Quick Tips for Hiring Veterans at Your New Business
Posted on Mar. 7, 2023 / Subscribe 0
by Carleen Moore, guest blogger
Are you starting a new business? When it comes to hiring employees, consider employing veterans! Veterans bring countless in-demand skills and attributes to the workplace. They’re quick learners, effective leaders, team players, and skilled problem solvers. Veterans also have robust stress-management skills and are accustomed to hard work and constructive criticism. Beyond tapping these key talents, hiring veterans is a great way to enhance diversity at your business and strengthen company culture! Here’s how to hire and support veterans at your new business.
Form an LLC Before Hiring Employees
Before hiring any employees, consider forming an LLC. Forming an LLC will provide the liability protection of a corporation with fewer paperwork requirements and more favorable taxation. By forming an LLC, you won’t be personally liable for damages caused by an employee. Similarly, your LLC will protect your assets in the event that an employee decides to sue your company. To start an LLC, you’ll need to choose an available business name, find a registered agent, and file the Certificate of Formation. Just make sure you read up on your state’s specific LLC rules first!
Hand Out Business Cards to Veterans
Ready to find your first veteran employees? Consider printing business cards to hand out at job fairs and industry events. Business cards leave a lasting impression and will offer veterans a tangible reminder of your business. Try designing your own business cards using a business card generator. This may help you find a template that you can adapt to your preferences. Remember to add your business branding to make your business cards pop!
Write Veteran-Friendly Job Descriptions
When it comes to writing job descriptions to post on digital job boards, think about using veteran-inclusive language. CircaWorks.com recommends including military occupational codes in your job description to attract veteran applicants. Military occupational codes help veterans find civilian jobs that use their specific military skills and work experience. Remember to also use relatable language in your job descriptions, avoiding jargon, corporate speak, and acronyms. Spell out your job requirements and responsibilities in detail.
Take Advantage of Tax Credits
After hiring veteran employees, make sure you take advantage of veteran-related tax credits through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). The WOTC program offers tax credits to employers who hire individuals from target groups that typically face employment barriers. For example, Military.com explains that The Returning Heroes Tax Credit provides up to $5,600 for hiring unemployed veterans! Wounded Warrior Tax Credits provide additional incentives for hiring veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Offer Wellness Benefits and Flexible Work
Flexibility policies and wellness benefits can help your veteran employees thrive at your business. Aim to create an inclusive environment for people with diverse backgrounds, including military members currently serving in the National Guard or Reserves. Flexible hiring and leave policies will enable service members to secure reliable work at your business. You may also want to create a Veteran Resource Group (VRG) with a mentoring program and community support for your veteran hires. A thoughtful wellness program will also go a long way toward making veterans feel welcome and supported at your business.
Hiring veterans could be a great move for your new business. Take steps to attract veterans to your business and support them as they transition from military life to civilian employment. Form an LLC, design business cards, and start posting job descriptions with a focus on veteran-friendly language. Your new business will thrive with the help of skilled veteran employees!
If you’re in public relations, marketing, or communications, join The Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America for events and networking opportunities.
About the author: Carleen Moore has more than 25 years of experience running her own business. Familiar with the unique challenges for women in business, she is also an advocate for female entrepreneurs everywhere. In her spare time, she loves reading and spending time with her French Bulldog, Nano.
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