Employment is an important issue for Veterans. Helping Veterans find and obtain employment, as well as advance their civilian careers is a high priority. This toolkit is designed to provide you with answers and resources in finding and obtaining employment, as well as making career decisions and excelling in the workplace. A full version of this Resources for Veterans (Handout) list is available for print and download.

Looking for help creating a resume, cover letter, or completing a job application?

The Department of Veterans Affairs' VetSuccess provides general Job Application Tips, as well as Resume and Cover Letter Tips. Find information on how to create a cover letter and resume, on what are the do's & don'ts of writing a resume, and resume examples. Real Warriors also discusses how to Translate Military Experience to Civilian Employment* in a Resume.

Trying to describe your military experience, skills, or positions in civilian terms?

Try the Military to Civilian Occupation Translator*, that helps match military skills and experience to civilian occupations. The Skills Translator* translates military educational and job training to the civilian workplace. Another Military Skills Translator* is offered by VAforVets which allows customizable job postings based on your skills and capabilities. The Jobs Thesaurus* finds job descriptions to describe a job you held while in the military.

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Want more information about what to do in a job interview?

The Department of Veterans Affairs' VetSuccess offers helpful Interview Tips, including commonly asked questions, what to do when the interview is over, and negotiating an offer. The Department of Defense's TurboTAP* also provides information on a number of relevant topics, including What Not to Wear to an Interview*, what to wear to Dress Appropriately for Interviews*, and Six Steps to Handling Money Questions*.

Need to find job listings or career fairs to attend?

A number of organizations offer job listings and career fairs that are available both in-person and virtually to help Veterans find employment. The National Resource Directory's Veterans Job Bank* allows Veterans to access jobs available specifically for them and allows search by keywords or MOS. HireVeterans.com offers Job Postings* and a Job Fair Calendar and Virtual Job Fair Listings*. VetJobs.com offers Job Postings* and a List of Military-related Career Fairs*. Transition Assistance Online provides a list of Military Friendly Companies* and Military Job Fairs and Career Events*. Career One Stop provides State Employment Listings*. Check these out; you might find an interesting job that fits you.

Interested in a website with workforce preparation and training?

VetNet* is a technology-based platform positioned to assist Veterans, transitioning service members, and their spouses, find and prepare for meaningful post-service careers.  VetNet is a dynamic and interactive platform, where each week live content will be delivered and focused across three ‘tracks’ of workforce preparation and training.  These tracks include:

• Basic Training Track: Get ready for the workplace with resume writing workshops, learn and understand paths to work, school, or self-employment…and also connect directly to a database of over one million veteran-preferred jobs.
• Career Connections Track: Learn about different career options and opportunities by participating in weekly video chats with industry experts, and get advice from veterans eager to share their career experiences.
• Entrepreneur Track: Is business ownership is right for you?  If so, participate in online seminars focused on the nuts & bolts of business ownership, and weekly ‘hangouts’ with experienced entrepreneurs.

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Looking for federal employment or internship opportunities?

USAJOBS* houses all federal employment listings and the Office of Personnel Management lists Veteran Hiring Events*. Mil2Fed Jobs* helps translate military occupations to federal jobs. The US Department of the Treasury* posts Open Positions* and offers non-paid internship opportunities to wounded warriors and Veterans through the Operation Warfighter and Non-Paid Work Experience programs. Helping Military Families and Veterans*, the US Department of State participates in Operation Warfighter, has a Veterans Program Office*, and employs military spouses using a hiring mechanism, the Family Member Appointment* (FMA). Operation Warfighter* offers civilian agencies the opportunity to provide temporary/part-time internship opportunities for injured Service Members recovering at DC-area military medical facilities.

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Interested in working for the VA?

Visit VAforVETS to search job listings, see job fair postings, and visit the Career Center. The Career Center links you to the Military Skills Translator, as well as job assessments and a Resume Tool (both require creation of a login). You can also request Career Coaching.

Want to post your resume online for employers?

A number of websites allow you to create an account and post your resume online for employers looking for Veterans to employ. These include HireVeterans*, VetJobs*, RecruitMilitary*, Hire a Hero*, Hire Heroes USA* and Transition Assistance Online*.

Interested in starting your own business?

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has an Office of Veterans Business Development* that provides Veterans counseling to start, grow, and succeed in their businesses. The site also provides information on how you can get help accessing capital, competing for federal contracts, and creating jobs. In addition, SBA also supports the National Guard and Reserve and their military families when a small business owner is called to serve. Some of their programs include (but are not limited to):

• Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV)* Training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 Veterans with service-related disabilities.
• Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE)* Training, networking, and mentorship for women Veterans.
• Operation Endure & Grow* Targets National Guard and Reserve members, their families, and business partners.