Helping to Find a Veteran a Job (Part II)

When dealing with the issue of finding veterans jobs, it has already been discussed, in Part I of this series, about just a few of the issues that one must examine.

It is enough to say that there are any number of issues to deal with when many veterans are seeking to re-establish themselves back in the work world.

It is not possible to enumerate 'routine issues' that some of these vets might have. So, everyone is unique. Circumstances are unique, as are the personalities that one will encounter when dealing with a veteran population.

Once reliable housing and transportation is accounted for, then the business of creating a strategy for finding potential jobs, putting together a sound resume and coverletter(s), and preparing the veteran for interviews comes into play.

Strategies for finding veterans jobs are going to be unique to the veteran. In the case of someone without many area ties, applying to jobs outside the state one is in may be viable. If there is not enough financial strength for a veteran to do this, then the coverage are of a job search may be the approximate range of the vehicle involved. Remember, though, that 'reliable transportation' is not always a personally owned car. If a veteran lives within an area that has a good public transportation system then a bus line or a train may constitute reliable transportation.

Of some importance is whether or not the veteran has a phone. Not having a telephone can mean the difference between getting and not getting a job. So, it is important the veteran acquire one, if they do not have a phone, prior to doing substantial work with them.

Here is a case in point: A 25-year-old U.S. Army veteran who was a construction engineer in the service. He lives within an urban area in a crowded city. He is seeking to begin again in the workforce after he has recently left the service.

One approach for this would be to first examine the assets that are on-hand : the veteran is physically capable of work. He may not have any formal civilian education in construction, but he has some educational experience with it through the military. In addition, this veteran has been building various things by hand for four years. He does not have a criminal record, but he does not have a driver's license.

The answers for this veteran are not just a job, or school, but a combination of both. When assisting someone, of course, no one can tell someone they have to do something. Rather, it is a situation where helpers make recommendations to people they are working with. Whether or not someone listens to those is neither here nor there, because helping stops being 'help' when someone is trying to force anyone to do anything.

First, I would look for construction companies, union halls, private firms or even state, local or Federal job postings that have something to do with the vocational training and/or experiences the veteran has previously had. It is always better to put a round peg into a round hole.

Next, for the vocational future of the veteran, I would suggest additional, civilian education -- be that vocational or educational, depending upon the field or position they work in or wish to work in.