JobConnect gives priority services to veterans

Veterans who are fresh out of the military and seeking employment should visit one of the statewide offices of Nevada JobConnect, according to Roy Brown, veterans program coordinator for the state of Nevada. Not only do veterans get priority of service, but they also receive value-added services such as job and training opportunities, counseling, job search assistance, resume assistance and job training and placement referrals to enhance veterans' ability to compete in the labor market.

During a visit to JobConnect, the veteran will register as a member of the Nevada JobConnect Operating System, also known as the One Stop Operating System, which provides staff with the needed information to match a high-paying job for which the veteran may be qualified. Most JobConnect offices have veteran employment representatives who have received special employment training to assist veterans seeking employment. JobConnect locations can be found at www.nevadajobconnect.com/centers/index.php.

Many state and national jobs are posted on the website www.jobcentral.com/nv. Self-registration is available on this website.

The Nevada Career Information System is another valuable resource for job seekers. The NCIS is a computer-based system that combines a wealth of career, education and labor market information into one comprehensive, easy-to-use career exploration tool. The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation makes the NCIS available to Nevadans free of charge. Log on to http://nvcis.intocareers.org.

Several state programs make it beneficial for employers to hire returning veterans by offering tax credits. Nevada's Work Opportunity Tax Credit rewards employers that hire individuals who may have a hard time finding employment. For veterans who meets the program's requirements, the tax credit can be as high as $2,400; if the individual is a disabled veteran, it can be as high as $4,800. For more details on the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, go to www.nvdetr.org/ESD%20Pages/wotc.htm.

Another program is part of the new Silver State Works Initiative. The initiative, which goes into effect July 1, was designed to create an opportunity for employers to help strengthen Nevada's economy while receiving incentives to hire prescreened, qualified workers. Under this program an employer would be reimbursed for part of the veteran's wages while the veteran gains on-the-job experience.

Brown recommends O*NET OnLine (www.onetonline.org) to help veterans understand and describe their transferable skills.

"O*NET OnLine utilizes a military skills translator based on the veteran's current or previous military career field. The skills associated with that career field would be displayed along with the equivalent civilian occupations utilizing those skills," Brown said. "The site also shows the associated civilian terminology for those skills."

For example, an Army MOS 68K is a medical and clinical laboratory technologist. Transferrable skills listed on O*NET OnLine include: attentive listening skills; critical thinking; using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; sound judgment and decisive decision-making; identifying complex problems; and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

The outlook for employment in the health care industry is very good, according to Brown

"O*NET would be invaluable in determining the civilian occupation for previous military careers. The appropriate title would be determined by cross referencing the veteran's previous military specialty code with the civilian titles," he said. "Most medical fields have very specific skill sets and often require civilian certification or licensing. Veterans may be able to utilize their GI Bill to get the training needed to meet the requirements for civilian certification."

As someone who has seen plenty of resumes, Brown offers the following advice to job-seeking veterans: "This can't be emphasized enough. Civilianize the terminology used on a resume and do not use military jargon.

"Keep this in mind, if human resource staff do not know the military terminology, they don't have the time or the luxury to do detailed research trying to determine if the skills listed by the veteran fits the company's needs," he added.

The veteran must have a good understanding of transferable skills being offered to an employer. The resume must be tailored to the individual employer and to the job requirements as stated in the job announcement. The civilian terminology, as stated in the job announcement, must be used when completing the resume and job applications.

The primary function of the resume is to get an interview, and there are no perfect resumes capable of being effective for every job opening. An effective resume will always be targeted to the employers needs.

"If the veteran wants to get the interview, the skills as stated on the resume must satisfy the needs of the employer. Nothing else matters," Brown said. "If the employer doesn't see the veteran as an asset satisfying a specific company need, the veteran will not get called in for an interview -- period!"

He added, "One immutable rule: Never lie or stretch the truth on a resume or application. Lying on an application would be grounds for dismissal, even at a later date. Remember, in the electronic age, there are no secrets."