It’s Veterans Day today and it’s more than just a day for many Americans, especially if you’re a jobseeker.
Veterans can bring years of leadership, communication and problem-solving experience to civilian careers, but finding where those skills fit is not always straightforward.translation and expectation-setting being among the biggest obstacles, not a lack of capability.
ECS operates on top of a culture of doers. Our own founder was a veteran who saw a need and designed a company around that need. As ECS continues to grow offices on a national scale, developing its people is just as vital as growing the size of its workforce, which includes creating pathways for veterans to navigate from their military service or another industry into a career in architecture, engineering and construction.
This blog explains how to start exploring a career at ECS, even if you have not worked in AEC before.
Start With a Conversation
You do not need to identify the perfect ECS position before you reach out. Military occupations do not always correspond directly to civilian job titles.
I’ve explored several career paths throughout my 20-year career in the Army, including a SkillBridge JROTC internship, entrepreneurship, veteran-focused recruiting and real estate.
I’m no stranger to the non-traditional career path. That’s why in my initial conversations with people, I like to discuss:
- Your military and civilian work experience
- The type of work you want to pursue
- Where you are interested in working
- The skills you want to continue using
- Your expectations for your next employer
- Any training, education or credentials you have completed
Coming prepared with this kind of information allows me to determine where there may be a potential fit. I act as a bridge between your resume and application to the right internal teams.
Find the Right Fit
Veterans often have applicable AEC skills, even when their military service did not involve engineering or construction.
AEC firms organize work around specific technical disciplines, credentials and client needs. A military title may not clearly communicate how your experience applies to that environment, so focus on the work you performed and the results you helped achieve instead of relying only on your rank or military occupational specialty.
Relevant experience may include:
- Leading people in demanding environments
- Coordinating equipment, materials and logistics
- Managing schedules and competing priorities
- Following technical procedures
- Identifying and communicating risk
- Working safely in field environments
- Adapting when conditions change
- Training and developing team members
- Communicating with people at different levels of an organization
Some ECS roles require specific degrees, certifications or technical experience. Others may offer a clearer entry point for veterans with strong field, operational, leadership or administrative backgrounds.
When describing your background, translate responsibilities into outcomes. Instead of saying that you “led a unit,” explain the size of the team, the work the team performed, the equipment or resources you managed and the result. Specific examples help recruiters and hiring managers understand the scope of your experience.
How to Get Started at ECS with the Military Recruiting Program
- Submit your resume or a direct inquiry and we will respond no matter the next step.
- I will be in touch to learn more about your background, interest and expectations and, if the fit is right, connect you with the appropriate hiring manager. Some of the things I consider during our initial call are transferrable skills, possible career paths across the field, technical, corporate and leadership roles.
- Whether ECS decides to move forward or not, candidates will receive direct guidance If ECS is not the right immediate match, I will still explain the gap, discuss possible next steps and leave the door open when appropriate rather than provide only a generic rejection.
Active-duty service members may also explore ECS through the Department of War SkillBridge program. SkillBridge inquiries begin through the program’s external portal and route to the same ECS military recruiting inbox. The recruiting team then contacts the service member to discuss location, timing, program interests and potential fit.
“Skillbridge is a great introduction to ECS and hopefully a good pathway of employment,” said Kyle Reese, Associate Director of Talent Acquisition at ECS.
Once hired, veterans complete ECS’ standard onboarding and role-specific training. Veterans who self-identify during onboarding may also opt in to receive a veteran welcome package and a personal welcome email from myself. Submit your resume to get started today.