Military veterans bring demonstrated skills, leadership, and values to job search but sometimes have difficulty translating their experiences and qualifications into the language and protocols associated with a civilian job search. While much of a veteran's job search process is similar to non-veterans conducting a job search, there are a number of resources available to help veterans make the transition from military to civilian workplaces. A few links to relevant sites are listed below:
Resume Help:
- De-militarize your resume - it needs to be read and understood from a civilian HR standpoint. This includes spelling out acronyms and "civilianizing" your MOS. Use the Military Skills Translator at military.com to assist with this.
- Inventory the technical, interpersonal, and leadership skills you used during your service, including the "soft skills" like communication, problem-solving, and multi-tasking, and convey them on your resume.
- Schedule an appointment with career services to have your resume reviewed.
Job Search:
- My Next Move for Veterans - search careers, browse careers by industry, or find careers like your military job
- CareerOneStop for Vets - search for jobs and find guidance on employment, training, financial assistance, benefits, resumes, interviews and more
- Veteranjobsmission - coalition of companies committed to hiring veterans
- Re-entering the Civilian Job Market - national job search resources for veterans
- Military.com - job board
- Operation Employ Vets - job board
- MilitaryHire - job board
- Silent Professionals - private security job board
- Student Veterans of America - job board and national organization for veterans
Training:
Boots to Business - provides entrepreneurial training
Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) - provides entrepreneurial services
Viterbo University Student Veteran's of America (SVA)
SVA provides student veterans at Viterbo University with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and beyond. Advisor: Sam Morris, sdmorris@viterbo.edu
- People of Color Career Fair in Minneapolis, MN - dedicated specifically to PoC
- INSIGHT Into Diversity - job and internship postings for academia, business, healthcare and the government
- Diversityjobs.com
- WorkplaceDiversity.com
- Nativeamericanjobs.com
- National Association of Asian American Professionals
- Hispanic Today
Viterbo University Breaking Barriers Diversity Club
The Breaking Barriers Diversity Club’s mission is to bring awareness to the student body and faculty about different issues involving race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. Our focus is on giving students a safe and positive environment to discuss the issues that are going on in the world today and coming up with solutions that can help affect our campus and community in a positive way. Our goal is for members of the club to understand the individuality and uniqueness of others and to embrace and celebrate each other’s differences. Advisors: Michelle Pinzl, mmpinzl@viterbo.edu
Be sure to do careful research about organizations—read the fine print, check the track record of complaints, and try to speak with someone who has been involved with the organization. Many organizations offer exemplary support and information to those planning to relocate to another country or stay in-country after their education concludes, but some have exploited or abandoned those using their services.
Information about on-campus and off-campus employment can be found on the International Student Services page. Students must notify Ken Feltz of any employment, on or off campus. Students wanting to work off campus while they are going to school must obtain Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a work experience performed off-campus post-graduation. Any CPT or OPT must be approved by Ken Feltz.
Resume Help:
- Research resume "norms" for the country in which you are seeking employment. Some countries require identifying information like a photo, birth date, or marital status while that information is inappropriate in other countries.
- Ensure your resume is reviewed by someone who speaks the native language of the country in which you will be applying. Verb tenses, slang words, and modern vocabulary are not easily reviewed in Google translate.
- Schedule an appointment with career services to have your resume reviewed.
Job Search Sites:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - citizenship, green card, and working in the United States
- Indeed.com Worldwide - find international jobs and internships with advice on resume, work permits, and visa requirements
- Wowjobs - jobs in Canada
- Youmu Travel - international job search
- Overseasjobs.com
- GoinGlobal
Study, Intern, Volunteer, or Teach Abroad:
- BUNAC: Working Adventures Worldwide
- Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
- Go Abroad
- Go Overseas
- Cultural Vistas
- U.S. State Department's Internships
- Transitions Abroad
- Connect 1-2-3
- ISA
- CIS Abroad
United States Citizens Searching Internationally:
- Expat Exchange - country information for US citizens currently residing in various countries
- U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Consular Affairs - information on passports and travel warnings
All people, no matter where they were born, should be able to work free from fear that they will be underpaid or placed in a dangerous environment. Through a variety of tactics, including know-your-rights trainings, policy analysis, and raids response, organizations across the country educate on and defend the fundamental rights of all those working in the U.S.
For Viterbo students in programs that require an internship, co-op, student teaching, clinical, field practicum, or other externally embedded experience that may request a social security number or other information, contact:
- Immigrants Rising - webinar series about how to become an independent contractor/freelancer, possible funding opportunities/grants, and educational resources
- National Immigration Law Center - updates about DACA, court cases, and other factors that impact undocumented students
- United We Dream - the largest immigrant youth-led network featuring advocacy-related opportunities and resources related to DACA renewal fees
"Entering the workforce is a rite of passage for many Americans. This rite involves unique challenges for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans because there is no federal law that prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression." —Gen EQ Guide to Entering the Workforce
Human Rights Campaign Foundation:
- Corporate Equality Index Report
- Gen EQ Guide to Entering the Workforce
- Employee Benefits & Policies Resources
- LGBTQ Employee Resources
- Transition in the Workplace
- Employer Database for Job Search
- Diversityjobs.com - companies that are known for being especially diversity-friendly
- Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
- National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Viterbo University Pride Club
We aim to create a welcoming, accepting, and safe place on Viterbo’s campus for people of all sexual orientations. Advisors: Tyler Flockhart, trflockhart@viterbo.edu
- CareerOneStop offers workers with disabilities information and resources to move your job search and career forward. Get information on the ADA, job accommodations, Vocational Rehabilitation, job search, and interviewing.
- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation - via the Wisconsin Job Center
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - ask questions about workplace accommodations or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Aptiv
- WI Dept. of Workforce Development
- Handishop Industries
Job searches can be frustrating for ex-offenders or someone with a criminal record. Almost every job application will ask about a criminal record and answering truthfully can be almost as damaging as lying. It's very important that applicants understand their rights and seek professional assistance in the form of a career services advisor.
- Ex-Offender Toolkit - Job Center of Wisconsin
- WI Dept. of Corrections Office of Program Services