Have you had multiple jobs since leaving service? What were they?

2017-05-03T12:00:23-04:00

Share your experience finding (and keeping) employment.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2017 12:26 PM

2017-05-03T12:26:02-04:00

Law Enforcement, Retail, Home Loans, and now Auto Insurance Claims.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2017 12:57 PM

2017-05-03T12:57:24-04:00

Plumbing, auto repair, warehouse, retail, carpentry, auto parts manufacturing, railcar maintenance... I even sold hearing aides briefly.. lol

Response by Megan Hnizdo, MBA made May 3 at 2017 2:25 PM

2017-05-03T14:25:01-04:00

Great discussion! I personally have not been in the service but as someone who has had a lot of jobs in a short period of time, here's what I've learned:

DON'T LEAVE A JOB FOR THE FIRST OFFER YOU GET (unless it's your "dream" job or you know you'll be there long term). I've been unhappy in a job and jumped ship at the first offer I got (only to last 3 weeks with the new employer because, surprise, I HATED it). Unless things are really bad and truly unbearable, be picky about your employment. At the end of the day, you are a representation of your company, so believe the work you do as much as you believe in yourself.

Make a truly educated decision before joining a new employer. Ask questions about what is important to you (i.e. work/life balance, benefits, performance expectations, etc). The more "sure" you are of your next career move, the happier you will be.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2017 2:38 PM

2017-05-03T14:38:13-04:00

Only one company so far.
I came back from the war in Jan 2006 and I was extremely lucky to meet with a hiring agency called Aerotek. A few months later Aerotek got me a temp to hire job at an Engineering firm in Portland, Oregon as a CAD drafter. I worked for that company for 10 years and worked my way up from a engineering detailer position to a coordinator/supervisory role. I recently quit back in Dec 2016 due to exhaustion because I was working a lot of overtime (and health issues). I have been unemployed since and just trying to get my head together. I'm not good at resumes or selling my self at job fairs, so a hiring agency like Aerotek was the perfect fit. Plus they did all the leg work to get me an interview. However I must give a huge thanks to SSG Jordan for his character reference, wherever he is now. A military background is a big perk on a resume but having a military reference is absolutely huge. I'm slowly running out of money and will have to return to the workforce soon. I also still need to complete my bachelors degree too so I'm trying to find a job in the evenings.

Advise for keeping employment
The same work ethic from the military applies to the civilian workforce. However do not allow management to exploit your character for weakness. Or allow yourself to be taken advantage of and don't be so willing to do everything. If you are a former junior enlisted you need to learn to break free of that mentality. You have far more say in a civilian job than in the military, do not be afraid to put yourself out there or to challenge leadership decisions. However don't be that guy who brags about their military service or hangs their medals in their cubicle. Be sensitive to your coworkers because you can't pull rank in the corporate world. Also keep your personal views in check, I know a lot prior military who say the craziest shit in front of civilians; a huge no go. Above all else, don't linger in the past, I have seen some vets allow their experiences to eat them up inside. A former battle buddy of mine lost his mind because he could not let go.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2017 3:31 PM

2017-05-03T15:31:13-04:00

Upon retiring I had this vision I would just jump into a field and retire again, well I started off with a Temp Service as an on site personnel manager in a citrus plant, Hated that job. Fork lift driver for a while was promoted to tanker loadout, loaded out tractor trailer tankers with concentrated juice. Decided i needed to be my own boss so I Had my own commercial maint business for 4 years. Way too much self imposed stress. Now I work for Florida Dep of Ag, Citrus. Electronics Tech ..... found a home now for the past 10 Years and im vested in the FRS. so ya another retirement ck one day.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made May 3 at 2017 7:30 PM

2017-05-03T19:30:54-04:00

unfortunately, yes. the first one out, was a temp job that landed me in a hospital with an ulcer. as a temp, we had to work 60 hrs/week (8 hrs/7 days). this job had a high-turn-over rate with temps. my second and currently one, i've been with for the last 6 years...unfortunately, it doesn't pay as well as i'd like.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made May 3 at 2017 11:15 PM

2017-05-03T23:15:24-04:00

Since leaving the military, I've held numerous and varied jobs. Some were temporary to keep a roof overhead until I could find something permanent, some were to gain experience, and some were intended as permanent - and not a one of them was something I ever planned to do.

Employment won't always work out how you expect, but every job gives you experience and other non-monetary benefits. Do your best at whatever you find yourself in, and don't jump in to the first "better" thing that comes along unless you are 110% certain it is your ideal employment & will work out in the long run.

Also, only one or two of my jobs have come from a traditional application & interview process. The majority have been through people who knew somebody was looking to hire. Don't be afraid to reach out.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made May 3 at 2017 11:34 PM

2017-05-03T23:34:07-04:00

IT contractor at SPAWAR San Diego, IT Contractor in Iraq.
Currently working hospital security, which includes TV repair/supply/alarm tech/receptionist and whatever else crops up. It's a small long term care hospital and don't have to deal with any ER wacko's. `

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made May 3 at 2017 11:34 PM

2017-05-03T23:34:22-04:00

I retired in 2012 and started my first job as a contractor aboard the base with range control. Wasn't what I really wanted, but it was work for good pay in the area. The only issue was that the contract was rolled over 3 times to different companies in the year and a half I had the job. After that I moved to my currant location. I had a hard time finding work and took the first job offer. It was a train wreck of a job. I stayed 3 weeks. Right before I quit that job a recruiter contacted me about the job I have now. It has been 3.5 years and all is well.
So in a short answer, 3 in 5 years.

Response by SGT Todd Miller made May 4 at 2017 6:56 AM

2017-05-04T06:56:39-04:00

I was armored cavalry so I worked a lot with heavy machinery in field environments fixing commo equipment. My civilian career mimics my younger military life. I've been a silk screen artist (I liked but didn't pay), electrician, plant electrical engineer, consulting electrical engineer, and OEM electrical engineer. I'm currently unemployed. I wife almost died twice from sepsis over the last year and a half and I did everything I could to save her. I'm hoping to get back to work soon. She has recovered and is doing well. Men should consider what life would be like if they were to become a widow. All of my jobs have come through the newspapers. I have never had any success with recruiters but I keep trying. That would be my advice, just get up everyday and keep trying.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 4 at 2017 9:07 PM

2017-05-04T21:07:12-04:00

SN Vivien Roman-Hampton When I went thru Tap Class when I retired in 97 they said the old days of staying with 1 company the rest of your life are gone. You can expect to change "Occupations" 3 times and work for 5 Companies. Well Navy Crypto Tech, Network Analyst/Network Operations Specialist for Sprint and now Private Security Officer, There is My 3 Occupations. On the 4th Company Navy, H.L. Yoh (Contacted to Sprint), Sprint and Currently Allied Universal Security Services. I can tell you that if Your Over 40 Your Appeal to the Tech World is Non Existent, If You Got a Tech Job Milk it as long as You Can. Private Security is a Great Gig but doesn't Pay that Much unless You are in Management. Have Fun and Enjoy the Adventure that is Life. "Every Day Upright, Sucking Air and Taking Nourishment is a Good Day".