November marks&nbsp;<a></a><a href="https://www.military.com/military-family-appreciation-month/president-proclaims-november-as-military-family-month.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Veterans and Military Families Month</a>, a time dedicated to honoring the significant contributions made by American service members, their families, and their loved ones. It&rsquo;s also a great time to assess progress and areas for improvement around veteran employment, including employment of veterans with disabilities.
According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://adata.org/factsheet/employment-data-veterans-disabilities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ADA National Network</a>, 29.6 percent of working age veterans (those 21 to 64) have a disability. In 2018, the unemployment rate of veterans with disabilities was 5.2 percent, compared to 3.5 percent for veterans without disabilities. While more and more organizations are working to increase employment opportunities for veterans with disabilities, many employers still express concern about hiring and retaining veterans with disabilities.
One&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5057002/GettingHired_November2019/Pdfs/Beyond%20Yellow%20Ribbons%20JVR.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">survey</a>&nbsp;determined that when it comes to supporting veterans with disabilities, employers:
<ul>
<li>Struggle with accommodating veterans with the signature disabilities of PTSD, TBI and depression.</li>
<li>Are confused about resources related to recruiting or accommodating veterans with disabilities and therefore are not using these effectively.</li>
<li>Do not understand the disability disclosure rights of veterans with disabilities.</li>
</ul>
Service-connected vs. non-service-connected disability employment rates
There are not only disparities between the unemployment rates of veterans with disabilities compared to those without disabilities, but there is also a distinct difference in the&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5057002/GettingHired_November2019/Pdfs/vet.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">employment rates</a>&nbsp;of veterans with and without service-connected disabilities. Of working-age veterans with disabilities, 10.5 percent have non-service-connected disabilities. However,&nbsp;<a href="https://adata.org/factsheet/employment-data-veterans-disabilities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">69 percent</a>&nbsp;of veterans with a service-connected disability are employed, while only 37 percent of veterans who report having a non-service-connected disability are employed.
What&rsquo;s the difference between a service-connected and non-service-connected disability?
<a href="https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/benefits_chap02.asp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Service-connected disabilities</a>&nbsp;are defined as injuries or illnesses that are incurred in or aggravated by active military service. Examples include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and depression. A non-service-connected disability is any injury or illness that was not acquired as a result of active military service. For example, a veteran who acquires diabetes or has a stroke at some point after active military service could be considered one with a non-service-connected disability.
When it comes to employment, veterans whose disabilities are acquired or aggravated during active military service prove more likely to obtain jobs than veterans who have non-service-connected disabilities.
Why is the employment rate higher for veterans with service-connected disabilities than those without?
There are two likely reasons that veterans with service-connected disabilities experience higher employment rates:
<ol>
<li>Higher prevalence of organizations focused on hiring veterans with service-connected disabilities&nbsp;&ndash; Today, many organizations have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hiring programs</a>&nbsp;and initiatives designed to help veterans with service-connected disabilities find and retain employment. Veterans without service-connected disabilities can often be overlooked in these programs. Instead, they must rely on non-profit organizations that provide a wider scope than assisting with finding employment. This means they can get lost in the pipeline of competing priorities and services.</li>
<li>Greater incentives for hiring veterans with service-connected disabilities&nbsp;&ndash; Employers who hire and accommodate veterans with service-connected disabilities can receive tax incentives under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/work-opportunity-tax-credit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Work Opportunity Tax Credit</a>&nbsp;(WOTC) program. Employers can receive tax credits when they hire veterans who have completed or are receiving rehabilitative services through the state or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They can also receive credits for hiring veterans who are members of families who are receiving or recently received food stamps.</li>
</ol>
Hiring and supporting veterans with disabilities
Employers that focus on hiring and supporting veterans with disabilities yield countless benefits, as veteran employees prove to be strong leaders, great under pressure, detail-oriented, and much more. For ideas on how to recruit and hire veterans, check out our webinar,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF3PwT6hTz0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Top Challenges Veteran Employees and Jobseekers Face</a>.
Have more questions on recruiting and retaining veterans with disabilities? Contact the CareerCircle team at gettinghired@careercircle.com.
Contributions to this blog were made by Andra&eacute;a LaVant of Solutions Marketing Group.&nbsp;

Discover insightful articles on building inclusive work environments and fostering diverse talent communities.

Veterans with Disabilities: An Employment Outlook

Gone are the days when social media&rsquo;s sole purpose was to develop and maintain personal connections. In fact,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-than-half-of-employers-have-found-content-on-social-media-that-caused-them-not-to-hire-a-candidate-according-to-recent-careerbuilder-survey-300694437.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">recent research</a>&nbsp;from Career Builder proves that 70 percent of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process.
As social media platforms&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/28/18116323/instagram-ai-visual-impairment-description?utm_campaign=theverge&amp;utm_content=chorus&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter" rel="noopener" target="_blank">improve their accessibility</a>, job seekers with disabilities have greater access to employment opportunities through these networks. While LinkedIn remains the primary social media platform for job seekers to look for jobs, each social network can help make you a desirable candidate for a recruiter or hiring manager. Actively developing your social media presence and showcasing your experience is a great way to build name recognition and compensate for employment gaps or lack of employment experience.
As you set goals and map out your plans for this new year, consider implementing the following practices to maximize your social media presence for a successful job search in 2024:
<ol>
<li>Complete/update your profiles&nbsp;&ndash; Quite often recruiters use social media platforms to find applicants before a job has been posted. If your profile is incomplete or doesn&rsquo;t match up to what they see in a resume, they may quickly move on. Completing and updating each section of your profile &ndash; including employment history, education, and skills &ndash; demonstrates that you&rsquo;re serious about your job search. </li>
<li>Join relevant conversations/groups&nbsp;&ndash; Across social media platforms, conversations are happening that connect to your career interest area(s). Joining and participating in relevant groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or participating in industry-specific Twitter chats will allow you to expand your networks and follow interesting discussions. This demonstrates your passion and dedication to a specific profession or field of study. There are also numerous disability-specific groups across social media platforms that often post job opportunities (i.e.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingwithmd/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Living with M.D.</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/259008737631118/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Blind and Visually Impaired Support Group</a>). </li>
<li>Refine your privacy settings&nbsp;&ndash; Many people dedicate time at the start of the year to &ldquo;de-clutter&rdquo; their social media, including pairing down their connections and getting rid of questionable content. It&rsquo;s also a great time to make sure that your personal social network pages are set to &ldquo;private.&rdquo; Keep in mind that this doesn&rsquo;t mean your posts can never be seen by potential employers, especially when you share mutual connections. Certain aspects of your profile may still be viewable, such as contact and basic info, work experience, and education. Use caution when posting content by asking yourself, &ldquo;Would there be concern if my employer saw this?&rdquo; </li>
<li>Inform connections of your search&nbsp;&ndash; In addition to participating in groups and industry conversations on social media, directly informing your connections that you&rsquo;re searching for a job is a great way to learn about opportunities. Ensure that your resume is uploaded online so you can share it. Platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook will allow you to house your resume within your profile. Otherwise, you may choose to send a link to your personal website where you should have a digital copy. </li>
<li>Stay current&nbsp;&ndash; Staying up-to-date on current events that support diversity and disability inclusion, including relevant awareness campaigns and commemorative months/days, can lead you to the right employer.&nbsp;Also, consider following relevant hashtags on Twitter and Facebook, as these will often lead to potential connections that you can reach out to. </li>
<li>Follow and engage with relevant employers&nbsp;&ndash; Use your social media presence to engage with potential employers, including commenting and sharing their blog posts and other activities. Additionally, lookout for media messaging that focuses on inclusive employer initiatives. By following these employer profiles, you have background and context for industry-wide priorities and can share insights and perspectives on your platforms. </li>
<li>Maintain consistency&nbsp;&ndash; When it comes to the job search, be sure not to neglect or overlook one social media platform over another. Use consistent information across your social media profiles and on your resume. This includes your employment history, skills, education, and contact information. This eliminates confusion for potential employers. </li>
<li>Add your profiles to your resume/website&nbsp;&ndash; An employer should be able to access your online profiles easily. Just as it is important to include email addresses on your job search materials (resume, website, etc.), it is equally as important to list your professional social media handles. Once again, this demonstrates your active engagement in your industry of interest and proves you have nothing to hide. </li>
<li>Perfect your profile photo&nbsp;&ndash; Pictures continue to speak volumes, and an appropriate headshot can go a long way in demonstrating your professionalism and seriousness about your job search. While it isn&rsquo;t always necessary for your profile photo to be business formal, it is important to ensure that it is high-quality (not grainy) and we recommend at least business casual. </li>
<li>Don&rsquo;t erase your profiles&nbsp;&ndash; Sometimes fears of a potential employer finding something negative or embarrassing can cause job seekers to completely erase their social media profiles. Research demonstrates that having a lack of social media presence often serves as a red flag for employers. In fact, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-than-half-of-employers-have-found-content-on-social-media-that-caused-them-not-to-hire-a-candidate-according-to-recent-careerbuilder-survey-300694437.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">2018 CareerBuilder survey</a>&nbsp;shared that 47 percent of employers wouldn&rsquo;t call a person for an interview if they couldn&rsquo;t find them online. To many, it lacks professionalism and insinuates that there&rsquo;s something to hide.</li>
</ol>
For more information about social media tips in finding a job, feel free to&nbsp;contact the CareerCircle team&nbsp;for more information at team@careercircle.com.
Contributions to this blog were made by Andra&eacute;a LaVant of Solutions Marketing Group.

10 Social Media Tips for Finding a New Job in the New Year

At CareerCircle, we believe that everyone deserves an equal chance to thrive in the modern workforce. As we reflect on 2023, it's heartening to see how far we've come in our mission to bridge the opportunity divide. This year, we've reached new heights in empowering underrepresented communities, advocating for hidden talents, and fostering a culture that values diversity and inclusion.
Upskilling for a Brighter Future: The RISE Program
In a significant stride towards our mission, we successfully upskilled 1,564 members through our Non-Profit Organization (NPO) programs. A highlight of this achievement is the success of our partnership with The Mom Project, the RISE program. This scholarship program is dedicated to accelerating equity, particularly for moms and women of color. 
In 2023, we celebrated 1,391 certifications through RISE, symbolizing our commitment to not just education, but also to fostering community and support. The beauty of RISE lies in its approach: empowering women to upskill in six months or less, and importantly, at no cost to participants.
Career Advancements: Placing Talents in New Opportunities
A key focus of our efforts this year was on empowering some of the most underserved groups in the job market. Single moms, veterans, and individuals returning to the workforce after injury or disability found a supportive and effective partner in CareerCircle. By understanding their unique challenges and strengths, we tailored our approach to ensure their successful transition into meaningful employment. 
Our commitment to career advancement in 2023 ended with 1,070 candidates placed in new jobs and positions. This milestone is not just a number &ndash; it represents the dreams and aspirations of individuals who are now on their way to fulfilling careers. Each placement is a story of transformation, resilience, and the power of opportunity. 
This milestone couldn&rsquo;t have been achieved without the power of community. Our network of mentors, coaches, and industry experts played an integral role in preparing these candidates for their new career journeys. From resume workshops to interview preparation, we provided comprehensive support every step of the way.
Recognition of Our Culture: Best Company Culture Award 2023
An affirmation of our internal efforts and values came with the Comparably award for Top 100 highest-rated companies for Best Company Culture in 2023. This recognition, based on anonymous employee feedback over the past 12 months on Comparably.com, is a testament to the environment we've nurtured within CareerCircle. It reflects our dedication to creating a workplace where every voice is heard, valued, and respected.
<h2 style="margin-top: 18pt; margin-bottom: 6pt;">Expanding Horizons: CareerCircle's Virtual Career Fairs of 2023</h2>
2023 was a standout year for CareerCircle, as we made waves by hosting three dynamic virtual career fairs. Joining forces with industry giants like T-Mobile and AT&amp;T, we brought a fresh impactful approach to virtual recruitment and networking. 
Our virtual career fairs created a platform for interaction between job seekers and some of the biggest companies spanning all industries. Participants had the unique opportunity to engage directly with representatives from T-Mobile and AT&amp;T, gaining invaluable insights into the companies and their hiring processes. 
By leveraging technology, we were able to transcend geographical barriers, bringing together a diverse pool of talent and top-tier employers in a dynamic and accessible online environment. We were able to broaden the horizons for job seekers and assist employers who wanted to tap into a wider, more diverse talent pool.
<h2 style="margin-top: 18pt; margin-bottom: 6pt;">Looking Ahead</h2>
As we reflect on the successes of 2023, we're inspired by the stories of those who've overcome obstacles to achieve their career goals. Their journeys are a powerful reminder of why we do what we do at CareerCircle. Looking ahead, we remain committed to breaking down barriers and opening doors for all, ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce for the future. 
Moving forward, our focus remains on discovering and nurturing hidden talent. We are more committed than ever to breaking down barriers and building bridges for those who have been historically overlooked. Our journey continues in 2024 as we aim to not only close the opportunity divide, but to obliterate it. 
We look forward to a future where the workforce is as diverse as the world we live in, and where every individual has the chance to rise, thrive, and contribute to a brighter tomorrow.

This year, we've reached new heights in empowering underrepresented communities, advocating for hidden talents, and fostering a culture that values diversity and inclusion.

CareerCircle's Milestones in Transforming Lives in 2023

At CareerCircle, we believe that everyone deserves an equal chance to thrive in the modern workforce. As we reflect on 2023, it's heartening to see how far we've come in our mission to bridge the opportunity divide. This year, we've reached new heights in empowering underrepresented communities, advocating for hidden ...

Empowering Change: CareerCircle's Milestones in Transforming Lives in 2023.

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*UPGRADE IN PROGRESS* -- CareerCircle is upgrading its capabilities and as a result the system may be temporarily unavailable as we bring new capabilities and infrastructure online to better serve our members.&nbsp; If you receive an error during this timeframe please bear with us as we're working to improve our system and you may need to retry that operation at a later time.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Keep up to date with CareerCircle's latest blog posts on keeping an inclusive workforce.

Veterans with Disabilities: An Employment Outlook

10 Social Media Tips for Finding a New Job in the New Year

Empowering Change: CareerCircle's Milestones in Transforming Lives in 2023.

Veterans with Disabilities: An Employment Outlook

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