DEVELOPING EMPLOYER RELATIONS1

The Developing Employer Relations guide helps YRRP staff members reach out to employers to encourage them to consider hiring Veterans by providing strategies and examples.

NETWORKING STRATEGIES Develop solid partnerships with the Department of

Labor and the Chambers of Commerce. Market your program in daily interactions with

employers. Conduct briefings on your program at local businesses

and employer organizations, such as the Chambers of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, etc.

Rent space at Business Expositions and spread your message.

Ask your State Chairman to conduct personal meetings with mayors across the State to promote your message.

Network with as many people and organizations as you can. Build key alliances that can help lead you to other potential employers. Host employer and job seeker workshops.

5 STEPS TO REACHING OUT1. Gather information. Identify un- or under-employed personnel or organizations in the

area, and determine what resources you have available. 2. Build partnerships with employers and state, federal, and

private organizations.3. Spread the word about your program and efforts through

traditional and social media, television or radio announcements, and community networking.

4. Reach out to your target audiences; for example, host resume-writing workshops and job fairs.

5. Follow-up and expand. Continue to reach out to new potential employers and employees, spread the word about your message, and network.

1 Adapted from IL, ID, and KT; Last Updated March 2013

EXAMPLES

Idaho created a program entitled “Hire One Vet,” in which employers were encouraged to hire one Veteran. The program reached out to the Chambers of Commerce, who agreed to leverage their employer relationships to benefit Idaho’s hiring initiative. They conducted briefings about their program at a number of locations, including Society of Human Resource Managers, the Association of Builders and Contractors, Business2Business, and more. Ultimately, they used

networking as a powerful tool to help them reach out to employers to get more Veterans hired.

Illinois built strong relationships with organizations using a multiple-agency approach. It focused on finding the place where Employer Associations, Military Programs, and State and Federal Programs overlapped, such as the Illinois Veterans Commission, the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs, and Local Workforce Investment Boards. Ultimately, they approached these organizations with the catch phrase, “Make the Ask!” which emphasized asking employers if they have jobs available and if they are expecting to hire in the future. In this way, they could build relationships and network on behalf of Veterans.

Kentucky built a Campaign Plan with four basic phases: Rally the Troops, Spread the Word, Execute Mission, and Follow-up and Expansion. These four phases provided a strategic basis for their actions moving forward. During the Rally the Troops phase, they focused on gathering information and building partnerships with employers from state, Federal, and private organizations. In Phase II, Spread the Word, they utilized a variety of marketing strategies to reach out to potential employers and employees, such as through the news, social media,

television and radio, and public service announcements. They also networked heavily. During Phase III, Execute Mission, Kentucky conducted 3-day regional Employment Assistance Workshops, which included resume writing assistance and preparation, translating and converting military skills into civilian language, and developing interview skills and providing attire advice. The Follow-up and Expansion phase monitored individual progress via the Unit YRRP Reps, Command-directed monthly reporting of CEI Data, ensuring employment stability via ESGR, and expanding their program across their area on a regional basis for all Reserve Component Personnel. They even convinced one organization to invite only Veterans to apply for positions at their company for one entire week – no civilian applications allowed.

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