The Give Back: Still Serving Veterans changing lives, one resumé at a time

Yahoo

17-05-2025

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A core service at Still Serving Veterans is offering help with something many folks find stressful: finding a job.
Dave Lakin changes the lives of veterans at SSV daily, one paper, highlighter, and pen at a time.
The Give Back: Still Serving Veterans guiding vets in job search process
'Everything starts with a resume from a job search perspective,' Dave Lakin, the Veteran Career Transition Director at Still Serving Veterans, said. 'Do they use good format? Do they use the right fonts? Do they use the right language?'
While looking for a job is stressful for many, veterans face unique hurdles along the way.
'Helping to translate all the things they did in uniform onto a resume can be very difficult,' Lakin said.
SSV covers nearly every base when it comes to the job search process. The non-profit starts by consulting with a veteran to find a job that interests them and fits their skillset. From there, it will help with everything from resumé building, interview preparation, to even check-ins months into the veteran starting in the new role.
'How can we improve your presentation in an interview? Lakin said. 'How can we improve your resumé? And then once you do start getting offers, come back here and we'll help you to examine those offers and get through salary negotiation.'
With the world changing as Artificial Intelligence emerges, Lakin said it's more important now than ever to consult with a professional when searching for a job.
'About 60% of the applicant tracking systems out there will reject a resume just because it takes 2 or 3 things to make it difficult for the software to read, for the software to move on to the next applicant,' Lakin said.
The veteran-to-veteran relationships at SSV establish a level of trust that is nearly impossible to duplicate. That is one of the reasons the organization does not work with volunteers often. But, Lakin said, donations from the community are life-changing.
'Some people don't realize how much they $5 monthly donation allows us,' Lakin said. 'To go out there, get our message out there, put our counselors out there, let them go meet veterans more. I'm not even kidding, $5 a month.'
To learn how you can donate and help SSV's mission, visit their website.
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