FOUNDER TO THE PROFILE
José Caraballo-Rivera, MBA
Account Executive & Career Advisor, RecruitMilitary & US Army Reserve
“I attribute my success to faith, discipline, and the unwavering support of my family, mentors, and colleagues. Their encouragement, guidance, and willingness to challenge me have shaped the person and leader I am today. I’ve learned that success is rarely achieved alone—it is built through the people who believe in you, the discipline to keep moving forward, and the faith that keeps you grounded along the way.”
About
José Caraballo-Rivera, MBA, is a business development and workforce solutions professional serving as an Account Executive with RecruitMilitary. In this role, he partners with organizations to understand their workforce needs, build meaningful client relationships, and connect employers with military and veteran talent. He also continues his service in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Career Advisor, helping Soldiers navigate career decisions, professional development, retention, and opportunities throughout their military careers.
Caraballo-Rivera brings more than 14 years of U.S. Army experience spanning recruiting, talent acquisition, workforce development, training, and operational leadership. Throughout his military career, he has led teams, developed talent pipelines, managed complex operations, and built partnerships with community organizations and key stakeholders. His earlier military experience includes nearly a decade in Mortuary Affairs and personnel recovery operations, as well as three overseas deployments—experiences that helped shape his approach to leadership, service, accountability, and responsibility.
Education and lifelong learning remain central to his personal and professional growth. Caraballo-Rivera earned both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Southern New Hampshire University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration. His long-term goal is to extend his impact into higher education, where he hopes to share the leadership, business, and real-world lessons gained throughout his military, academic, and professional journey.
Guided by a leadership philosophy centered on listening, understanding the needs of others, building trust, and delivering results, Caraballo-Rivera is passionate about helping organizations recognize the value of veteran talent while continuing to support service members and their families. Outside of his professional and military commitments, he is a proud husband and father, former basketball player, lifelong sports enthusiast, and firm believer in continuous growth and making the most of every opportunity.
Key Areas Of Focus
- 01. Recruiting
- 02. Nursing
- 03. Standard Operating Procedure
- 04. HR Business Partnering
- 05. Workforce Analytics
- 06. Regulatory Compliance
- 07. Human Resources
- 08. Coaching & Mentoring
IN HIS OWN WORDS
The Q and A
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01
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to faith, discipline, and the unwavering support of my family, mentors, and colleagues. Their encouragement, guidance, and willingness to challenge me have shaped the person and leader I am today. I’ve learned that success is rarely achieved alone—it is built through the people who believe in you, the discipline to keep moving forward, and the faith that keeps you grounded along the way.
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02
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never stop learning and never become too comfortable. Every role, challenge, success, and setback has something to teach you if you’re willing to listen. I’ve also learned that you don’t have to wait until you feel completely ready to take on the next opportunity. Some of the greatest growth in my career came when I accepted responsibility first and then rose to meet the challenge. Stay humble, remain coachable, take care of your people, and always leave an organization better than you found it.
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03
What advice would you give to young men entering your industry?
Stay grounded in faith, remain disciplined, never stop learning, and protect your integrity. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, because some of the greatest opportunities for growth will come when you are uncomfortable or uncertain. Understand that success is rarely the result of one defining moment; it is built through the small decisions and consistent effort you make every day. Be willing to learn from your mistakes, surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow, and never compromise who you are just to get where you want to go
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04
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in workforce development is the disconnect between the capabilities veterans bring to the workforce and employers’ ability to recognize and translate those skills into civilian roles. Veterans often bring leadership, adaptability, technical expertise, discipline, and experience performing in high-pressure environments, but those capabilities do not always translate neatly onto a traditional résumé.
At the same time, I see tremendous opportunity in the growth of skills-based hiring and artificial intelligence. Civilian organizations have moved quickly to adopt AI across recruiting and workforce strategies, while the military has also accelerated its adoption in recent years. Used responsibly, these technologies can help organizations look beyond traditional job titles and credentials to better identify transferable skills and talent. I believe the organizations that combine technology with a genuine understanding of people will be best positioned to build the workforce of the future.
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05
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me, both personally and professionally, are faith, family, integrity, reliability, and a commitment to continuous growth. My faith keeps me grounded, and my family gives purpose to everything I work toward. Integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching, while reliability means being someone others know they can count on. Finally, I believe growth should never stop. There is always something new to learn, a way to improve, and an opportunity to become a better leader, professional, husband, father, and person.
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