Tips For Landing Post Military Jobs
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Managing a group of up to 40 people, staying on task and finishing goals, handling co-worker complaints and boosting morale -- and possible death on the frontlines. Yes, these are all part of the experience of ex-soldiers, but employers don’t necessarily seem to recognize them.
These potential employees are obviously reliable, hardworking and capable from years of carrying out orders. Yet, while managerial duties are often seen as a sure way to get ahead, soldiers have been having difficulty convincing employers why they are an ideal candidate.
Finding a job is hard for anyone, but re-entering civilian life and working in it is even more complicated. It’s even more challenging for those who entered the service right after high school or college without ever holding another job. Whether it is job discrimination from employers or trouble getting out of the military mindset, those out of the armed forces may need a crash course in getting hired. Writing a resume, networking and interviewing skills are all part of landing the job.
Tips For Landing Post-Military Jobs: Rewriting Your ResumeTaking out the military vocabulary in a resume is one way to increase your job prospects. Phrases like “petty officer” don’t translate with hiring managers, since they’re not indoctrinated with ranks. Listing your job duties is a more effective way to gain their attention. Use “manager” instead and put your rank in parentheses.
Discuss what assignments you had and how you carried them out. If these were done in a group, explain how you either led the team or were part of a team. Either way, cooperation and management skills are highly prized. Be sure to write about what equipment you used and handled, as well as how you dealt with emergencies.
Tips For Landing Post-Military Jobs: Networking And InterviewingNetworking opportunities are plentiful with military people; call up friends from the service, or seek out people that were previously in the armed forces who might be willing to help. Chances are your friends know someone, or know someone who knows someone who can get you closer to getting the job. There are also plenty of online resources including government-operated sites that help ex-military personnel find jobs. Find out whether you’re eligible for transition services at military bases.
When it comes to the interviewing process, think about your strengths. Practice in front of a mirror or with someone to get used to speaking to hiring managers. If you were in a leadership position, how did that affect you? What did you learn from it? Discussing specific incidents, like when you carried out an assignment shows that you can execute a plan.
Being nervous is normal, so even if your interviewing skills are still shaky, going to an interview in the first place gives you practice. Also, remember the idea of “translating” military terms into civilian ones. Make sure that your hiring manager understands your accomplishments and how they can apply it to this job.
Tips For Landing Post-Military Jobs: Don’t Get DiscouragedJob hunting can be disheartening, especially after the umpteenth interview. However, don’t let a few roadblocks stand in the way of finding the next perfect job. Taking a job out because you feel you have to could leave you unhappy if it’s the wrong choice. Since veterans are often entitled to unemployment benefits, take advantage of them and spend some time seeking out the ideal position that matches your wants and needs. If you really need a job right away, temporary staffing agencies can offer temp work that can ease you into the civilian world better.
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