The military community has skills that a civilian employer may not immediately recognize. “We know that there are areas and industry verticals in the civilian space that are constantly looking for talent because they just can’t find it,” according to Merideth Cohrs, chief operating officer and co-founder of BufferSprings. “The military has that talent.”

WorkingNation sat down with Cohrs at the NASWA Veterans Conference in Washington, D.C.

Cohrs’ company helps coach other employers on recruiting and retaining service members who’ve transitioned out of the military. She says she helps employers better understand veteran skill sets for better outcomes in the workplace.

Cohrs, a Navy veteran herself, uses the example of Navy ships and aircraft carriers, “You have people who do everything from basic maintenance up to operational tempo and business development. You name it, it’s all done.”

She adds that it is a matter of veterans translating that experience for the employers so that they are moving toward a more holistic approach to hiring that will help bring more veterans in the workplace and encourage them to stay.

Learn more about BufferSprings.