Unemployment among veterans is 3.3% as of November 2019. This is the lowest rate of unemployment since 2001. It’s even lower than the rate for non-veterans.
What kind of work do veterans do? How can veterans achieve work-life balance after coming home from serving? Learn about the best work life balance jobs on this list.
Issues for Veterans
The veterans’ community has a distinct culture. Their shared experience provides them with some common values, a code of conduct and a sense of duty. These may be attractive traits to many employers and serve the veterans well in self-employment too.
Veterans can also have some issues that arise out of their experience of serving in the military. Some mental health issues, post-traumatic stress disorder and also physical injuries are more common than in the general population.
It’s important to note that not all veterans are identical. Not all military experiences are the same. Not every veteran shares the same set of values, personality or aspirations.
Interest in having a healthy work life balance is common in the general population. It may be especially attractive to veterans if their military service has not provided them with much work life balance. Their post-military career might be a good time to put that right.
What is Work Life Balance?
Work and other aspects of your life can sometimes be in opposition. The demands of work can intrude on your family and personal time to the extent that it damages your relationships, mental health, and even your physical wellbeing.
Achieving a balance between work and health means that all the necessary aspects of your life have their place. There’s an equilibrium or balance between them. This means you can spend time with family, pursue your interests and also work and earn money.
What Are the Best Work Life Balance Jobs for Veterans?
Veterans do a wide range of different jobs and are not limited by their service to a small range of suitable jobs. Their military service may have included training which can be transferred into the civilian world with a little adaptation.
For example, technology is a part of all our working lives and this is just as true in the military. The military cannot operate without computers, communications, and engineering. Many veterans have experience working with and maintaining this technology and can re-train to do so in the civilian world.
Many veterans also engage in training and education after their military careers. This allows them to have access to the full range of employment opportunities.
So, what kind of jobs are good for those looking for a better work life balance? Flexible working arrangements can provide more opportunities to fit non-work activities into your life.
Flexible working allows you to fit in childcare, eldercare or other care responsibilities into your day. It can also allow you to take up and pursue other interests such as sports, voluntary work or education.
Flexible working is offered by some employers. The flexible working arrangements can include flexible start and finish times, part-time working and job sharing. It could also include the ability to work from home and so avoid travel to and from work stresses.
Setting up your own business is also a potential means of achieving a better work life balance. As your own boss you can decide when you want to work and for how long. It can also provide you with the opportunity to do work that is more rewarding and less stressful.
1. Recruiter
Your military experience may have given you the opportunity to work with people from many different backgrounds. This can equip you with fantastic people skills and these may be just what you need for a position as a recruiter.
You don’t need to have experience with the job you are recruiting for. How could any individual have experience of the range of jobs that a typical recruiter works with? You do need to be able to communicate integrity, have a work ethic and be able to engage people.
A recruiter may not always be able to work conventional hours. Sometimes meetings need to be at times other than standard working hours. This provides a recruiter with some flexibility in their working hours.
2. Software Developer
Working from home can be a great way to have more work life balance. A computer-based job where you can access other people or computer resources over the internet is perfect for home working.
Software developers often have detailed work to do which requires concentration and commitment to getting the job done. Working on a project as part of a virtual team rather than having to be present in an office provides great flexibility.
3. Copywriter
Just like a software developer, a copywriter may only need a computer and an internet connection to do the job. Take breaks when you want to. Drop the kids off at school and pick them up too.
4. Researcher
A researcher can be working on many different subjects using the internet or telephone to achieve their objectives. It takes an inquisitive mind and some determination to do this job. It also requires discipline and a systematic approach; traits many ex-service personnel have.
Working unconventional hours can make incorporating other interests and commitments easier. Evening work may fit into your schedule better than the typical nine to five routine.
5. Sell Stuff Online
Running your own business is a great work life balance strategy. Online selling on eBay or Etsy is easy to set up. Many small home businesses operate this way.
You need a product or niche and the dedication to build your business. You could use your veteran experience to sell gifts for veterans or make your hobby a business by selling things you’ve made.
6. Retail Loss Prevention
Do you have an air of confidence and physical presence? Do you also have intelligence and determination? Retail loss prevention might be a career for you.
Retail stores operate long hours. Some are even open 24-hours and 7-days a week proving opportunities for flexible working. Losses of stock and cash in these businesses is huge and so they have loss prevention personnel to deter and detect these crimes.
This is not a straightforward guarding activity. Thieves can be ingenious. The prevention measures have to be equally clever and increasingly use technology.
7. Pet Care
Having a pet is a joy but can also be a problem for owners. Dogs need walking and other pets may need grooming or caring for while the owners take a vacation. This an opportunity for a reliable person.
This job or business is an opportunity for a healthy work life balance and especially suits someone who loves animals.
Balance It Out
Taking time for family, friends and yourself is sometimes difficult while in the military. Veterans may feel that it’s time to favor the best work life balance jobs.
Browse our online magazine for some more healthy lifestyle tips!
