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.

If you are ready to begin, take these steps:

1. Discover your skills and interests.
   

   Identify the type of work you enjoy with the Interest Profiler, then explore related career paths.

2. 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.

3. Build a résumé
   

   • Build your résumé.
   • Get a free LinkedIn™ Job Seeker profile to present yourself professionally.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.