Photo credit: Tyler Barnes via Unsplash

Military experience can provide very notable value to prospective employees. Many companies look positively upon the commitment, discipline, adaptability and leadership skills of veterans and military members. Some even offer internal veterans’ programs, often in an initiative to recruit individuals that would promote a positive company culture and a hard-work ethic.

Military-friendly employers are certainly out there, but they aren’t always the easiest to find. When seeking out a military-friendly employer, it’s worth honing in on specific industries and search methods:

Hone in on Military-Friendly Industries

A convenient way of finding many employers who embrace former military personnel is by focusing on industries that traditionally benefit from military-related skills. Some of these industries include:

• Federal Government – The government is particularly fond of hiring those with military experience, who have already shown a special commitment to representing their country. The federal government shows veterans reverence by offering preference points to military members who were awarded a campaign badge or expeditionary medal, or were injured. Federal employment is often one of the smoothest transitions from military due to some very similar job functions in many federal-level roles, particularly regarding general security and sensitive maintenance.

• Law Enforcement and Security – Since military service members are very familiar with training methods pertinent to anti-terrorism, force protection and/or security, these skills are often sought out by law enforcement and security businesses, from private security to police departments. Some veteran Web resources provide a great listing of law enforcement and security-related businesses by state, making the search easy and match ideal.

• Intelligence Training – As intelligence training companies often recruit military, a military member’s experience in conversing regularly with other veterans in addition to being familiar with military-related skills can make them an ideal fit in any intelligence training-related role.

These three industries often provide smooth transitions for military members seeking employment while not serving.

Use Military-Minded Job Sites

There are many websites that provide job listings, but not all of them are tailored toward military members and veterans. There are a handful of trusted and frequently updated sites that do just this, including Robert Half Veteran Jobs, Military Friendly and Forbes’ list of the top 100 military-friendly employers. It’s recommended to browse every one of these on a daily basis if you’re a military member serious about finding a job. Responding promptly to a recently posted job listing is a great way to boost your chances.

Consider Some Large Corporations

Some prominent name brands are well-known for their commitment to employees with military experience, such as Verizon, USAA, Lockheed Martin, Charles Schwab, AT&T, Capital One and JPMorgan Chase. Many of these companies offer medical and life insurance, pay raises, retirement contributions and more benefits for military members. Banking and finances, defense/aerospace and insurance are the top industries for veterans to work for.

Use Google Strategically

While many military members share skillsets, every member has their own unique skillset as well. Job-seekers should ask themselves what makes them unique and include that skill into their Google-based job search.

For a military member, combine your ability with your preferred industry to work in when searching Google. For example, if you’re interested in working in security and can tout experience handling data security for a military branch, use a search query like “security job listing + military data security experience.” Typing that query brings up several useful entries, like relevant Monster listings, a link to U.S. Security Associates’ job page and tips on how to land a cybersecurity job.

Military members have a boatload of skills to offer many employers. Using the tips above can help you wade through probably the most difficult part: finding a military-friendly employer. It just takes a little sleuthing to find the right one.

About the author: Sarah Landrum is a graduate from Penn State with degrees in Marketing and PR. Now, she’s a freelance writer and career blogger sharing advice on navigating the work world and achieving happiness and success in your career. She’s also the newest addition to the Campus to Career family, serving as a featured contributor on a regular basis. You can find her tweeting during boring speeches @SarahLandrum