Field Tested: Recruiting, Managing, and Retaining Veterans - Hardcover

Advance Praise for Field Tested:

“Field Tested provides a solid foundation for capitalizing on military talent. The book helps reshape perceptions of organizational culture while providing insight into how to build a deep talent pool that aligns with business goals and vision....Page after page provides reflection and a call to action. Field Tested is on the leading edge and a must read for business leaders, HR professionals, hiring managers, and even transitioning military members.” — Glen Williams, Disability & Military Outreach/Talent Acquisition & Diversity, Walgreen Co.

“This book is an essential resource for organizations that wish to ‘recruit to retain’ veterans. I particularly found the chapters on On-Boarding and Performance Management of tremendous value. They provided tools and information that are practical and can serve as a catalyst for creating a military-friendly environment.” — Texanna M. Reeves, Vice President, Corporate Diversity, Sodexo

You wouldn’t normally ask your employees to parachute into enemy camp, engage in battle, and devote their lives—above all else—to the absolute good of your organization. But when you hire veterans, you stand to bring people into your organization who are infinitely resourceful with little thought to their own self interest, accustomed to having to get things done, and always attuned to your organization’s priorities and mission. Service members share attributes such as loyalty, integrity, a penchant for teamwork, and the ability to thrive under pressure.

If you’re smart enough to hire veterans, you owe it to yourself and your employees to understand the unique considerations involved. Complete with real-world examples, practical models, and savvy advice, Field Tested gives you the insight and tools you need to recruit and retain veterans, and enable them to shine in your workplace. Practical and supported by in-depth research, the book shows you how to: attract and interview veterans · on-board them quickly and effectively · position them for success in your company · understand key cultural differences between the military and civilian workplace, and help veterans make a smooth transition · be aware of legal issues, and establish best HR practices · maintain your new employees’ interest, engage­ment, and motivation · support new military hires through coaching and performance management · help them develop lasting careers at your organization.

Far from mere patriotic duty or a diversity issue, it simply makes sense to include service members in your workforce. Field Tested gives you the insight and tools you need to attract and retain the best candidates our country has to offer. Packed with straight-shooting insight and powerful techniques, this book paves the way for veterans to succeed as civilians, while helping your organization succeed as an employer of veterans.

If you’re eager to fill your organization with the most talented, goal-focused, and loyal employees America has to offer, you can’t do better than to hire veterans. Men and women with military experience personify a wealth of skills and perspectives other job applicants typically lack. Organizations that fill their ranks with veterans have an unquestionable edge in the marketplace. But if you’re going to make use of this often overlooked sea of employee potential, you owe it to yourself and your company to understand the unique considerations involved...and do it right.

Field Tested provides you with all the insight and tools you need to recruit and retain service members, and to maximize their value in your organization. From recruitment, to on-boarding, to performance, to career development, this one-of-a-kind guide brings you up to speed on the subtle but critical differences between military and corporate environments, and the common challenges of military-to-civilian transition. Filled with illustrative real-world examples, the book supplies you with the guidance and systems you need to increase your organization’s capacity to make veterans successful, and increase their retention down the road.

Would a veteran have what he or she needs in order to succeed and stay in your organization? How can you help your company become more military friendly, and make yourself a great manager and leader of veterans? Author Emily King’s Military Transition Framework™ enables you to understand and anticipate the needs of your new hires, and structure the transition experience. In addition, Field Tested helps you understand each stage of a former service member’s experience in your company. The book gives you practical, easily instituted, and proven advice on coaching, mentoring, and recognizing and rewarding great work.

Filled with real-life personal perspectives of veterans and based on extensive research of what really works, this one-of-a-kind guide supplies you with the simple strategies you need to become a stronger organization by virtue of hiring the strongest candidates.

EMILY KING is a nationally recognized expert on the transition from military service to civilian employment. She has worked extensively with organizations that hire and seek to retain veterans, as well as with veterans themselves. Prior to founding Military Transitions,™ Emily launched the successful organizational development consulting firm of King Street Associates, LLC, and worked as an internal consultant and coach at the firm of Booz Allen Hamilton, leading a variety of programs geared to building strong leaders and managers. Emily’s writing has appeared in Diversity Executive, T+D, and Training magazines. She has been featured in segments by CNN and appears regularly on WJLA’s “Capital Insider” program.