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The post military dispersion of personnel is something that intrigues me. For instance, you have 3 guys that have the same rank and job in the military. One guy goes back home and becomes a cop, another guy lands a job at J.P. Morgan, and the last guy gets a job digging ditches.
When I first learned I would be transitioning I polished up my resume, attended SEPS/TAPS as early as possible, put my resume on every job board known to mankind, attended job fairs, spam bombed every USAJob that was hiring in my area, applied for every job I felt I qualified for, and started using leave time for interviews. I started doing all of this a year out. For the first 9 months, no one took me seriously. I would receive phone calls from potential employers who were put-off by the fact I would not be available immediately (the sorrows of being under contract). Despite all of this my search was less than fruitful.
With three months to go on my contract I finally met a few prized allies in my search for employment, Technical Recruiters. After you go to SEPS/TAPS, polish your resume, and decide what you want to do when you grow up; build a Linkedin Profile and start looking for recruiters. Recruiters can help you find a job that best suits your skills and abilities. They are not miracle workers, but they can help alleviate some of the stress about finding a new job after your service. The only caveat is that Recruiters work for and are paid by the companies they are staffing, so at the end of the day they are working with you not for you.
I was fortunate to have 2 job offers with 90 days left on my contract. The first was with an Oil and Gas outfit in Texas and the other with a Manufacturing company in Northern Indiana. I knew that the Oil and Gas industry was all work and no play, so I decided to take less pay and better work/life balance at the manufacturing company as their Safety and Environmental Manager (it helped that the President of the company was a Marine like me).
What steps did you take during your transition that helped you succeed outside the military? What valuable advice would you give to young men and women transitioning from their first career in the service?
Comic Courtesy of Maximillian Uriarte of Terminal Lance @ http://www.terminallance.com
When I first learned I would be transitioning I polished up my resume, attended SEPS/TAPS as early as possible, put my resume on every job board known to mankind, attended job fairs, spam bombed every USAJob that was hiring in my area, applied for every job I felt I qualified for, and started using leave time for interviews. I started doing all of this a year out. For the first 9 months, no one took me seriously. I would receive phone calls from potential employers who were put-off by the fact I would not be available immediately (the sorrows of being under contract). Despite all of this my search was less than fruitful.
With three months to go on my contract I finally met a few prized allies in my search for employment, Technical Recruiters. After you go to SEPS/TAPS, polish your resume, and decide what you want to do when you grow up; build a Linkedin Profile and start looking for recruiters. Recruiters can help you find a job that best suits your skills and abilities. They are not miracle workers, but they can help alleviate some of the stress about finding a new job after your service. The only caveat is that Recruiters work for and are paid by the companies they are staffing, so at the end of the day they are working with you not for you.
I was fortunate to have 2 job offers with 90 days left on my contract. The first was with an Oil and Gas outfit in Texas and the other with a Manufacturing company in Northern Indiana. I knew that the Oil and Gas industry was all work and no play, so I decided to take less pay and better work/life balance at the manufacturing company as their Safety and Environmental Manager (it helped that the President of the company was a Marine like me).
What steps did you take during your transition that helped you succeed outside the military? What valuable advice would you give to young men and women transitioning from their first career in the service?
Comic Courtesy of Maximillian Uriarte of Terminal Lance @ http://www.terminallance.com
Transition
Jobs
Civilian Career
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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One day at a time and keep it all real simple! Be yourself, be honest and never compromise yourself or your beliefs. And for God's sake, maintain a sense of humor!
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
I would recommend going to school after being in the Military. Anyone who doesn't take advantage of the GI Bill for higher education is missing out on an opportunity to improve their career...
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Sgt Dave Knight, "(it helped that the President of the company was a Marine like me)".
Bingo. The personal connection is the thing that gets most of the jobs.
Bingo. The personal connection is the thing that gets most of the jobs.
(4)
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3
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Doing well. Great job excellent benefits. They found me. At the time I was not looking for a job, I was going to stay low and enjoy retirement for a while but I couldn't pass this up.
(3)
(0)
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