The Oklahoman

Make it a proiority to hire a veteran

- BY BOB FUNK

Veterans Day is an important time to pause and consider the sacrifice and honor of those who have served this great country. But it is also an opportunit­y to consider what military service means to our society today and the future.

I know firsthand that former military personnel are often some of the most sought-after employees. According to experts from Express Employment Profession­als who connect job seekers with work, it’s hard to beat the work ethic of those who have served in the military.

What makes veterans stand out? According to our experts, the traits learned in the military are what business owners say they value most in a candidate.

Particular­ly, the military teaches work ethic, discipline and organizati­on. These are traits that are in high demand. According to a recent Express survey of 573 businesses, attitude and work ethic/ integrity ranked as the most important traits in a job applicant.

At Express, we recognize the unique and valuable perspectiv­e a veteran brings to the workplace.

Due to the nature of the modern military, veterans often have vast and diverse experience­s from around the world, teaching them flexibilit­y, another key benefit in today’s workforce.

While veterans may certainly face any number of challenges upon re-entering public life, it’s a myth that veterans bring more challenges to the workplace than other employees. I always urge employers to educate themselves on how positions in the military translate into positions in the civilian workforce.

As we prepare to honor our veterans, let’s keep in mind that one of the best ways to pay tribute to their service is to help them find rewarding work in their communitie­s. Bringing veterans into your workforce benefits everyone, and our experience shows it’s well worth it.

Let’s make every day “Hire a Veteran Day.”

Funk is CEO of Oklahoma City-based Express Employment Profession­als.

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Bob Funk

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