Job Seekers
Wherever you are in the transition process, the Veterans Employment Center provides career advice, résumé-building assistance, and access to employers who are committed to hiring Veterans and military spouses.
You may not be completely ready to start looking for a job, but there are other ways you can prepare.
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Do you plan to leave active duty in less than 12 months?
Prepare for your transition with this timeline.
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Have you recently left active duty?
If you can’t find a job after you separate from active-duty service, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits through Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers.
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Are you already in the workforce?
Search for a new career or consider additional education.
If you are ready to begin, take these steps:
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Discover your skills and interests.
Identify the type of work you enjoy with the Interest Profiler, then explore related career paths.
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Learn about job titles and qualifications
Browse careers by industry and learn about jobs that are similar to your MOS using the Military Skills Translator.
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Build a résumé
- Build your résumé.
- Get a free LinkedIn™ Job Seeker profile to present yourself professionally.
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Research employers in your area and network
- Many employers have made commitments to hire Veterans and military spouses.
- Consider a job with the federal government.
- Review job boards, search job banks, and research openings at companies that interest you.
- Contact people you have worked with previously, family, and friends to let them know you are looking for a job. They might know of specific openings or might be able to introduce you to people at companies you’ve targeted.
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Search online job banks
- Search the Veterans Employment Center for job openings.
- Search for connections and job listings on LinkedIn™ as well as other online job boards.
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Go to a career fair
Learn about the career fairs available for Veterans, Servicemembers, and family members.
Consider furthering your education
- The Post-9/11 GI Bill gives Veterans with active-duty service on or after September 11, 2001, enhanced educational benefits that cover more educational expenses and provide a living allowance, money for books, and the ability to transfer unused educational benefits to spouses or children.
- Fill in any gaps in your education or skill set by taking classes and getting advanced training and certifications.
- Consider military tuition assistance (for active duty).
- Learn transition techniques as well as business, software, technology, and creative skills with a free one-year subscription to online courses with LinkedIn™’s Lynda.
- Earn a free Coursera Course Certificate.
Get personalized help if you need it
- Government and private resources offer one-on-one assistance.
- Qualified service-disabled Veterans can get employment support services, such as small business counseling, as well as specialized help through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E).
- American Job Centers offer interview practice, career counseling, and job-search help. Some of the nearly 2,500 AJC locations have offices with phones, résumé-writing tools, and free Internet access.
Take a different approach to starting your career
- Start or grow your own business.
- Evaluate non-traditional programs like apprenticeships, work study, and on-the-job training.
Military spouses and family members
- Use government-sponsored career and education resources.
- Take advantage of networking opportunities at career fairs.
Online Resources
- Coursera Take a class with these free resources
- LinkedIn Learn transition techniques as well as business, software, technology, and creative skills with a free one-year subscription to online courses with LinkedIn's Lynda