Recruiting Veterans

We are committed to equal opportunity and value the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. The following resources provide hiring managers and human resources contacts with tools to successfully recruit veterans and ensure veterans are given proper consideration.

Veteran's Preference

In conjunction with the Veteran’s Preference Hiring Initiative implemented by the South Carolina Department of Administration, the University of South Carolina provides employment preference to eligible veterans who apply to staff and faculty Full-Time Equivalent positions.

Research Grant and Time-Limited positions are not eligible for the preference.

The hiring preference requires at least one qualified veteran to be interviewed for every FTE (full-time equivalent) position posted, unless there are no qualified veterans in the applicant pool. This includes both faculty and staff positions.

Veteran's Preference Resource Manual

Hiring managers and search committees can download the UofSC Veteran's Preference Resource Manual [PDF] as a ready guide to requirements, procedures and best practice in recruitment and hiring.

Eligibility

For the purposes of this initiative, a qualified veteran is defined as a person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty, for reasons other than training, and was discharged under honorable conditions.

To be eligible for the preference:

The applicant must be a veteran who served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces on active duty, for reasons other than training, and was discharged under honorable conditions.
The Veteran must meet the minimum qualifications of the position.
The Veteran must be capable of performing the duties assigned to the position with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Prior to the interview, the applicant must submit a DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)

Application and Screening Process

Learn how the application process within PeopleAdmin screens applicants to determine their eligibility for the preference, and how to review those who are eligible.

Translating Military Experience

Review several resources to help you understand military experience and position titles and how they translate into civilian experience.

Benefits of Recruiting and Hiring Veterans

The military, as a profession, primarily focuses on setting goals and ensuring that those goals are completed. Veterans bring a sense of mission achievement and exercise collaboration, cooperation, and personal development to achieve their objectives. While many military jobs are specialized, the skills that veterans develop during their service are transferrable to the civilian world.

Below are examples of the transferrable skills and characteristics that veterans possess.

In the military, success depends on how well each person delivers their part of the job assignment. Veterans embrace teamwork as it enhances the skills of communicating well, actively listening and being responsible and honest.

The diverse makeup of the armed forces is one of its greatest assets. Veterans have learned to work with individuals regardless of race, gender, geographic origin, ethnic background, religion, and economic status.

Veterans know how to accomplish priorities on time, in spite of tremendous stress. They know the critical importance of staying with a task until it is done right.

Prospective employers can take advantage of a track record of integrity, often including security clearances. This integrity translates into qualities of sincerity and trustworthiness.

The military trains people to lead by example as well as through direction, delegation, motivation, and inspiration.

Division of Human Resources