One of the biggest hurdles our veterans face as they return to civilian life is navigating the job market. In the days following World War II, the veterans returning from war discovered a country willing to embrace them and make room for them in terms of civilian employment. This practice was not so prevalent after the Korean and Vietnam wars. While it’s not as bad today, many are discovering their best option for gainful employment is to seek work at or even start their own veteran owned business. Options exists, though.

Civilian Employers

If you’re a veteran applying to work at a civilian employer, you need to take the time to ensure you present yourself in the best possible light. Translate any military terminology or acronyms into civilian lingo. Your potential employer may not know what a valuable person you are because they don’t understand what it is you’ve done. You can’t count on them even knowing that MOS is an acronym for military occupational specialty. Be as specific as you’re allowed to be about your skill set, too, so that potential employers can see you’re a good match for their open positions. Also, do your own research on the company to see if you think you’ll fit in there. It’s not just about whether you’re right for the job; the job has to be right for you, too.

Veteran Owned Businesses

If you’re applying at a veteran owned business, some of these concerns will be eliminated for you. You still want to be specific. An Air Force veteran business owner may not know what a Marine veteran applicant’s specific skill set includes.

If you’re looking to start your own veteran owned business, be prepared to jump through some hurdles. One step towards business ownership for which many veterans fail to plan is having adequate funds as seed money. Whether that money be your own savings or an investment from others, lenders look for at how much you’re sinking into your planned veteran owned business as part of their approval process. Think about alternative methods of financing, too. Traditional banks aren’t the only place you can get a loan. The Veteran’s Administration has resources to help you. Some veterans are finding capital for their start-up through competitions or veteran-specific initiatives. Do what you can to improve your credit score, too. Many people in the service have trouble with their credit ratings because things like deployments don’t give you an opportunity to build a good credit history.

Employment options do exist for veterans, even if there are challenges in pursuit of those opportunities.