Veterans reentering the workforce -- what not to do

[Anonymous]

Cmon OP. That was last weeks hot topic. Try to be original or just keep quiet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought Vets only had a preference for federal jobs, not all jobs.

Yup.

[Anonymous]

My IQ just dropped 10 points.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My IQ just dropped 10 points.

Are you in negative numbers yet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought Vets only had a preference for federal jobs, not all jobs.

Yup.

They only have a preference for federal jobs, but it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of military service in the private sector as well. (ie, not hiring someone because they are a veteran or they serve in the reserves and you are worried they'll get called up or be gone too much on military duty.) USERRA applies to the private and federal sectors both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please do not submit a resume with a 10+ year gap and then tell me in your cover letter that you were off defending the country. That does not help you at all. Explain what you have done to keep up your knowledge in your profession. Tell me why I should hire you instead of the other 100 people who applied for the same job.

Rant over

It should be more than enough that they put their lives on the line for your sorry ass. You are also breaking the law and I hope you get reported, fired, and lose everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I was trying to be ironic and meant no disrespect whatsoever to veterans. I just wanted to highlight how mean-spirited and ridiculous the thread about SAHMs I'm parroting was.

You failed. Don't try again, please.

[Anonymous]

I'm not getting it - is the OP really trying to equate the challenges facing veterans returning from combat duty and reintegrating into the civilian economy with SAHMs who decide to go back to work after time at home???? Really?

[ThatSmileyFaceGuy]

Besides the fact that unless the soldier seperated from the service and then took off 10 years, there would not be a 10 year gap on the resume. the employer would be the DoD

[Anonymous]

ThatSmileyFaceGuy wrote:Besides the fact that unless the soldier seperated from the service and then took off 10 years, there would not be a 10 year gap on the resume. the employer would be the DoD

+1

I'm just thinking of a Special Forces veteran. What is he supposed to put for his job description?

I agree that the skills should be relevant to the position the veteran is applying to, but in some cases a DoD / OIF needs to be sufficient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please do not submit a resume with a 10+ year gap and then tell me in your cover letter that you were off defending the country. That does not help you at all. Explain what you have done to keep up your knowledge in your profession. Tell me why I should hire you instead of the other 100 people who applied for the same job.

Rant over

You just compared a parent who stayed at home playing nursemaid to a combat veteran who possibly saw loss of life, killed for their country and spent time seperated from family. And....you thought this was humor?

On behalf of my family members who are currently overseas now fighting for your ability to be a total and complete asshole, you frighten me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please do not submit a resume with a 10+ year gap and then tell me in your cover letter that you were off defending the country. That does not help you at all. Explain what you have done to keep up your knowledge in your profession. Tell me why I should hire you instead of the other 100 people who applied for the same job.

Rant over

You just compared a parent who stayed at home playing nursemaid to a combat veteran who possibly saw loss of life, killed for their country and spent time seperated from family. And....you thought this was humor?

On behalf of my family members who are currently overseas now fighting for your ability to be a total and complete asshole, you frighten me.

+1000. I don't think OP is too bright.

[Anonymous]

"+1000. I don't think OP is too bright. "

What else is new on DCUM?

[Anonymous]

Nice try OP. Now go make a sandwich.

[Anonymous]

Am I the only person who is willing to give OP the benefit of the doubt?

Here's the scenario: OP sits with a stack of resumes. A range of experience is featured. The veteran's resume is weak, on the face of it. But given that there is a 10-year gap, she is wondering. Maybe this candidate hasn't sold him/herself properly for this position? Maybe the 10 years' experience is outstanding preparation for the job. Maybe the veteran doesn't yet "speak the language" or understand the work culture outside DOD, but could adapt.

Maybe OP will interview the veteran despite the weak resume. We don't know the whole story. Who cares, anyway?

Just because OP used the formula of last week's thread on SAHMs re-entering the workforce doesn't mean that we need to read too much into her post.