Are you transitioning out of the military? You probably have former battle buddies who left the service and became government contractors. Known for their similar culture to the military (and lucrative salaries), Veterans are drawn to government contractor positions as a first-line choice for a civilian career.
There are several benefits of working as a government contractor, several of which are outlined below.
Financial Security
There’s no doubt that during your time in the military you’ve heard about the lucrative salaries of government contractor positions. While rumors are often exaggerated, it is true that companies contracted by the government provide appealing salaries. If you have a security clearance, you will earn significantly more than your federal employee co-workers in similar positions. This provides even greater financial security in a government contracting position. Furthermore, your financial security is supplemented by competitive benefits packages that include paid time off, health insurance, and retirement benefits to supplement any benefits you may be eligible to receive as a Veteran.
Top Government Contracts To Work For:
- Lockheed Martin Corp.
2. Boeing Co.
3. General Dynamics Corp.
4. Raytheon
5. Northrop Grumman
6. McKesson Corp.
7. United Technologies Corp.
8. L-3 Communications Holdings Inc.
9. Bechtel Group Inc.
10. BAE Systems Plc
Fast-Paced Hiring
If you are nearing your ETS date, or have already ETS’d and do not have a job lined up, a government contractor position could be your ticket to employment. If you worked in a specialty sector within the military, chances are that many defense contractors will hire you on the spot without a waiting period if they are in high need of your skills. Unsure of what companies could use your talent? While the demand for government jobs is higher than the supply, the supply of government contract jobs is higher than the demand of Veterans with the required skill sets. Don’t let that opportunity go to waste!
Check Clearance Jobs (https://www.clearancejobs.com/q-government-contractor) to view current openings and the skill sets companies are searching for.
A Stepping Stone to a Government Position
There’s demand for government jobs right now that is higher than their availability. Working as a government contractor can provide an alternative route to that government job you are gunning for after ETSing. When working as a government contractor, you can earn on-the-job experience with co-workers who are government employees themselves. Many government contractors are eventually offered positions as federal employees in the area they work in, and if they are not, they at least have name recognition when they apply. Furthermore, it’s easier to transition from contracting to federal employee positions compared to a traditional civilian role to a government role.
Did you make the transition from the military to a government contractor? We’d love for you to share your story with us!