If you are an active-duty service member and you are not far from your transition to the civilian world, Military OneSource has compiled a 12-step guide that outlines the crucial things you will need to do to conduct an effective job search.
In the civilian job market, candidates with a military background are generally seen as highly responsible and dependable workers who demonstrate a strong work ethic and dedication. Most military candidates are also assessed as having shouldered more responsibilities than their civilian counterparts.
The challenge for service members is effectively communicating those skills and experiences to potential employers in the civilian workforce that has a different work culture with a different language.
Here is a summary of the 12-step guide:
1.Verify yourself. Your Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET) summarizes your skills, knowledge and experience, and suggests civilian equivalent job titles. To obtain a copy of your VMET, visit the milConnect website.
2. Get a career assessment. You have considerable strengths and skills. How can they be applied to a civilian job? A career assessment can point the way. Contact your local transition assistance office for a career assessment free of charge.
3. Translate your experience. Your military licenses or certifications might not be recognizable to the civilian world. Learn how to translate your training and experience into skills employers recognize at the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website.
4. Assess, repeat. Narrow your search to a few career fields, check salary information and common skill requirements. The CareerOneStop website offers free skills and interest assessments, career exploration tools and much more. They also have a section specifically for transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses.
5. Tap your transition assistance office. Take an employment workshop. Get referrals for employment agencies and recruiters, job leads, career counseling and computer access for online job searches. You can also visit the DOL’s Transition Assistance Program website for more resources.
6. Get out there. Take advantage of every resource and opportunity: recruiters, military transition offices, veteran service organizations and online information. Utilize and grow your network. Contact your nearest employment office or private employment agencies. Check internet job sites, such as LinkedIn, Indeed and Glassdoor, and get recommendations for trustworthy sites from your contacts.
7. Look good online. Employers check social media almost immediately when they’re thinking of hiring. Consider removing any content from your social media that could be misconstrued or portray you as an undesirable hire. Be sure to have a professional email address and headshot. Create or update your profile on LinkedIn and other job site profiles.
8. Prepare for your interview. Learn more about attributes of a successful job search for help with interview preparation. Your transition assistance office can also help you prepare for your interviews.
9. Hit the job fairs. Whether in person or virtual, jobs fairs are one-stop shopping. You can meet potential employers, share resumes and interview on the spot. Look professional and practice your interview skills beforehand. Learn about upcoming job fairs at your transition assistance office as well as online. Check out CareerOneStop’s tips for creating or updating your resume.
10. Go from military to federal opportunities. Find civilian jobs online with the federal government through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. You can also create an account and build your resume at USAJOBS. Brush up on federal hiring with FedsHireVets.
11. Network, then network some more. Networking is one of the most effective of all job search tools. Get in touch with friends and fellow veterans. According to a 2016 report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics and Yale University, 70% percent of jobs are found through networking. Learn more from CareerOneStop about why networking is your most important job search strategy.
12. Take advantage of your status. Many organizations are committed to helping veterans find a good job. Look for groups with programs for service members such as:
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative
- Soldier for Life
- Marine for Life
- Military Officers Association of America
- Non Commissioned Officers Association
- United Service Organizations
You can find more details about these steps at the website for Military OneSource:
Additional questions about transitioning and job searching can be discussed with Military OneSource’s consultants available 24/7/365 at 1-800-342-9647
