Coaching Veterans: How Can Employers Better Support Them?

A recent report from LinkedIn has shed light on a concerning disparity within the civilian workforce. Veterans, who bring nearly double the work experience of nonveterans, are only half as likely to reach director or vice president leadership roles in their civilian careers. This stark contrast underscores the need for employers to adopt coaching programs that empower veterans to navigate their unique career challenges and ascend to leadership positions.

Veterans possess a wealth of experience, discipline, and leadership skills gained during their military service. However, transitioning these skills to the corporate world can be a daunting task. With its tailored guidance and support, coaching is a powerful tool that can assist veterans in realizing their full potential in civilian careers.

On the other hand, employers are currently at risk of overlooking competitive talent by solely focusing on degrees and past job titles/industries.

LinkedIn report emphasizes that “it’s evident that traditional hiring practices no longer serve the evolving needs of businesses and the workforce. Skills-first hiring is a strategic approach that helps employers remain competitive by tapping into new talent pools, particularly when recruiting and hiring military veterans. Military veterans represent a segment of the population that may not have the same career trajectories as nonveterans. But veterans bring transferable skills to the civilian workforce.”

Here are some ways employers can better support veterans in the workforce through coaching:

1. Personalized Career Coaching:

Offer veterans one-on-one coaching sessions with experienced professionals who can provide individualized guidance. This coaching can focus on setting career goals, identifying strengths, and addressing areas that may need improvement.

2. Leadership Development:

Create coaching programs designed to develop leadership skills. Veterans already possess strong leadership qualities, but coaching can help refine and adapt these skills for civilian leadership roles.

3. Soft Skills Training:

Besides technical skills, veterans may need support in developing soft skills, such as effective communication, executive presence, and adaptability in a hybrid workplace. Coaching can assist in honing these critical attributes.

4. Networking and Relationship Building:

Coaching can help veterans build and expand their professional networks. Coaches can provide insights into effective networking strategies and offer guidance on building meaningful relationships within the organization.

5. Resume and Interview Coaching:

Veterans often struggle to translate their military experience into terms civilian employers understand. Coaching can help them create compelling resumes and perform confidently in interviews.

5. Feedback and Goal Setting:

Regular feedback and goal-setting sessions with coaches can help veterans track their progress and stay motivated. Coaches can assist in adjusting goals as needed and overcoming obstacles.

6. Psychological Support:

Coaching can address veterans’ psychological challenges during their transition. Coaches can provide coping strategies and support for issues like PTSD or the stress of adapting to a new environment.

7. Self-confidence:

Celebrating veterans’ achievements after coaching can inspire and demonstrate commitment to their growth, increasing self-confidence.

8.  Self-compassion:

Coaching can be a transformative force in helping veterans transition from their extensive work experience to leadership roles in the civilian workforce. It shines a light on how to cultivate more compassion towards oneself, allowing them to be kind with their own emotions and accept the new environment. This can be a game changer for veterans seeking to bridge the gap between military and civilian life.

As more organizations commit to coaching veterans, we can expect to see a brighter future for these individuals in the civilian workforce. It’s a win-win situation where veterans bring their valuable skills and experiences to the corporate world, and employers benefit from a diverse, skilled, and empowered workforce. By actively supporting veterans through coaching, companies are not only making a positive impact on individual lives but also promoting a more inclusive and dynamic workforce.

Companies can assist veterans in setting career goals, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, and even overcoming any challenges they might face – including PTSD or the stress of adapting to a new environment – by offering one-on-one career coaching opportunities. Such coaching helps veterans adapt their military experiences to the corporate world, find meaningful employment, and achieve their full potential in civilian life.