Veterans returning home from Iraq are having a difficult time in the job market, particularly the youngest veterans, according to a new survey by CareerBuilder.com.

Jenny Sullivan, a spokeswoman for CareerBuilder.com, said the survey found that one in five veterans said it took six months or longer to find a job, with one in 10 reporting that it took more than a year.

For those ages 20 to 24, Sullivan said the unemployment rate is three times the national average, with one in five currently unemployed.

According to the survey, veterans listed the following challenges to finding work:

• Lack of available jobs in their place of residence (29 percent)
• Employers don't understand how the skills acquired in the military translate to the civilian world (16 percent)
• Lack of college degree (12 percent)
• Inexperience with effectively communicating skills acquired in the military to employers via resumes and interviews (11 percent)

The survey found that veterans may soon see more job opportunities.

Forty-four percent of hiring managers said they planned to recruit U.S. veterans for their open positions in the last six months of 2006.

Thirty-eight percent said they would recruit members of the National Guard.

The survey found that one in five hiring managers said they would target veterans ages 20 to 25, and more than half said they would look to hire those age 26 to 35.

According to the survey, hiring managers said they would reach out to veterans to fill positions in information technology, engineering, customer service, sales and manufacturing.

Federal authorities estimate that 250,000 U.S. service members leave active duty each year.

Online Support to Help Veterans Find Jobs

CareerBuilder.com recently launched a Web site in conjunction with federal and state government organizations to help veterans find employment.

OperationHeroForHire.com allows employers who want to recruit veterans to post their jobs for free.

The site allows veterans to apply for positions with employers who are sensitive to their employment needs.

"As we celebrate the July Fourth holiday, we are reminded of the sacrifices service men and women have made for our country," said Brent Rasmussen, chief operating officer of CareerBuilder.com. "OperationHeroforHire.com provides a resource for employers to quickly reach and provide opportunities to people who fought for us to have them."

Rasmussen said veterans can apply online and post up to five different versions of their resumes.

He said veterans can also tap into an online information center for tips on how to successfully communicate military experience and talents to employers in resumes and interviews.