Employment & Vocational Services
Providers can help veterans with their careers by identifying a warrior's transferable skills, connecting veterans to military-friendly employers, and helping a returning service member access veteran job training programs.
Have You Ever Served In The Military?
One question can make a big difference...
Why Ask The Question
Most employers know: if you hire a veteran you will likely encounter someone with a strong work ethic and a lot of transferable skills. Those who provide employment and vocational services need to identify and engage job-seeking veteran clients and help them to highlight their strengths in ways that will appeal to civilian employers. The first step is knowing who your veteran clients are.
Ask The Question
At the point of intake, ask, "Have you or a family member ever served in the military?"
When the answer is "yes," you may consider thanking them for their service. You may also then be able to find out more about his/her military experience in order to provide the best possible services and referrals. Asking further questions will also help you to:
- Build rapport and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and referrals, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Assist in translating and matching military service experience to civilian language and jobs
- Identify any needs for social, cognitive, emotional, or physical accommodations
- Explore any barriers to reintegration into the workforce
- Address perceived barriers to seeking support and services
Get To Know Your Veteran
Following are some questions that could be asked in the context of gathering information for more effective referrals and services. Pay attention to non-verbal cues, and show respect, curiosity, and empathy. Also be aware that responsiveness and effective follow-up are critical to building trust and rapport.
When did you/your family member serve? What service era? Which Branch?
- Build rapport with the parent and child and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
In what ways may your need for services here be connected to your/your family member's military service?
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
Is your child facing or has recently faced a family member's deployment or military duty away from home? If yes, when?
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
Are you/your family member enrolled/connected to the VA or other veteran resource or organizations for support or services?
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
What types of support are needed but not yet met?
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
What reservations did you/your child have about coming in to seek support and assistance? Is there anything that might be a barrier to further seeking assistance?
- Address perceived barriers to the child or parent(s) in seeking support