Transitioning from active duty to life as a civilian can be challenging. Many veterans struggle to translate their military skills into the civilian job market and feel unsure about the next steps to take. That’s where temp employment comes in.
At All Trades Staffing Services, we specialize in providing veterans with a practical and supportive path for reintegration into the workforce. Keep reading to learn how working with a temp staffing agency can help bridge the gap between military experience and long-term civilian career success.
Benefits of Temporary Work for Vets
Temp staffing agencies partner with companies that need flexible labor. They handle the hiring process and connect workers with suitable positions, including contract jobs, short-term assignments, and temp-to-hire positions. Agencies advocate for their candidates — including veterans — and ensure they gain the skills and experience necessary to further their careers.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of temp work for veterans:
Helps Bridge the Resume Gap
A lack of recent civilian work experience due to years of military service can impact hiring managers’ perception of a candidate’s readiness for a role. Temp jobs provide immediate employment opportunities after service and add recent job experience to resumes, helping veterans reintegrate into the workforce.
Flexibility to Explore Career Options
One of the most significant challenges veterans face is uncertainty regarding which career path to pursue. Trying multiple temp jobs allows them to explore different industries without long-term commitment, giving them the chance to identify their personal strengths and professional preferences.
Opportunities to Translate Military Skills
Military roles don’t often have direct civilian equivalents, leading to employers not understanding military terminology on resumes. Plus, military experience may not translate to civilian job credentials and certifications.
Temp work helps bridge the skills translation gap by placing veterans in positions suited to their prior experience. For example, army logistics may translate to warehouse or supply chain roles. Former navy mechanics may succeed in maintenance technician positions. These roles give veterans the opportunity to prove their leadership, logistics, teamwork, and communication skills, all of which are valuable to employers.
Pathway to Full-Time Employment
Temp-to-hire positions help veterans prove themselves on the job and provide a path to permanent employment. Many employers prefer to see candidates’ performance before hiring them on a long-term basis, so if workers can demonstrate their skills, they have a good chance of joining the team.
Supportive Employment Network
Temp staffing agencies provide a supportive employment network. They often offer resume help, interview coaching, and ongoing support. Some even specialize in veteran-friendly hiring, providing specialized support for those navigating the post-service transition and helping them adjust to cultural differences in the civilian workplace.
Tips for Veterans Using Temp Work to Launch a Civilian Career
Re-entering the job market after completing military service can be tough. Here’s some tips for veterans using temporary employment as a stepping stone to launch a career in the civilian workforce:
- Translate Your Military Experience: Use civilian-friendly language when describing your military experience on your resume. Highlight your soft skills, such as discipline, leadership, and reliability.
- Leverage Veteran Resources: Connect with veteran services like VA career programs, USO, and Hiring Our Heroes. O-NET’s Crosswalk service can help translate your resume experience into more familiar terms.
- Treat Temp Work Like a Permanent Job: Demonstrate your dependability, show that you have a strong work ethic, and build strong relationships with your coworkers and supervisors.
- Ask About Temp-to-Hire Opportunities: If you feel that the role is a good fit for you, show interest in a potential long-term position. You never know what opportunities are available to you unless you ask!
- Work With a Veteran-Friendly Staffing Agency: Look for staffing agencies with military hiring initiatives or partnerships. These agencies are better equipped to understand and address your unique needs and challenges.
Why Vets Trust All Trades Staffing Services
The transition from the military to a civilian career can no doubt be challenging, but help from All Trades can make it more manageable. We’ll help you find temporary roles that offer flexibility, resume-building experience, and access to long-term work opportunities.
If you’re a veteran ready to take the first step toward a civilian career, we’re here to help. Our team proudly supports veterans with meaningful job opportunities and one-on-one career guidance. Contact us today to get started.
