Job Seekers: What are you specifically doing that will lead you to a successful job/career?

SFC (Join to see) it’s a combination of things that need to accomplished:

1. Understand your employment objective and put it down into a nice precise paragraph ready to be inserted into a resume.
2. Build a really nice resume - you can find all kinds of free examples online - don't pay money for this - you know what looks right
3. Start signing up for job boards on the Internet. There are bunches that are absolutely free. Use those first. Fill out all the information that they ask for and make yourself assessable. Set up daily reminders.
4. Be prepared to "shine" on all telephone interviews. Take those military skills and transition them into civilian skills that the potential employer can relate to. Sell yourself, but do it professionally.
5. Be a good listener. Listen to what the potential employers are looking for and asking for - then respond appropriately.
6. You should be signing up and sending out resumes daily (at least 6 to 7, if not more) if you have signed up for the right job boards. Most will send you the messages when positions are available that you are looking for.
7. Always be prepared for the "in the person" interview once you get past the telephone interview. Dress for success!
8. Look for all the local job fairs in your local area or the next biggest city and go to them - be prepared and confident.
9. Don’t' get discouraged - stay motivated and positive even if you don't get the first couple of jobs. Outgoing and positive will win all day long.
10. Do steps 1 through 9 again to make sure you have all the TTPs down!

There are a lot of other things you can do besides what I just shared - this is the quick hit list. There are lots of great experts out here on RallyPoint that work for placement companies - find them and network. I base this on my own work searches and my experience in hiring 100s of employees over the last 35 years in my civilian industry. Good luck and I hope this helps!

Knowing someone is always helpful. But here are some things that every veteran should know about job hunting.

Point 1. Must have several resumes, there is not a one size fit all situation here. Veterans should tailor their resumes to the actual job they are applying to. It is important to take out as much military jargon as possible. Use different sites like TAOnline and other sites to translate your skills. Ensure your resume is identical to the job posting as most companies have systems that look for key or buzz words in your resume. Remember, the recruiter will only spend 3 to 5 minutes on your resume, so make sure those words are in your resume.

Point 2. Network, Network, Network..find organizations that are specifically tailored towards the career or company you are interested in. Always do your research before applying, make sure you can speak to the companies overall purpose or mission. Join different associations and attend local networking events, this will provide you with instant credibility. It will allow you the opportunity to speak with individuals who are in the career or works for that particular company. Also make sure you social media sites are accurate and up to date. Most recruiters use LinkedIn, make sure you have a professional picture (Civilian) and that your linkedin profile is crisp and detailed. Make sure Facebook, Instagram or any other site are either private or does not have any derogatory information.

Point 3. Practice interviewing..use your spouse or others to help you with mock interviews. Practice your spill so that it comes across natural and genuine. Most veterans struggle with the interview process, always sit straight in the chair, posture is important. Also, relax..there are stereotypes out there that veterans are rigid and uptight. Make small talk with the interviewer. Research the interviewer prior to the interview if you can..look for their profile on LinkedIn or other Social Media sites. If you research the interviewer, most would think this is impressive and commend you for doing your homework. If you are doing a in office interview and the interviewer has pictures, take note, identify things you can create a conversation with the Interviewer about. If not, you can always ask them about their experience with the company or what the company offered that appealed to them.

Point 4. Remember to always close the interview with the question, what are the next steps? Also do not be afraid to ask for feedback from the interviewer. This is how you know what areas you need to work on and correct for your next interview.

Hope this helps..if anyone has specific questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

I left the USAF in the early 90's, Desert Storm was already starting but the economy was tanking. I had to pretty much start from scratch. I was a Ground Radio Specialist and I left the USAF after six years because I assumed I already had a job lined up for me with Allied Signal as a civilian. When they found out my TS clearance from DOD did not carry over easily to the State Dept. , that was it, my job was also gone. I finally worked my way back to school and got my degree and this helped me eventually work for the UN and corporate America. I felt that my training in the military was lost . Draft a plan on paper and execute, taking baby steps until you reach your goal. Best luck!