How Do I Find Jobs For Veterans Near Me?

Making the jump from military service to the civilian workforce sector can get a little discouraging at times. However, it is a transition that every veteran is more than equipped to make. I work alongside a couple of organizations explicitly geared towards facilitating these transitions, and one of the most frequently asked questions whenever I’m talking with a former soldier looking for work is “How do I find jobs for veterans near me?”

Job hunting can be very hard, yes, as the goal is to find an ideal position that both fits with your particular skill set, and is rewarding enough to keep you engaged and motivated. The problem is that finding that “right fit” sometimes requires you commute long distances or even move to a different city or state. And this can be a serious issue when you have a family, or deal with a disability that makes traveling cumbersome.

So, going back to the original question of “How do I find jobs for veterans near me?” I keep finding that in most cases, isn’t so much about looking harder, but smarter. Having the correct approach and using the proper tools will save you time and energy and make that search much more manageable. Which in turn will net you the results you are after in a more speedy manner.

With that in mind, I wanted to share with you guys a few resources and “working strategies,” that I’ve noticed to have great success with the vets I’ve worked with, and that can probably benefit you in your search.

Figure out your field

The first thing I’d advise you is to take a good look at your skillset, and the type of job you are looking for. Applying to a large number of varying types of jobs might seem like a good idea initially, but I’ve seen this approach to be time-consuming and energy draining, as you need to keep track of a more substantial number of leads that don’t necessarily pan out.

A better approach, I’d argue, is to home into the type of position or job you’d like to have. You must go over your military career, and by highlighting the pieces of knowledge and skills that fit prominently with that type of job, then looking for an opening on that field within your chosen location.

Some military careers translate very well into the civilian job market, things like paralegal, careers in medicine, or jobs in the IT sector. However, if you want a change of direction and want to try getting a job in a new industry, then figure out what transferable skills you have for that sector and get a bit of study/training in areas that might help you get that position. It will be worth it.

Consider the government sector

Once your service is over, a great place to look into for jobs is the federal government. The federal government gives significant preference to veterans, taking into account their service track record.

Needless to say, these positions come with significant benefits, and the prospect of earning a second retirement, ending up with a military pension as well as a government pension.

The fields are broad, not just political or administrative positions, and they have openings all over the country, which serves the purpose of finding a great job near you.

Try Specialized Job Markets

While you can, and should, apply for job openings that suit you from any source you find, you should know that there are several job markets online which can narrow your search parameters and give you a higher chance of success finding that job post more expediently.

Sites like USA jobs are perfect when you want to apply for jobs in the governmental sector, and places like JofDav can be a huge source of job offerings more than open to hired veterans with disabilities.

These jobs markets will usually allow you to narrow down your search by locations, making it simpler to find those that would fit your situation.

Before you leave, let me reiterate, finding the right job can be difficult, but it can most definitively be done.

Veterans’ unemployment figures are slowly but surely decreasing, and the general job market is realizing what a powerful asset having a veteran as part of your job force is. If you are asking yourself “how do I find jobs for veterans near me?” It is just about knowing where to look, keeping your eyes focused on the goal, and your spirit motivated. It is just a matter of time.