Companies large and small, across industries and across the country, are challenged to secure the talent they need within the timeframe they have. This wind of need means forward-thinking employers are looking to tap into untapped pools of talent.

A second wind comes in the form of “future of work” trends. Beyond automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, these new principles of business include managing workforce distribution, work-from-home dynamics and the up-skilling and re-skilling of employees.

Both winds favor the military jobseeker.

Bridge My Return offers employment assistance

Bridge My Return (BMR) employment assistance is now open to military and Veteran spouses, and caregivers to help them find meaningful employment.

Current labor market: Tapping into untapped pools of talent

The underemployed Veteran, the unemployed military spouse, Veteran spouse and caregiver, and the pigeonholed transitioning service member – each represents a historically undervalued talent pool wherein employers are beginning to uncover new opportunity. The diversity of the military presents an opportune time to amplify diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Future of work trends: Workforce distribution, work-from-home, up-skilling & re-skilling

The mobile workforce experiment brought on by the pandemic has been largely successful, allowing employers to meet prospective employees where they are. Enlightened employers realize they need to view the military spouse resume differently than they have historically. Employers see mutual advantage in offering flexibility and work-from-home arrangements for the caregiver and the disabled, and they understand the Veteran who drove a truck in the Army can do a whole lot more than operate a motor vehicle.

Further, the workforce of tomorrow will need to learn new skills in order for businesses to compete and win. This requires more than just offering training programs; it requires a direct investment in people who have the right behaviors. These skills are abundant within the military community; the Veteran community is filled with eager learners who have been “trained to train.”

New marketplace: Bringing the jobseeker and talent-seeker together in a warmer way

Platforms like Bridge My Return (BMR) have been established to bring efficiency and stress reduction to the job-search/talent-search process. BMR’s goal is to present a better you… to a company who is more likely to get you. Its marketplace is designed for serious jobseekers and serious talent seekers. BMR members invest 20-30 minutes in creating a profile; employers emphasize the skills and competencies for the job more than length of time previously spent in a role. Companies like CBRE, Blackstone, American Family Insurance and Thermo Fisher Scientific come to mind.

BMR’s technology connects the two sides with a skills-to-skills matching algorithm and produces a professional resume. The technology is paired with support and a dose of TLC: mentoring support for members, training and education support for employers who see the business case for hiring military talent but need some help in becoming more military-ready. For Veterans, service members, spouses and caregivers… it’s all free. Employers pay a monthly subscription fee.

Timing: Essential to the mission

Organizations supporting military employment – across government, non-profit and private sectors – have always had “mission” on their side. But mission alone doesn’t get it done. You have to have timing on your side, too.

These winds are strong and favorable – they are warm – and they show little sign of abating.

Veterans, service members, spouses, caregivers and survivors can leverage the moment by registering and completing a BMR profile here.

Employers interested in tapping into this untapped pool of extraordinary talent can get started by here.

The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Verify information with the organization offering.

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15 Comments

  1. Matthew Grekstas June 1, 2022 at 12:14

    I was laid off unexpectedly a couple weeks ago. Looking for new opportunities if someone is willing to help. I am located in the DFW area and am capable of working both onsite and remote. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

  2. Dominic Romero May 24, 2022 at 13:34

    I’m looking for a job that matches my skills. It’s hard these days. I’m open to remote working. Can someone contact me. Thank you.

  3. Anne Grygiel May 23, 2022 at 17:48

    I moved back home to help my parents, My father is a Vietnam Vet and I would like to work at the VA in Tampa Bay. I have a Masters from Tufts in occupational therapy.
    Anne Grygiel

  4. Curtiss Jay Sanders May 20, 2022 at 20:27

    I am looking for a job either full or part time. I have a service dog that would accompany me to the job daily. I live in West Fork Arkansas 8 miles south of Fayetteville Arkansas

  5. Patrick Morris May 20, 2022 at 14:23

    I am a Veteran seeking employment, a remote job would be great, I would work a non-remote job as well, I live in Tampa, Florida. Any leads would be appreciated.

    Thanks, Patrick Morris

  6. Tyra Tillett May 19, 2022 at 13:04

    Hi- I am a caregiver for my dad who is a veteran. It says in the article BMR is also for caregivers. But, when I signed up, there was a question about whether I was a veteran, in the military, or a spouse. They didn’t have a caregiver option. Is BMR for caregivers?
    I would like an opportunity to work for the VA at home. Please contact me with information.

  7. Fred May 19, 2022 at 12:11

    Yes. I need help. I’m having to compete with the global workforce for a job in my own country that I served in and was born in — America. There are just too many H1B foreigner visas issued and many International Corporations that cross borders with impunity with their International Workforce, International Investors, International Tax Havens and International Business Incentives that all work against my gainful employment in my own country. This unfair disparity has gone on for far too long and has done damage to America’s workforce.

    Please help.

    Thank you.

    • Barry May 20, 2022 at 12:16

      It’s not only foreign corporations as American corporations can bring in more of these international workers than Foreign corps. It’s a global job market now anyways. You’re going to have to compete.

  8. JOHN MCLEMORE May 19, 2022 at 10:02

    I am working a government contractor, this will end in 6 months. Due to my age 59 I am finding it difficult to obtain employment. Would you be able to help me find a job with a decent salary.

  9. Frederick Quaye May 19, 2022 at 08:56

    I will like an opportunity to work from
    home. Please contact me, thanks.

  10. Joseph Hymel May 19, 2022 at 08:54

    I’m a Vet that has been out of work for a few years now and I’m looking for a job maybe that I can work from home if possible or a job that doesn’t require a great deal of walking.

  11. Sheri Preston May 19, 2022 at 08:34

    Hi- I am a caregiver for my dad who is a veteran. It says in the article BMR is also for caregivers. But, when I signed up, there was a question about whether I was a veteran, in the military, or a spouse. They didn’t have a caregiver option. Is BMR for caregivers?

    Thank you,
    Sheri

  12. Onneta Bruton May 19, 2022 at 08:29

    How do I sign my company up to be an employer with this organization?

  13. Denetra Smiley May 18, 2022 at 22:07

    Where do I obtain information about this information. I am looking to complete an externship. I am wife of a veteran

  14. Patrick Tyrone Brinson May 18, 2022 at 21:55

    I would like an opportunity to work for the VA at home. Please contact me with information.

    Thanks,

    Patrick Brinson

Comments are closed.

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