Why are some veterans underemployed, and what can we do to avoid it?

Underemployment is a very real issue for the military community, and although we’re on a mission to eradicate it, there’s work to be done. 

To get an idea of how the veterans in our network feel about underemployment Ben, founder and CEO of Redeployable, asked his audience to share their thoughts, specifically whether they feel that they’re underemployed. The results confirmed what we thought - a lot needs to change. 

In this edition of The Redeployable Rocket, we will look at underemployment and give you some actionable takeaways to avoid it happening to you. 

What actually is underemployment? 

It’s basically when your job doesn’t match your skill set. You’re underutilised in your role, meaning you could be doing bigger things, but you’re in a role that is limiting. 

According to Deloitte’s ‘Veterans Work’ research, only 66% of large and medium-sized organisations see vets as having good communication skills, whereas we know this is a key strength of military candidates across the board. When you speak to organisations who have employed vets, they agree. 

It means that there’s likely a gap between the skills veterans have, and the skills companies perceive them as having. This needs to change and is a big part of our mission to guide and re-educate employers on the benefits of hiring from our community. 

What did our network have to say? 

Ben asked over 100 veterans to fill out a simple survey, letting us know if they feel that they’re underemployed in their civilian careers. 

The results are in. Over 38% of you feel that you’re underemployed. 

Veterans are skilled, we know that. The military gives you an excellent foundation of hard and soft skills that can be adapted to a civilian workplace, meaning that military candidates stand out as being exceptional. These skills vary, but often they make for candidates who are brilliant leaders. They're strong communicators, they're adaptable and dedicated, all while maintaining cool under pressure. 

It’s no surprise to us that more than half of organisations that have employed veterans say they tend to be promoted more quickly than their workforce in general. (Veterans Work, Deloitte)

What is a surprise is that more vets don’t end up in leadership and senior roles when they side-step out of service. 

What do the veterans we spoke to think about it?  

We asked some of those who responded to our survey for their two cents on why they’re underemployed. We’ve kept them anonymous. 

“My skill set was not properly utilised. I believe this is down to a lack of understanding from employers about the autonomous nature of ranks. There’s a belief that we “do as we’re told” versus achieving a task by whatever means it takes” 

Autonomy. Military personnel are excellent decision-makers. They make informed decisions quickly and under a lot of pressure, keeping a cool head. They’re certainly not a group of people who will just smile and nod along. 

“[There needs to be] A greater understanding of this free-thinking, problem-solving ability that the Armed Forces can bring to an organisation.”

Our advice on how to make sure this comes across? Shout about the experiences you had in the military that prove it. Put decision-making and leadership examples at the front and centre of your CV. 

“I have recently returned to higher education to gain qualifications that civilian employers understand.” 

But, of course, underemployment can be purposeful. Many candidates (including some of the veterans in the Redeployable workforce) opt for underemployment to build up a new skill set or to refine the skills that they already have. So don’t feel like you’re letting yourself down if you want to learn the ropes in an entry-level position.

Our tips for landing the career you deserve 

A lot of companies are experiencing skills shortages right now, especially in some of the technology industries that we work with. Management, strategy and problem-solving are some of these, all of which are a given with a military skill set. Plus, if you have hard skills such as programming, engineering or development, you’re extremely sought after.

Here’s how to get started with translating your experiences 👇

Your skills

The rigorous training and hands-on experience that members of the Armed Forces receive sets veterans apart. Members benefit from trade-specific qualifications and certifications that are earned through expert-led programmes. So it's a good idea to show these off in an interview and on your profile (or CV). 

Military candidates have also likely gained invaluable perspectives from working internationally alongside allies. Adaptability and collaborative teamwork are an absolute must. Stress the importance of these skills, grounding them in examples of when you’ve had to put them to use. 

Your Capabilities

Ex-service personnel continue to develop relevant skills and accreditations after their time in the military. When you signed off, you probably cracked on with management courses, technical qualifications and even higher academic degrees. 

So if you’ve carried on professional training, then shout about this. It shows that you’ve got ambition and a strong work ethic. 

But even if you didn’t, you’ve still got a lot to offer. We’ve found, from our own experiences and from working with veterans, that we tend to recognise the need to complement our experiences with updated best practices, technological know-how, and business needs. It’s a constant cycle of learning that paints a picture of individuals who want to invest in their future.

Your proven experience

Remember those intense performance evaluations that you had to go through during your time in the forces? Or the pressure to excel in rigorous competitive processes? Us too. This proves that we know what it takes to succeed when talent and dedication are assessed objectively. 

You’ve got to be willing to step up and face tough appraisal systems; this demonstrates a professionalism that’s largely unmatched in the civilian workforce. It proves that you’re competent, too. 

So make sure you go into your job search with a strong handle on your skills and the confidence to land an excellent position.

It’s understandable that when leaving the forces, you may be drawn to big, well-known companies because the familiarity and size can feel safe and appealing, but that doesn’t necessarily equal job satisfaction. 

If you slow down and carefully consider all the opportunities out there, you will find something that genuinely aligns with your interests, which makes going to work a lot more fun!

Small to medium-sized businesses are often where your skills and military experience will be most valued, and you’ll likely gain greater exposure to the business as a whole. This means more opportunities for growth and progression.  

So while the big names might seem glamorous, don't let it blind you to other possibilities where you could thrive and make a more meaningful impact - the goal is to find a role and culture that excites you!

Having recently transitioned from the Army to Redeployable, Tom’s got some great advice for service leavers looking to land the perfect role. Here’s his suggestion for what your first 12 months could look like: 

Month 1-3: Figure your stuff out

Start with self-assessment and exploration. Even if you have no idea, start to write some bits down. Sometimes it’s easier to think about what you don’t want than what you do. Here are some places to start:

1. Minimum salary - Taking into account any luxuries you’d like to afford, like gym memberships or holidays. 
2. Location and willingness to travel - Even with some remote jobs you might need to be in the office now and again. 

1. Working pattern - Flexible working, or are you happy with a rigid 9-5?
2. Type of work - Do you want a big team? What kind of functions are you interested in and which of your skills do you want to use? 

Think about your interests, skills, and thriving industries in your desired location. Narrow down your options to a few different career paths. 

Month 4-6: Get out there 

It can be really helpful to attend military transition events and networking sessions. Speaking to people who have been there and done it is hugely valuable. Don’t feel like you can’t ask questions. 

Get on LinkedIn and start messaging people in those roles. Enrol in courses or certifications relevant to your targeted field.

(And make sure you’re signed up to Redeployable. We’ve got a huge product launch coming that will help you in this learning and networking stage)  

Month 7-9: Your personal profile 

Refine your brand. Update your LinkedIn profile and CV to reflect your skills and military experiences. You could even ask some of your peers to give you a reference on LinkedIn. 

Start to engage with industry content, both on social media and do your research on the web. Having a handle on what’s going on will stand you in great stead for when you begin interviewing. 

This is also a great time to try and get some work experience, or part-time internship. Tom joined us as an intern to begin with, so you never know where it might lead.

Month 10-12: Get applying! 

It’s go time. Apply to positions, practice interview techniques, and leverage your new network for job referrals and insights.

(There’s some great interview advice on our website blog) 

Remember, if you land in a career that isn't right for you, it's not the end of the world. Many people take years to find the right fit. Stay positive and keep pushing forward. 

If you’re not using Redeployable yet, then get signed up. We’ve got a huge launch on the way, so don’t miss out on updates. Link in the comments.