By: Leslie Campos 

So, you have a new company and are looking to build your team. Did you know that veterans are generally among the most skilled, versatile, and disciplined individuals in the workforce? By hiring former military members, you can improve your chances of scaling your growth and achieving long-term success.

That said, attracting veteran talent to your organization requires you to strategize, plan, and take steps outside of the typical hiring process. Today, The HUbZone Council discusses the benefits of building a team of veteran workers and lists a few tips for navigating the process.

Why It’s a Good Idea        

There are countless reasons to focus on veterans when your company is looking for recruits. Not only do they generally display unmatched resilience, but veterans are some of the hardest working and reliable people in the country. Think about it: the lives of 99% of our population are dependent on the success of our military members.

Men and women veterans are disciplined, dependable, and dedicated to the task at hand. They often show the strongest leadership skills and instincts you can find, and they thrive on working with people from other backgrounds and walks of life.

To succeed in the military, an individual must possess each of these qualities, and these qualities are also what you should look for in every job candidate. As a side benefit, your company can receive tax benefits and subsidies for hiring veterans.

Simple Tips for Hiring Veterans

So, you are convinced of the value veterans can add to your team. Now, let’s cover a few strategies you can employ to attract these dedicated citizens to your business:

Establish a Legal Structure     

Every business owner needs to decide on a legal structure in order to operate above board. Consider forming an LLC to receive more flexibility, tax benefits, and liability protection for your personal assets. Each state has regulations around establishing an LLC so make sure that you understand the rules before moving forward with the process. Hiring an online service can make the task much easier and less stressful.

Promote Your Job Openings

Unless you run a micro-business with lots of job-seeking veterans in your community, you should plan to use various promotional opportunities for attracting candidates. This means you will also need to create a budget for social media, networking, job fairs, travel, and so forth. These commitments will take time and energy, but they can go a long way in drawing top talent.

Start a Veteran Hiring Program

Many companies have a designated veteran hiring program for the sole purpose of finding veteran recruits and bringing them through the onboarding process. Veterans are often attracted to this type of program because it shows the company’s commitment and appreciation for the troops.

Don’t make the mistake of lumping in your military program with an HR or diversity role, as it can hinder your growth potential in the area. Make sure your team is well-educated about the military and focused on veteran needs to ensure the program can produce as you envision.

Host a Veteran Recruiting Event   

Another tactic is to throw your own recruiting event for veterans. Traditional, on-base, and virtual events can all provide value, Consider your needs and resources to determine your best path forward.

For example, hosting an event at your place of business will primarily attract veterans who have already transitioned into civilian life and are experienced in working civilian jobs. If you have a recruiting event on a military base, you will likely meet many military members who are currently transitioning out of the military.

Hiring veterans is one of the best ways to build a strong team for your business. Remember all the reasons above for recruiting former military members to your team, and follow these tips to position your company for attracting top talent. In no time, you will have a well-oiled machine of dedicated, disciplined, and versatile employees who love to work together!

The HUbZone Council is a  non-profit trade association consisting of a group of companies and organizations working together to improve and support the HUBZone program and small business community. Call 240-442-1787.