Free resources from AARP’s new job center help Veterans and military spouses find jobs.
For many of the 8.3 million military Veterans in the civilian workforce, transitioning into a career can be a difficult process. Even after securing a civilian job, Veterans and their spouses often find themselves in roles that leave them underemployed, meaning their skills are not fully utilized, making it difficult to make ends meet.
“When you’re a Veteran or military spouse, it can be challenging to know where to start your job search and how to get employers to understand how your job skills, experience and character transfer to a new position,” said Troy Broussard, senior adviser to AARP’s Veterans and Military Families Initiative.
Despite the drop in Veteran unemployment to 3.2 percent in December 2021, two-thirds of all Veteran and active-duty spouses employed in the civilian sector say they are underemployed in some way, according to data from the Blue Star Families’ annual Military Lifestyle Survey.
To help alleviate unemployment and underemployment in the Veteran community, AARP created the Veteran and Military Spouses Job Center.
“This free, one-stop resource will help Veterans and military spouses learn how to effectively leverage their military skills and experience to give them an edge in today’s competitive job market and avoid underemployment,” said Broussard.
The center includes a suite of free resources to help find jobs, explore new career fields, get advice, take a job training course and more. Among the resources offered are:
AARP Job Board: Veterans can search for employers who value military experience and how it applies to their industry. Use the “Veterans Wanted” filter to search for employers who are actively seeking applicants with a military background.
AARP Resume Advisor: Get a free expert review of how well your résumé communicates your skills, and obtain personalized recommendations on how to make your résumé stand out. Discounted writing packages are also available to rewrite your résumé, cover letter or LinkedIn profile.
Be Your Own Boss: Many Veterans have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs in civilian life. For those interested in starting a business or a side gig, AARP has compiled resources to help aspiring entrepreneurs take that step.
Veteran Career Advantage Course: This free online class offered through MindEdge Learning includes short videos of Veterans sharing their firsthand experiences on topics such as résumés, networking, personal branding and the common challenges Veterans face.
Veterans and Military Spouses Job Search Toolkit: Learn how to translate military service, skills and experience to the civilian workforce and jump-start a new career path.
Bookmark the Veterans, Military and Their Families page on AARP.org: Stay up to date with the latest news and information impacting older Veterans at aarp.org/Veterans. AARP resources for Veterans are free and available to nonmembers.
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AARP?? Come on, get real. They talk a big game, and charge like a big game too. They cannot provide anything that one cannot get just for asking.
AARP is statist aligned. AMAC is based at least in part, on the founding principles.
Which founding principles? The ones that enslaved black people, promoted the genocide of native americans, and only gave the right to vote to landowning white men? Are those the founding principles of which you speak?
Your carping is irrelevant! Besides, as a nation we’re LIGHT-years away from the causes of your angst. And, BTW, Bruce is correct. AMAC is the right choice, unless one is of Fascist bent.
I worked with a group of volunteers last year creating a handbook titled “Find A Job.” We worked through Leadership Greater Hartford and the group was Third Age Initiative. We originally published the book to be used by local non-for-profits to help their clients who were either underemployed or unemployed to find work. It teaches all the steps for finding work and we want to share it with veterans groups – no charge. I can provide a web site connection where the book can be downloaded at no cost (except paper and ink) or can be purchased for a nominal fee in handbook format. lease let me know what your level of interest is.
Bob Sproat
The Idea Place, Inc
I am a 100% veteran 81 years old. I love the 13 comments, but I too would like answers?
Why are you pushing AARP when you should be pushing the American Job Centers in every state. These are in every state and certified by the DOL.
are spouses of service-connected disabled veterans eligible for compensation when the veteran dies?.
Yes, if they Veteran they’re married to,for a certain amount of time, passes away due to disability. https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/290#:~:text=Dependency%20and%20Indemnity%20Compensation%20(DIC)%20is%20a%20tax%20free%20monthly,service%2Drelated%20injury%20or%20disease.
The veteran must pass from a Military Service connected (VA rated) disability…for family to qualify for the monthly DIC (Dependents Indemnity Compensation) and the up to $2000 one time payment for funeral expenses…passing means that that particular disability is listed on the veteran’s death certificate….or is a contributing cause of his passing and is listed among all the causes of the veteran’s death. For Veterans Affairs rated veterans they should get a Disability Breakdown Letter (call 1-800-827-1000 and ask the Veterans Affairs for this letter) – the letter is a one or two page listing of all the veterans rated disabilities even those rated as 0%…it is a rating. There are many Veterans Service Organizations such as VFW, DAV, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, etc. that provide no cost service to veterans and their families in filing Veterans Affairs Claims. Veterans and their families do not need to hire someone to do this service.
Is this an advertisement for AARP?!
What about the VA pension for spouses? Please elaborate!
100% Veteran. What is my spouse entitled to when I pass away?
If you are rated 100% Permanent and Total for ten years or more then all causes of your death are considered service connected….your spouse must file a claim to receive DIC (Dependents Indemnity Compensation) and the one time payment of up to $2000 for the funeral expense incurred. Otherwise you need to pass from a service related disability, and hopefully it is a Veterans Affairs Rated Disability. All Veterans Affairs disability rated veterans should get a Disability Breakdown Letter (call the Veterans Affairs at 1-800-827-1000 and ask the Veterans Affairs for this letter) – the letter is a one or two page listing of all the veterans rated disabilities even those rated as 0%…it is a service connected disability rating. This letter details all the service related disabilities perhaps some of these disabilities are contributing to the veteran’s passing …get them or some of them listed on the death certificate….the surviving spouse still needs to file Veterans Affairs claims for DIC and for funeral expenses. For military retirees – did you take the Survivor Benefits Plan when you retired?…that’s another claim to file with Department of Defense. All senior aged or seriously disabled veterans should file a third party form with Veterans Affairs allowing a trusted family member to learn the rated disabilities should a Disability Breakdown Letter not be located as a veteran may lay on their death bed while still alive…
AMAC is much better. I truly wish you would recommend some other company than AARP.
Get out of AARP.
Who can I contact to find out more on pension payment to wives of military veterans when they die.
Iam from the Philippines. My husband who passed away in April 2020 was a veteran. I asked for spouse benefit on pension but they said that my husband didnt qualify for pension because he didnt serve on war zone or period. What benefits can I get from veterans as the surviving spouse of a veteran outside the American soil. Please assist me. I dont have work now.
I am interested in this program and finding my next career. Please let me know how yo proceed
Thank You
I am a Vietnam Veteran and am drawing a 100% Disability Pension which I am very thankful for. I am getting free glasses and free hearing aids too. My wife who did not serve in the military enjoys a different, but good healthcare program too. Our biggest question is what happens to my 100% disability pension from the government when I pass away. Does my wife qualify for it … or a piece of it?
She should receive the DI.C. benefit if your death is caused some way by your disability you have your claim on. It’s $1437.66. every first of the month. I received it after my husband with 100% disability passed. I sent them V. A. a copy of this death certificate to prove my claim. https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/290#:~:text=Dependency%20and%20Indemnity%20Compensation%20(DIC)%20is%20a%20tax%20free%20monthly,service%2Drelated%20injury%20or%20disease.
I’m definitely interested in further education. I would like to get an AS for Paralegal studies. What do I do? Do I need to get in touch with the unemployment department.
Is their a way for kids or vets to get a chance to get one of these jobs
AARP? Alright no thanks
Where the VA pension for spouses? It was the title for this article!
I am a vietnam veteran, and it is hard to make ends meet, my wife is quite a bit younger and is looking for a job she has application in several places in this area but no one is hiring.
I have no use for AARP. They donate your subscription funds to groups who work to deny your Constitutional rights. They are anti-2A, and donate to several anti-gun groups.
A better option is AMAC.org
Good to know!! Thanks!
You got it right Ernest.