Help Available for Veterans Looking for Jobs

Getting a job after leaving the service can be a battle in itself

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By Kate McPherson
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Story Created: Nov 11, 2012 at 8:22 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Nov 11, 2012 at 8:22 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - For many veterans, scoring a job after leaving the military is a battle in itself.

“Not only have they not done a resume, they haven't done an interview, and so that can be an interesting experience because you're trying to translate what you did in the military to someone who may not have any idea what you did,” said Aaron Gustafson, Veterans’ Program Coordinator with the Department of Labor.

Some veterans think that having extensive experience will be enough.

But for Chris McMath, who served for 9 years as a human resources specialist and was deployed overseas twice, it took nearly a year.

"It’s frustrating -- you're just sitting around waiting for somebody to at least give you a shot, or at least give you and interview and talk to you and see where you're at,” said McMath, who is now employed in his field.

The Department of Labor has staff trying to bridge the gap between veterans and employers:

"They go out to talk to the employers and really advertise the veterans and say all the different reasons to hire veterans the benefits that they bring,” said Gustafson.

Translating military experience into a language that a civilian employer can understand is one of the biggest challenges, but Gustafson says there’s help available if veterans need it.

The best place to find help is at http://jobs.alaska.gov/veterans/vetreps.htm.

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, Nov 14 at 3:31 PM

yeah that looks so inviting...probably need to be a little more personal and make appts at the VA and then you can present your shtick of job offers... this just reminds them of the food line...nice...

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