Finding a Job

Many agencies in Maine have banded together to make it easier for veterans and service members to find employment.

Veteran Employment in State Government

Any veteran candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for a State job is guaranteed an interview, including veterans with an Other Than Honorable discharge. Gold Star spouses are also eligible for the hiring preference.

Easing the Professional Licensing Process for Veterans

In addition to accelerated licensing opportunities, there are also health care employment opportunities for military veterans. All veterans discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, who completed health care related military training while in the Armed Forces, may utilize their military credentials when seeking civilian employment. Qualified veterans will receive individualized assistance when connecting one-on-one with the Department of Labor's program staff to facilitate the transition.

The State also offers accelerated licensing opportunities for veterans who have military experience in the areas of:

  • Boiler
  • Electrical
  • Fuel
  • Plumbing

Please click here to learn more about the Maine Occupational Licensing Initiative for veterans and for more details about acquiring an accelerated license in Maine.

Showcasing Veterans and Service Members to Employers

In September of 2015, the Maine Department of Labor, in conjunction with the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services and many other partner agencies, launched the "Maine Hire a Vet" campaign with the goal of enrolling 100 employers to hire 100 veterans across 100 days.

The campaign has connected nearly 700 employers with over 1200 veteran-hires since its inception in 2015, and has been recognized as a best practice by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). The average wage for veteran hires was $23.05 in 2018 and increased to $25.03 in 2020.

Although COVID impacted the Hire-A-Vet’s in-person Hiring Fair, the 2020 campaign had similar success with 226 employers participating, 129 veterans and family members hired at an average of $25.03 per hour.

Keep up to date on the 2021 campaign at Maine Hire a Vet

Connecting Veteran Job-Seekers to Opportunities

At all of Maine's Career Centers, there are veteran employment representatives who help vets with all aspects of job searching, such as:

  • Translating your military experience into an effective resume
  • Networking to build your roster of contacts and find job opportunities
  • Presenting your best case in an interview

For more help with your job search and to be connected to employment opportunities, please find your nearest veteran employment representative here.

For more information regarding employment opportunities, please visit the Maine Career Center Website