Military veterans are tremendously valuable in today’s workplace. Here are 20 reasons why hiring a veteran might be one of the best investments you can make in your business:

1. Veterans are trained in ways you cannot possibly train in the private sector.
2. They are disciplined.
3. They are reliable.
4. They show up on time.
5. They respect the “uniform of the day.”
6. They are often able to problem solve at a higher level across competencies.
7. They perform under pressure.
8. They are efficient AND effective.
9. They value advancement opportunity.
10. Whether you know it or not, most spend time before separating analyzing their experience and applying to real-world application in transition-preparation classes. They know their value proposition.
11. They persist in adverse conditions.
12. They really know what it means to work on a team.
13. They often bring leadership experience to your team.
14. They understand the value of language in a culture.
15. They are familiar with the necessity to “ritualize-to-actualize” within a culture.
16. They have respect for superiors.
17. They are grateful for the opportunity to build their lives in the civilian sector (they don’t take it for granted).
18. They know what it means to be loyal.
19. They have been instilled with core-values.
20. They are absolutely mission-oriented. Vets work best in an environment where the mission is clear and communicated.
21. BONUS– they often have world-experience and perspective that less experienced workers may not have.

It’s no secret. The top expense in most companies is people. The people you invest in need to be of the highest caliber. They need to be competent and deliver on a daily basis. If they don’t know what they’re doing, they need the emotional maturity to ASK.

It all comes back to common sense. What we as employers look for (common sense) is often not so common. Does this list apply to every single veteran that separates from the military? No. An intelligent and well-vetted interview process should always take place to ensure that the character you are hiring is a fit for your mission. There are obviously fantastic workers that are not veterans. However, you as an employer NEED to be aware of this list of reasons to hire a veteran before the opportunity for increased efficiency and enhanced culture passes you by!

Two steps to hire a vet from www.careeronestop.org:

Follow these two simple steps to find and hire qualified veterans.

1. Begin by posting your job opening on your state job bank. Follow the instructions on your state job bank website to post jobs.
2. Next, contact a Veterans Employment Representative at an American Job Center. Let them know you want to hire a veteran. They may ask for details of your job listing(s). They will be able to help you identify qualified veterans.

Also, consider reaching out directly to your local military bases. Many bases have on-site career advising offices where you can connect directly with transitioning vets.