The good ol boys club.

SPC Daniel Macedo — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 17:31:52 -0400

What gives. what happened to being able to get a job on what you could do not who you know. This shit is ridiculous. I definitely have some buyers remorse about leaving the army.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jun 11 at 2014 5:34 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 17:34:42 -0400

Networking is key to gaining employment...not ridiculous, it's reality.

Response by SSG Daniel Rosploch made Jun 11 at 2014 7:43 PM

SSG Daniel Rosploch — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 19:43:14 -0400

Getting a job on what you can do is easy. But what can you do that fits within what a company wants? Being a mechanic in the Army does not in any way qualify you to be a mechanic in a civilian auto shop. You need to be at a minimum ASE certified for that. As far as being a combat engineer, unless you have valid certifications in the civilian sector, your job skills basically transfer over to being a general construction worker, and those are seasonal as well as economy-based jobs. It all boils down to having the skills that a company is looking for and having the solid proof to back up your claims of those skills.

If a guy came to me and said he knew how to weld, I hire him and then it turns out he welded a little in high school shop class and couldn't tell me the difference between flux core and gas-shielded MIG welding, I would kick myself in the ass for not asking to see his certifications. Get the certifications that match the job you want and you will see the results of what you can do.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Jun 11 at 2014 9:44 PM

1SG David Niles — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 21:44:20 -0400

Here is my philosophy/opinion on this.

I would rather hire/promote someone that I know, someone who knows me and what I expect in an employee then hire someone that I don't. This is not because I have any issues with those that I don't know, it is because it is so hard to unhire/Fire someone now days,especially in state/federal service. If I have those that I don't want to hire/promote then I look to the outside/unknown. This has burnt me and my employer in the past, people can do a good interview, they can work hard until probation/trial service is up. Low and behold, once they become permanent and under the contract, they turn into shit bags and it takes and act of congress to get rid of them. That is the reality. I would take a service member/ veteran over a non, but service-members/veterans does not guarantee a good employee, but it does help. So don't call it GOOD OL BOY, call it networking and work it. There is resources right here, there is resources at LINKedIn as well. Use them, connect to old military buddies and get on USAJOBs and your state job website. You will get there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 10:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:58:50 -0400

Networking is absolutely key in finding a job! I actually met the Western Hemisphere director of homeland security on a flight while on a mid-tour leave and he offered me a job on the spot. I turned it down after some serious thinking. Essentially because I wasn't finished with my degree and wanted to ensure I was marketable if things didn't work for whatever reason. And now I have a indef contract with the Army that I love!

Response by COL Randall C. made Jun 12 at 2014 9:53 AM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 09:53:56 -0400

SPC Macedo,

Since you might be new to job networking, here are a few things to get you started.

First and foremost: have a conversation with yourself and honestly identify your strengths, unique attributes, and any other positives. These can be skills, character attributes, education, etc. The list goes on. The key is that these are what are going to set you apart.

Don't forget to build out your public profile with the information that you want others to see as well (for instance, all I can tell about you at first glance is that you live in Las Cruces, were an Army E4, deployed to OEF, and worked for four months fueling planes at Southwest). Based on that, I would never give you a second glance unless there were some other reason ... such as a recommendation from someone in my network (possibly they are overlapping with folks in your network).

Second: Connect, connect, connect. I'm not talking about the "Facebook Connect" syndrome where you're racing to see how many complete strangers you can connect with so you can get a +1, but rather connect with those that share those strengths or background you identified. RallyPoint and other targeted social media sites are an absolutely right step in that direction.

Third: GET INVOLVED! After you've been on here a while, you'll start to get a feel for others just based on conversations you observe or are having with them (I can still consider myself a RP newbie, but already am building an informal network of individuals that way).

Response by MSG Sean Milhauser made Jun 13 at 2014 1:13 PM

MSG Sean Milhauser — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 13:13:17 -0400

The reality is, that is how some civilian companies do their hiring (and in some cases firing or laying off). Especially small companies in small towns. Bosses in some cases will hire family members, friends, friends of friends or family members of friends. If times are tough, the boss is going to lay off someone and they have to choose between their nephew, or you, well you can guess how that is going to go. In some cases they will do that even if you may be more qualified for the job.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 13 at 2014 1:17 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 13:17:40 -0400

Las Cruces is not too far from Fort Bliss....I suggest you check out the Soldier for Life Program...I am including a link thaqt will take you right to the "veterans" page:

http://soldierforlife.army.mil/retirement/veterans.html

also, here's another link from a story last month that ran in the Army Times:

http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140510/NEWS/305100028/Soldier-Life-program-targets-transitioning-soldiers

You are part of a huge network (good ol boys club!)

Response by MSG Sean Milhauser made Jun 13 at 2014 1:19 PM

MSG Sean Milhauser — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 13:19:22 -0400

In regards to networking, however, many leaders have posted some great advice on here. Networking is not the same as a "Good ol' Boys club". It is about meeting and getting to know as many people as you can. Use professional social media (such as this site, or LinkedIn for example) to make a professional web presence and meet (virtually at least) other people whom share your professional goals or careers you may be interested in. Maybe even a few people who don't, because they may know someone that knows someone in a company or career field you are working to get into that can possibly help you. And in turn, maybe in the future you can help them.

Response by MSG Sean Milhauser made Jun 13 at 2014 1:26 PM

MSG Sean Milhauser — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 13:26:54 -0400

Also, I would recommend joining an organization for fellow veterans such as the VFW, American Legion, etc. They have resources to assist veterans in employment, education, etc. And you can meet other veterans and network there also. You don't necessarily have to attend every meeting, etc. but it can help with networking as well.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 8:32 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:32:00 -0400

According to some reports, up to 80% of job openings are not advertised. Networking is key to finding these job openings. In my mind, the second step, after build your resume, is to examine your network. It's called mapping your network and their are many articles on it online. The gist is that you need to identify the connectors in your network, people who will introduce you to others. Shoot your resume out to people in your network. I am sure someone will know a friend of a friend who can point you in the right direction.