The Importance of Networking for Returning Veterans

By Dustin L

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of resources available to you as a veteran to aide and assist in the search for your next career. Even with all the incredible resources out there, at the end of the day the burden and joy of finding your next career falls squarely on you and your ability to use these resources. One of the most powerful resources available to you is your own personal network.  Networking is a topic that takes more than one article to thoroughly cover and today, I’m going to talk about growing and understanding the power of your network.

Networking isn’t walking around at a meeting and passing out your business card or resume. Networking is building relationships and both giving and receiving relevant information. 

We all have networks built already – social groups, friends, volunteer groups, sports groups, co-workers, family, and the list goes on.  These are people that you trust and know and turn to for advice in their areas of expertise and they turn to you in yours.  No matter what group it is, there is a common theme that brings you together in engaging conversation. Our time in military uniform puts us into one of the largest, tightest networks I’ve ever been a part of. Time after time I have found myself engaged in conversations on a variety of topics with men and women in uniform.  The fact that we came from the same place and shared common experiences gave us a base to start at, and evolve into new topics.  That same principle is a tremendously valuable tool as you transition into a new career.

Continue reading about how HP can support veterans transitioning into their new workforce.