Does service in the White House Communications Agency look good on a civilian resume? Will it attract employers and lead to a higher salary?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 10:21:01 -0400

Having WHCA on your resume vs not having it on your resume if you were to leave the military...I'm always thinking ahead of potential outcomes. If I stay in I want to be a 920B:Supply System Technician WO but also thought if I was able to work as a soldier at WHCA how that could benefit me on the civilian side financially. Could that attract employers who will offer a higher salary I'd I didn't work for the WHCA?

Response by COL Randall C. made Jul 28 at 2024 12:41 PM

COL Randall C. — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 12:41:10 -0400

Resumes don't get you jobs. Resumes get you interviews. Interviews get you the job.

Will having the WHCA on your resume get you a job and/or higher salary? Probably not. While it's possible there is an employer that would hire you just because you worked at the WHCA, everyone else won't (an exception might be if you were bringing an extensive 'rolodex' to a business development position as many former senior military leaders do).

Elaborating on the requirements of the job, what functions you were in charge of, unique skills learned, etc. Those are things on a resume that would increase the likelihood of getting an interview.

Saying that you were (hypothetically) responsible to ensure the logistical support to a no-fail worldwide communications mission and elaborating on the specific requirements and notable success of your work experience will probably make no difference to a recruiter if the job was at the WHCA or Verizon.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Jul 29 at 2024 5:52 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 05:52:38 -0400

It won't hurt you but try to align WHCA responsibilities with the civilian position you're applying for.

Response by PO2 Sam Vanderburg made Jul 30 at 2024 1:27 PM

PO2 Sam Vanderburg — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:27:03 -0400

I knew a recording engineer who worked in a professional recording studio, but that is what he trained for and did in the Army. He happened to work in the White House as well. Did it get him a great job? Not in Nashville but he got a good job based on his skills and experience. So it would depend on what you do at the White House.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 31 at 2024 12:46 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:46:20 -0400

Any job experience on your resume can help but you need to know that any duty station or billet won't ring any specific bells unless your hiring manager had some exposure to it. WHCA is not a house hold name and the average person has no clue what it is but you can honestly say that about almost anything/everything from military service. Anything on your resume is only as good as how you connect it to job experience, education and what skillset that shows that you now have because of it.

Response by SSG Tim Newell, PhD made Aug 2 at 2024 8:13 AM

SSG Tim Newell, PhD — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 08:13:57 -0400

To copy COL Randall Cudworth, "Resumes don't get you jobs. Resumes get you interviews. Interviews get you the job." However, I would caveat the rest of COL Cudworth's comment to say... It depends on the prospective employer. Post military, I've been worked as a Government contractor for the last 18 years, and when I interview, prior government service and agencies are one of the things I take note of. As I interview, I very rarely interview for A position... Typically, I'm interviewing for a couple of positions, but I'm also interviewing with an eye for the future - for the candidate as well as my company. If I can make an immediate placement, great. But if this candidate "shows" his or her ability for upwards mobility, I make note of that, and push the new employee to do more, take on more, and help them move up. Depending on the duties @ WHCA, depends on my thoughts/reactions/planning!