On Veterans’ Day, we’re reminded of the sacrifice of so many Americans. And as a business owner, there is something you can do to support this massive community of willing and able workers. Whether you’re hiring for the holidays or need some additional full time help, one pool of applicants that you should strongly consider is veterans.
They may have served a few tours of duty and spent years abroad, and the skills they can bring to your business are innumerable. Transitioning back to civilian life can be a challenge, but having a job that is fulfilling can lessen some of that burden.
As of 2016, there were almost 20.9 million noninstitutionalized veterans over the age of 18 in the United States. Of those millions of veterans, the unemployment rate varies widely based on location. In 2016, the state with the lowest rate of veteran unemployment was Indiana with 1.8% and the highest was the District of Columbia, with a rate of 7.6%.
No matter where your business is located, you can have a real impact by making an effort to hire veterans. Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring veterans and some websites you can visit to find great candidates.
Discipline
Former soldiers have gone through countless hours of rigorous training. They can bring that same know-how to your business. If they can learn how to properly operate complex and costly machinery, they can learn the tools and systems that keep your business running. Veterans will also bring an enviable attention to detail as they learned in training and maybe also on the battlefield that small errors in high stakes situations can have big consequences. Having a workforce that will sweat the small things can help your business reach new levels of success.
Teamwork and Leadership
Excelling in the armed forces requires teamwork and communication. Your business could use more employees who know how to work with others in order to get business critical tasks done. On top of that, many veterans may also have solid leadership skills, which can help them move up quickly and train others over time.
Ability to Handle any Situation
Whether it’s a customer having a meltdown in your store or a much more serious situation, veterans will know how to handle and deescalate. They have handled much worse in the past, so keeping your business going in the right direction, no matter what is thrown at them, will be no problem at all.
A Major Incentive to Hire Veterans
On top of the top-notch skills and qualities they can bring to your business, hiring veterans can help you earn a Work Opportunity Tax Credit. The amount of the tax credit depends on how long the individual has been unemployed, their income, and how many hours they work in their first year on your payroll. When hiring veterans, the lowest tax credit your business could receive starts at $2,400 per year and goes up to $9,600. Keep in mind that this tax credit is for each qualified veteran you hire who works at least 120 hours during their first year of employment. Also, remember that there are a number of forms you will have to fill out before and during their employment in order to be eligible for this tax credit. While we have discussed many different reasons why it is beneficial to hire veterans, this is one that often catches the attention of businesses large and small.
Where to Hire Veterans
You have heard of Monster, LinkedIn, Indeed, and SimplyHired by now. And it’s great that you are often able to ask applicants to self report their veteran status. But there are also job boards out there that specifically cater to veterans. It’s worth posting your jobs on these sites as well to go straight to the places that target veterans. Some of the most common job boards include VetJobs, USA Jobs, Hire Veterans, and Millitary.com. Take a few extra moments when posting your next job listing by using these sites as well and make a difference.
Once you hire more veterans, give them a smooth experience with scheduling, time tracking, and team communication. Homebase can help. Get started for free..
Remember: This is not legal advice. If you have questions about your particular situation, please consult a lawyer, CPA, or other appropriate professional advisor or agency.
