BlueCross: Veterans, Deploy Your Talents Here
Nov. 11, 2020
As one of the largest employers in South Carolina, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina knows that hiring veterans will provide the company with top talent. Currently, 6 percent of the company’s employees are veterans or on active reserve status.
The company’s Human Resources team works closely with military organizations across the state to support this effort.
“Recruitment of military talent as a part of an organization’s talent pipeline strategy is critical. We not only benefit from the extensive training received and skills they developed while in the military, but our experience tells us that they demonstrate a high level of commitment, leadership and critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively while meeting deadlines and achieve business objectives. As a result, our organization is stronger and more effective because of the number of veterans who work here,” says Stephanie Pfeiffer, director of talent acquisition.
Elisa Edwards, director of employment services with the South Carolina National Guard, works with BlueCross regularly. In her role she builds partnerships with other employers and the National Guard.
Elisa Edwards is the director of employment services with the South Carolina National Guard.
1. What are some of the challenges veterans face in finding employment?
Many veterans find it difficult to translate their many areas of expertise to civilian work. They have so many skills but getting an employer to understand exactly what those are can be challenging.
2. Why should employers hire veterans? What sets veterans apart?
Employers should hire veterans because they already have skills that employers don’t have the time to teach: professionalism, punctuality, pride in performance and reliability. Veterans also come with unique skill sets that aren’t readily found in the civilian population.
3. How do you work with BlueCross?
BlueCross has done an amazing job with helping me continue to mature our relationship. They come to me to fill some of their positions. And if I have a jobseeker that I feel would be a good fit, they are great at inviting them for an interview. We are able to build up both organizations in the process. We also partner to grow Operation Palmetto Employment, an initiative aimed at getting South Carolina’s veteran population back to work.
4. What does it mean to work with corporations like BlueCross to hire veterans?
Working with large corporations is great because it allows me to get a large number of veterans employed and in an organization with the opportunity for upward mobility.
5. What would you like people to know about veterans?
I’d like people to know that they are individuals who have spent time serving our nation with blood, sweat and tears, and they are motivated to put that same level of service toward growing your organization.
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