Hiring Veterans: A Colorado Employer Toolkit

Hiring Veterans - A Colorado Employer Toolkit

Frequently Asked Questions !!

How do I get veterans to apply for a job with my company? This toolkit lists a few of the many job sites where you can post a position. Some sites are free and some are fee-based. Some sites will also help you craft the job posting to attract the skills you need.

!Should I expect most of the veterans I interview to have a disability?

The majority of veterans are not disabled. Of the nearly 1 million who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, only half receive any kind of VA assistance, including health and education benefits, a disability payments, or home loans, or pensions.

!Is there a resource I can use to help me know how military skills match what my business requires?

Yes, there are a number of websites that describe skills used under various military job titles. There are also web translators available that translate military experience into its civilian equivalent and vice versa. Turn to the Interview Tips page in this toolkit for more information.

!Will it cost me extra to hire a wounded warrior? Are job accommodations expensive?

Studies have found that 56% of accommodations cost absolutely nothing.* Of those employers that did report a cost, approximately 37% reported a one-time cost, 5% reported an ongoing, annual cost to the company, and 2% required both. A typical one-time expenditure by employers was $600. * Accommodations Study by the Job Accommodation Network - 2009

!What can I do as a business to get veterans to apply for my positions?

In addition to posting employment opportunities on veteran specific websites, some businesses start mentorship, shadowing or internship programs especially for veterans. The programs provide an opportunity for veterans to explore different employment opportunities and it creates a chance for employers to evaluate veterans before they are hired.

!I have heard about business tax credits for hiring a veteran, but how do I find out whether they make sense for my business?

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) extended the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for hiring certain workers through Dec. 31, 2013. More information can be found at www.irs.goc/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Expanded-Work- Opportunity-Tax-Credit-Available-for-Hiring-Qualified-Veterans

!!!!!!!!!!!

Office of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet - Colorado www.bennet.senate.gov


Frequently Asked Questions !

!What have other employers said about hiring veterans?

Tom Deany, Vice President of Human Resources at Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. offers this perspective, “Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. always wants to hire the best and brightest. That is the main reason we hire veterans. Veterans have transferrable skills that fit right in with what our company does and the skills we need. We find veterans show leadership skills that we don’t always find in other employees. They take accountability for their actions and are very professional. One of the best skills they bring to the company is process improvement.”

!What kind of support do veterans have out in the community?

• Many veterans receive benefits from the VA including medical benefits, education assistance, and home loan assistance.

!

• Those veterans eligible for medical benefits may choose to work with a Veterans Service Officer to assist them as they file claims with the VA. That officer assists them in both applying for and investigating what benefits are available to them. Those officers may be connected to a private veterans organization such as the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the American Legion, a county, or the VA itself.

!

• The Peak Military Care Network was created as a pilot project in the Pikes Peak region, building a collaboration of over 17 organizations to assist the soldier, veteran, family in getting the services they need. http://www.peakmilitarycarenet.org

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



For Your Accountant !

Tax Credits: The following tax credits may be available for businesses that hire veterans:

!The Returning Heroes Tax Credit is a hiring tax credit that provides incentives for businesses to hire unemployed veterans. • Short-term unemployed: A credit of 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages (up to $2,400)

for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed at least 4 weeks. !

• Long-term unemployed: A credit of 40 percent of the first $14,000 of wages (up to $5,600) for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed longer than 6 months.

!!

The Wounded Warrior Tax Credit doubles the existing tax credit for long-term unemployed veterans with service-connected disabilities. • Maintains the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for veterans with service-connected

disabilities (maximum of $4,800). !

• A new credit of 40 percent of the first $24,000 of wages (up to $9,600) for firms that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been unemployed longer than 6 months.

!!

Other Resources: Employers hiring disabled veterans may qualify for benefits and incentives through the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Programs such as the On the Job Training Program, Special Employer Incentive Program and the Non-Paid Work Experience Program. There are also other federal resources that employers may be eligible for such as Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction, Disabled Access Credit, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and the Veterans Job Training Act which provides training costs for employers of long-term unemployed veterans of the Korean conflict or the Vietnam era. http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/emp_resources.htm

!!!

Helpful Links: VA VOW to Hire Heroes Act 2011: http://benefits.va.gov/vow/index.htm

!VOW to Hire Heroes Act 2011, For Employers: http://benefits.va.gov/vow/foremployers.htm

!Internal Revenue Service Expanded Work Opportunity Tax Credit Available for Hiring Qualified Veterans: http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/ Expanded-Work-Opportunity-Tax-Credit-Available-for-Hiring-Qualified-Veterans

!DOL Fact Sheet: http://www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/PDF/employers_wotc_ Veterans_brochure_5_24_12.pdf

!!!!!


!


Where To Find Veterans !

Colorado Job Posting Websites and Training Programs: !

• Connecting Colorado: Connecting Colorado is a website that enables job seekers and employers to connect with each other. Connecting Colorado provides a priority of service for military veterans and eligible spouses who are seeking employment or job training services. https://www.connectingcolorado.com/

!

• Colorado Workforce Centers: Workforce Centers are located in 46 communities across the state. Many One-Stop Career Centers offer resources including specialized Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERs) and Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) staff who work solely with veteran populations and can provide relevant veteran applicant referrals. http://www.servicelocator.org/onestopcenters.asp

!

• Veterans Green Jobs: A Colorado non-profit organization with the mission of engaging, transitioning and connecting military veterans with meaningful employment opportunities that serve our communities and environment. http://veteransgreenjobs.org/

!

• CU Denver Boots to Suits: Through mentorships, internships and job opportunities, CU Denver Boots to Suits and the Denver Chamber of Commerce help veteran students move from the university to meaningful employment. http://www.ucdenver.edu/life/services/Veteran/AboutUs/programs/Pages/Boots-to-Suits.aspx

!

• VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program Office: The VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR & E) Office, located at the VA Denver Regional Office, helps connect employers with disabled veterans seeking employment. Call or email the Colorado VR & E Service Employment Coordinator, Jason Shireman at (720)289-1391 or email [email protected] indicating your interest in hiring a veteran, providing a description of the position and the best means to contact you. http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/emp_resources.htm

!

• The Colorado Guard and Reserve Employer Support Program: The COESGR program develops initiatives to increase employment opportunities for military service members and veterans. The Employment Transition Coordinator, Michelle Olson, can be reached at 720-250-1195, [email protected]

!

• LinkedIn - Colorado MVS (Military, Veterans, and Spouses) Employment Coalition: The Colorado MVS Employment Coalition is a group of passionate recruiters throughout Colorado striving to educate and employ MVS throughout Colorado.

!!


!


Where To Find Veterans !

• MVEE.org: The MILITARY/VETERANS Employment EXPO is a free three day event held several times a year in different parts of Colorado. To participate, employers are required to have job openings available and have been known to hire on the spot. The event is two days of classes, one-on-one mentoring and an Employment Day.

!

• H2H.jobs: H2H.jobs is a comprehensive employment program, supported by ESGR which contains everything a job seeker needs to find a job. www.H2H.jobs

!

• HOH.greatjobs.net: Hiring Our Heroes is a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Information about Colorado hiring fairs, trainings and networking opportunities can be located on the website.

!

Sample National Websites Connect You to Job-Seeking Veterans: !

• Army Career Alumni Program (ACAP) https://www.acap.army.mil/employers.aspx.htm • Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces http://www.employerpartnership.org • National Resource Directory http://www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov/employment • Service Locator http://www.servicelocator.org • Veterans Job Bank https://www.nrd.gov/home/veterans_job_bank • Heroes to Hired https://h2h.jobs/

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


!


Why Hire A Veteran? !

“In the military, we are held responsible for our actions. Once I transitioned into the civilian workplace, I was surprised how often I heard, ‘That’s not my job’ or ‘That’s not my fault.’ Chances are that if you’re working with a veteran, they will own up to their mistakes, they will fix it, and you will likely never see it happen again.”

- Dana Niemela (Former Naval Officer) Denver County Veterans Services

!!!

“There are many benefits to hiring veterans beyond the individual talent that each brings to a complex enterprise such as Raytheon. We find veterans to be highly reliable and committed to achieving excellence in their individual work, not to mention their ability to work well with others in team settings. In addition, veterans have the propensity to bring leadership capabilities that can have a positive impact on the professional development and competencies of their colleagues.”

- Keith Pedan, Senior Vice President Global Human Resources and Security, Raytheon

!!!

“Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. always wants to hire the best and brightest. That is the main reason we hire veterans. Veterans have transferrable skills that fit right in with what our company does and the skills we need. We find veterans show leadership skills that we don’t always find in other employees. They take accountability for their actions and are very professional. One of the best skills they bring to the company is process improvement.”

-Tom Deany, Vice President Human Resources Ball Aerospace & Technologies

Corp. !!!

Office of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet - Colorado

!


Why Hire A Veteran? !

“Hiring military veterans not only shows appreciation for their courage and sacrifice made protecting our country, but we believe hiring veterans is good business sense. Level 3, for example, is actively involved in connecting military veterans and their spouses with rewarding careers. We consider their principles and work ethic as true business assets that closely align with our own core values of integrity, accountability, performance, respect and commitment, making Level 3 a stronger company.”

- Laurinda Pang, Chief Human Resources Officer Level 3 Communications

!

!!

“Comcast and NBCUniversal are proud to be leaders in attracting, employing, and supporting our active duty military service members, reservists and veterans. Together, we share the values of leadership, service, teamwork and ethics, and we are honored to partner with those who have served our nation. We’ve hired hundreds of veterans across our company who are working in a variety of positions at all levels, including network engineering, technology, operations, theme parks and resorts, programming, customer service, marketing, human resources, and other careers. Additionally, we use our programming resources to help veterans find careers at other employers through our ‘Hire a Veteran On Demand’ initiative.”

- Rich Jennings, Senior Vice President Mile High Region, Comcast

!!

“At Deloitte, we see veteran hiring as not only the right thing to do, but it also makes good business sense. These men and women have many of the skills in demand by us and our clients – leadership and technical training, adaptable to a variety of environments, and strong values including integrity, intense loyalty, and discipline. Our commitment to Veteran Hiring was recognized by G.I. Jobs as a Top 100 Military Friendly Employer.”

- Robin S. Lineberger, CEO Federal Government Services, Deloitte LLP

!!


!


Interview Tips !

Tip 1: Veterans sometimes have difficulty explaining how their military experience relates to the needs of a civilian employer. Consider phrasing your questions to ensure the interviewee clearly understands that you are referring to both civilian and military work experience.

!!

SKILLS TRANSLATION AND LICENSING

Military skills and experiences can be translated into comparable civilian occupations using the websites listed here. The translators can help employers match the military skills that a veteran has acquired with the job requirements.

!The websites and resources below are a few of the military translators available online:

!

• National Resource Directory: https://www.nrd.gov/employment/transitioning_from_the_military_to_a_civilian_career/ military_to_civilian_skills_translators

• CareerOneStop’s Military to Civilian Occupation Translator http://www.careerinfonet.org/moc/

• O’NET’s Military-Civilian Crosswalk http://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/MOC?b=F&s=&g=Go

!!

Tip 2: “Professional presentation” is different in the military. Military personnel (particularly those recently separated or discharged) will often present themselves with eyes forward, back straight, and using “Sir” and “Ma’am” vocabulary often without much smiling. It may be misperceived as cold, distant, unapproachable or demonstrating a lack of social skills. Employers should recognize that former military personnel may need permission to “speak freely” to create a comfort level where they can appear in the most positive light.

!!!


!


Interview Tips !

Tip 3: Typically veterans do not emphasize individual accomplishments in interviews due to the military’s emphasis on team or unit.

!Tip 4: Veterans who sustained injuries while serving, both physical and less visible injuries such as Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), will want to find meaningful work in the private sector. Specific resources are available for hiring a veteran with a disability and helpful information can be accessed at these websites.

!

• Accommodating Service Members and Veterans with PTSD: http://askjan.org/corner/vol03iss02.htm

• American Heroes at Work: http://www.americasheroesatwork.gov

• ADA: Know Your Rights for Returning Service Members with Disabilities: http://www.ada.gov/servicemembers_adainfo.html

!!

Common Sense Questions !

The Colorado Workforce Training Centers use questions like these when preparing veterans for interviews:

!

• Tell me about the type of training and education you received while in the military. !

• Were you involved in day-to-day management of personnel and/or supplies? How many people did you supervise?

!

• What do you know about our company and how can your skills align to our goals? !!!


Hiring Veterans: A Colorado Employer Toolkit

Documents

Transcript of Hiring Veterans: A Colorado Employer Toolkit