Barriers to Employment

SSG Trevor S. — Sat, 31 May 2014 23:09:03 -0400

I just ran across a particular barrier to employment I was unprepared for. I did get the job offer, and I am running through pre-employment processing. I wanted to share with fellow vets and also start a discussion for others to share and learn from.
I was asked point blank, "Will you leave us for a $90,000 / yr contracting job as soon as it is offered?"
I had to think fast because ACAP does not prepare you for this. My answer was, "If you treat me right, and give me a clear path to advancement you will benefit from my tendency to be loyal."
While I hope this helps others in their search I would like you all to share the knowledge you have gained and steps to overcome barriers to employment you have faced that you may not have expected to be present.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2014 11:11 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 May 2014 23:11:54 -0400

Good answer!!!

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 1 at 2014 12:24 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:24:11 -0400

I generally respond to such questions (in their many forms) with "I would't leave an employer due to compensation, unless it was an over 20% increase."

This may lose me a particular job, but only if they are intentionally offering me below market.

Response by SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh made Jun 1 at 2014 1:54 AM

SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 01:54:42 -0400

Now granted I don't have a lot of job hunting experience but to me that pops a big red flag. Why would a company ask a question like that? Have they had problems retaining people? My take is people typically stay with an organization where they are treated well and compensated fairly. Does this company fail in one or both of these areas?

Thanks for sharing this SSG Smith. It's definitely a question I would not have been prepared for before reading your post.

Response by SFC Laura Whitehead made Jun 1 at 2014 2:13 AM

SFC Laura Whitehead — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 02:13:05 -0400

Before any interview it is good to review a site about behavioral interview questions. You can get an idea about the type of questions you may be asked and how to prepare for them. Kind of like a Soldier of the Year Board.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Jun 1 at 2014 2:29 AM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 02:29:53 -0400

That good sir is an awesome answer.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jun 27 at 2014 4:07 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 16:07:57 -0400

I recently received this and thought it worthwhile pushing to the community at large:

Do you know a veteran or servicemember who is transitioning from the military to the civilian sector? Or do you have a friend or colleague who is looking for a job? If so, here is your chance to help. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate for veterans is unusually high.

The best way to get in the door of an employer is through referrals, and not by blindly responding to posted job opportunities. Just ask yourself that if you were looking for someone to join your team who would you look at more - a person who responded to a posting that you created, or a trusted colleague or friend who referred them.

Military-to-Civilian Transitioners (Largest LinkedIn Military-related Open Group) has over 11,400 members and 250+ actiive discusiions. Though the site was originally intended for transitioning military veterans, it has increasingly attracted a lot of other job seekers.

Over 10% of the group members are recruiters or HR professionals. Why? Because they can both post their jobs for FREE and respond to members seeking help or employment.

If you are not presently a member of LinkedIn.com, you will need to create a user profile on LinkedIn first before you can join this group. Membership is FREE.

To join this group for FREE, go to: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?groupDashboard=&gid=1870541

Regards,

Bret Hollander, Former Transition Assistance Program Instructor | Military Veteran

Statistics about Military-to-Civilian Transitioners | LinkedIn

When you join a group, other members will be able to see your profile and message you. The group logo will be visible on your profile unless you change that setting.

Response by CPO Christopher Chumbley made Aug 6 at 2014 5:03 PM

CPO Christopher Chumbley — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 17:03:20 -0400

I think your answer to the question was very good. I have been asked the same question in many interviews. I have a degree in Computer Science and specialize in information security as well as systems/network engineering and architecture. The reason that employers ask that question is that there are people out there that hop from job to job whenever something more appealing to them comes along. The employer then has to scramble to hire a replacement and eat the time and money that it costs them for the new hire to ramp up the learning curve. My answer to the question is pretty close to yours. I tell them that I place a very high value on Honor. If I sign on to work on a project that will take a year to complete then I will stick around at least until the project is complete as long as they are honorable in their treatment of me. I am also an ethical and loyal person.I will only work for ethical people and companies. I have quit a job before because I found out that the company was defrauding our customer, (while notifying the appropriate authorities of course.) I am loyal to my employers but unfortunately it has been my experience that employers are have little to no loyalty to those that work for them any more. I have been an independent consultant for the last few years and have enjoyed it but is very risky. You have to maintain your reputation and market yourself. You also have to plan for the lean times when you are between contracts. Having no money coming in sucks and you still have to put in long hours looking for new work and keeping you skill set up to date.

Response by SrA Joshua Hagler made Feb 4 at 2015 9:06 PM

SrA Joshua Hagler — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:06:31 -0500

I wish I was offered something like that. I get turned down a lot and the jobs that are "interested " in me do not offer very good wages.

Response by CPL Deanna Green (Parkinson) made Aug 23 at 2016 1:32 PM

CPL Deanna Green (Parkinson) — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:32:42 -0400

I have worked in the civilian world for many years, both pre and post military service. It never ceases to amaze me some of the questions asked, no matter how inappropriate or illegal. The bottom line is the risk factor of how you are going to answer the question. I believe that it is always a crapshoot in how you answer. They are human, and everyone of them will take it a different way. Of course telling the hiring manager that it was an inappropriate question will be the fast track out the door with no offer...