Which of the following offerings would be most valuable/helpful in transitioning?

Vikki Nicometo — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:11:01 -0500

Which would be most helpful? (They'd all be free!)
1) A live teleconference in which I'd share the most common mistakes I saw candidates make when I was hiring vets followed by an open Q&A with me
2) A document that gives resume writing advice
3) A video series covering all of the advice I'd give to transitioning military then a 1:1 call with me for Q&A
4) something else?
Remember, they'd be FREE.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 10 at 2016 12:12 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:12:46 -0500

I say all three.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 12:15 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:15:43 -0500

Vikki-To get the most out of this exceptional offer, I'd suggest using a webconference platform (something easily accessible, not Go-To-Meeting) to host a presentation with live forum to follow, then a digital transcript and outline available to registered attendees.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 12:16 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:16:53 -0500

All of the above.

If had to choose got with #1.

Also course should be split between retirees and just people separating. My separation class at JBMDL were useless because most of the class was separating and staying local so course was directed at them.....majority of information was completely useless to me because I was not staying in NJ or it did not apply because I was retiring.

Anyway my biggest suggestion would be separate retirees from non-retirees although we are all veterans the way in which we acclimate into the civilian world is completely different. Next I would say stay away from handouts....they get lost way to easy....electronic media is the way to go with perhaps a central repository for folks to go to and retrieve information as they need it.

I could go on and on ....but those are the highlights.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Feb 10 at 2016 12:18 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:18:02 -0500

I vote for 3 posted on RP or you tube. I am in Iraq, so this option is best when people can't connect in the same time zone.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 12:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:25:23 -0500

I think all three would be great. but in order I'd list them as follows:

1) I personally would prefer #1. I get to listen to you give live advice and then do a Q & A. This lets me ask questions but also hear others ask something I may not have.

2) Similar reasons as #1. I would love being to have a Q&A with someone experienced and that truly wanted to help.

3) I put this one last as I think some of these questions may be covered in 1 & 2.. and also because there are already many sites to go to for this.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 10 at 2016 12:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:30:52 -0500

I like 1, 2 with questions in RP. Another challenger is translating military skills to valuable civilian skills. Thanks Vikki you rock like a hurricane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHQAElxHdHg

Scorpions - Rock You Like a Hurricane

Response by SFC Justin Scott made Feb 10 at 2016 12:36 PM

SFC Justin Scott — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:36:36 -0500

All of the above would be helpful. If you are not already directly connected with them, you should get connected with the Army's Soldier for Life program (formerly ACAP). They offer classes on this type of stuff for transitioning Soldiers, and are continuously looking for members of industry to help make the program better!

Response by TSgt Ryan Lee made Feb 10 at 2016 1:16 PM

TSgt Ryan Lee — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:16:49 -0500

I think all of these topics would be beneficial to transitioning members. I know the biggest one would be resume writing and polishing because that you want that baby to be on point with potential employers to guarantee a phone call.
Something else, I would suggest since I have a friend of mine about to retiree from overseas, have advice for members who will be retiring overseas. How they need to plan their transition differently than members who are retiring stateside. That would probably be very important to know for members who don't know where they would want to live and would probably move to a location that they could find employment. And USAJOBS.GOV is not the one stop shopping for employment.

Response by Vikki Nicometo made Feb 10 at 2016 2:20 PM

Vikki Nicometo — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:20:46 -0500

Thank you all for your input. As I think about this, I think I can do all of these things - not at once, of course, but over the next few months.
I'm thinking I'd start with the teleconference Q&A, then later compile a list of what I think are the best places to get help with your resume, and then later do the video series.
Now another question - if I do the teleconference, what would be the best day of the week and time of day to do it to get the most live callers? (Good news for those who can't be on live - I can record the call and send it to those who couldn't be there.)

Response by CMDCM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 2:45 PM

CMDCM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:45:40 -0500

Number 3

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Feb 10 at 2016 2:48 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:48:44 -0500

They all sound great and very helpful to those transitioning.
Resume writing is huge. Military resume's are different and a resume that is directed towards a particular job or career would be especially helpful.
Oral interview advice would also be very beneficial. When I was hiring folks, those with great interview skills almost always got hired. Interviewing is an acquired skill and everyone could benefit from more interview training.

Response by SFC Russell Shaw made Feb 10 at 2016 3:39 PM

SFC Russell Shaw — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 15:39:39 -0500

I would offer 3 so that people could use the information and go over it a few times. When we are transitioning we have a lot of jargon and habits that we have developed for our lifestyle their not bad habits just different because of the culture. The video series would help us to start moving this new information from the conscious mind to the subconscious mind. It takes time to reprogram the subconscious and with the video series we could begin the transitioning in our mind. This would probably be about a 4 to 6 week process. Then move to the teleconference and according to where people are move to the 1 on 1 process. This approach would get everyone on board faster, their questions would be much more productive and we would understand where and why we are making the mistakes. Heck we might even work on some of the common mistakes and just need to fine tune where we are by then.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Feb 10 at 2016 5:35 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 17:35:08 -0500

For myself I would love to review it on digits if possible. For others I believe a webinar may be best or a combo.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 9:31 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 09:31:19 -0500

If the live teleconference allowed for Q&A as well - that would be the best option in my opinion -or #3. Just anything that allows for transitioning or transitioned vets to have the chance to ask questions and garner feedback.

Vikki - if no one has told you yet, thank you for your generosity and willingness to help our vets.