Hiring Focus Turns to Military Veterans

Military veterans face big challenges as they attempt to find work after returning home. In fact, the unemployment rate for veterans was recently at 12.1% -- three full percentage points higher than the civilian rate. But a number of companies are making an effort to recruit and retain veteran employees, according to a recent survey from CareerBuilder and a report from Families and Work Institute/Society for Human Resource Management. More than 2,800 hiring managers took part in CareerBuilder’s research, which focuses on the level of interest among employers in bringing aboard veterans. Many survey participants note that former military personnel often bring unique and valuable qualities to the workplace. The Families and Work Institute/Society for Human Resource Management report highlights special efforts that individual companies are making to accommodate these men and women as they transition to their professional civilian lives.