I plan on getting out in 2018. What is the job market looking like right now?

2017-03-05T00:20:22-05:00

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 5 at 2017 12:25 AM

2017-03-05T00:25:13-05:00

depending on where you retire and what you have for skills it is Not Bad...

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Mar 5 at 2017 12:55 AM

2017-03-05T00:55:35-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member There are many jobs out there but the skills and experience are what employers are going to look for. You will have to build a strong resume to where an employer can understand what you can bring to the table and for them to understand what you have done in the Army. The main thing is to read your resume as if you were the one who hires. Ask yourself if he/she will understand what is on the resume. Word of advice, don't use military jargon because that will confuse them. You will learn this in SFL-TAP.

The job market out in the Pacific Northwest has a lot of opportunities. At times, it's who you know that can provide a strong recommendation for you to get hired. I'm sure the area you want to retire at is not bad itself. It remains on you on how best you can market yourself and how competitive you are against competition. Degree, experience to how well you can sell and convince the employer you are the right fit for their company. Good place to look is USAJOBS.GOV if you are wanting to stay federal. Do try militaryonesource.com too for jobs in your area.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Mar 5 at 2017 1:02 AM

2017-03-05T01:02:07-05:00

If you have a degree, you're more likely to be able to find something. The civilian equivalence of signal jobs are all in pretty high demand but the problem is finding an employer who speaks Army. As such, the college degree can easily make or break your chance at certain jobs.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2017 1:54 AM

2017-03-05T01:54:07-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member I recommend that you join LinkedIn which is a great website for job seekers. Once a member, fill out your profile with a profile picture in a civilian suit. Look at other profiles to get an idea of what items to list. Create a Summary that lists your career goals and your transition date. I see that you are working on an Associates degree. That is good. Do you have the skills/education and experience for the job that you will be seeking? Join the LinkedIn group "Veteran Mentor Network." This group has many folks that will assist you with your transition. Looking at your profile, I know that you will be a success at whatever path you take. Good luck!

Response by CW2 Donald Kempf made Mar 5 at 2017 10:03 AM

2017-03-05T10:03:40-05:00

The job market varies regionally and on your qualifications. I'm living in the Austin TX area and the job market here seems to be thriving. The down side is that there is also a lot of competition for affordable housing.

More than anything, what skills are you bringing to the table?

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Mar 5 at 2017 10:43 AM

2017-03-05T10:43:53-05:00

A couple of tips for you. Looking at your profile and your comment on IT Certs to me says you want to get into networking and network management. My Brother is in that field now and has had no problem with jobs. As I have told my younger brother repeatedly, if you like network management then by all means stay there but in my view computer programming, packaged software configuration and customization (like SAP) will offer you more money and I think better job conditions. In the computer programming sphere and especially in the packaged software area, talent is becomming so scarce / expensive they now offer work at home positions. So if you go that route than mention your OK with a work at home position in your resume or interview. Even though I work in Dallas I have a choice of employers via work at home in MN, IA, CA, NY, NJ, IL, DC etc. Via the technology of secure VPN's and routers. They only have a requirement that I fly in to the jobsite maybe a week a month or a week a quarter depending on the demands of the project. So if you switch to work at home (remote worker). Employer doesn't care where you live as long as your near an airport and they have Texas at the top of their list because of starting salaries.

If you want to stay in network management, thats OK as well not sure exactly where Killeen is in relation to Dallas or Austin but those are your two technical hubs that would present jobs for you. Being ex-Army if you can't get work at Ft. Hood in your area, keep in mind that AAFES is also HQ'd in South Dallas and it is like a Fed job in many ways and offers special pay rates for IT as well. One benefit of AAFES HQ is your comingled with uniform Army but most importantly uniformed USAF....so you get the cushy bene's like full service bar at the HQ. Anyhow, Ft. Hood and Waco might also have network management opportunities. Jobs have always been available in IT since the last down turn of 2001-2002 and they were still available then just had to sit on the bench longer between jobs. I have never been unemployed longer than 4 months in IT. Some of the unemployment stretches I saw comming but waited for the axe and seperation package. IT has always been strong in Texas though even with the outsourcing and ripoff of jobs by India (unless President Trump changes it the Indian outsourcing firms will cost you your job more than once if your employed outside the Federal space). So beware of that and keep your resume current. No stigma to losing your job via layoff via hiring firms most expect it a few times. So if it happens to you, don't internalize the loss, just move on to the next job as it is usually a better one in IT.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Mar 5 at 2017 11:25 AM

2017-03-05T11:25:13-05:00

Retiring? ETSing? Reason I ask is because it would be helpful if you had a pension to pad your future income. I would say the job market is promising to you. Of course it depends on your MOS, education, and drive to be successful.
I feel that the Trump administration will yield a healthy job market as early indications of that are trending. Start now setting up your exit strategy and no one says that you can not interview for a position while still in uniform. If you are interested in continuing government work the USAJOBS site is excellent and will eventually gain you a decent job. Good luck Warrior!

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2017 11:29 AM

2017-03-05T11:29:45-05:00

Varies on the sector and location... What are you looking to get into and where at?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Mar 5 at 2017 1:24 PM

2017-03-05T13:24:50-05:00

Brother, I'm telling you, as close as you are to 20, you're going to regret not getting there in a few years. I highly recommend sticking it out. Nothing wrong with getting, what? 40k/year? For the rest of your life.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 5 at 2017 2:54 PM

2017-03-05T14:54:07-05:00

What do you plan on doing, do you have civilian certifications to back that up? Build a resume that is civilian centric and not full of military jargon. Study the company you wish to work for, know what they do and how they do it. Practice interviewing, the market is both good and bad depending on where and what you want to do. Know that before you get out. If you are going back to Depression Gulch, Anywhere USA. Don't try to get a $100K a year job. If you are going to major city, know the market for housing , and cost of living. Price that in when you are negotiating your future income. Keep in mind your healthcare costs not just for you, but everyone else. Look at the total package.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Mar 6 at 2017 8:22 AM

2017-03-06T08:22:21-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member - the location of where you plan to settle down plays a role in the job market as well. Personally, I went from doing IT in the military to doing IT out here in Pittsburgh, PA. The market has been up and down but is okay; at least here in Pittsburgh.

May I also suggest you look into the Staffing Industry for help as well finding a job. Most of my work as been as a W2 contractor through staffing firms. I did do a small bit of time as a 1099 contractor and hated it but some people love it.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Mar 6 at 2017 1:00 PM

2017-03-06T13:00:51-05:00

Job market conditions can be averaged over the economy; however, the real key is location. Where I am in the Twin Cities, is generally pretty good in terms of current and future outlook, but not all areas are the same. Start with the location of where you're going, and find job data there.
Good luck.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Mar 9 at 2017 4:18 PM

2017-03-09T16:18:25-05:00

A lot of it will depend on the city, state, and industry. Would you learn a new skill/certification/degree to be at the location that you want? or Would you go where you have the skills/experience/contacts thanks to army training, assignments and connections you have?

I did see on a post that you would like to stay in Texas. Narrow it down to the city and go visit the Chamber of Commerce to get an intel of the industries. Also check if the city has an Economic Development Corporation. Anchorage has one and publishes data on job markets; the good the bad and the ugly.

Best of luck SSG Cameron Rose

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 1:48 AM

2017-03-14T01:48:54-04:00

Unless you have your Twenty-Year letter, I strongly urge you not to get out. That letter is worth its weight in gold.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2018 1:54 PM

2018-01-29T13:54:09-05:00

Get all the IT certs you can get you hands on Steve Durgin has an IT apprenticeship program for transitioning vets. The IT industry will continue to explode for years to come. That and Medical are the top fields in my book. Look up Steve's organization, Victory for Veterans. https://victoryforveterans.org/

Home - Victory for Veterans

Serving Veterans in need - One Veteran at a time!

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jan 29 at 2018 2:05 PM

2018-01-29T14:05:50-05:00

I don't know about the rest of the job market, but the company I work for happens to have some positions open. http://www.sentrillion.com/careers/find-a-career/

Find a Career in Enterprise Security Solutions | Sentrillion

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Response by PO3 Jacob Jenkins made Jan 29 at 2018 2:51 PM

2018-01-29T14:51:51-05:00

Hey Brother, I don’t want to come off as a sales guy cause I am not. If you are interested in going into IT or more specifically (network engineering) I’d be happy to chat with you. My father and I started a Vet IT Program to help guys transition into the Network engineering industry. We have almost 100 other vets across the country in and getting hired already. I can connect you with them as well if you want their point of view. Let me know I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have. Goodluck Brother! I know the transition is exciting and scary at the same time!

Response by SGT Ty Henderson made Jan 29 at 2018 10:33 PM

2018-01-29T22:33:05-05:00

From what I can see, the job market looks favorable for a lot of different sectors. I don't know what your timing is like but check out Williams and see if there may be an opportunity for you. https://jobs.williams.com/

Jobs at Williams

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