If you’ve recently finished your military career and are ready to find a civilian job that speaks to your unique strengths and training, you’re likely wondering what industries are the best fit for veterans. At ZipRecruiter, we’ve identified many fields that have great professional opportunities for veterans based on the skills and experience listed on their resumes. Check out our top twelve industries for veterans and apply to your next job, today!
1. Business
Whether founding their own company, or taking an entry level position in a large business, veterans may find that work in the business world shares an important similarity with military service: the sense of belonging to a team working towards a common purpose. Employers in the business industry also place a high value on skills that veterans acquire in the military. From leadership and teamwork to organization and discipline, these skills and more make veterans great job candidates for many roles in a business.
Top 5 Business Jobs:
- Call Center Representative
- Brand Ambassador
- Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Administrative Assistant
- Business Analyst
2. Technology
The tech industry is rapidly growing, which means companies are constantly on the lookout for bright talent that they can add to their rosters. With the ability to solve complex problems, think on their feet, and adapt to changing circumstances, veterans make great hires for all many tech companies.
Top 5 Technology Jobs:
3. Transportation and Storage
With great situational awareness, reliability, and an existing understanding of the basic logistics of things like route planning and timing, many employers find veterans to be a great fit for commercial driving roles. For that reason, the transportation and storage industry is a natural fit for people who are transitioning from military careers to civilian work.
Top 5 Transportation and Storage Jobs:
4. Retail
With a strong work ethic and great people skills, military experience makes many veterans perfect fit for a role in the retail industry. Retail can be a fast-paced field that affords employees many opportunities to learn, grow, and advance. Additionally, many large retailers have a proven commitment to hiring veterans.
Top 5 Retail Jobs:
5. Construction
The construction industry can provide great opportunities for veterans. The physical fitness levels of most veterans, their pride in their work, and their emphasis on teamwork means that veterans are often the most qualified candidates employers can find.
Top 5 Construction Jobs:
6. Arts and Entertainment
For veterans who want flex their creative muscles, the arts and entertainment industry is a great option. With keen organization skills, the know-how to effectively communicate, and the ability to visualize complex concepts, many veterans forge successful careers in more artistic roles including graphic design and photography.
Top 5 Arts and Entertainment Jobs:
7. Industrial Goods and Services
The industrial goods and services industry has positions for veterans with a range a educational backgrounds. For, veterans with advanced degrees in fields like engineering are highly sought after, due to their keen attention to detail, ability to lead and function as part of a team, flexibility, and the foresight to formulate quality plans. For those without formal engineering degrees, there are numerous other roles in this industry.
Top 5 Industrial Goods and Services Jobs:
8. Healthcare
Aside from the abundance and variety of roles available, healthcare is a great industry for veterans because it draws on the different skills they picked up during their time in the military—including their ability to think quickly and interact well with people. Healthcare is an especially suitable choice for those who worked as medics or health-related jobs in the military.
Top 5 Healthcare Jobs:
9. Food and Beverage
The food and beverage industry is another one with ample opportunity, and many veterans are attracted to this field for the chance to grow and advance their careers. In fact, 19% of veterans employed in this industry hold management positions—compared with only 10% of non-veterans working in the industry.
Top 5 Food and Beverage Jobs:
10. Science and Engineering
The sciences are a natural choice for many job applicants with military experience, as they possess great work ethic and a desire to understand how different things function and operate. In fact, various aerospace and engineering firms frequently take the top spots as the best places for veterans to find employment.
Top 5 Science and Engineering Jobs:
11. Energy and Environment
The energy industry is one that’s constantly evolving, making it a great match for veterans who are used to being flexible and adaptable. Additionally, the various policies and regulations that this field involves also make it appealing to past military members who are used to working under strict rules and requirements.
Top 5 Energy and Environment Jobs:
12. Automotive
For veterans who have experience working on and repairing different vehicles and pieces of equipment in the military, pursuing a career in the automotive industry makes sense. Even for those who might not have that traditional experience, exploring opportunities in this field can still be wise, as these roles benefit from an ability to follow directions, work under pressure, and problem solve.
Top 5 Automotive Jobs:
