Finding a Leadership Position

If you’re leaving the military, you’ve likely dealt with a series of life and death situations.  Even if you’ve only been through the minimum military engagement, you have more leadership training experience than most people get in a lifetime.  It can be disappointing and frustrating to find a job that does not use all of your assets.  Effective job hunting means finding jobs that pertain specifically to what you’ve experienced during military training and engagement.   Many military positions have training that creates employees with “management material.”  Even a veteran with a low ranking will have gained significant leadership experience.  If you’re not able to get a management position directly, it’s important to apply for a job in a workplace where a promotion to a management position is a possibility. There are a number of places to find employment positions that require leadership qualities.  However, just because you were in the military does not guarantee a leadership position as you enter the workforce.  This in part depends on the nature of your military experience.  The higher your rank, the better chance you’ll have at getting a high-ranking job.  At the same time, even low-ranking personnel can get a quality leadership position. Military Career Fairs One of the best places to find applicable, high-ranking positions is at career fairs aimed specifically at men and women leaving the armed forces.  Here, you’ll find prospective employers who are military-friendly and who are looking for looking for employees with the skill and determination learned through military training.  Indeed, you must be aware that not every potential employer will hold military service in the same regard.  This is why career fairs for military personnel are so highly recommended. These fairs can be so useful that it makes some sense to travel to a career fair if one is not located in your immediate area.  There are career fairs held throughout the year, and across the country.  Military career fairs are either for general employment, or for certain types of employment, such as the healthcare industry.  Military job boards are also recommended for veterans looking for applicable work in a leadership position.   Conducting Yourself at a Job Interview Keep in mind that there is as much competition from other military personnel for a particular job as there are people from the civilian sector.  You must gauge your audience while the interview is occurring.  Again, not everyone will have the same sensitivity, or the same interest, in a military career.  If this is the case, you have to wonder if the job or the employer is a good match.  If you’re competing with a number of other military applicants, you have to make sure you stand out from the crowd.   What in your military experience is especially unique?  What specific skills, both technical and emotional, did you learn via your military experience?  Finally, how open is your employer to hearing about this military experience.  Is the interviewer open to a dialog?  Is her or she a veteran?  Knowing your audience and conducting yourself professionally can go a long way in giving a good first impression.  If you are after a leadership position, you must first exhibit some sense of leadership and decorum in the initial interview. Comments (0) Show/Hide comments Write comment Show/Hide comment form Name Email Website Title Comment Add Comment