Do Military veterans have an advantage or disadvantage when seeking employment in the private sector?

Answer 1

It depends on:

1. The type of job
2. The skills and experience level of the applicant

When seeking work in the military-industrial complex for example, military experience is a plus. The MI companies are always interested in learning what the military needs; having ex-military with recent experience in their ranks is one way to find that out.

On the other hand, when seeking work in the social services sectors, military experience is a negative. People to people skills are not a major strength of military people who are used to giving and taking direct orders. Military people tend to be overbearing and intimidating, two traits not good for social work requiring empathy.

Regardless, one thing you can bank on...military service time takes away a few years that might be otherwise spent on the civilian job. So when you finally go to that civilian job, you will likely be behind in experience when compared with your peers.

Even so, my experience is that the self-discipline the military life engenders can be used to quickly close the gap between your peers and you; so that after a few years with your company, you will find yourself in the same promotional cycle if not accelerated because of the military training.

Answer 2

That would depend on the type of field you're 1) trained in while in the military and 2) what job you're seeking once you're out. Regardless of the type of job you did in the service, security and police work will more than likely snap you up if they can.
If you worked in engineering, shoot for an engineering job in the private sector. I would say that talking with previous bosses, you would have a slightly greater advantage to someone who hasn't been in the military.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Depends on the job. Did the person get special training in the military? What skill from the military is the person taking to this new position?

Answer 4

It does help with many public-sector jobs, federal, state and local; and for security-related jobs in industry. And to a variable degree in running for public office.

But educational qualifications help much more for management and business generally.

You can have it both ways by getting a University of Maryland degree while in the military.

Answer 5

It depends on the job and environment. My boss is apt to hire a veteran just because they usually can get to work on time on a consistent basis. Can't say that about most of the recent college grads.

Answer 6

it depends on what they did while bieng in the military, a grunt with no major skill other than running @ the enemy and not dieng probably not, but a trained mechanic, medic, cook, electrician or whatever will have opportunities because they have a trade they can use to get a job

Answer 7

I have heard that they are disadvantaged, because they are over specialized there fore week in a position that requires multiple skill sets.

Answer 8

depends on the type of company...there was one (a mechanic) that was trying to get a maintenance job at a CBRF(kinda nursing home) his demeanor was too brash for that... but in other jobs... he was just fine for....even perfect for.... even one... too over qualified...

Answer 9

ADVANTAGE!!! My friend is a cop and veterans points kill her every-time

Answer 10

yes, veterans know how to say YES SIR, NO SIR, YES MAMA, NO MAMA.