Has anyone here had experience applying for jobs as a committed active reservist? Is it a good idea to make them aware of this during the application? Has it affected your ability to gain employment? I know the reserves has a scheme where by employers of reservists can get reimbursed but it seems like you have to sell that to the person doing the interview.

Some employers have Defence Force Reserves as a check box on their employment admin. Obviously they cannot discriminate, but its debatable whether it is seen as a positive or negative.

I have found it's hit and miss, I worked for a small IT company that had issues with me going away with reserves. There wasn't a whole lot of redundancy and the boss didn't identify that my reserve service was beneficial to both of us.

I now work for a much larger organisation, I'm not in a critical role/ theres redundancy. I get defence leave and take some rec leave for other times. At the end of the day, I'd let them know going in and give them a realistic expectation of how much you'll be away and sell it to them. I will still work with my superiors to organise times when I'll be away so it has a low impact on the organisation.

Definatly worth discussing. I worked for a large national company that were terrible with reserves. Continually rostering me on Tuesday nights depite what was said prior to me starting. Gladly gave them the flick.
Currently with a smaller company that is happy for me to take leave as required. No set reserve leave like some blokes get. I'm unlikely to disappear on RCB any time soon though so I'm not to hard to manage.
Can't see how employing a reservist makes any sense for a small business. Just another admin burden.

discussing could be an advantage or a hindrance.

The organisation I work for now it turned out to be an advantage. I was their first choc (well only) and they created a Defence leave policy for me that was really good for private organisations (full pay 2 weeks a f/y).

Up until I was 30 I kept my Reserve service hidden. I thought too many people would be scared of the commitment if there was a decision between two people.

Twice I advised work, that I had just decided to join, (when I had been in for years) then went on a trip within 6 months to cover the fact I had omitted my service. That seemed to work, although would have been called out if anyone had known anything about the Army.

After 30 when I was a bit more senior and valued for my thoughts/leadership and not just my "hours worked" it's on my CV and linkedin and has been very beneficial for my career.

But as always "Individual experiences may vary"