What is the #1 show stopper for employment for someone who is retired?

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 10:53:16 -0400

Meaning why were they not picked over the next applicant. I talk to a lot of senior enlisted who have recently retired and find that because they did not pursue their education while serving it is limiting them to employment.

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 18 at 2014 8:17 PM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 20:17:07 -0400

MSGT,

I believe you hit the nail on the head for many of us old "Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Seamen," we focused on doing our jobs and training our subordinates and not on furthering our own educations during our careers. I myself didn't start even thinking about it until I was into my transition time towards retirement and realized I needed a degree for any real job within the government or civilian sector. I have completed my BA 3 years after retirement, and am now working towards my MA.

I also think that even though it isn't as publicized the age factor is there as well, but it is hard to prove as most companies can just say they went a different direction, meaning they wanted someone younger.

Thanks for sharing and posting.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2014 1:23 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 13:23:26 -0400

I was also told by a HR that many companies still age profile, even though it is illegal. I was also told they do like like to hire senior enlisted because they feel that they would have to pay them more for thier years of experience when they can get a fresh kid from college and mold them the way they wnat and not have to pay him/her as much.

Do not list dates of when you graduated on resume. I also have witnessed some skeptism about Marine's will frighten employee's by yelling at them or intimidation. I had a retired navy chief in charge of the IT department at a school district. QUOTE " You know if we hire you, you can't yell at the other employee's like a drill sergeant, and do you think you would be all right around children?"

Response by Capt Christian Olson made Jul 24 at 2014 12:52 AM

Capt Christian Olson — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 00:52:56 -0400

I do not think there is a #1 barrier. It is a mixture of many variables that I am sure you are familiar with.
I would recommend doing all you can to make sure you are employable as that is the only thing you can control. My recommnedations, not in any order:

1- Education and certifications that mean things in the civilian world (6 Sigma, LEAN, PMP ect.). If you do not have a degree, then get valued certifications in the industry you want to enter. If you do not know what that industry is, then get your PMP, Six Sigma Black Belt, LEAN. These certs are valued in all industries and are particularly valued in operations positions. I believe you can use the GI Bill for both the courses and certification exams.
2- Well polished resume and interview skills. Get a recruiter to scrub your resume and drill you on interviewing. This is critical.
3- Get a recruiter or a recruiting firm. Get several of them. Get recruiters in industries you want to enter and those that are generalists. They have access to hiring managers and HR departments that you do not have access to.
4- Network, network, network. When you are done, then network more. You have to be a salesman for yourself.
5- Be patient. It takes 6-9 months to get an A+ job. You have to put in a full day of work every day in those months looking for a job. Recruiters can help in this!!! If you are going on 3 months and no interviews, I would seriously re-eval your strategy.
6- When interviewing, I have noticed that some fresh vets do not have a clear answer to simple questions as what do you want to do? Understandable, I had terrible aswers for that when asked as I went through the transition process. It really lets the air out of the ballon when someone cannot answer that question.