Hiring Our Heroes Event – Columbus, GA

Join us Thursday, September 11, 2014 from 10:00am to 1:00pm for a job fair for veteran job seekers, active duty military members, guard and reserve members, and military spouses at the Goodwill Industries, 2601 Cross Country Drive Columbus, GA 31906.

This event will be a one-of-a-kind FREE hiring fair for both employers and job seekers.

This University of Phoenix sponsored hiring event is being conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, the Department of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion, the Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment & Training Service (DOL VETS), the Georgia Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development, NBC News, and other local partners.

A workshop for veterans and other military job seekers that focuses on resume writing, tips for successfully navigating hiring fairs, military skill translation, and interviewing will start at 8:30 a.m.

Hiring Our Heroes – Columbus GA
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers
2601 Cross Country Drive
Columbus, GA 31906
Thursday, September 11, 2014

For registration and details, please visit: http://www.cvent.com/events/hiring-our-heroes-columbus-ga/event-summary-7cec6a505e0d4ffcafbe819d82c118ba.aspx

How to Repackage Military Skills on a Resume to Attract Civilian Employers

http://www.careerattraction.com/how-to-repackage-military-skills-on-a-resume-to-attract-civilian-employers/

We’ve all heard that unemployment is a serious problem in the U.S. However, for our country’s servicemen and women who are in the process of transitioning out of the military to resume their lives in the civilian world, the situation is worse.

With July 2013 unemployment numbers showing 7.7% for post 9/11 veterans (above the national average of 7.4%), military veterans continue to struggle to find jobs. But in addition to entering or re-entering a really tight job market, they also face the added challenge of positioning their military skills and experience onto a resume that gets the attention of civilian employers.

For example, someone who served as a gunner’s mate—responsible for operating and maintaining missile launching systems, rocket launchers and other ordnance systems and equipment—would probably have a tough time describing how their skills could benefit a prospective employer.

Yet if you think about it, a gunner’s mate has to be analytic and detail-oriented. They need to be problem-solvers, strategic thinkers and good at training and supervising crews. In addition, the job demands a high comfort level with operating and maintaining machinery. All of these skills are easily transferable to today’s job market and desired by many employers.

So the challenge, then, becomes figuring out how to extract the desirable experience and qualifications gained in the military and repackage them to impress prospective employers.

 

What Skills Are Employers Looking For?

The first question to answer when applying for a position is: How can I make this employer see and believe that I have the skills to fill this position and bring value to the company, especially as a result of my time in the service?

The answer will depend on the kind of position you’re applying for and the specific skills required for that job. For example, the gunner’s mate mentioned earlier–or sailors who served on ships or submarines–could talk about their mechanical and technical talents and their ability to learn quickly how machinery and mechanical systems work.

Another example may be technicians trained in radar systems, high tech communications or cryptography, who could cite that experience and relate it to today’s information and digital technology. Personnel involved in military recruiting, training and public affairs can easily adapt their communications, organization and management skills to the civilian world of sales and marketing positions, public relations, trade associations and non-profit organizations. And service members involved in construction, welding, electrical work or facility maintenance and repair services can describe how their experience gave them specific knowledge and skills that would be useful in the building trades, repair and installation work and plant maintenance.

The point is to make the job application and resume stand out from the crowd by communicating how your military experience and past employment history can be of value in fulfilling the company’s needs and the requirements of the position.

 

What Qualities Do Employers Look For in Candidates?

In addition to work experience, there are personality traits that many employers also desire. Traits associated with military veterans—such as being responsible, disciplined, dedicated and hardworking—are highly desired by employers. (Click here to tweet this thought.)

A quick review of classified ads and online job sites reveals some of the general character traits and attitudes employers are seeking in job applicants. Here are some key phrases frequently seen in job descriptions and ways you can use them in your application, resume or interview:

• Hardworking, motivated – Highlight examples of a strong work ethic and the desire to succeed.
• Disciplined, reliable – Communicate that you are serious about the job, are willing to do what needs to be done and will follow through even when faced with setbacks.
• Team player – Convey that you are able to work cooperatively with coworkers, follow direction and also lead the team when called upon.
• Can-do attitude – Display self-confidence and a positive attitude in presenting your skills and experience and answering any question.

Ask any employer, and they’ll tell you that a positive attitude, honesty, integrity, commitment and a willingness to do what it takes to perform the job well are major factors in their hiring decisions. Whether it’s in sales, construction, manufacturing, technology or any other industry, knowing how to position your skills and experience, combined with a great attitude, can help land you on an employer’s hiring shortlist.

Resources for Veterans

Combined Insurance is committed to helping veterans transition into the civilian workforce. We work closely with the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), a partnership among the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.

TAP was established to meet the needs of servicemen and women transitioning out of the military and into civilian life by offering job search assistance and workshops, support and counsel. Combined Insurance participates in TAP classes to help transitioning servicemen and women translate their military experience, re-purpose their skills and revise their resumes to help make them more attractive to civilian employers.

We consider it an honor and privilege to serve those who have served our country. Be sure to watch for upcoming posts, where we’ll discuss choosing a career and brushing up on interview skills.

Peter Leighton is Senior Vice President of Recruiting for Combined Insurance, a leading provider of individual supplemental insurance products and part of the ACE Group of Companies. Combined Insurance is a participant in several military veteran career recruitment programs and plans to hire 1,000 vets.

Five Things to Bring to the Career Fair & More

Original article from Military.com

A career fair is a great place to gather information about potential employers and make contacts that can lead to your first job. Here’s some advice on how to make the most of your time.

Five Things to Bring to the Career Fair

1. Copies of your resume (25 to 40 depending on the size of the event). Be sure it represents your knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) effectively. It needs to look professional — easy to read format on plain white or cream-colored paper — and be free of typos. If you are looking at several career options, you may want to have two or more targeted resumes with different career objectives!

2. A smile, a strong handshake, and a positive attitude. First impressions are important. Approach an employer, smile, and offer your hand when you introduce yourself.

3. A 30-second “sales pitch.” Hand the recruiter a copy of your resume and be prepared to expand on it quickly! Share basic information about yourself and your career interests like this: “Hello, I’m Carrie Jones. I’m a senior here at Wonderful University and I’m majoring in English. I’m very interested in a marketing career. As you can see on my resume, I just completed an internship in the Marketing Division of the ABC Company in Peoria. I’ve also taken some courses in business marketing. I’m very interested in talking with you about marketing opportunities with your organization.”

4. Information about the organizations that will be attending.Gather information as you would for a job interview. To maximize the brief time you have with each employer, you need to know how your skills and interests match their needs. And don’t just concentrate on the “big names.” There are often great opportunities with companies with which you are not familiar.

5. Energy! Career fairs require you to be on your feet moving from table to table for an hour or so. Each time you meet someone, be at your best, as refreshed as possible!

Five Things Not to Do at the Career Fair

1. Don’t cruise the booths with a group of friends. Interacting with the recruiters on your own. Make your own positive impression!

2. Don’t carry your backpack, large purse, or other paraphernalia with you. Carry your resume in a professional-looking portfolio or small briefcase works well. It will keep your resume neat and handy, and gives you a place to file business cards of recruiters that you meet. Usually you can stow your coat, backpack, or other gear in a coatroom.

3. Don’t come dressed for rugby practice (or any other extremely casual activity). A career fair is a professional activity — perhaps your first contact with a future employer.

4. Don’t “wing it” with employers. Do your homework! Research the companies just as you would for an interview. You’ll be able to focus on why you want to work for the organization and what you can do for them.

5. Don’t come during the last half hour of the event. Many employers come a long distance to attend the fair and may need to leave early. If you come late, you may miss the organizations you wanted to contact

Five Things to Take Home From the Career Fair

1. Business cards from the recruiters you have met. Use the cards to write follow-up notes to those organizations in which you are most interested.

2. Notes about contacts you made. Take paper and pen with you to write down important details about particular organizations, including names of people who may not have had business cards. Take a few minutes after you leave each table to jot down these notes!

3. Information about organizations you have contacted. Most recruiters will have information for you to pick up, including company brochures, computer diskettes or CD’s, position descriptions, and other data. You won’t have time to deal with these at the fair!

4. A better sense of your career options. If you have used the event correctly, you will have made contact with several organizations that hire people with your skills and interests. In thinking about their needs and your background, evaluate whether each company might be a match for you.

5. Self-confidence in interacting with employer representatives.A career fair gives you the opportunity to practice your interview skills in a less formidable environment than a formal interview. Use this experience to practice talking about what you have done, what you know, and what your interests are.

Empowerment Through Employment Job Fair for Professionals with Disabilities

North Alabama Society for Human Resource Management (NASHRM) is conducting a job fair called “Empowerment Through Employment” that is specifically designed for professionals and Veterans with disabilities. The event will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2014 at the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (3000 Johnson Road, Huntsville, AL).

There will be REAL employment opportunities. HR Representatives from participating companies will be present to screen and hire potential candidates. Applications will be taken from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Interview coaching and opportunities to print your resume will also be available.

Be sure to come dressed for success and bring your resume on a flash drive if you wish to have it printed at the event.

If you are interested in participating please contact workforcereadiness@nashrm.org for more information and to register.

Write Resumes From a Perspective Greater than Yourself

Article by Rachael McDermott

I love steak. I’ve been known to put away a whole porterhouse — and for a 5′ 4″ petite woman, it’s quite the sight. Mr. Civilian Chick gets a huge kick out of it. But it can’t be some lame cheap cut of beef that’s previously frozen, tough and lacking flavor. I’m talking corn-fed, dry aged prime steakhouse steak that you can sink your teeth into and leaves you wanting more, MORE until you’ve polished off the whole thing and need to be rolled home to ponder the depth of your gluttony, sloth and whatever other deadly sins you’ve racked up. But this isn’t my point. My point here is to discuss how to give your resume that same bite, that je ne sais quoi, that substance and impact that will pique an employer’s interest and leave them wanting more. Ok, no one’s resume is really THAT earth shattering. But they can be enhanced and deepened by taking a higher level, bird’s eye perspective of yourself. Create depth through new heights if you will. Our individual understandings of ourselves can be so limited that it’s useful to seek out greater perspectives for clarity on our significance in a larger scheme. Wow, I just went from gluttony and sin to deep thoughts all at once!

When creating your resume, take some time to step out of yourself and write from an outside perspective. Imagine how a general, your commanding officer or even your team mates view your role. They’d take a bird’s eye view perspective and see how you fit into the unit’s overall operation and successes. Imagine your commanding officer briefing his commanding officer on what you did. He wouldn’t present all the minutia of your day-to-day tasks that are in your official MOS description. Similarly, when my boss briefs her boss on a career fair I organized, she focuses on the overall results and how the event’s success fits into the office’s goals (e.g. encouraged participation and built relationships with many new employers that are of strategic significance to the university, impacted over 50% of the student body by increasing student participation, etc.).

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t also include your duties. Of course you should as they might reflect those keywords, skills and experiences from the job description that are essential to getting your resume past online application systems. But also remember to include achievements and impacts that show the scope and scale of what you did.

In order to help you with this, here’s a few key things to remember:

• Explain what you did simply — I’m sure you understand your military job. But think of how you’d explain it to your grandmother to make sure it is clear and easy enough for civilians to quickly grasp what you did.
• Explain your role from a bird’s eye view — Rather than get bogged down in the day-to-day tasks, think of your entire time in a particular role. What were some key things you did? From the time you started the role to the time you left, what was different/better? What was the scope and scale of your job? Did it impact an entire battalion or brigade? Was it involved in all aspects of your unit?
• Answer the question “So what?” when describing what you did — I heard this in a recent LinkedIn group discussion and it seemed like such a simple and profound way of thinking of the impact you had. So, you did a particular task…so what? Why was it necessary in your unit? What impact did you have? This can lead you to consider those important achievement statements. Even if you don’t have hard numbers to quantify, what was the positive outcome of your work? How did something change for the better? How was it new? How did it show initiative? How did it fit into the unit’s overall operations? How many people did it affect? What were you recognized for?
• Consider your medals and performance evaluations — If you received a medal, what were the circumstances behind it? Just stating you received an Army Achievement Medal won’t tell a civilian hiring manager what you are able to do. It just says you were really good at doing something. Also, read your performance evaluations as they are written by officers with that high-level perspective.

Remember, resumes aren’t meant to cover every single, solitary thing you’ve ever done. Just showcase highlights to get an interview, where you can elaborate on details. Cut down on the minutia!

The Best And Worst Words To Use On Your Résumé

(Original article by Susan Adams on Forbes.com)

One recent study showed that recruiters spend all of 6.25 seconds looking at a candidate’s résumé before deciding whether he or she is fit for a job. A new survey of 2,200 hiring managers and human resource staffers by jobs website CareerBuilder shows that your résumé may get a bit more time before being cast aside. While some 17% of hiring managers said they spend 30 seconds or less, 68% said they scan a résumé for as long as two minutes before putting it aside. Still, that’s hardly any time to impress someone who could determine your employment future.

To help maximize the punch your résumé gives in such a short amount of time, CareerBuilder also asked survey-takers to list terms they consider turn-offs, and to offer advice about the words that make them view a candidate favorably. The message: Don’t include sweeping terms of self-praise, like “team player,” “go-getter” and “self-motivated.” Rather describe your accomplishments specifically with words like “improved,” “created” and “increased” and a specific explanation of exactly what you did, including numbers whenever possible. For instance, instead of saying you added value to your sales team by your dynamic, results-driven efforts to proactively boost sales, say you improved every monthly sales target in the last six months by 40%. In other words, instead of saying you are results-driven, show the results you’ve achieved.

I’ll list the results of the CareerBuilder survey below. But I have to make one comment: The top turn-off term, “best of breed,” strikes me as odd. I’ve never seen it on a résumé and wonder if CareerBuilder crossed its wires with a dog show description.

The worst words to use on your résumé:

1. Best of breed
2. Go-getter
3. Think outside of the box
4. Synergy
5. Go-to person
6. Thought leadership
7. Value add
8. Results-driven
9. Team player
10. Bottom-line
11. Hard worker
12. Strategic thinker
13. Dynamic
14. Self-motivate
15. Detail-oriented
16. Proactively
17. Track record

The words hiring managers want to see:

1. Achieved
2. Improved
3. Trained/mentored
4. Managed
5. Created
6. Resolved
7. Volunteered
8. Influenced
9. Increased/decreased
10. Ideas
11. Negotiated
12. Launched
13. Revenue/profits
14. Under budget
15. Won

12 Phrases You Should Never Say In A Professional Context

(Original Article:http://www.businessinsider.com/unprofessional-phrases-2014-2)

By: ILYA POZIN

Saying the right things matters, especially when it comes to your career. No matter if you’re a business founder or an entry-level employee, there are probably words and phrases you’ve been using that are hindering you at work.

As the founder and CEO of Open Me, an online greeting card company, I understand the importance of being more thoughtful in both your professional and personal lives. Honing in on what you’re saying in professional conversations, jotting down on your resume, and sharing in interviews may turn your career in a new direction.

Remove these phrases from your everyday professional conversations:

1. “That’s not my job.” This type of self-serving phrase won’t just anger your coworkers or manager, it could also cost your your job. While a task may not fit directly within your original job description, it’s for the greater good of the company that you lend a hand wherever and whenever possible.

2. “I’ll try.” If you want to inspire doubt in whomever you’re speaking to, try this phrase out. Not only will you eliminate the trust of coworkers, you’ll also place doubt in the minds of your customers and clients. Replace “try” with “will” for better results.

3. “I dislike…” If you’re constantly sharing your distaste for things, your coworkers are quickly going to tune you out. Avoid constant negativity and filter in more positivity. For instance, instead of saying you dislike meetings because they run too long, figure out a way to energize them or keep them short.

4. “I’m too busy.” It’s time to face the music: Everyone’s really busy. Replace this phrase with something like, “Once I tackle this task, I’ll be happy to take a look at that.”

Avoid these phrases during an interview:

1. “I think…” This statement only shows self-doubt — something you can’t risk in an interview. Drop this phrase and replace it with something more confident like “In my experience..”

2. “To be honest…” Stating this before you answer a question may lead the interviewer to believe you weren’t being honest during the rest of your interview. Avoid this phrase altogether and never lie during an interview.

3. “Me, me, me.” If your entire thought process during your interview is in regard to yourself, it’s going to come through in how you answer questions. The company wants to know what you’re going to bring to the position. Don’t ask if you can work from home or what the compensation package looks like unless they bring it up.

4. “My previous employer was awful…” Badmouthing is never a good idea — it shows you’re untrustworthy or disloyal. If you don’t have something nice to say about your current or previous employer, then it’s best not to say it at all. Any kind of negativity toward a company or manager might label you as a bad hire.

Remove these words from your resume:

1. “Highly qualified.” Show, don’t tell. Simply writing this, rather than listing the experiences that make you highly qualified, may peg you as lazy or dishonest.

2. “Familiar with…” Once again, it’s essential to show an employer exactly how you’ve used technical programs or specific skills. Simply listing your familiarity isn’t going to do you any favors.

3. “Team player.” How were you a team player? Avoid lip service and share concrete experiences and accomplishments you achieved through teamwork instead.

4. “Problem solver.” Break down your resume to represent your abilities as a problem solver. For instance, share a problem-solving achievement that benefited your previous employer or client.

Don’t let what you say hold your career back! Evaluate your vernacular to ensure you exude positivity and confidence.

FREE Resume Workshops in Opelika

Are you a Veteran, Military Spouse or dependent seeking employment? A major factor in the success of your job search is your resume – is it up to par? Still Serving Veterans is hosting FREE resume workshops on March 6th and 12^th, both from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, and both at the Opelika Goodwill Career Center located at 2740 Pepperell Parkway (click here for map).

There are two workshops that will complement each other, one for writing and techniques, and the other a review and critique. Attendance to both is recommended but not required. Registration, however, is required to attend.

The first workshop, held on March 6^th, will concentrate on resume writing. The workshop will provide information on current resume trends and help you target and focus your resume. The second workshop, held on March 12^th, will be conducted in a more one-on-one setting in which a professional will review and help you edit your resume to make it the best it can be.

“One of our clients’ top concerns is the job search they face after transitioning out of the military or back into the job market,” said Charles Livings, Regional Expansion Coordinator at Still Serving Veterans. “Our job at Still Serving Veterans is to make the transition less intimidating, through workshops like these, and giving our clients all the tools that they need to take that step with confidence.”

Register Now!

Do’s and Don’ts for Creating an On-Line Presence

Many of us live a large part of our lives online. So it’s no wonder that your online presence can have a major influence on your career success.

If your present or potential employer searched for you online, what would they find? Would those search results reveal a professional with many marketable skills? Or could the results do more harm than good for your career?

Keep reading to learn the essential dos and don’ts for creating (or updating) your online presence.

Do: Google your own name

It’s vital to know what potential employers and clients will find when they search for you.

In a 2010 Cross-Tab Marketing Services survey commissioned by Microsoft, 86 percent of human resources professionals said that a positive online reputation influences a job candidate’s application to some extent. And 70 percent of hiring managers in the U.S. have rejected an applicant based on online information.

What turns them off? Inappropriate comments, photos, videos, blog posts, comments by friends/family, and membership in certain groups and networks all impact your online image.

Do: Beware of the social paparazzi

Those fun party pictures may be good for a few laughs, but if you or your online friends think nothing of posting questionable pictures on social networking sites, think again.

You could ultimately pay a hefty price for those pictures if a potential employer finds them online. That price could be a missed opportunity for your dream job that you’ve orked so hard to get.

So party-goers beware. Set your privacy settings so people can’t tag you in photos, and ask your friends to kindly let you approve any photos they want to post before they post them. Remember, there is no delete button once something hits the Internet.

Do: Spring clean your search results

If you don’t like the search results for your name, start by creating content that will rank high such as a LinkedIn profile, Google profile, or Twitter account. Writing articles for your industry trade magazine may also boost your professional online image.

Changing search results takes time and patience; they won’t change over night. But you can take steps to push the good stuff to the top of the list. If you have content online that you want removed (or buried), or you need help keeping track of what’s out there, try Reputation.com, an online service that allows customers to monitor the web, delete their personal information, and control how they look when searched online.

Do: Learn about privacy/security settings for online profiles

Can just anyone look at your Facebook profile? One easy way to stop employers and others from finding potentially harmful information is to put a lock on who can view what.

Facebook allows you to remove your name from search results and hide your content, even from certain “friends.” Take advantage of these settings, even if you don’t have anything to hide.

Remember if you’re tagged in a photo it may still be visible, so adjust all your settings to avoid mishaps.

Do: Create profiles on all of the major sites

(Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn; plus, any industry-specific sites that the major players in your field frequent)

“Recruiters regularly search social media sites like LinkedIn for their perfect candidates, so having an optimized profile that is well-presented is a must,” says career coach Cheryl Palmer.

LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogging sites such as Word Press are all great ways to stand out online. Also be sure to research any industry-specific sites that the major players in your field frequent.

Do: Participate in online groups and discussion forums

There are online groups and discussion boards for every industry. Whether you’re in healthcare, retail, project management, or a creative industry, it’s a good idea to participate in a few online forums. This will enhance your online image and grow your reputation as an expert in your field.

Make sure you add something to the group. Don’t spam the message boards with self-promotional messages. Instead, use forums and groups as a way to connect and share information (e.g. case studies or resources) that will be helpful to others in your industry.

Do: Research industry keywords to optimize your profiles

The online world is all about search results. How do you think Google became so popular? So it makes sense to pepper your online presence with plenty of industry-specific keywords in your profiles.

Palmer says that keywords are how recruiters find candidates that meet their criteria, which is why job seekers need to optimize their profiles.

Research your industry keywords by looking at job postings and reading industry trade publications. Then add these words and phrases to your profiles, blog, resume, and website to increase your odds of being found.

Don’t: Broadcast your job search activities

(unless you’re unemployed)

If you are currently employed, it’s not the best idea to broadcast your desire for a new job or career. After all, your current employer may stumble across your resume or post.

A better idea is to keep your online resumes anonymous and use a generic email address as your method of contact. A subtle way of letting others know that you’re open to new opportunities is to list it in your LinkedIn profile.

Don’t: Abandon your profiles/accounts

A previously we suggested that you set up many accounts. But there’s a caveat: A common mistake that many people make is setting up various profiles and web pages only to abandon them. Your online presence needs regular TLC.

Make sure you are committed to keeping your profiles updated before creating them. If you don’t want to devote a lot of time, use LinkedIn since once you get your profile up it only requires limited amounts of updating. Whereas blogs and Twitter accounts will quickly go stale if you don’t regularly update.

Don’t: Rely on job boards to land your next job

When you’re seeking a new position, it’s tempting to spend hours poring over various job boards online. While online ads should be a component of your job search, keep in mind that they should only be a small portion of your overall plan.

Online is where all of your competition is hanging out, Palmer notes. What’s a better approach? Using the Internet to cultivate contacts and then utilizing those connections to meet and network with people face to face.

Your resume is much more likely to stand out if you are a known candidate. Your name will rise to the top of the list quickly if you work your connections off-line.

Don’t: Participate in online feuds

Mad at your sister? Does your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend owe you money? Your Facebook wall or Twitter page are not the places to hash out these conflicts.

You’d be surprised how many people argue publically on social media sites. Take the high road and don’t engage in online feuds with family and friends.

Don’t: Be a critic

Even if you cant stand your current or former boss and co-workers, resist the temptation to bad mouth them online. You may think your accounts are private, but again, nothing online is truly private.

Instead of venting online, meet a close friend for lunch, coffee, or happy hour to blow off steam. One of the surest ways to turn off potential employers is negative talk about previous jobs, and that includes online chatter.

Don’t: Forget about the real world

No, not the MTV reality show — life outside of the Internet!

Remember to balance your time spent online socializing and networking with actual face-to-face contact.

When online, mind your dos and don’ts

Now that you know what you should and shouldn’t do, go ahead: Go online, be social, connect, network and prosper.

The world wide web is your oyster!

7 Secrets for Successful Military Career Transitions

(Original Article from Military.com by Lewis Lin, CEO of Impact Interview: http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/military-transition/secrets-for-successful-military-career-transition.html) 

Transitioning from military to civilian life can seem like a daunting task. Here are my top tips for a successful military transition:

1. Attend a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshop

TAP was created to give employment and training information to armed forces members within 180 days of separation or retirement. TAP offers a three-day workshop that all ex-military job seekers should use. The workshop covers the following topics:

1. Career exploration
2. Job search strategies
3. Resume, cover letter, and interview preparation

You can find the participant manual from the TAP workshop here. 

2. Think about transferrable skills

How can you describe your military experiences for a corporate role? Take for example:

1. If you trained over 200 people on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, think how your training preparation, delivery, and results could apply in a corporate classroom setting.
2. If you helped the Navy save $3 million dollars by administering 37 government travel accounts, think how this experience could apply to a financial controller position.
3. If you were in charge of an aircraft repair department, think how the Six Sigma principles you learned could apply to a manufacturing or operations job.

3. Find military-friendly employers

Several employers appreciate the qualities ex-military personnel bring to a civilian job. Furthermore, you’re likely to find co-workers who formerly served in the military. They can mentor you as you ease into a new working environment. For example, P&G has a networking group called “Blue and Grey” where ex-military employees help one another. Home Depot, General Electric, and Proctor and Gamble actively recruit former military officers.

4. Adjust from military to corporate speak

A key to getting the job is fitting in — not only do you have to demonstrate the right skills, but you also need to adopt the right body language and speech. Here are a few examples:

1. Be wary of military jargon. Rather than say you were the “black swan” expert, explain that you developed contingency plans for rare events.
2. Rather than use military time, use civilian time. That is, instead of confirming an interview for 15-hundred hours, use 3 pm.
3. No need to address your professional contacts as Sir or Ma’am. You can typically address them by their first name.

5. Connect with recruiters and headhunters who focus on military to civilian transitions. 

Two of the key leaders in the field include Lucas Group and Bradley Morris. Lucas Group has helped 25,000 officers and technicians to transition from military service into civilian careers, usually matching more junior personnel with technical and sales roles, and senior personnel with director of business development roles. Bradley Morris is another military-focused headhunter that boasts a 96% customer satisfaction rate. 

6. Play up your strengths as an ex-military candidate. 

Military veterans are known for precise communication, individual accountability, impeccable execution and natural leadership. Don’t forget to showcase this during the interview. All four skills are in high demand, regardless of position. Give yourself credit for strengths that many non-military job candidates lack. Other key skills to play up: poise, ingenuity, and ability to handle stressful situations well. 

7. Network, network, network. 

Applying for jobs online may seem like an efficiency way to get jobs, but the reality is it doesn’t work well. For any given job opening, recruiters are bombarded with hundreds, possibly thousands of openings. To rise above the noise, you’ll have to network.

Start with veterans who are now in the corporate world. Don’t rush to ask for a job. If there’s no job available, the remaining time becomes one big letdown. Instead, take time to know the person. Ask how they approached the transition from a military to civilian career. Only at the end of the conversation is it ok for you to ask whether or not they are aware of any job openings.

—

Lewis Lin is the CEO of Impact Interview. He has over 10 years of experience in the career management industry. Before Impact Interview, Lewis was Microsoft’s Director of Product Management and Marketing. Lewis also worked in Microsoft’s Hotmail product planning and Windows Server marketing teams, and has held key roles at Google, Citigroup, and Sun Microsystems (now Oracle).

Lewis received his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Lewis also has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Stanford University.