For many veterans, transitioning from military service to a civilian career can be a challenging and overwhelming experience. The skills and experiences gained during military service may not always translate easily to the civilian job market, and the process of job hunting and career exploration can be confusing and frustrating.
This is where a career coach can be an invaluable resource for veterans. A career coach is a trained professional who specializes in helping individuals navigate career transitions and find fulfilling and meaningful work. Here are some of the ways in which a career coach can be helpful to veterans:
- Identifying transferable skills: One of the biggest challenges that veterans face when transitioning to civilian life is translating their military experience into skills that are relevant to the civilian job market. A career coach can help veterans identify their transferable skills and find ways to showcase them on their resume and in job interviews.
- Defining goals, needs, and expectations: A career coach will help veterans define Income, Lifestyle, Wealth, and Equity (ILWE) goals. What needs must be met in this next phase? What is the expectation for income? What type of lifestyle is the veteran trying to create for themselves? These are all topics to be discussed with a career coach to help the veteran find clarity.
- Assistance with translating military experience to civilian terms: Military veterans may struggle with communicating the skills and experience gained during their service in a way that is relevant to civilian employers. Career coaches can help veterans translate their military experience into language that civilian employers can understand and value.
- Exploring career options: Veterans may not always be sure what kind of career they want to pursue after leaving the military. A career coach can help veterans explore different career options based on their skills, interests, and values, and provide guidance on how to break into a new industry.
- Developing a job search strategy: Job hunting can be a daunting task, especially for those who have been out of the civilian workforce for a while. A career coach can help veterans develop a job search strategy that includes networking, online job boards, and other resources to increase their chances of finding a job that is a good fit.
- Exploring entrepreneurship: Veterans are typically highly motivated, with a strong aptitude for and interest in proven entrepreneurial frameworks. They are comfortable with managing various systems and processes in high-stress situations with diverse teams. With a known military transition date a year in advance, military community clients can articulate where they truly want to be professionally in five years.
Veterans spent their time in the service developing critical thinking, leadership, and management skills, which make them excellent candidates for business ownership. A career coach can help veterans find opportunities that align with their ILWE goals to determine a new future and help them learn how their skills, strengths, and personal interests can translate to business ownership.
In addition to possessing self-confidence and motivation, veterans excel at leveraging a proven system, making investing in a franchise an ideal option. Having the support of a franchisor helps business owners ramp up quickly with a plan of action for success. It’s hard to compete with a franchise whose large community has honed and optimized their business model over the years and whose economies of scale allows each business owner access to industry best practices.
After spending years deployed to various hot spots around the globe, many veterans are searching for a flexible career that will allow them to spend time with their families. Many veterans prefer mobile businesses that allow them to manage back-office operations from a home office. Being close to home gives them the work-life balance they lacked during their military careers. Active duty, veterans, and military spouses can discover and validate a variety of possibilities when working with a career coach.
- Providing emotional support: Transitioning from military to civilian life can be a stressful and emotional experience, and veterans may need support and guidance throughout the process. A career coach can provide emotional support and help veterans navigate the ups and downs of the transition process.
- Addressing unique challenges: Veterans exploring career opportunities could face unique challenges when transitioning to civilian life, such as dealing with disabilities or PTSD. A career coach understands the challenges that veterans may face during their transition and can provide resources and support to help them overcome any obstacles, finding ways to succeed in their chosen career path.
Overall, a career coach can be a valuable resource for veterans who are navigating the transition from military to civilian life. By providing guidance, support, and practical advice, a career coach can help veterans find meaningful work and build fulfilling careers.
If you are looking for a safe space to explore which career path is right for you, let’s connect!
–Jen Jaciw, The Entrepreneur’s Source
