Insights from Hiring Experts: Helping Veterans Stand Out

By Autumn Rice, ACP

According to the US Department of Labor, nearly 200,000 men and women leave
military service and return to civilian life every year. Those 200,000 individuals are faced with
deciding which career path they would like to take post service. For many, this uncertainty is
daunting. Since 2012, American Corporate Partners (ACP) has worked with over 36,000
transitioning veterans. In 2024 alone, ACP worked directly with more than 4,000 veterans who
are facing the unknown head on. One of their most common questions is, “How can I make
myself stand out from the rest when applying for roles?”

In order to get a behind-the-scenes look into the hiring process, I spoke with four
different mentors in the ACP program. With experience in hiring or in being hiring managers
themselves, Christopher Jason, Dustin Manuel, Robert Sanchez and Frans Scheepers are
experts in some of the most sought-after fields of interest for veterans. While they all work in
varying fields with different qualifications and requirements, the overlap in their advice is clear.
Throughout our conversations, I was able to see a clear path to success: highlight the value you
bring as a veteran, tailor your résumés, prepare for interviews and utilize your resources!

Veterans’ Unique Value in the Workforce

Veterans make up about 7% of the US population. While they represent a small
percentage of the population, the skills they learn throughout their service makes them stand
out. Jason, Manuel, Sanchez and Scheepers all agreed that veterans bring a special set of skills
to their respective fields.

Jason explains that veterans tend to hold a “level of initiative, get it done attitude,
problem solving, and critical thinking.” Manuel agrees and says he enjoys “finding veterans with
the right experience [for a role]… By understanding what they did in the past,” Manuel gains
clarity on what candidates can accomplish in the future. Sanchez adds, “Veterans have proven
they are able to accomplish [any] task, and think outside of the box. Critical thinking is key.”
Scheepers feels that veterans “have very strong leadership qualities. [They are] disciplined and
structured… they can create structure out of chaos.”

It is clear that veterans bring unique value to many fields. Emphasizing these skills is key
to the application process.

Tailored for Success

When it comes to first impressions, a résumé is a hiring manager’s first impression of the
candidate they are considering. Robert Sanchez is an Air Force veteran who currently works at
Northrop Grumman, with years of experience in hiring in project management. He says, “The most common mistake that veterans can make with their résumé is the idea that they cannot
leave any white space. Instead, I am thinking: ‘Does it catch my attention? Is it clear?’”

Frans Scheepers, with 15 years of experience hiring in the finance field, echoes this
idea. He emphasizes the importance of transparency: “I look for clarity as to how they got to
applying to the role, showing they can draw those lines between the role and their expertise.”
When applying, Scheepers adds, be sure to “tweak [your résumé] depending on each role and
highlight those skills that would align with that specific role.”

How is clarity shown? Sanchez asks, “What impact did you make? Focus on your
strengths, what are your strong points. Highlight five things that you are really good at.”
Regarding the ideal length, Sanchez says, “Having a résumé that is one to two pages max
shows that you can get your point across clearly.”

Translating years of military experience into the corporate sector is another common
challenge for veterans. Navy veteran Christopher Jason, who has experience with the hiring
process in the defense field, points out, “The key is learning to express and communicate the
‘so what’ of the experience.”

Much is accomplished throughout the course of a military career, but the significance to
a civilian workforce can often be overlooked or poorly understood. Checking IDs while on gate
duty, while an entry level role in the military, demonstrates attention to detail, perseverance and
even customer service. Jason adds, “Presentation is everything… articulate the value that you
can bring to the specific role you are applying for.”

The Power of Preparation

The next step in the hiring process is, of course, the interview. While it may seem
obvious to come prepared to an interview, it’s not always intuitive. Air Force veteran Dustin
Manuel, who helps with hiring at defense contractor Lockheed Martin, emphasizes the need to
plan ahead. “You can’t over prepare,” says Manuel. “I can tell instantly when a candidate is
prepped.” His advice to candidates? “Do it in the mirror, download prepared interview questions,
and practice the STAR [Situation, Task, Action, Result] format.”

Both Manuel and Navy veteran Jason speak about the importance of storytelling in
interviews. Manuel states, “The most successful interviewees have a list of examples they can
pull from. They can tell a story about the answers that are relevant to the questions being
asked.” Jason adds, “The interview is your chance to show them how you think and who you
are. Practice your history and revisit your past to explain why it is important. Be able to tell a
story.”

There are resources—use them!

Transitioning out of the military and jumping into the civilian sector is not an easy task for
many veterans. By speaking with hiring professionals in varying fields, I was able to gain insight
on how veterans are able to best showcase their skills. The last question I asked was: “Is there
anything else you would like to tell a veteran as they are embarking on their transition into the
civilian sector?”

In parting, Sanchez mentions, “You have that confidence. You went on deployments.
Your resilience adds layers. Reach out to someone that you know… ACP is so important.”
Scheepers agrees: “Make use of services like ACP. Make use of networks.” Jason adds,
“Always try to make your résumé a little bit better.” Dustin notes, “Use LinkedIn. Use your free
resources!”

To utilize ACP’s free year-long mentorship and connect with individuals in your desired
field, fill out the ACP Veteran Application today!

Summary

Article Name

Insights from Hiring Experts: Helping Veterans Stand Out

Description

Veterans, stand out in your job search! Learn expert tips on résumés, interviews & networking from hiring pros. Maximize your skills—land that job today!

Author

Autumn Rice

Publisher Name

G.I. Jobs

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