5 Mistakes Employers Make When Trying to Hire Veterans (And How to Fix Them) 

Hiring Veterans Is a Smart Strategy. But Are You Doing It Right? 

Veteran hiring is more than a goodwill gesture. It is a smart, strategic move for companies that want skilled, adaptable, and mission-focused talent. 

 But even the most well-intentioned employers sometimes struggle to connect with veteran candidates in a meaningful way. From unclear messaging to mismatched expectations, small mistakes can cost you the opportunity to hire outstanding talent. 

At RecruitMilitary, we have helped thousands of organizations build veteran hiring programs that deliver real results. Here are five common mistakes we see, along with practical ways to fix them. 

Mistake 1: Posting Jobs in the Wrong Places 

Veterans are not always searching in the same spaces as non-veteran candidates. If you’re only posting jobs on general job boards, you may be missing your ideal audience. 

Fix: Post your openings on platforms built specifically for veterans. RecruitMilitary’s Veteran Talent Source, powered by Findem Copilot (VTS) is designed to connect you with transitioning service members and military spouses who are actively looking for civilian opportunities.  

Mistake 2: Using Confusing Language 

Military candidates may not be familiar with corporate buzzwords or vague terminology. Job descriptions filled with acronyms and business lingo can be a barrier to entry. 

Fix: Use clear, simple language. Explain what the job actually involves, what success looks like, and which skills are truly required. Not only does this make your roles more accessible, but it also improves how your listings perform within sourcing tools to surface strong veteran matches.

Mistake 3: Expecting a Perfect Resume Match 

Veterans often have all the skills needed for success, but their resume might not match a job title or description word-for-word. If your filters are too rigid, qualified candidates could slip through the cracks. 

Fix: Focus on transferable experience, problem-solving, and leadership ability. RecruitMilitary’s Veteran Talent Source, powered by Findem Copilot, uses intelligent matching to highlight candidates based on attributes and potential, rather than just keyword alignment, so you don’t miss out on the right fit. 

Mistake 4: Skipping Career Fairs & Personal Interaction 

Veteran hiring isn’t just about posting a job and waiting. Personal connection matters, especially for individuals transitioning out of military service. 

Fix: Attend veteran career fairs, both in person and online. RecruitMilitary hosts events nationwide that bring you face-to-face with qualified candidates, creating trust and building brand recognition among the military community. 

Mistake 5: Treating Veteran Hiring as a One-Time Campaign 

Veteran hiring shouldn’t be a box you check once a year. It should be part of your ongoing talent strategy. 

 Fix: Create a consistent outreach plan. Veterans are entering the civilian workforce every day – nearly 200,000 service members transition out of the military each year. RecruitMilitary’s solutions make it easy to keep your pipeline full of qualified veteran talent all year long. 

Final Thoughts 

Hiring veterans works best when it’s intentional, consistent, and built on a real understanding of military experience. With the right tools and the right support, you can build a veteran hiring strategy that’s not only impactful but repeatable. 

Ready to strengthen your veteran pipeline?
Learn how RecruitMilitary’s end-to-end hiring solutions can help you find and hire the right talent, faster.