From skills shortages to reduced talent pools, UK employers are facing a number of challenges when it comes to recruiting fresh talent. Fortunately, ex-military recruitment could be the solution. An often overlooked talent pool, ex-military personnel offer a wide range of transferable skills and experience that can be a huge asset to any business.
Despite this, many employers still shy away from ex-military recruitment. Indeed, a Deloitte report revealed that of the 20,000 personnel who leave the UK Armed Forces each year, only around 4% find employment in the public sector and just 2% in the private sector.
But why are employers not taking advantage of this untapped talent pool? A lack of information, resources, and support seems to be the biggest factor.
This guide provides employers with actionable advice on how to recruit and employ ex-military personnel. We’ll cover:
- The challenges of ex-military recruitment
- The benefits of hiring ex-military personnel
- Tips on how to employ ex-military personnel
First, we explore the challenges employers face when recruiting and employing former armed forces personnel.
Challenges In Ex-Military Recruitment
Ex-armed forces personnel come with an impressive arsenal of soft skills and experiences, but there are also some challenges to be aware of.
Here are the biggest challenges employers face when hiring former military.
1. Mental health issues and PTSD
Some ex-military personnel may have experienced trauma during their service, which could affect them going forward. As an employer, it’s important to support them as they make the transition. This includes offering support and resources, creating a safe and inclusive work culture, and being flexible to staff who are struggling mentally.
2. Culture shock
Transitioning from the military to a civilian workplace is certainly a culture shock. So, it’s important that employers give former military employees time to adjust. Offering training and clear guidance on how the business works can accelerate the adjustment period.
3. Transferring skills
While employees from a military background undoubtedly have valuable transferable skills (problem-solving, collaboration, leadership, etc.), they may not necessarily have the tools to transfer them. Therefore, employers will need to work with them to show them how their skill set translates to a civilian working environment. Clear job descriptions and tasks can help to achieve this.
All in all, while there are certainly challenges in ex-military recruitment, the advantages vastly outweigh them. Let’s explore the key benefits employers of ex-military enjoy.
Benefits Of Employing Ex-Military Personnel
The UK military provides personnel with exceptional training and experience that, with the right support, can translate into a wide range of civilian job positions.
We look at some of the key transferable skills former armed forces personnel bring to the table:
1. Leadership
During their time in the military, many personnel undergo extensive leadership training to give them the tools to lead teams in high-pressure situations, identify problems, and make quick decisions. This is a difficult skill set to train as an employer, making ex-military a particularly valuable talent pool for leadership roles.
2. Discipline
There’s no doubt that the military teaches personnel the art of discipline. Former military officers can bring this high level of discipline, commitment, and self-management to any civilian role, making them extremely hard-working and loyal employees.
3. Technical skills
Most ex-military have undergone extensive training to build technical skills in IT, engineering, logistics, and mechanics. These skills can answer many of the skill shortages UK businesses are currently experiencing.
4. Adaptability & Resilience
According to a recent LinkedIn report, resilience is the most important workplace skill. And it makes sense, as businesses deal with constant change, a workforce that can adapt and weather storms has a significant competitive advantage. Ex-military workers have these skills in spades, having to adapt to new environments and situations at break-neck speed.
5. Teamwork
As part of their training, ex-force personnel learn how to effectively work as a team. With so many businesses placing a high priority on teamwork and collaboration, this skill set translates into any workplace environment.
Plus, military personnel come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, helping to diversify your workforce and bring fresh perspectives.
Bonus read ?? Benefits of Employing Ex-military
How To Employ Ex-Military
As an employer, you may need to tweak your recruitment approach when it comes to attracting, hiring, and retaining ex-military personnel. But the benefits are worth it.
Here is some actionable advice on recruiting ex-military jobseekers.
1. Attend military job fairs
Attending military job fairs is an excellent way to attract more ex-military personnel to your organisation. Not only do you have a chance to reach a wider talent pool, but you can connect with potential candidates on a more personal level.
Check the Career Transition Partnership website for a list of the latest military job fairs and events.
2. Use specialist ex-military recruitment agencies or job boards
Enlisting the support of a military recruitment agency can help your organisation connect with former military officers looking to change careers. Since these agencies specialise in helping former armed forces jobseekers find work, they can offer employers advice and support on how ex-military recruitment.
Specialist job boards are another great way to advertise career opportunities to ex-military job seekers. For instance, Refreshing a Career’s unique ex-military job board is packed with opportunities for former military personnel looking to start a new chapter.
We work with leading UK employers to match the best ex-military talent with the right career path.
You’ll find a range of job opportunities, including maritime security jobs for ex-military and post-military jobs for officers.
Search part-time jobs for veterans →
3. Focus on values
The military instils strong values in its personnel, such as loyalty, discipline, and teamwork. So, companies that share those values are more likely to attract top ex-military talent. Make sure you highlight your company values on your website, employer branding literature, and job descriptions, as well as during the interview process. That way, you’ll make candidates that share those values feel right at home.
The same goes when you’re screening CVs from potential candidates. Focusing more on the values that the candidate demonstrates (rather than direct experience in a similar role) opens the door for a more diverse talent pool.
4. Provide training and development
Providing ex-military personnel training and development opportunities will help them learn how to harness their existing skills and transfer them to new challenges. In the process, they’ll gain confidence and become more engaged and motivated in their work. As a result, they’re likely to stay in your business for longer.
5. Offer support
Naturally, transitioning from military to civilian life can be a challenging process. Employers that offer support, mentoring, and patience can make the transition easier and empower ex-military personnel to adapt and settle into their new roles.
Examples include offering mental health support, training, counselling, or flexible working options. Fostering an inclusive work environment and a comprehensive onboarding programme can also make it easier for candidates to feel at home.
How We Can Support Employers With Ex-Military Recruitment
Ex-military recruitment can answer many of the recruitment challenges UK employers are facing. This largely untapped talent pool has a lot to offer, although candidates may need some support from employers as they make the transition back to civilian life.
With the right support and resources, ex-military personnel can significantly impact the UK workforce, applying their skills and discipline to solve common business problems.
Are you an ex-military-friendly employer? Our experts can help you attract (and retain) former military staff to your organisation. Here are just some of the services we offer:
- Advice and support – We want to support ex-military as they transition to civilian jobs, shining a light on the many benefits of employing ex-military. Our website is packed with resources for employers, including guides on training and building an inclusive work environment. Find the latest industry insights on our weekly blog.
- Attract veteran talent – Get in touch to advertise your roles on our dedicated ex-military jobs board.
- Find diverse talent – Our job advert inclusivity screening tests your ad against our “Inclusive Language Checklist” to remove potentially discriminatory language.
- Advertise your business – Our talented team of writers works with you to create a company profile that documents your efforts as a leading inclusive employer.
- Support ex-military job seekers – If you are a job seeker, you’ll find a range of support and resources to help you with your job hunt. From mental health resources to funding to job application tips, we have you covered. You can also browse the latest opportunities on our ex-military jobs board.
Call 03458724501 or email info@refreshingacareer.com to learn more about our bespoke packages.
