New CERIC-funded research will produce one of the first quantitative studies of veteran career transition and help us understand how communication style may be affecting how military candidates are hired for civilian positions. The project titled “A Question of Style – Does Working Style Impact Hiring Success Among Veterans in Canada?” is being led by Challenge Factory, a Canadian research, coaching and consulting firm, and it will deliver findings to coincide with the 2017 Invictus Games.

The project includes multiple partners providing funding, research or dissemination support: Target Training International (TTI), Canadian Armed Forces (CAF – Department of Casualty Support Management), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Canadian Special Operations Regiment Association, Treble Victor and Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur.

The research builds on a recent Challenge Factory study that used a formal assessment instrument to identify a trend among participants with a military background that might affect the way that military candidates would engage in networking and interview situations – and how they would initially be perceived by hiring managers who are not familiar with military personnel and culture. The project will involve a large sample size (150-1,000+) of serving members and veterans taking the assessment as well as interviews with 50+ civilian hiring managers.

It is believed that this gap in perception affects initial interaction/experiences and can impact hiring, with decisions often made based on initial impression and “fit.” Inaccurate assumptions can lead to unconscious bias tied to communication style in recruitment processes. The project will develop recommendations and tools for use by hiring managers, candidates – and career/employment professionals to support their interventions. It will include specific ways military candidates can flex their communication style to better align with corporate expectations, and how hiring managers can overcome assumptions about style to ensure good candidates are not overlooked (an exercise that will enhance overall interviewing capability, not limited to military hiring situations).

The Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada will also use the research to adapt transition-related programs offered to those currently and formerly serving.

CERIC provides funding and other support to develop innovative career development resources. Individuals and organizations are welcome to submit project proposals for career counselling-related research or learning projects. This latest research follows another CERIC project that supported veteran career transition, culminating in Military to Civilian Employment: A Career Practitioner’s Guide, released last year.