Comments on: If You Are Not Hiring Ex-Military You Are Wrong

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:58:02 +0000

So….do you know of anyone who is hiring? Since I got out six years ago, I have obtained my BS and MBA and work a grunt job. I used to repair electronic components on weapons. For some reason, the civilian world won’t give me a chance to do anything other than menial, secretarial work. HR professionals are clueless and it makes no sense to me. My husband is also prior military and also had an electronics job. He cannot even get hired as a cashier, burger flipper or an exterminator because they seem to think that he couldn’t do it. Excuse me but how can a hiring manager come to the stupid conclusion that he doesn’t have the mental capacity to run a cash register or spray houses considering what he did? It makes absolutely no sense!

By: curt clements

curt clements — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:17:34 +0000

thanks and any other sites to advertise open jobs. We are currently searching for staff with logistics background especially in the courier / integrator field (UPS , TNT, FED EX, DHL). Openings in Afghanistan, Iraq, Dubai and others

By: Charles Quimby

Charles Quimby — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:01:42 +0000

Hello,

Nice article!

Our company recently polled a number of sales industry discussion forums and posted the question: “Do people with military backgrounds make good sales people?”

The question received tremendous response and as such, became the subject of a blog article written by one of my colleagues. It was posted on various groups in LinkedIn and stirred up lots of interesting dialog.

I thought you and or your readers might find it interesting, so I took the liberty of forwarding it along. I hope it finds you well.

Best regards,
Charles Quimby

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If They Serve, Can They Sell?

Few would argue that military experience teaches leadership skills valuable in the corporate world. But is military experience an asset for someone who chooses a sales career?

I posted the question on several sales-focused Linkedin groups. Not surprisingly, a large majority of responders (80%) believe the ex-military make good sales people. Citing attributes such as tenacity, discipline, work ethic, and ability to work under pressure, most would not hesitate to hire these folks – assuming they possessed the right personality type.
What I found most interesting was the anecdotal comments made by those cautious of hiring ex-military:

“Are trained by the numbers. May struggle if the job requires out-of-the-box thinking.”
“Reluctant to call on senior executives. Might be a result of the rank system”
“Struggle in sales manager roles. Expect sales people to follow orders and do what they are told. People don’t behave that way in the civilian world.”

In my opinion, military experience can be a real asset for sales, especially in challenging times. Like any other candidate, they must be fully vetted during the hiring process to make sure they possess the appropriate skills / mindset for the mission at hand.

With that said, I made one of my worst mistakes as a sales leader by hiring an ex-officer from a very elite group. Needing someone to “pioneer” a new territory, I felt he was perfect for this difficult assignment. I was so enamored with his background that I ignored red flags raised during the hiring process. As it turned out, he was severely deficient in mental toughness. How he made it through his unit’s notoriously rigorous training still remains a mystery to me……

By: Man Overboard

Man Overboard — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:37:16 +0000

Excellent post. If I ever have the privilege of being in a position to hire someone, it would be my honor to hire a veteran. How could any position I offer ever compare to what a veteran has already accomplished?

By: Urbane Lion

Urbane Lion — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:36:38 +0000

Devildogg: Not my style to self promote but an interesting thing happened at the restaurant the other day that warranted a post on my site; http://www.urbanelionsden.com/2008/09/random-acts-of.html

The lady in question even told the CWO that she was dissapointed they hadn’t ordered beer!

By: Devildogg

Devildogg — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:33:15 +0000

Good Post..A larger majority of the civilian world knows nothing of the honor, courage, and commitment the nations military puts forth to protect the freedoms of this country. I actually have been spit on upon disclosing the fact that I served in the first gulf war, being accused of “killing babies” and “being a war mongor”. Thank you…Former U.S.M.C. Sergeant

By: Urbane Lion

Urbane Lion — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:22:54 +0000

I used to be a business owner but sold it 5 years ago. I now make about 95K less a year but I find this job extremely rewarding. The Priority Hiring give priority appointment for positions in the federal government to medically released CF members. This is an actual legislation and can’t be circumvented. Oddly enough we look very carefully at your transition programs to see if they can be implemented in Canada. You have very interesting programs such as Helmets to Hard Hats and an entrepreneur boot camp given by the University of Syracuse. Keep up the good work!

By: Cameron Schaefer

Cameron Schaefer — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:11:53 +0000

@ fathersez,

Definitely, discipline is something most military members develop whether they want to or not, haha!

@ Urbane Lion,

What a great job you have, thank you for what you do! It is great to hear that employers are finding these traits to be true as well. Priority Hiring is something I’ve never heard of, is it strictly Canadian or are there other country’s doing it that you know of?

By: Urbane Lion

Urbane Lion — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:39:14 +0000

Great post! I actually work in Transition Services for National Defence in Ottawa, Canada and my job is to help injured members who are medically released to transition on to civie street. Luckily we have great programs such as Priority Hiring in the Federal government. Needless to say that this program is highly succesful and employers are very happy with our members for all of the reasons you mentioned in your post. Good job!

By: fathersez

fathersez — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:38:35 +0000

And discipline.

I have found this to be a great plus in the ex military guys I have worked with.