How Veteran Hiring Solutions Is Redefining Veteran Employment
For many military veterans, the journey from service to civilian life presents a range of challenges—none more critical than finding meaningful employment. Navigating the job market can be overwhelming, especially when traditional hiring systems fail to recognize the unique value that veterans bring. That’s why Veteran Hiring Solutions is changing the game. Founded by Marine Corps veteran Justin Henderson, this innovative company is reshaping how veterans are recruited and empowered, using technology and empathy to put humanity back into hiring.
From the Marine Corps to Mission-Driven Innovation
Justin HendersonJustin Henderson’s story begins in the heart of Pennsylvania, just south of Pittsburgh. Raised with strong values of humility and service, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1994. After completing training, Justin returned home to earn a degree in economics from the University of Pittsburgh. His military service continued alongside his education, giving him a dual perspective on service and career development.
But like many veterans, Justin faced a common challenge after leaving the military: translating military experience into civilian value. Despite having a degree and leadership experience, he struggled to gain traction in the job market. He ultimately found his footing in the staffing industry—a revelation sparked by a conversation with fellow Marines at a bar he managed. This experience opened his eyes to the structural flaws in traditional hiring models and set him on a path toward launching Veteran Hiring Solutions.
The Problem with Traditional Hiring Systems
According to Justin, one of the biggest barriers veterans face is the outdated structure of job descriptions. Most were developed in the early 1900s and have remained largely unchanged. These descriptions are static, one-dimensional, and often fail to convey the culture or expectations of a role. Worse, they rarely account for the diverse backgrounds and transferable skills that veterans bring to the table.
Veterans often find themselves forced to “civilianize” their resumes or suppress military-specific accomplishments to align with these narrow expectations. This disconnect leads to frustration and underemployment. Veteran Hiring Solutions aims to eliminate that disconnect through video-based job descriptions that introduce the human element back into the recruiting process.
What Makes Veteran Hiring Solutions Different?
The concept behind VHS is simple but powerful: people don’t follow companies—they follow leaders. By showcasing hiring managers on video, VHS gives job seekers insight into the leadership style, workplace environment, and expectations of the role. This process allows veterans to connect on an emotional level and better visualize themselves in the job.
Each video-based job description includes:
A personal introduction from the hiring manager
A “day in the life” overview of the role
A walkthrough of the challenges new employees will face
Cultural insights that resonate with veteran values
This format not only improves applicant understanding but also ensures that employers attract mission-aligned talent. Veterans don’t just apply with a resume—they present tailored solutions based on the hiring manager’s input.
The Neuroscience Behind Video-Based Hiring
One of the most compelling aspects of Veteran Hiring Solutions is its foundation in neuroscience. Justin explains that our brains process two-dimensional video communication in ways that closely mimic face-to-face interaction. This creates subconscious familiarity, known as the mere exposure effect, which reduces anxiety and increases comfort during interviews.
Additionally, mirror neurons—the brain’s way of empathizing and understanding others—activate when job seekers observe hiring managers speaking. This phenomenon builds trust and rapport before the first meeting ever takes place. Veterans are thus able to “meet” their future employers, reducing the uncertainty and misalignment often experienced in traditional hiring.
From Concept to Company: The Birth of Veteran Hiring Solutions
Veteran Hiring Solutions officially launched in April 2024, and the impact was immediate. Driven by passion, community support, and a mission-first attitude, Justin and his team built a platform that meets veterans where they are. From the beginning, the company was focused on empowerment rather than exploitation.
One of the most impactful features is the Mission and Power suite—a collection of free tools designed to help veterans assess their internal motivators, improve interview performance, and navigate civilian workplace dynamics. These tools were developed with input from an expert who helped design the Navy SEAL assessment program and now leads AI assessments at a Fortune 100 company. The Mission and Power suite offers:
A personalized transition program
AI-powered interview trainers
A communication assistant for civilian leadership
All of these tools are freely available at veteranhiringsolutions.com, reinforcing the company's commitment to accessibility and impact.
Building a Veteran Ecosystem
One of Justin’s most important messages during the VET S.O.S. podcast episode was the power of veteran networks. Veteran Hiring Solutions is deeply connected to organizations like the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University, which provided Justin with invaluable mentorship, resources, and community.
Through IVMF, he attended the EDGE event in Dallas, where he met hundreds of fellow veteran entrepreneurs. These connections not only built morale but also led to strategic partnerships—like recruiting a new Air Force veteran to join his sales team. Justin also credited local Veterans Chambers of Commerce, particularly in Massachusetts, for supporting veteran-owned businesses and driving grassroots engagement.
Serving Veterans and Employers Alike
Veteran Hiring Solutions isn’t just about helping veterans get hired—it’s about ensuring companies hire the right veterans. By aligning purpose, values, and communication styles, VHS helps employers build high-performing teams while reducing turnover and increasing retention.
The VHS LinkedIn forum is another extension of this mission. Exclusively for job seekers and hiring authorities, the forum provides a space for real-time job postings and authentic dialogue. It's yet another way Veteran Hiring Solutions is bridging the gap between veteran talent and meaningful employment.
Lessons in Leadership and Lifelong Learning
As a veteran entrepreneur, Justin admits he didn’t know everything when he started. From financial management to AI integration, he learned on the job—often with the help of others in the veteran community. But that willingness to learn, combined with a powerful mission, has made Veteran Hiring Solutions a fast-growing force for good.
Justin’s leadership style reflects his service mindset: stay humble, stay focused, and give back. “You don’t know what you don’t know,” he says. “But veterans have been through worse. No one’s shooting at us. So we take a deep breath and keep going.”
Final Thoughts
At its core, Veteran Hiring Solutions is more than just a recruitment platform—it’s a movement to restore dignity, purpose, and clarity to the veteran employment journey. By using cutting-edge technology grounded in human connection, VHS empowers veterans to find roles where they can thrive, not just survive.
If you’re a veteran looking for a better way to navigate your job search—or a hiring manager looking to connect with exceptional talent—Veteran Hiring Solutions offers a path forward. Visit www.veteranhiringsolutions.com today to learn more, access free tools, and join a community committed to impact.
