With all these unknowns, stereotypes and disconnects, it is important to find the right words and ask the appropriate questions. This may require tailoring normal interview questions. For example, if you are interested in the veteran applicant’s ability to handle customer service, ask them questions that allow them to provide a complete answer, such as: Tell me about a situation where you realized a person needed help. How did you realize the person needed assistance and what did you do? What was the outcome of this situation?


Beyond knowing what interview questions to ask, remember to keep the interview legal by not asking ques- tions related to the candidate’s type of discharge, current military status and potential disabilities. Asking questions related to training, education and service experience is fine, however you should never ask any- thing that requires the veteran to give their discharge status.


Avoid questions pertaining to an applicant’s military status. Asking a National Guardsman if they will be deployed soon is similar to asking a woman if she is pregnant or planning to have children.


Lastly, refrain from asking questions that would require them to disclose any disabilities. It is perfectly fine, and encouraged, to ask an applicant if they have read the job description and can fulfill the minimum job requirements. However, questioning an applicant on their disability or trying to uncover PTSD or a trau- matic brain injury is a direct violation of USERRA and ADA.


Today there are several programs and resources at both the state and national levels designed to help not only veterans entering the workforce, but employers looking to hire veterans as well. Here’s a quick look at some of these valuable programs and tools:


AG WARRIORS | AgCareers.com Ag Warriors assists military men and women in search of careers within the agriculture and food industries. The goal of this program is to inspire military men and women to find their callings in agriculture and inspire agricultural employers to see the value of hiring a veteran. Launched in 2012, Ag Warriors opens the door for both employers and veterans to connect regarding real-time employment and career opportunities within the agribusiness and food industries via AgCareers.com.


CALL OF DUTY ENDOWMENT | callofdutyendowment.org The Call of duty endowment helps veterans find high quality careers by supporting groups that prepare them for the job market and by raising awareness of the value vets bring to the workplace. The organiza-


tion has given more than $25 million to these groups and has set a goal of placing 50,000 veterans back to work by 2019. The average starting salary for vets placed by Call of Duty Endowment’s partners in 2016 was $55,000+, considerably more than the national average ($30,240).


HIRE HEROES USA | HireHeroesUSA.org


Hire Heroes USA provides free, expert career coaching and job sourcing to hundreds of transitioning U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses each week. Since 2007, the organization has helped more than 15,500 veterans and military spouses move into new careers and generated an estimated $187 million economic impact.


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