For two decades, Hire Heroes USA has redefined what career transition support looks like. From our early days helping veterans translate military experience into civilian résumés to today’s data-informed, skills-based coaching model, our approach has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of veterans and military spouses nationwide. The Director of Hire Heroes USA’s Client Programs shares how that evolution unfolded—and how personalized, one-on-one guidance has become the foundation of every client’s success story. 

Johnathan Severs started out as a Transition Specialist in 2014. His unique perspectives as a longtime team member and U.S. Army veteran have been instrumental to our organization’s growth. 

Throughout his tenure with Hire Heroes USA, Severs has seen a remarkable evolution in client services. What was once a generalized approach is now a personalized coaching model that adapts according to client needs, industry trends, and technological advancements.

Severs shared how these changes have occurred, largely with the help of partnerships, as well as his top tips for job seekers. 

From a One-Size-Fits-All Model to a Highly Personalized Process

When Severs first separated from the Army in 2012, job coaching was more traditional. He said, “I was pigeonholed into doing what I did in the military.” 

At that time, our organization focused on the “Core Four”: strategic planning, résumé writing, interviewing, and networking. Hiring process delays were common, and certain factors—multiple-round interviews, social media sites (such as LinkedIn), personality assessments—weren’t as ubiquitous. 

Where services were once more generalized, they’re now fine-tuned to help job seekers grow in their desired fields. Clients receive skills-based coaching, which includes comprehensive skills assessments to identify core strengths.

“In the early days, Transition Specialists were writing résumés based on who the person already was—based on rank and MOS—not where they were going and what their skills were,” said Severs. Now, in addition to writing a personalized résumé, Transition Specialists also teach clients how to tailor their résumé to different job types. 

Networking has evolved from helping clients solely in a face-to-face setting to include virtual landscapes such as LinkedIn. And with the emergence of new AI platforms, clients are now taught how to effectively use these technologies to enhance both their online profiles and interview preparation process. 

Just as our other services have transformed to meet client needs, Hire Heroes USA events used to be strictly in person when Severs first joined. Now, a wide selection of workshops are available. These virtual events cover a variety of topics—financial wellness, federal employment, general hiring tips—and offer attendees the chance to meet prospective employers and network with others.

Partnerships, Programs, and Job Trends

Partnerships over the years—with organizations such as Mission 43 and Ripple—have been pivotal in creating pathways to better support Hire Heroes USA’s various clientele. “We’ve learned that military spouses, women veterans, and Junior Enlisted Service Members have different barriers and needs within the military community,” said Severs. “This has influenced our way of coaching.” 

Job trends also inform services offered. Our recent partnership with Ripple, a global leader in blockchain and crypto solutions for businesses, has led to the development of the FinTech Pathways Partnership. Clients approaching us with tech industry aspirations will now have access to opportunities in this field. 

Security-related jobs—both in physical and cloud-based security—have also always been popular among all clients. Webinars with key partners, as well as referral partners such as O2O and Map My Future, have served to promote opportunities in these areas. 

These are just two of the countless ways our partnerships have helped ensure our clients’ future successes. With alumni now comprising 110,000 of our client base, supporting their ongoing journeys has helped us better understand how to meet future clients’ needs.

Getting Ahead in the Current Job Market

When preparing for the civilian job search, Severs urges clients to start early. He encourages job seekers to register for Hire Heroes USA’s services six months to a year in advance and take advantage of programs like SkillBridge.

He’s also observed common job search pitfalls which can slow down or derail progress. One such mistake: the “any job will do trap.” To Severs, this means “accepting positions out of desperation rather than strategic fit.” This often occurs in the midst of financial pressures or longer-than-expected unemployment. 

“If you must take a survival job to pay bills, acknowledge it as exactly that—temporary survival, not a career-building endeavor,” Severs stated. He recommends that job seekers consider part-time, contract, or freelance roles in their target sector while waiting for a full-time opportunity.

Severs also believes in the importance of keeping a real-time record of accomplishments to avoid having to later rely on memory alone to discuss impactful projects or key metrics. 

Finally, he reminds job seekers to balance technical and interpersonal skills. Employers want candidates who aren’t only competent with the job duties, but who work well individually and collaboratively. Severs mentioned three soft skills in particular to focus on: communication (verbal, written, listening, non-verbal), adaptability (being able to learn quickly and tolerate uncertainty), and self-awareness (understanding one’s own strengths, limitations, triggers, and biases). 

Conclusion

Hire Heroes USA’s services have seen a significant evolution since their inception. Understanding the needs of different client bases, tailoring services towards career growth, and entering partnerships with major organizations have been pivotal to this transformation. Without the unwavering support from our volunteers, donors, funders, and partnerships, this evolution to meet client needs wouldn’t be possible.

Severs’ strategic vision around client services allows Hire Heroes USA’s ever-expanding client base to approach the job search process with confidence and intention. His own career journey sheds insight into how clients can better prepare themselves for meaningful, fulfilling careers. 

When advising job seekers, Severs encourages them to not rely on one person or pathway. “Transition isn’t about waiting for the ‘perfect’ opportunity,” he said. It instead involves an alignment of goals and values, consistent effort, and the adaptability to pivot when necessary.

He also urges them to be intentional about their career decisions. If he could advise his younger self, he would consider “learning, growth, and relationship opportunities rather than just status indicators.” In Severs’ time with the organization, the gratitude clients have expressed to him has meant more than any monetary reward could—a reminder of the mission that drives us forward every day.