Posted on Jun 24, 2019
How difficult is it to find a job after leaving the military?
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Are there certain misconceptions employers have that you believe impact you as an applicant?
Posted in these groups: 
Jobs
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Jobs Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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Many variables depending on the employer. Many actively seek out prior military but some avoid them based on past bad experience
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Depends on much. I used to believe there was some "human factor" involved...I don't any more. With some noted exceptions (govt., contract, etc.), hiring is done without much "margin of error"; companies build (or usually pay for) a profile of required skills/experience, they advertise the position on a variety of internal/external boards, then automatically screen out anyone who doesn't fit the above profile as near to perfect as possible... then interview when they're down to a very few selections. At that point, I don't think being a veteran or not is a major factor, unless you're the only one (or one of a very, very few), and the hiring company has/wants/pretends to have a policy regarding preference, points, PR, etc. Maybe there are companies who prefer NOT to hire vets...but I think most of us get burned by not having the prerequisites to get past stage one, or simply don't have the same experience as another candidate once it gets down to "finals". I think the wisest strategy is to figure out early on what you want to do when you get out...make sure you have all of that lined-up before you pull chocks, so that you're not banking on a long shot.
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SPC Matthew Birkinbine
Agreed Commander. Many of the positions I even qualify for, I never hear back from, and when I'm looking, full on actively looking, I'm not going to lie, it's hard to keep track of all of the companies and positions I apply to. It'd be great to hear more solid no's than just to have in mind that I wasted my time for a computer.
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LCDR Joshua Gillespie
My first foray into civilian life, I ended up cleaning bathrooms and working the line at a small-fry general aviation airport-just a buck or two north of minimum wage I think. I ended up working construction before getting "back in". The next time around, I thought things out a little better. I decided I wanted to be a SWAT cop someday, and started studying, practicing, and networking while I was still in the Navy. When I got my DD-214, I already had interviews, etc. lined up; mostly made from person-to-person contacts. I passed the tests; academic and physical, and received the offer for one of a handful of slots that came out the following year. Ultimately, a former Navy friend offered me a better job...my slot went to an alternate, and life went on from there in ways I had never imagined.
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Capt Bill Mauer
Absolutely right! Much applicant resume prescreening is automated, looking for specific skill keywords. There could be thousands of replies to a large contract solicitation, so hand screening is out of the question. No desired skills but leadership = thank you email. Sometimes. The best qualification is an active security clearance; the more advanced the better.
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LCDR Joshua Gillespie
Well said-It's also worth mentioning that while the old, "my recruiter lied to me" chestnut get's more mileage than it's worth...one shouldn't base one's plans for transition on "gouge" from someone who is being evaluated on meeting recruiting goals. Sure, you "may" be able to land some super-neato cool contracting job afterwards-provided you were among the top percentile of already highly competitive MOSs. "Maybe" your three years at sea will look attractive to the Merchant Marine...provided you have a third mate's license to back it up. The name of the game is being specific; know what you want to do, make sure you can prove you know how to do it, and get to know the people who can pay you to do it.
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I think there are a lot of soldier misconceptions about getting jobs after the military such as: I have an honorable discharge, I'll get the job.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
In the present economy, that's pretty much the case. You want to work, you can find a job right now. Can you find a job that will compensate you at a level that is close to your military compensation package is a bit of a different story. Using an E6 with 8 years as an example, pay, subsistence and housing (Ft Campbell area) equals around $64,120 a year. That's a very respectable salary for Kentucky (decent cost of living). Then the chances are that you will have to spring for health insurance to the tune of $4000 plus a year, if your company has a decent healthcare plan.
Yes, there are jobs like that out there, but most of them either require you have a certain skill set or are will to train for one at a lower rate.
Yes, there are jobs like that out there, but most of them either require you have a certain skill set or are will to train for one at a lower rate.
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SFC Marc W.
CPT Lawrence Cable I think your first sentence is the most key component here. I should have detailed my response a little bit more to reflect the remainder of your comment. Because even in a bad economy, you can get a job at Mcdonalds or as a grocery bagger.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SFC Marc W. - I think it's a bit of a culture shock to come out and get an $18 to $20 buck an hour job and realize that you still need to downsize your spending from the Military days. When you look at the last part of my original post, that base compensation package is the equivalent of a $30 an hour job, and those are certainly harder to find. OTOH, if you have a marketable skill, that $18 to $25 an hour is very achievable and that certainly wasn't the case as little as 5 years ago.
The manufacturing side of where I work is pretty much what would be referred to as low skill requirement. A lot of the jobs don't take a lot of training to do reasonably well. Even considering that we are located in Rural Kentucky, our starting pay scale has jumped about $3.50 an hour of the last two years simply because that is what it took to get them in the door.
The manufacturing side of where I work is pretty much what would be referred to as low skill requirement. A lot of the jobs don't take a lot of training to do reasonably well. Even considering that we are located in Rural Kentucky, our starting pay scale has jumped about $3.50 an hour of the last two years simply because that is what it took to get them in the door.
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