Wednesday, 15 January 2025 Issue#014

Quote of the week: "The human capacity for burden is like bamboo—far more flexible than you'd ever believe at first glance." – Jodi Picoult

The recent fires in Los Angeles have been a sobering reminder of nature's unpredictability and the profound challenges it brings. Our thoughts are with everyone affected—those who have faced loss, disruption, or uncertainty in the wake of these events.

We also want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the brave first responders who have worked tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and neighborhoods. Their dedication and courage inspire us all and serve as a powerful testament to the spirit of service and solidarity that binds us together.

Click here for a list of ways to support those impacted by the LA Fires.

This week, we’re diving into some great topics! First up, we’ll chat about job referrals and how they’re shaking things up. Then, we’ll check in on the latest updates about veteran unemployment rates. To wrap things up on a high note, we’ve got some exciting news about funding for transition programs. Let’s get into it!

Stranger Things Refferals

It seems that bypassing the discomfort of asking a casual acquaintance for a job referral is possible—by reaching out to complete strangers instead. Bloomberg recently highlighted the rise of a niche market involving apps and websites that connect job seekers with anonymous employees willing to provide referrals in exchange for potential bonuses. One tech professional shared that he earned $30,000 after submitting over 1,000 referrals through these platforms.

It sounds like a win-win situation, but it might not last. While platforms like Refermarket and ReferralHub maintain that this practice is legitimate, some companies are pushing back. They argue that it violates their code of conduct and have even flagged certain employees for abusing the system, leading them to disregard referrals from these individuals altogether. For job seekers, this could mean that leveraging an anonymous referral might ultimately hurt their chances instead of giving them an advantage. Still, it’s easy to understand the appeal: According to Greenhouse, referrals have a 1 in 25 chance of leading to a hire, compared to just 1 in 200 for external applicants.

Source: Morning Brew​

Veterans Unemployment Rate Remains Strong

The December 2024 jobs report shows that veterans continue to perform well in the labor market, with an unemployment rate of 2.8%, significantly lower than the general population's 4.1%. This rate matches that of December 2023, indicating stability in veteran employment. Post-9/11 veterans experienced a slight increase in unemployment from 3.1% in November to 3.9% in December, but this remains below the 4% threshold considered full employment (A 4% unemployment rate is considered close to full employment in the United States).

The overall economy added 256,000 jobs in December, exceeding market expectations. Experts attribute veterans' strong labor market performance to their tendency to pursue higher-end professions, aided by military transition programs and GI Bill education benefits. While the overall outlook for veterans is positive, there's a note of caution regarding female veterans, particularly post-9/11 female veterans, who showed a higher unemployment rate of 5.3% in December. This demographic may require closer monitoring in future job reports.

Source: Military.com

New Funding for Transition Help

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has unveiled a new $4 million grant program aimed at assisting veterans and their spouses in finding post-military employment. Announced on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, this initiative stems from legislation passed in 2021 and will offer grants of up to $500,000 to organizations providing employment-based resources and tools for transitioning service members and their spouses. These services may include resume writing assistance, interview training, employment placement services, and related support.

VA Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs emphasized that these grants will help service members and their spouses obtain the necessary tools and assistance to secure deserving jobs. The program aims to make the transition out of military service not only manageable but successful, empowering veterans and their families to continue leading the country. While the VA did not specify the number of individuals expected to benefit from this program, approximately 200,000 service members leave the military annually.

This new initiative complements existing resources such as Military OneSource services provided by the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor's Transition Employment Assistance for Military Spouses and Caregivers workshops. The VA plans to release details on how organizations can apply for these grants in June, potentially offering new opportunities to address the persistent challenge of post-military employment for veterans and their spouses.

Source: MSN