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I am rolling upon 7 months since I separated from the Navy. In that time, I have applied for Federal Law Enforcement, Executive Protection, other federal positions, Local Law Enforcement, and Oil and Gas Industry Jobs. I attended a VA approved course called Battlefields to Oilfields and earned my certification as an HSE Safety Technician tailored to the oil industry. Every job interview (nearly 40 of them) have led nowhere. The hiring managers say that I am too high-speed for anything they have at their company or they laugh at the idea of paying me entry-level, but I don't have the experience to be places directly into upper-level management.
I am going to be attending a VA approved IT certification course next week for my CompTIA A+ certification and hopefully job placement with a company that actually hires veterans, no matter how "big and complex" their resume is.
Background: 13-years in Navy, former Russian Diplomatic Interpreter, B.S. In Interdisciplinary Studies (Math/Physics, Computer Science, & Behavioral Science), nuclear weapons inspector, nuclear power plant decommission monitor, and an NSA analyst). The goal of separating was to have a more stable life with my family (wife and 6 kids) while working in either law enforcement or the oil industry.
Have any of you "overqualified vets" found gainful employment worth sharing? Share your story, please.
I am going to be attending a VA approved IT certification course next week for my CompTIA A+ certification and hopefully job placement with a company that actually hires veterans, no matter how "big and complex" their resume is.
Background: 13-years in Navy, former Russian Diplomatic Interpreter, B.S. In Interdisciplinary Studies (Math/Physics, Computer Science, & Behavioral Science), nuclear weapons inspector, nuclear power plant decommission monitor, and an NSA analyst). The goal of separating was to have a more stable life with my family (wife and 6 kids) while working in either law enforcement or the oil industry.
Have any of you "overqualified vets" found gainful employment worth sharing? Share your story, please.
Posted in these groups: 
Employment
Employment
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 19
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The job market today seems to be "we want your experience, but at bargain basement prices" followed by the "true value of your benefits" pamphlet to show how much they pay for health insurance, etc. If it wasn't for the fact that everything costs money, I'd gladly work for minimum wages, but that just isn't reality. I've been handed the BS line of, "if we hire you we know you'll leave if you get a better offer". I've been told, "we think the commute is too far for you". Personally I think 3/4 of the advertised jobs out there on the web sites and newspapers don't even exist.
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SGT Richard H.
Answer to that last one: "Sir, If the commute was too far, you would never have seen my application. Part of my responsibility is to manage expenses. Mine, AND my employer's"
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SSgt (Join to see)
I think many companies don't understand what veterans can bring to the table. I think they have a lot of negative stereotypes concerning veterans. Many who have never served do not understand what it is that we do and fear they may hire someone with PTSD who will pull a "rambo". Often times supporting the troops is often just a "punchline" or a yellow ribbon sticker on the back of their minivan and the support from them ends there.
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PO1 Mark Mayfield
I put in for a warehouse management position for the army (civilian side), and was told that I was, "outside the area of consideration". Apparently, I was over-qualified for the position because I was an Equipment Operator 1st Class in the Seabees and had too much experience in operations. That made no sense whatsoever. They knew that I was recently retired and no longer deployable.
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1SG Mark Colomb
Most likely the position was not coded for VEOA or VRA and was limited to only current government service civilians. Also if the location recently experienced some type of local RIF (as in a major BRAC move) there could have been a priority placement list that trumps everyone.
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I wish I had a happy story to share. I've been out 8 years and heard the "overqualified" line more times than I can count. The entry-level jobs I have been able to attain all turned out to be dead ends, nothing but glowing reviews and promises of a promotion that never came true. I honestly believe that civilian managers are intimidated by hard charging vets and fear losing their job to one.
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PO1 Sheldon Martin
So true Tony, You know what is in question? The integrity of some civilian employers and USA jobs web site. Every person you talk to says "thank you for your service". How about thinking all of us with a decent paying Job.
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PO1 Sheldon Martin
I think as veterans we need to get our voice out there. This is so sad but so true, what has happen to those who have served.I think we all need to get pro-active. There should be a official web site that veteran can go to for a job. Every veteran organization so far is a bunch of bull ....
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I have experienced a lot of what you are going through myself. It took me a good seven months or so to land a good job with my current company. Not having my Bachelors yet made my search last longer than I expected but I am almost done with it now by enrolling while working.
What I found is that the "veteran friendly" companies out there are just saying that so they get some check in the box. Maybe they hire one or two just to say that they have. I also fear that there could be a stigma to being a veteran like anger issues and all of that nonsense.
The method I got my current job was a little unconventional I would say. I was originally denied because the hiring manager found someone who was a better fit or better qualified for the position without even interviewing me so I sent the recruiter a tactful yet nasty email asking how they would know that if they didn't give everyone the same fair chance. Two weeks later I have a job at the company. Just keep at it and be assertive!
What I found is that the "veteran friendly" companies out there are just saying that so they get some check in the box. Maybe they hire one or two just to say that they have. I also fear that there could be a stigma to being a veteran like anger issues and all of that nonsense.
The method I got my current job was a little unconventional I would say. I was originally denied because the hiring manager found someone who was a better fit or better qualified for the position without even interviewing me so I sent the recruiter a tactful yet nasty email asking how they would know that if they didn't give everyone the same fair chance. Two weeks later I have a job at the company. Just keep at it and be assertive!
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TSgt Jonathan Watson
I had to sandbag my resumes and go for lower positions and work my way up from there. It's definitely not an easy road
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