How to Get Your First Job Experience: A Veteran’s Case Study

Today I had a conversation with a veteran through Hire Heroes, a nonprofit organization that supports service members transitioning into the civilian workforce. I’ve volunteered with them for a while, and every time I meet a veteran, I’m reminded of the challenges, and opportunities, of starting a new career after military service.

This particular veteran had worked in IT support. He wanted to transition into data analytics, a growing field with plenty of opportunities but also plenty of competition. He had already earned a few certifications and completed some personal projects to demonstrate his skills.

At one point in our conversation, he asked me:“What kind of personal projects should I build next to improve my chances of getting hired?”

My answer surprised him.

Personal projects are useful for learning, but they’re not a substitute for paid experience.

Why Personal Projects Aren’t Enough

Let me be clear: I’m not against personal projects. In fact, they’re excellent for learning new tools, practicing problem-solving, and showing initiative. Many people start their careers by experimenting with projects they built on their own time.

But when it comes to employability, there’s a difference between something you made for yourself and something you delivered to an actual client or company. Paid work, no matter how small, signals that someone trusted you, depended on you, and was willing to exchange money for your results. That creates credibility in a way personal projects alone rarely can.

Three Paths Into Your First Job

So how do you get that all-important first line of real experience on your resume? I shared with him three practical paths I’ve seen work.

1. The Contractor Path

Start by offering to do small, paid projects for companies or people you meet through your network. It doesn’t have to be a major engagement, even a $100 contract counts. Once you’ve proven you can deliver results, that first project often leads to more. It’s less about the amount of money and more about having real, external validation of your skills.

2. The Edge Path

Leverage what makes you different. Veterans often have security clearances, specialized training, or unique industry knowledge. These can be significant advantages. For example, roles that require clearance are in high demand but have a very limited pool of qualified candidates. That “edge” can open doors that would otherwise be closed.

3. The Small Business Path

Target small businesses and startups. They may not pay much at first, but they often provide a chance to wear many hats, an invaluable way to build experience quickly. A small company might ask you to handle reporting, database cleanup, and visualization all at once. That hands-on exposure accelerates learning and makes your resume stand out.

The Bigger Question

Here’s what I left him with, and what I’ll leave with you:

If you had to choose, why wouldn’t you take a low-paid contract, with real accountability and impact, over another unpaid personal project?

Personal projects will always have value for learning and exploration. But if your goal is employability, a single paid contract often carries more weight than months of self-directed work. It’s not about the money, it’s about the experience, the trust, and the proof that you can deliver in a real-world environment.