Ex-military personnel bring a wealth of skills and experience to the table. Marketing jobs to this community requires a unique and tailored approach. So, where do you start?
Tip 1 – Understand translatable skills
Ex-military personnel possess a wide range of translatable skills. To name a few, they are trained to be elite leaders, collaborate in challenging teamwork tasks, and have exceptional organisational skills. Time within the military can develop leadership, project management and critical thinking skills that develop military personnel into logistical planners, strong team members and agile thinkers; often operating under extreme pressure in unique environments. So in your job descriptions and marketing, make sure you highlight these qualities and explain how they apply directly to the roles you’re hiring for, rather than just producing a long list of skills! Good examples are phrases like ‘strong leadership skills’ or ‘experience leading teams under high-pressure situations’.
Tip 2 – Connect with ex-military focused recruitment agencies, Service charities and military associations
There are a number of experienced organisations who can help you to identify military candidates – like us! You can advertise on our job board, be included in our Forces-Friendly directory and access our Talent Pool; a unique gateway to accessing a live database of exceptional candidates. You can search through Pathways alumni, security-cleared professionals, and our registered jobseekers to find the perfect match for your vacancies.
Register today! https://salutemyjob.com/talent-pool/
Tip 3 – Network, Network, Network!
Attend events and job fairs organised by the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), BFRS and Service charities to interact with military jobseekers and promote your company as a veteran friendly employer. These events are a great way to network with the Armed Forces Community – and other other employers who have an established veteran recruitment programme or who are actively engaged in supporting veterans into employment. Keep an eye out for local military networking events and military groups on LinkedIn and look at our directory showcasing hundreds of ‘Forces-Friendly’ organisations.
Tip 4 – Utilise Social Media
Create targeted social media ads that speak directly to the Armed Forces Community and include inspiring case studies (more in point 6) with ex-military personnel who’ve successfully transitioned into your organisation. LinkedIn is a great way to connect with veterans, with a number of groups and online opportunities to network with the Armed Forces Community and find skilled candidates.
Tip 5 – Host webinars or virtual job fairs
Engaging with the military community through webinars and virtual job fairs is a cost effective way of reaching a potentially large audience and will not only strengthen your reputation as a ‘Forces-Friendly’ employer but also widen your network.
Tip 6 – Shout it from the rooftops!
Do you offer specific benefits for the Armed Forces Community within your workplace? Paid time off for reservists? Mentorship? Flexible working hours? Offer tailored training or on-boarding programmes? Make sure everyone knows about it! Do you have some veterans with inspiring stories? Sharing these case studies across social media are a great way to show military jobseekers why they should work for you and also be inspired in their own transition journey.
If you would like to work with us to strengthen your presence within the Armed Forces Community, find out more here.
