Staying Fit
Companies value your military service — they’re getting the most bang for their buck by hiring hardworking, loyal veterans with solid track records.
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From sign-on bonuses to additional paid time off to monthly stipends on top of salaries, some employers are increasing compensation and benefits for veterans.
States are catching on too. Last year, Colorado joined Kentucky, Montana and Nebraska when it passed legislation allowing private employers to give preference to hiring veterans and spouses of service members killed in active duty provided they are as qualified as other applicants. Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts offer preferential hiring to vets for government jobs.
Jason Feifer, author of the new book Build for Tomorrow, said this is good business as well as pro-military. “The more that we can find ways for the public and private sector to work together to support people who have made sacrifices for our country is a good thing.
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“Businesses want to attract and retain the best talent out there. And there is a lot of talent coming out of the military. They might not have the same level of corporate experience, but they have other intangibles that are of great value.”
Here are six companies going all in on hiring veterans:
1. Power Home Remodeling
When a veteran or veteran’s spouse is hired at Power Home Remodeling, they receive a $3,000 sign-on bonus or an $11,000 bonus if they’re hired via DoD SkillBridge or Hiring Our Heroes.
The national home remodeling company also provides five additional days of paid time off each year to veterans and veteran spouses for VA appointments related to preventive care, disability claims or mental health counseling, or any appointments at their local VA office.
2. Dow
Military experience translates to qualifying for open positions at the manufacturing giant Dow that would otherwise require an associate degree to be considered. Four or more years of relevant military experience becomes the equivalent to an associate degree during recruitment at the materials science company.
Dow also offers military degree equivalency — an E6 rank meets a bachelor’s degree requirement for many of their roles.
“Military training and experience instill active service members and veterans with the qualities and skill sets we are looking for in an employee,” said Jane Palmieri, president of Dow Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure.
3. Sierra7
Disabled American Veterans recently named Sierra7 its Midsize Employer of the Year. In fact, the management consulting firm’s CEO and founder Rafael Fagundo served in the Navy and veterans comprise 40 percent of the leadership team.
