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Employment Opportunities for Veterans and Military Spouses

DAV’s employment program helps veterans, transitioning service members, Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, families and caretakers as they navigate the job market or entrepreneurship with confidence. Whether you’re searching for your first civilian job, changing careers or starting your own business, DAV provides resources and support to help you build a rewarding career and achieve long-term success.

Job Fairs for the Military Community

Meet employers that value your military background and skills.

Online Job Postings for the Military Community

Boost your career options and search thousands of open jobs with employers looking to hire veterans and military spouses.

Supporting Entrepreneurs from the Military Community

DAV Patriot Boot Camp empowers founders in the veteran and military community, including spouses, to succeed as entrepreneurs.

More Ways to Engage

Get help from DAV’s employment team

DAV’s employment program connects transitioning active duty, Guard and Reserve members, veterans and their spouses with employers.

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Share your military-to-civilian story

If you had a good experience or found a job through DAV employment services, we would love to know!

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Spotlight on employers of the military community

Learn more about DAV’s Patriot Employer Awards and download The Veteran Advantage: DAV’s Hiring Guide for Employers of the Military Community.

LEARN MORE

DAV Employment Program stories

New York Times Op-Ed Headline

Translating military skills for civilian jobs

New York Times Op-Ed Headline

Building a veteran employee resource group

New York Times Op-Ed Headline

Celebrating 10 years of partnership: DAV and RecruitMilitary
Additional information

What should veterans consider when looking for their first job after the military?

Job seekers transitioning out of the military are challenged in ways that civilian job seekers are not.

Set yourself up for military-civilian transition success by:

 

Which industries hire a large number of military veterans?

Veterans succeed in nearly every industry, but certain fields align naturally with military experience. Your military skills translate well into careers in:

  • Engineering and construction – Build and manage infrastructure projects using technical expertise, leadership and problem-solving skills.
  • Government and public service – Serve communities in federal, state or local government roles that value military experience and mission-driven leadership.
  • Healthcare and medicine – Apply training in patient care, emergency response and teamwork to support the health and well-being of others.
  • Heavy equipment operation – Technical knowledge and skills like attention-to-detail transfer easily to a career operating specialized machinery.
  • Information technology and cybersecurity – Protect networks and solve technical challenges in one of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields.
  • Logistics and supply chain management – Coordinate people, equipment and resources to keep operations running efficiently from planning through delivery.
  • Maintenance and repair – Diagnose or service vehicles, aircraft, machinery and equipment using hands-on technical skills.
  • Manufacturing and skilled trades – Put precision, discipline and technical training to work in careers such as welding, electrical work and advanced manufacturing.
  • Operations and project management – Lead teams and execute complex projects while meeting deadlines and organizational goals.
  • Security and law enforcement – Safeguard people, facilities and communities in careers that value integrity, situational awareness and sound decision-making.

 

Where can veterans and military spouses find resume assistance?

DAV offers resume assistance for veterans, military spouses and the military community through our partnership with RecruitMilitary.

Use the resume-building resources for guidance on building different types of resumes and to see examples of CVs, government resumes, corporate resumes, executive resumes, a gap year resume and even a sample cover letter.

Need help getting started? Create your candidate profile on our online job board and you’ll immediately have access to a free resume generation tool as well as thousands of job postings from military-friendly employers.

You may also attend live and interactive webinars from RecruitMilitary. Led by a certified professional resume writer, these sessions ensure a smooth transition into the civilian workforce and are offered at no cost to members of the military community from all branches. Learn more here.

 

How can veterans prepare for civilian job interviews?

Preparing for a civilian job interview starts with understanding how your military experience aligns with the position you are pursuing. Veterans can strengthen their interview skills through mock interviews, career coaching and mentorship programs, like those offered by American Corporate Partners (ACP). See more resources below.

 

Where can veterans find civilian jobs after leaving the military?

Veterans can find civilian jobs through several methods, but most job search platforms and hiring programs are not created to support veterans and their unique backgrounds.

To remove employment barriers for veterans, DAV and RecruitMilitary to provide a nationwide job fair program that directly connects job seekers from the military community with active employers. We host about 100 job fairs a year in major cities, on military bases and virtually. See the job fair schedule.

Veterans can also search open positions on our online job board, which hosts thousands of employers with open roles.

DAV’s Patriot Employers are recognized every year for their incredible military friendly programs.

 

Where can military spouses find remote job opportunities?

Remote work can provide military spouses with greater career flexibility and continuity despite frequent relocations. DAV and RecruitMilitary’s online job board offers a search function to identify remote job opportunities from the thousands of military friendly employers on the site. The Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) offers additional military spouse-focused career resources.

 

Are there job placement programs specifically for military spouses?

While few organizations provide direct job placement, military spouses have access to programs designed to connect them with employers, career coaches and employment opportunities. All the employment services and resources offered from DAV are free for military spouses as well as veterans and current service members. Please see our list of career resources specifically for military spouses at the bottom of this page.

EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION services for the military community

Resume-building webinars and resources from RecruitMilitary offer expert guidance to help you build, customize and optimize your resume to stand out and secure the job you deserve.

O*NET Interest Profiler helps job seekers discover work-related interests and explore career options that are a good fit for you.

 

JOB SEARCH resources for veterans and the military community

The online job board from DAV and RecruitMilitary allows job seekers from the military community to search for open roles, sign up for job fairs and access a free resume-building tool.

DAV and RecruitMilitary job fairs offer a fast-track to civilian employment through direct connections with employers.

American Job Centers are located nationwide and provide free help to job seekers for a variety of career and employment-related needs.

 

Career resources specifically for TRANSITIONING MILITARY MEMBERS

RecruitMilitary’s transition career guide provides an overview of where to start and how to set yourself up for success in your job hunt.

My Next Move for Veterans from O*NET.org provides a guided framework for you to conceptualize your military-to-civilian career transition.

The DoW SkillBridge program allows service members in their last 180 days of service to gain civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships or internships.

 

Career resources specifically for DISABLED VETERANS

VA Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) service helps with job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development and skills coaching.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides basic information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as practical suggestions for requesting and negotiating accommodations with an employer.

Veteran Accommodations Toolkit from the US Department of Labor offers tips and strategies for navigating workplace accommodations.

 

Career Resources specifically for MILITARY SPOUSES

SpouseWorks (formerly SECO) from DoW offers opportunities for military spouses to grow skills or connect with a career coach.

National Military Spouse Network offers networking, mentoring and professional development to empower and advance military spouses in their careers.

ACP’s military spouse program helps with career exploration, resume review, interview preparation, networking, career coaching and overall professional development.

Military Spouse Professional Network (MSPN) connects military spouses to career development and networking opportunities through online communities.

 

JOB TRAINING opportunities for veterans

VA education & training benefits help veterans, service members and their qualified family members with needs like paying college tuition, finding the right school or training program and getting career counseling.

VA Acquisition Academy (VAAA, previously Warriors to Workforce) offers veterans an opportunity to transition into a career in the federal government by applying their military skills and experiences to the federal workforce.

VA Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Course 2.0 (VETTEC 2.0) helps eligible veterans and active-duty service members develop skills to start or advance their career in a high-tech industry.

Apprenticeship USA from the US Department of Labor can help you build a skillset to advance your career.

Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) programs help transitioning service members, veterans and their spouses through training opportunities and grants.

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for the military community

American Corporate Partners (ACP) offers mentorship programs for veterans and military spouses.

The LinkedIn Masterclass offered by RecruitMilitary provides expert tips on how to use the LinkedIn platform to build your professional network and showcase your skills for civilian careers.

 

Resources for VETERAN BUSINESS OWNERS

Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) from US Small Business Administration provides veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses and family members with programs and services to start, grow and expand their small business.

Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) from Syracuse University helps veterans develop their competencies associated with creating and sustaining an entrepreneurial venture.

DAV Patriot Boot Camp empowers founders in the veteran and military community, including spouses, to succeed as entrepreneurs.

 

FINANCIAL EDUCATION resources for the veteran community

The USAA Educational Foundation (USAAEF) provides free financial education resources to help service members, veterans, military families, and caregivers strengthen their financial well-being.

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