At ZipRecruiter, we’re passionate about helping people find great jobs and helping employers build great companies. That’s why we’re proud to share the stories of Veterans who have found meaningful employment working at ZipRecruiter and their advice to other Veterans who are searching for jobs.
Tony H., Product Specialist at ZipRecruiter
Q: What is your job title at ZipRecruiter?
A: I am a Product Specialist in the Tempe office.
Q: What were you doing before working at ZipRecruiter?
A: I’m an Army brat myself and an Air Force veteran. I got out of the service in 1992 and worked in the corporate world for some time. Then, I became an entrepreneur and started a coffee company called GI Joe.
Q: How did you get your job at ZipRecruiter?
A: I have extensive post-military experience in business and marketing, and I applied for a job at ZipRecruiter to supplement my income. I found the company culture to be a good fit for me, and I got the job.
Q: What challenges did you face searching for a civilian job?
A: I spent 20 years in the service. When I got out, I felt lost because corporations tend to think you’re too old for their jobs when you’re a retiree. You’re coming out of the service at 40, and many companies overlook the potential value of veterans and our skills. Translating my experience so it will be valued and understood by the civilian community and civilian employers is a consistent challenge.
Q: Can you describe your transition from the military to the civilian workforce?
A: I was approached by a recruiting firm that focuses on vets getting out of officer academy training. We took a crash course about translating our resumes into corporate speak. Then we went to Austin, Texas for a week, and I had nine interviews with different Fortune 500 companies. From there, I found a job.
Q: What advice would you give to veterans who are searching for jobs?
A: Make sure the job you are applying for is something that relates to your military experience. Then, translate that experience so it will be understood and valued by civilian employers. Take the time to develop your resume, and how to effectively answer phone and face-to-face interview questions.
James B., Marketplace Compliance Coordinator at ZipRecruiter
Q: What is your job title at ZipRecruiter?
A: I am an Assistant Supervisor in the Trust and Safety department.
Q: How did you get your job at ZipRecruiter?
A: I found out about ZipRecruiter through a friend, and applied for an entry-level Customer Service position in 2015. I had a phone interview and an in-person interview, and then I got the job. I wanted to use my experience to do more, but I saw the entry-level position as an opportunity. In three years, I was promoted from Customer Service to Compliance, and then to an Assistant Supervisor role.
Q: Why did you choose ZipRecruiter?
A: I chose to work at ZipRecruiter because I loved the culture. For my interview, I was told to dress down. I thought it was a test, so I dressed up. At the interview, I stood out, and I found out how casual it really is.
Q: What do you wish you’d known before starting your job search?
A: I wish I’d known how to translate my military experience to civilian experience, and how to sell myself. I had stopped discussing my military experience in interviews and instead focused on my other strengths, but it all depends on the type of job duties you had in the military. For example, if you were in logistics and you are looking for logistics opportunities in the civilian world, it translates directly. However, if you had a combat role, it can be more difficult to explain why that experience translates. You have to think of creative ways to talk about your experience.
Q: What advice would you give to veterans who are searching for jobs?
A: You have to take the time to vet the company and show that you’re a good fit. At ZipRecruiter, I realized that I don’t have to be so formal. With any job, it’s also important to look at the full picture and see the larger opportunity. If you get a job at a company you like, you might have the opportunity to climb the ranks later. Before an interview, close your eyes, pretend you weren’t in the military for a second, and relax. Remember that it will take time for people to realize your worth, because not everybody understands the value of military experience and education.
