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Three Important Technical Skills Veterans Can Bring to Your Business

The compelling reasons for hiring veterans cover the gamut, from the benefits veterans can bring to your company to the tax credits you might receive if you complete a little paperwork. Employees exuding qualities like leadership, adaptability and working well under stress can help any business achieve greater heights.

Yet considering veterans for those qualities alone is only tapping into a small portion of their potential. Many veterans can enlist in your workforce with technical skills that can be a boost to your business. But, in many instances, you have to dig to discover what technical skills lie under the surface. As you interview and evaluate veteran candidates, see if they possess any of these important skills.

1. Mechanical skills. What the military uses, the military repairs. If you’re an entrepreneur in a mechanical field—or own a business with many mechanical assets, like a warehouse or towing company— see what mechanical skills vet applicants can bring to your shop. Some skills may not be listed because they’re not within the scope of a veteran’s former assignment.

For example, a Reuters article explained how a former supply specialist in the Army now inspects aircraft landing gear. The current and past jobs may sound unrelated, but while the specialist served in the field, he learned how to repair Humvees and tanks. Those unlisted skilled translated into inspecting landing gear for a career.

2. IT and cyber security skills. Many veterans enter the workforce with experience in computer security, risk management, networking and project management. But, like mechanical skills, their cyber savvy might not have been a defining part of their military role. Thus, they’re reluctant to mention it on their resumes. Whether your business is in the technology space or a completely different industry, veterans with a technical prowess can keep your business running smoothly. That IT manager or system analyst with military experience is out there if you’re willing to look a little harder.

3. Maintenance skills. With a little training on your part, a veteran’s basic maintenance skills can be parlayed into your business’s needs. For example, a vet with experience in electrical work can easily perform maintenance on other systems or equipment when properly trained on the differences. If your business is involved in manufacturing or production, hiring an experienced veteran will likely require less training than you’re used to.

By finding these technically apt veterans, you’re getting more bang for your buck and ensuring your business has a disciplined expert at your disposal. Plus the cost saved on extensive training will make the investment one that reaps many returns. But remember: Skills not listed on a resume may be exactly the ones you need.

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