WHAT’S NEXT Transition to Civilian Life By Eve Nasby & Kristin Hennessy
It’s Your Time to Master Your Transition WATCH & LEARN THE PROCESS Think about a watch. Open up the back of a watch and you’ll notice hundreds of individual parts, all machined to perfection. They all work in unison. However, if just one part is faulty, the entire watch stops functioning. The job search process is no different. There are many critical aspects of the job search process that need to be mastered. If all are not cranking in harmony with each other, it can sabotage the entire process. To ease your transition from the military world into the civilian workforce, here are 5 practical steps you can take:
CHANCE VS CHOICE Let’s be honest. Just the thought of transitioning from the military into the civilian workforce is stressful. Jeff is a prime example. He struggled with thoughts and worries, such as “Will my skill set REALLY be transferable?” “Will I have to start near the bottom and work my way up?” and “Will I have to take a pay cut?” These are normal fears. After 25 years in the military, Jeff S., US Navy Commander, was determined to find a civilian job that he enjoyed going to everyday, made good use of his skills, and paid a comparable salary to what he made in the military. Most importantly, he didn’t want to leave this important career milestone to chance. It is overwhelming just to determine where to start. But, in order to get to a destination, you need to have a clear idea of where you want to go. Jeff understood that he needed to show potential employers that his skills were clearly transferable. He knew he needed to sharpen his interviewing skills to position himself as invaluable. Although Jeff’s mindset was right, he knew he couldn’t execute on all of these needs alone. 34
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / September 2021
1. Get clarity on what career paths excite you and which positions are the best fit for your skills. Finding a good fit requires that you have clarity on the role ‘career’ plays in your life right now. For example, do you want to climb the corporate ladder or is work-life balance more important? Think about what REALLY matters to you. 2. Develop your personal brand. Branding isn’t just for companies. Taking time to create a personal brand helps highlight your unique skills and sets you apart from the competition in a clear and effective way. 3. Leverage and expand your network. 90% of job offers come through your personal network. It’s important to be laser focused on who you are trying to meet, how you present yourself, and how you can be of service to others. 4. Upgrade your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile. It is important to highlight the skills you have developed throughout your military career in a way that showcases how your skillset transfers into the civilian world. Be mindful to avoid military terminology that is not easily understood by people in the civilian world.
