Many successful property management companies have begun trying to diversify their workforce and add value to their on-site teams with an array of employees and skill sets. One way you can enhance your hiring outcomes is by recruiting veteran candidates to your organization. Based on their unique backgrounds and experiences, veterans can play a valuable role in your workplace. Though veterans tend to have more unconventional qualifications, they have the potential to positively impact your organization in many ways.
Let’s explore three highly valuable skills that veterans can bring to the table:
Leadership and teamwork.
Of all your job candidates, veterans are most poised to work well in teams and respect their managers and co-workers. Because veterans come from a very structured and hierarchal environment, they understand the importance of working cohesively in a team to meet common goals and provide support when needed. In addition, veterans tend to have a strong work ethic in which they will often exceed the scope of their jobs to make sure tasks are completed effectively and efficiently. Whether it is a simple work order or large capital improvement project, veterans are known to strive for excellence in everything they do.
Goal-driven and opportunistic.
Because of their rigorous military training, veterans are very good at finding solutions and identifying the strengths of their teams to solve problems in the workplace. Their goal-driven mindset allows them to think strategically about eliminating challenges and take a step-by-step approach to overcome barriers. Veterans’ tactical and opportunistic attitudes toward their job responsibilities can help your organization set and reach goals that are directly connected to your core mission. These traits often present themselves in the form of soft skills like strong communication and adaptability.
Stress management.
Unlike most average candidates, veterans are accustomed to working quickly under very high-pressure situations. Most veterans have very good time-management skills and are skilled at keeping calm under pressure. Their ability to navigate stressful work situations with ease can be an asset to your company culture, setting a positive example for your other employees and keeping your team on the right track even during the most tumultuous situations like a fire or flood on your property.
Benefits of hiring a veteran.
In addition to the skills and talents military veterans can bring to a company, did you know they can also help your business earn tax credits?
Businesses that hire eligible unemployed veterans can take advantage of a Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). (This credit is also available to certain tax-exempt organizations.) After recent changes, The Returning Heroes Tax Credit now provides incentives of up to $5,600 for hiring unemployed veterans, and the Wounded Warriors Tax Credit doubles the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for long-term unemployed veterans with service-connected disabilities, to up to $9,600. Click here for more information.
If you are still finding it difficult to translate their skills from their resume, go to Military Skills Translator for assistance. While this tool can help veterans transition to civilian life, it, in turn, helps employers understand what skills veterans have gained from their time of service. This tool also enables employers to recognize the skills veterans bring to help these highly capable individuals find a job they’ll flourish in. Access the Military Skills Translator tool here. Retrieved from article Valuable Skills Veterans Add to Your Business by Hayley Shaughnessey.
Veterans’ experience and soft skills combined with their unwavering professionalism truly set them apart from typical job candidates. Making veterans a top hiring priority will allow you to build a more powerful team of employees and accelerate your business outcomes.
“The Texas Apartment Association Education Foundation feels strongly about the opportunity to hire veterans in the apartment industry and are working to strengthen the Military Careers Initiative. TAAEF is working to make training available at certain military bases to help soldiers exiting the service to help them transition their skill set and begin a rewarding career in the apartment industry. TAAEF and our partners will also reach out to and work with veterans and military spouses. The industry is seeing a spiking hiring crisis, and this pool of talent can help fill these needed job openings while employing these very talented candidates. It is a win-win for everyone.” Becca Ramati, Vice President, Texas Apartment Association Education Foundation
“We created our Hire a Veteran Program back in 2010 because we also saw the veteran talent pool as a great fit for our property management firms. We offer free training and career counseling to all veterans and their families to help them transition into the multifamily industry. It has been a remarkable success. We are excited to see more companies adopt similar programs.” Shonna Marquis, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations.
Looking to grow your workforce with talented veteran candidates?
Contact the Liberty Group, with locations in major cities throughout the United States.
