How many letters of recommendations should one try to get before ETS'ing? Or does it matter who the letter is written by?

2017-01-15T21:37:11-05:00

This is for optaining civillian work of course. Just curious to what some people have done to better their chances at getting a job after the military.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2017 10:10 PM

2017-01-15T22:10:13-05:00

Connect with them and ask for endorsements on LinkedIn (or Rallypoint).
Ensure you have a professional LinkedIn profile and resume and a clean up overall social media profile.
Find a way to actively work on whatever it is you want to be doing in your career. Enhance your social media profile. Blog, podcast, vlog, and/or get active in forums related to your interests and career goals.

For example, I get a lot of profile views due to the types of questions I ask on Rallypoint and other forums. Let your passion(s) bleed over the table every once in a while.

Last thing, use more tags for this - "Career Advice", "Transition", "Civilian Career", and "resume" seem most applicable.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Jan 15 at 2017 11:44 PM

2017-01-15T23:44:51-05:00

Work harder than your peers every day, Insure that your uniform is starched and buy jump boots and spit shine the toe section. Be respectful of those above AND below you in rank.

Your 1st Sergeant is a good source for commendations. Of course, the CO would be even better but a letter of recommendation from the BN Commander would be the best of all. Rest assured, the BN Commander will have checked with your CO and maybe, even your 1at Sergeant.

Pay attention to detail. Make sure your gig line is straight. Get your cover on and off as necessary. If you see any litter on the ground pick it up. Keep your bunk straight and your footlocker in the correct order. You will get noticed, and not like the "snowflakes" that are enlisting.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2017 2:02 AM

2017-01-16T02:02:19-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I agree with SGT Private RallyPoint Member. Create a professional profile on LinkedIn. Join the LinkedIn group, "Veteran Mentor Network." This group can help with your job search. Have a great resume that is tailored for the job that you are seeking. When I was discharged, I interviewed for a chemical plant job with one hundred others. I landed the job because I had an outstanding resume and knew about the company. I was better prepared than the other applicants. When I obtained my degree, I went to work on the Space Shuttle program. I was hired because I was better prepared than the other applicants. I had a solid resume, sharply dressed, and was extremely prepared during the interview phase. preparation is the key to obtaining the job that you want. Best of luck.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jan 16 at 2017 9:23 AM

2017-01-16T09:23:49-05:00

I've been working in the employment sphere for a little over a year now. It isn't my "bill paying" job, but thanks to some great people, I have had the great pleasure of speaking to both Veterans and employers concerning new transitioning Veterans and civilian employment so please allow me to share my thoughts.

First, like others have said, build yourself a professional profile on LinkedIn. LinkedIn has a great program for Veterans where they will give you a 1-year Premium subscription for FREE. Take advantage of this program. More information on this program can be be found here:

https://linkedinforgood.linkedin.com/programs/veterans/premiumform

When you build your profile, give it the time it needs. Think about what you are putting out there. You don't want to use a picture of you at the bar that a friend took while you are downing a beer or something crazy.

And along those lines, give your resume the time it deserves. You do not write a resume, you craft one. A good resume is something you throw together and hope it works, a great resume is one that works for you by helping you communicate your skills and experiences effectively for the civilian work space. Use your DA638s, 4187s, DD214 and other forms to help pull out examples of what you done and how those skills are valuable to the employer. Remember, that while employers respect what you have you done, at the end of the day, they are more concerned as to the why over the what when it comes to your awards and stuff.

Another great thing, which you have started here is ask, ask, and ask again. Remember, there have been thousands of people in your exact shoes and we will have taken different paths and gain different insights. Having the ability to draw from that is amazing, so if you have questions, ask. No question is dumb. Heck, I took the time once to show a Veteran how to tie a tie because while he was in the Army he only wore a clip on tie.

Going back to your original question, the letters are really only good for that first job. Now, if you get out and find your dream job right off the bat that is awesome and congrats to you but just remember, as you continue to develop your skills, your references should grow. Calling upon someone to be a professional reference 10 years after the fact is not a good idea. Also, make sure your references know you are using them. Don't leave them out in the blind.

I hope you find some of my comments insight and are able to figure out a path based on not only what I said, but from the collective bank of knowledge here on this thread. And, if you have any questions or comments that you would like me to address, feel free to contact me here on RallyPoint! Best of luck to you on your transition, remember, it's not a sprint it's a marathon.

LinkedIn for Good | LinkedIn Veteran Subscription

As part of LinkedIn for Good's commitment to connect veterans withopportunity, LinkedIn offers U.S. service members and veterans a freeone-year Job Seeker Career Premium subscription.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jan 17 at 2017 3:54 AM

2017-01-17T03:54:35-05:00

Agree with the linkedIn advice. If your going to college some of your Infantry skills transfer beyond Phy Ed. Map reading = Geography 101 or 102 each worth 5 Science Credits. Meterology 101, a Science elective but reading an isobar chart same concept as Topo Map. Getting a job, while your in see if you can spread your wings a little. See if you can work in the Arms Room, update Arms Room policy, see if you can help out Training NCO with range reservations and setup. Have you driven a 2.5 or 5 ton truck? That might be enough to get you looked at for a truck driving job. The leadership stuff even if you think it does not apply does apply. Would be great if on your resume you could say in the Army section and give examples where you were in leadership positions, helped write policy (documentation), and also was still able to work as a team member. Employers like to see flexibility and that you helped out those trying to lead the company (1SG and CO). You can do that in an Infantry company. Also if your going to tech school or college you can pick any major and be successful in it and then it really does not matter a whole lot what you did in the Army.

Back in the 1980's after I ETS'd employers really did not want to see letter of recommendation from the Army, they were more concerned on what I did in the Army that was transferrable. If you have a LinkedIn profile though endorsements help your profile be visible to Recruiters. A well written LyncdIN profile will help you in any job search.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jan 17 at 2017 3:12 PM

2017-01-17T15:12:28-05:00

Well I got precisely zero letters of recommendation when I got out. What I did though was branch out and get good solid references that I could add to my resume. That being said though, to answer your 2nd question, I tried to get as high up on the food chain as possible for my references. I was using MSgts and Gunnys, but I made sure all of them knew me well enough that if someone called them they wouldn't say "Who?". So you do want people who can attest to your work ethic, but like they say rank has privileges, so who would look better on paper.