired! Despite experiencing setbacks upon leaving the military, veterans continue to maintain determination and resolve in building their post-military careers. But, we can do more. As an ecosystem that creates programs to support transitioning service members, we play an integral role in reaching back to pull members from the military community forward and can rewrite this story through our supporting programs, employment opportunities, and willingness to network and mentor those transitioning from service.  

This Veterans Day, as we celebrate the service and sacrifices of those who have gone before us, and will follow after us, I find inspiration in the resolve and commitment across the military community.  For it was this same community, that at each juncture of my professional career, someone reached back, offered me their hand, and pulled me forward. I am forever grateful. We have a chance pay it forward.  Whether you are a veteran, recruiter, or hiring manager who thanks a service member for their sacrifices, take a moment to look deeper and reflect. How can we evaluate our programs and change the narrative of what a post-military career looks like?  Let’s create programs that elevate the experience of our military and the skills they learned during service so that breaking through and creating a career after the military no longer feels daunting and that the lack of understanding in a veteran’s military experience leads to a meaningful conversation.  The blank stares from recruiters and hiring managers soften into empathy, understanding, and a willingness to see the value veterans offer and their passion to make a difference in the workforce.    

If we as a community can take small steps to better understand the discipline, skills, and experience that veterans have, our attempts will progress to the point of achievement where veterans find stimulating work that is meaningful and rewarding.  In doing so, we will empower veterans to dream bigger in their post-military career ambitions and arm them with the knowledge to bring those dreams to life. The best is yet to come and we believe there is more in writing our story. #inittogether

David (.

Proud AF Veteran | Volunteer Firefighter

3y

I just read what you do for the military veterans and you're really an awesome person! We never had someone like you in our corner 40 plus years ago, when I had to separate form active duty. It's nice to know that our men and women have someone in their corner fighting for them. You truly are a wonderful person! The company I will be leaving soon, likes hiring veterans. I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend!

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Spears Latimore

Placed nearly 1000 Military Officers into Corporate America | Over 70% of my Clients Have Hired Multiple Candidates | Placing Top-Tier Military Officers into Super Companies with Exciting Leadership Opportunities

3y

Sara, as a Military Headhunter, the report has armed me with some newfound nuggets when talking with clients. Super!

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Sorry. Valor Healthcare is in Laguna Woods, Ca and in many places in the US. Hope this helps those that are hurting and need support. ❤

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Nahuel Arosemena Siburu

buscando nuevo empleo.- en Autónomo

4y

Felicitaciones . Yo serví en el Ejército Argentino en 1987 - 1988 en funciones de soldado sencillo . Opino que Linkedin es una buena red , pero muy lenta, muy lenta en producir resultados para la vida real . No todos podemos dedicar 8 horas diarias en una oficina alquilada a estas tareas, pues es muy costoso , demasiado lujo para personas  sencillas . Saludos desde  PANAMA .--

Nick Garratt

Tech-Obsessed Futurist | Digital Marketing Generalist | Veteran Military Photographer

4y

Transition is not easy at all. It certainly doesn't help when most military schools and credits don't count for squat at most higher education institutions. There is still much work to be done before the process is seamless, but I'm confident we can get there if we all work at it together. Thanks for all your efforts. 

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