Let’s be honest. It’s not easy finding a great job after leaving the Service. Ridiculous as it may seem, civilian companies aren’t entirely welcoming to the well-trained and experienced Veterans who come knocking at their doors.
I’ve spoken to literally hundreds of men and women, Veterans of our armed forces, who are frustrated, exasperated, and fed up with their civilian job searches. They tell me, “I can repair a Blackhawk helicopter, but I can’t get a job at an auto parts store.” Or, “I commanded 350 soldiers and I’m not wanted as a fast food manager.”
“I can repair a Blackhawk helicopter, but I can’t get a job at an auto parts store.”
But fear not. I got your back.
Based on data pulled from Forbes, Monster, and Military Times, and word of mouth we hear every day from students here at Martinsburg college, I’ve collected my own punch list of the “best of the best” companies who are stepping up to hire (and promote) Veterans.
Best Aerospace and Defense Companies for Veterans
Okay, this one is pretty obvious. But you can’t blame me for going for the low-hanging fruit. Defense and Aerospace companies can be quite welcoming for Vets. The top dog, according to Military Times, is BAE Systems followed closely by Lockheed Martin for their acceptance military experience in place of certification. Monster.com ranks ManTech International Corporation at the top of their list because of ManTech’s commitment to Veteran recruiting. Their workforce is 45% vets, and that says a lot.
Best Banking Companies for Veterans
Money makes the world go round, and Veterans have a lot to do with it. That’s because some of the top companies hiring Veterans are banks and financial institutions. First Data tops the Military Times list over every other company. They’ve got easily the best pay structure for reservist pay. U.S. Bank also ranks high along with Capital One as some of the best banking companies for retired military and reservists.
Best Communications and Media Companies for Veterans
Bill Gates said, “Never before in history has innovation offered promise of so much to so many in so short of time.” Communications is at the center of that innovation and the biggest companies know that Veterans are the key to their success. Comcast/NBCUniversal are known for their Veteran friendly hiring practices. Windstream Communications offers full benefits for activated reservists. But to Forbes, Verizon stands out for paying reservists the full difference – 36 months!
Best Consulting Companies for Veterans
Take what you’ve learned from your Military experience and help others move their companies from good to great by joining with some of the best consulting companies out there. Booz Allen Hamilton has 29% of their workforce who are Vets, many of whom are top leaders in the company. Others like Marsh & McLennan, Deloitte, and PwC are not at the top of the list but they continue to bridge the gap for Vets returning to civilian employment.
Best Transportation Companies for Veterans
If there’s one thing we Veterans know, it’s moving from place to place. “Hurry up and wait” doesn’t fly in civilian companies seeking efficiency and innovation. Check out General Motors. They’re hiring like crazy now that they’re committed to building in America. Amtrak and Union Pacific help Vets hit the rails to success with aggressive recruiting, and Werner Enterprises continues to be a force with 20% of their recruiting budget going towards seeing the best Veterans for the job.
To dig deeper into the latest data on companies who place high value on the skills you have as a Veteran, check out Military Times’ study HERE. Forbes makes sense of it all HERE.
At Martinsburg College, we sincerely wish the best for you in your career. We provide quality, portable career training for Veterans, military spouses and active duty service members. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, give us a call.