Recruiters of different organizations have started a trend of hiring veterans. Many people don’t know and misunderstand the U.S. military training that veterans have gone through. The fear of the unknown tend to hold people back.

However, the move towards hiring military veterans shed some light as to how veterans can be exemplary workers. This awareness made it easier for skilled veterans to transition to the civilian working world.

More than anything else, we also get the opportunity to show our gratitude to our veterans through veteran employment. This way, veteran unemployment rate will go even further down. 

Whether it be through a job board, job fairs or recruiters who are actively seeking qualified veterans, organizations are able to offer a helping with their transition to a civilian life. 

Here are 4 top reasons why companies are hiring veterans.

Veterans are Groomed to be Trainable

Being coachable, adaptable and trainable is the essence of military training. According to Col. Dan Friend, “the army is a learning organization”. Veterans are not just trained on how to employ weapon systems and they know more than just military tactics.

Those who have gone through military service are also taught how to act professionally and are conditioned to be trainable and to keep on getting better. Veterans have a growth mindset and it is a key factor in developing a positive and productive workplace culture.

Many hiring managers make the mistake of assuming that the skills of veterans can’t be transferable outside the realm of the military. However, creating quick decisions, being able to work under pressure and getting things done are skills veterans can apply in any situation because of their military experience.

Being groomed to follow orders, they respect and know the importance of instructions. Having military training, they are among the most disciplined.  Transitioning can be a smooth process if the company has a veteran-informed culture.

According to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder, employers found that being disciplined is the top quality that skilled veterans bring to work at 63%. 

Here are the rest of the results:

• Disciplined approach to the job – 63%
• Teamwork – 62%
• Integrity and respect – 59%
• Can work under pressure – 54%
• Leadership – 52%
• Problem solving skills – 48%
• Adaptability – 46%
• Perseverance – 44%
• Communication skills – 41%
• Outstanding technical skills – 33%

According to the same survey, if employers have open positions and were to choose between two qualified candidates, one a veteran and one not, 68% of them would rather hire the veteran. This goes to prove how the skills and qualities of veterans are valued even outside the military world. 

While their technical skills may be lacking, veterans make up for it by being trainable, disciplined and being able to triumph over adversity.

Veterans are Excellent Team Players

Organizations that function like a living and breathing creature tend to be the ones that achieve success. For this to happen, the workforce of the company need to function as one. Otherwise, tension could end up as a hindrance for growth or even the cause of death. 

Veterans know how the lack or presence of teamwork could mean life and death. In fact, working together as a team is more important than just having raw technical skill or talent. 

According to Brian Uzzi, a professor of management and organizations at Kellogg, “you have to have talent as basis but talent doesn’t reach its full potential unless you get them to work together as a team”. 

This is where skilled veterans shine as they have a history of working well together with a team through their military service. They know how to trust, are trustworthy and are able to put their lives on the line because of knowing teamwork. 

Veterans think in terms of what’s best for the team. This is why some organizations hire veterans who are job seekers.

Veterans Have Respect for Rules, Procedures and Others

Many employees get themselves or worse, their organization in trouble because of the lack of respect for rules and procedures. More than that, disrespectful behavior is also costing businesses. 

Research has shown that those of those on the receiving end of uncivil behavior:

1. 66% stated their job performance has dwindled
2. 78% said their commitment to the company has declined
3. 47% said they intentionally spent less time at their job
4. 38% mentioned they deliberately lowered the quality of their work

Veterans know the value of respect for rules, procedures and others. They have excellent work ethics, pay attention to detail and are respectful of others. Hiring veterans can help create a positive company culture and brand.

Veterans Get Things Done

The collective result of accomplishing the military training service is the ability to get things done. Skilled veterans are resilient and have been conditioned to endure difficult and stressful situations.

Companies are hiring service members because of their ability to focus and still perform well even when under pressure. Moreover, they have high standards and have a sense of duty. They are people of action even as new hires.

It is with this character of executing that gives veterans an edge over others. According to Tony Robbins, knowledge is not power, it is potential power. Knowledge is not mastery, execution is mastery. Execution trumps knowledge every single day of the week.

To summarize, these are the 4 top reasons why companies are hiring veterans:

1. Veterans are groomed to be trainable
2. Veterans are excellent team players
3. Veterans have respect for rules, procedures and others
4. Veterans get things done

Companies are hiring eligible veterans who are on a job search because they prove to be excellent workers even outside the military world. They can adapt, work with others, are respectful and have a sense of urgency. 

More than anything, we can show our gratitude by helping them transition to the civilian working world. 

They can help create a positive company culture and we can help them have a good civilian life. Consider hiring veterans as how many other organizations have been putting it to practice.