Career Resources

The American Legion Career Opportunities for Veterans

When it comes to employment, veterans should be placed at the front of the line. Veterans are, after all, the people who made it possible for Americans to be free and safe.

Veteran Job Resources

Recruit Military

RecruitMilitary® is the only nationwide, full-service, military-to-civilian recruiting firm. We use advanced online and offline products to connect employers in all industries with men and women who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life, veterans with a wide variety of business experience, members of the National Guard and reserve forces, and military spouses. We serve veterans of all ranks/rates and branches of the armed forces, and our services are free to all men and women who have a military background. Visit recruitmilitary.com for more information or learn about upcoming Job Fairs

Military.com

Military.com started in 1999 to revolutionize the way the 30 million Americans with military affinity stay connected and informed. Today, it is the largest military and veteran membership organization — 8 million members strong. Military.com's free membership connects servicemembers, military families and veterans to all the benefits of service — government benefits, scholarships, discounts, lifelong friends, mentors, great stories of military life or missions, and much more. Visit Military.com to learn more, or view upcoming Job Fairs

US Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security is committed to hiring the best and brightest for this historic new Department. Vacancies at DHS Headquarters and component agencies are listed on the Office of Personnel Management Web site - USAJOBS.OPM.GOV .

If you are interested in a position with any of the component agencies, simply submit an application using the instructions provided in the vacancy announcement. Interested applicants can also access USAJOBS by calling 478-757-3000 or TDD 478-744-2299.

Vacancies at DHS Headquarters and component agencies are listed on the Office of Personnel Management Web site - USAJOBS.OPM.GOV

FedBizOpps.gov

FedBizOpps.gov is the single government point-of-entry (GPE) for Federal government procurement opportunities over $25,000.

Corporate Gray Online

is a military-specific employment website that links transitioning and former military with employers nationwide. If you're a job seeker, you may post your resume and apply online for jobs of interest at no charge. Employers may post an open job and use the Trial Resume Search at no charge. Corporate Gray Online is affilated with the Corporate Gray Military Job Fairs and the Corporate Gray Series Books "From Army Green to Corporate Gray," "From Navy Blue to Corporate Gray," and "From Air Force Blue to Corporate Gray."

The U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor will also soon offer a method for sorting jobs by federal contractor.

Federal Positions

A list of all federal positions currently open is available at USA Jobs. Veterans who desire a position with the Federal government should visit this site frequently. Methods for making application for federal employment have been greatly simplified recently. A Standard Form 171 is no longer necessary, and a personal resume is perfectly acceptable.

Job Service Programs

The Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, which established a national employment-service system, included provisions for veterans' services in that system. Today, veterans' services are provided under Chapter 41 of Title 38, United States Code.

The Department of Labor administers the system mainly through grants to the states, which operate the State Employment Security Agency, or Job Service Office. DoL's Veterans' Employment and Training Service monitors these offices to make sure that veterans receive employment preference and other benefits to which they are entitled.

Job Service Offices are required to have at least one full-time Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) if the office serves 1,100 or more veterans per year; or part-time LVERs if it serves fewer than 1,100 but more than 350 veterans per year. Large offices usually also have Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists.

LVERs and DVOPs are the main contacts for veterans who are seeking jobs or job training. They can provide information on government employment programs that benefit veterans.

Veterans Preference

Certain veterans who have served during a period of conflict or who are disabled or both are entitled to extra consideration when applying for a Federal job for which they are qualified. Veterans seeking Federal jobs can now determine whether they are eligible for veterans’ preference by visiting the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service website and clicking on the Veterans Preference hot button. Also, the Office of Personnel Management has information on Veterans Preference at their website.

For a pamphlet that will answer your questions on Veterans’ Preference in Federal hiring, please contact the National Economic Commission, The American Legion, 1608 K St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Reemployment Rights

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) protects the employment status on non-career military service members while balancing the rights of employers with the rights of veterans, members of the Armed Forces, reserves, and National Guard. It also minimizes the disadvantages that may occur when a member of the uniformed services must be absent from his or her place of civilian employment because of required active duty or required training.

The act also ensures that veterans, reservists, National Guard members and certain other members of the uniformed services can reclaim their civilian job and benefits after a period of required military service or training and can seek employment free from discrimination because of that training. The act requires employers to make reasonable efforts in the workplace to accommodate disabilities of a veteran, reservist or National Guard member incurred during a period of military service or training in order to make them qualified for their same job or one with similar status and benefits.

By answering a series of questions about their status, a veteran can quickly determine whether or not she or he has been discriminated against under the terms of USERRA. Simply click on this link to the Veterans’ Employment and Training Services and access the free online compliance assistance tool, the elaws USERRA Advisor

Civilian Licenses and Military Training

The Armed Forces of the United States operate some of the finest training schools in the world. The soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who graduate from these schools posses all of the qualifications that almost any employer would pay dearly to have as part of his or her workforce. At the same time, employers across the country are scrambling to find workers who have the qualifications. The problem has been one of recognition of the training received in the armed forces when it comes to the issuing of a license or certificate so the former service member can perform the work.

There are over one hundred occupations which require some type of license or certificate in the civilian economy and for which the military provides training. These occupations can be as uncomplicated as driving a tractor-trailer all the way to the person in charge of the control room of a commercial nuclear power plant. For reasons of safety and health, the several states and the Federal government have chosen to regulate these professions by requiring some type of credential in order to work in them.

The problem has been one of communication and the solution for a major portion of the problem is now available. The Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service has launched a web site designed to make it easier for veterans to obtain civilian job credentials. The Military and Veterans Credentialing Network -- also provides employers and credentialing boards a means to reach the roughly 50,000 military personnel who annually leave active-duty status with military training and experience in a field that requires civilian workers to be certified. Civilian licensure boards do not necessarily recognize military training.

In addition to credentialing information, the web site lists federal jobs that have standardized requirements. The site also provides formulas by which employers, job seekers and certification boards can translate military experience into civilian experience.