SALUTING NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY, MARCH 3rd, and PATRIOT’s Day, April 21st CivilianJOBS.com’s
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Going Places: The Transportation Industry by Heidi Lynn Russell Contributing Editor
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Former military working for CSX
f your wheels are turning about whether there are healthy numbers of jobs in the transportation industry, rest assured: We’re talking thousands. And, it’s not just thousands industry-wide - sometimes; it’s thousands at just one corporation. Why such a robust outlook? Two factors are at work, says Dr. Laurence Shatkin, author of “150 Best Jobs Through Military Training.” “There are openings because of turnover in all fields. And also, there are openings because the Boomers are retiring,” Shatkin says. “The other major thing to keep in mind is the reason this is a good match for veterans: The military moves a lot of stuff around. It is engaged in transporting things. So you may have relevant skills. Even those who are not in the transport area directly are used to a fair amount of paperwork. Transportation involves a lot of
that, also. There’s a hierarchy in transportation careers, which is also a good match. There is a certain level of comfort here.” Rob Reich is vice president of Driver Recruiting and Maintenance Operations at Schneider National Inc., which has services spanning logistics, supply chain logistics management and transportation. Reich joined Schneider after exiting the Army in 1992 as a first lieutenant in the Signal Corps. He had never considered the transportation industry for his civilian career and came to Schneider through a placement firm. He was surprised at the similarities to the military. “What I enjoyed about the military was an environment of achievement and hustle, and the opportunity to work with people to accomplish something. The nature of transportation is similar: We are a logistics organization, and the military relies on logistics. I felt a strong connection,” Reich says. “Transportation had all the things I loved - the camaraderie, the mission focus - and I’m not
sure I would find that in many other places in the civilian world.” Hiring Numbers Currently, there is “a huge shortage” of truck drivers nationally, says Cheryl Freauff, driver recruiting manager at TMC Transportation. Last year, TMC hired 500 military veterans as drivers, and it expects to hire the same number in 2014, says Freauff, who is also a former U.S. Marine. Other companies project their hiring at similar high numbers: Crete Carrier will hire about 3,000, and Schneider is eyeballing more than 2,000. The driver turnover standard nationwide is 90 percent, says Crete corporate recruiter Judi Shoup, but Crete averages a turnover rate of 42 percent. Even though Crete’s turnover rate is lower, “it’s still a concern,” Shoup says. “If we see the percentage go up even half of a point in one month, it’s always cause for concern. The biggest problems we have are things that are not controllable factors.” Given the high demand for drivers, Shoup suggests finding
a company whose goal is your contentment. “At all terminals I’ve visited in our company, the employees get along well. Managers have been good at fostering a teamwork environment. Our modern equipment and facilities having the latest and greatest - has people happy, too,” she says. On the railroad side, CSX Transportation will hire up to 1,000 veterans in 2014, says Steve Toomey, CSX Talent Acquisition. CSX’s intermodal business “has exploded,” Toomey says. The company has put in eight new terminals or has upgraded existing ones. “Intermodal is this: Trucks used to carry loads the whole way. Now for the most part, they take them to a railroad terminal, drop them at intermodal, we transport, and then the trucks pick them up in the other town,” he explains. “We hire a variety of people; we don’t want just young people in the workforce. When it comes time to retire, we don’t want them all to leave at the same time. So we’re continues page 4
Air Force Lt. Colonel Soars to Great Heights in Business by Jane Weber Brubaker Contributing Writer
telecommunications. How did he get there?
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Process Hathaway’s core business philosophy and operating principles revolve around a highly effective approach to project management he learned in the military. Every business activity with customers or vendors is organized as a project and managed to completion by following a clear, step-by-step process he developed, refined and
ike many students today, Milton Hathaway started his postcollege life with nothing but debt and dreams. His life’s ambition was to be financially successful. Today, after high-level achievement in the military, banking and industry, he owns Mountaintop Services, Inc., managing a portfolio of businesses ranging from sand and gravel extraction to high-tech
perfected during his 28-year career in the Air Force. The formula is based on fundamentals, and his results are uniformly outstanding. A retired Lt. Colonel, Hathaway joined the Air Force in 1962 when President Kennedy called for volunteers during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Early on, he was sent by the Air Force to GTE Sylvania for a year of project management training. Hathaway worked on the TTC-31, a communications trailer that could be dropped by helicopter into the
middle of a battlefield and operated as a portable central command unit. “I worked directly with the program manager as his assistant from the start of the project defining the statement of work, the drawings, engineering, build out, testing, all the way to delivery to the customer, which was the United States Air Force,” Hathaway said. The experience shaped his understanding of how to manage continues page 6
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Transition Talk:
Spouse Series:
Career Coach’s Corner:
Job Fairs:
Tell me about yourself ....................page 3
Deer in the headlights ...............page 9
10 little things that count ......... page 13
Meet your new boss ..... page 14
Transitioning A to Z This month: K and L ................page 15
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Publisher Managing Editor Art Director Associate Editor Contributing Editors Director of Technology Executive Consultant Account Representative Account Representative Account Representative Account Representative Account Representative
Jake Hutchings Kathy Scott Alec Trapheagen Anthony Morris Janet Farley Heidi Lynn Russell Tom Wolfe Don Nowak Marla Smith Brett Comerford Tucker Harrell Jim Irwin Tina Knight Dan Rinaldi
Military Transition News is published by: CivilianJobs.com 1825 Barrett Lakes Blvd., Suite 300 Kennesaw, GA 30144 1-866-801-4418 Reproduction or use without permission of any editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. The inclusion of advertising is considered a service to our readers and is not an endorsement of products or advertising claims. Opinions expressed in articles are the opinions of the contributors and do not necessarily express the opinions of Military Transition News or its staff. Subscription rate: $12 per year (6 issues). To subscribe, call 1-866-801-4418. ©2007-2014 Civilian Jobs, LLC. All rights reserved. Military Transition News and CivilianJobs.com are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI), the largest military-focused placement firm in the U.S. Top front page image expanded credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Recruit Ethan Tracey/Released
why they chose to serve; why they are concluding their military service; what things throughout their lives influenced them to make significant decisions; and any sort of hobbies, interests, passions, etc. For example, if part of your answer is, “I spent 10 years in the military, and most of my time was in the aviation field,” I can probably see that on the resume. However, if you say “My father was a commercial airline pilot and I’ve always been around airplanes. When I was 12, we worked on refurbishing a Piper Cub together and learned to fly at 16,” this really adds personal texture to your answer and I have an idea what has had a profound influence on decisions in your life. Remember, you are already a fit for the organization based on your skills and experience on paper, now an interviewer just wants to know if you fit into the corporate culture by meeting you in person. I would suggest writing out a timeline of the significant chapters of your life, circle the most important points or successes, and carry the answer up to present day.
by Mike Arsenault Vice President of Candidate Services
Bradley-Morris answers questions transitioning military job seekers.
from
Q:
It is probably the easiest question to answer, but I’m stumped when I’ve been asked in an interview, “Tell me about yourself.” Is there a good way to open this up without sounding too arrogant, too boring or completely weird?
A:Yes - this question is often the opener of an interview and it can be awkward. When I interview potential employees for Bradley-Morris, I usually get the conversation started with something like this as well. There are several reasons why hiring managers will pose the question and it has to do with both what you say and how you answer. First, you need to think through and have practiced what to say in response to this question. If you have a coherent and well-thought-out reply, this will demonstrate to the interviewer that you have considered your responses and have come prepared. You should spend about 2-4 minutes on your reply (time yourself when you practice). A seasoned interviewer can tell if you’re “winging it.” Second, the interviewer will consider the content of your answer along with how effectively you are communicating. As your resume is likely in front of the hiring manager, this gives you the opportunity to touch upon some areas that are not reflected in that document. I like to hear where a person is from; whether or not they came from a military family;
Mike Arsenault is Vice President of Candidate Services at military placement firm Bradley-Morris, Inc. He can be reached at (800) 330-4950 ext. 2105 or by email at marsenault (at) bradley-morris.com.
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MilitaryTransition_Layout 1 5/31/2013 10:50 AM Page 1 Read this issue online now at Online.MilitaryTransitionNews.com
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Schneider National “Going Places: The Transportation Industry” continued from page 1 hiring everyone: middle managers and others with 20 years in the military who are starting a new career,” Toomey says. Varying Roles and Qualifications Roles vary in the industry, but recruiters note that there is a place for everyone, up to management positions. At Schneider, there are “a lot of leadership positions,” Reich says. Those are predominantly operations management roles at maintenance or operating centers. Driver trainers are
typically senior NCOs or junior officers. “We have new management training for everybody, lasting a few days, and depending on the line of business, specific training is designed,” Reich says. On the driver side, you need a Class Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), but some states are honoring certain military drivers’ licenses: In the Army, it’s an 88M, and in the Marines it’s a 3531, Freauff says. Companies like TMC have structured training onboarding programs for veterans, she adds. “Brand new guys out of school come to us for orientation, and in two weeks, they go on
the road with a driver trainer. Depending on their experience level, the longest (training) is five weeks. Those with experience who have driven a flatbed need just a couple of days. Then they get in their own truck and are mentored by fleet managers. If they’re struggling, they can go through a simulated training to help with certain skills.” Crete is looking for any veteran “where a majority of what they do (in the military) is driving,” Shoup says. And, if your interest is elsewhere, Crete seeks those with logistics backgrounds, diesel mechanics and shop leaders. “One of the newer fleet managers (since June) was an Army company commander at Fort Bragg - a captain. Two weeks after he exited, he started working for us,” Shoup says. At CSX, the top entry-level position is freight conductor and intermodal service worker, Toomey says. The service workers take the shipping materials from truck to rail car and make sure numbers and safety requirements are correct. Mid-career or retired military move into senior union ranks, such as yard masters and track inspectors - “senior jobs with attention to detail,” Toomey explains. Junior officers are hired into leadership development programs to become supervisors of the union positions. For example, train masters supervise train conductors, and road masters supervise people working on tracks and facilities. “They coordinate plans. We like junior
officers in the military. They lead the union force in accordance with regulations. It’s a similar structure to the military, which is why it’s a good fit for veterans. They’re comfortable with it. Even our time is military time!” Toomey says. To view available job opportunities in the transportation industry, visit CivilianJobs.com. Heidi Lynn Russell writes about employment and business issues.
TMC driver, SGT Kyle Lee of the Kansas Army National Guard
Read this issue online now at Online.MilitaryTransitionNews.com
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University of Phoenix is a longtime member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC). No Federal or Marine Corps endorsement of advertisers or sponsors is implied. The University’s Central Administration is located at 1625 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85282. Online Campus: 3157 E. Elwood St., Phoenix, AZ 85034. © 2014 University of Phoenix, Inc. All rights reserved. | MIL-2835
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“Air Force Lt. Colonel Soars to Great Heights in Business” continued from page 1 complex projects and laid the groundwork for an extraordinary career. Persistence Hathaway transitioned to civilian life after 10 years of active duty, having earned an MBA from the University of North Dakota in a program supported by The Air Force Institute of Technology. He remained in the reserves for another 18 years. His tenure in the military gave him skills he knew he could leverage in the private sector. He chose banking as his target industry. “I traveled a lot for the military, and everywhere I went the bank was always the biggest building in the city,” he said. “I needed to have banking knowledge to do a better job at whatever I decided to do.” He walked into Hartford National Bank, then the largest bank in Connecticut, and told them he wanted a job. They hired two people that year, and Hathaway was one of them. As personal assistant to the executive vice president of the bank, Hathaway sharpened his project-management and troubleshooting skills. His new boss gave him multiple projects to tackle, clearly defining the problem, the impact, the expected outcome and the timeframe. “They were having trouble with quality control in the computer center,” he said. “No one could figure out what the problem was.” Hathaway had four months to get to the bottom of it. The solution turned out to be in the bottom of the trash basket. Hathaway visited the computer center, took bags of waste paper from the trash baskets and analyzed the contents. He realized that all the waste originated from one vendor. When he met with the vendor and questioned them about their quality control process, he learned that they didn’t have one. “We stopped doing business with them,” he said, “and the problem was totally cleaned up.” People Hathaway went on to manage purchasing for the bank and was eventually put in charge of three other departments, managing a staff of 40. One of the important lessons he learned in the military and applied at the bank was to pick the right people. “When I was at the bank, 80 percent of the people I did business with didn’t change,” he said. “Once you get into my circle, it’s kind of a big deal. It’s based on trust.”
The people principle remains the keystone of Hathaway’s business operations today. While in the reserves, Hathaway was assigned to the head of contracts at the Pentagon. “I worked on projects for five two-star generals,” he said. “They all chose only top shelf talent, and I learned that if you find the right people you don’t have to waste time managing them.” Hathaway left the bank after 10 years to accept a position as a price analyst for the federal government at Pratt & Whitney, negotiating the company’s F-100 engine contract. “It was a $2 billion a year contract, and I did the analysis and negotiations every year for 15 years.”
Where America’s military Connects With Civilian Careers
Performance Meanwhile, Hathaway had been investing in real estate. When the Defense Department offered him an attractive retirement package, he decided to focus full-time on managing his properties, which by then included a 170-acre farm in Bolton and 65 acres in Vernon, Conn. The farm became the launch pad for numerous other enterprises that Hathaway manages and operates today as Mountaintop Services, Inc. His experience with military communications systems gave him the vision to acquire the highest point in Bolton, Conn., and build a radio tower. Today, the mountaintop is home to a constellation of wireless towers that he leases to major telecommunications companies, public utilities and radio stations. In addition to the wireless communications contracts, Hathaway’s roster of businesses includes: sand and gravel extraction; timber; a radio station; a tree farm that was at one time ranked No. 1 in Connecticut; snow plowing; and a commercial strip of offices. Perspective The lessons learned in the military gave Hathaway the ability to succeed in business. In his view, every business activity is a project, and large or small, the system to control them - which he honed during his years in the Air Force - is the same. Today, Hathaway teaches success principles and his philosophy of happiness to businesspeople, government employees, students and even the homeless. Hisgoalistoraisethehappinessindex,qualityof life and success of everyone he encounters. Jane Weber Brubaker is a freelance writer living in Wethersfield, Conn. She can be reached at jane@askjane.com.
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Spouse Series: Avoiding the Deer in the Headlights Look by Janet Farley Contributing Editor
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he deer in the headlights look. I’ve seen it many times plastered across the fearful face of someone who realizes that the military life he or she has become so accustomed to will soon be ancient history. I’ve seen it on the face of a service member who is retiring after 20-plus years, never mind that he knew this day would eventually come. Denial, as we all know, isn’t just a river in Egypt. It often wears a uniform and hopes beyond hope to land the perfect job with a first-draft résumé and a firm handshake. I’ve seen it on the face of a service member who was unexpectedly told, “Thank you for your service. You can go now. Really. Right now, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” I’ve also seen it on the face of a military spouse who may not wear a uniform, but gets to experience the thrills and chills of a military-to-civilian career transition just the same. Sound familiar? Certainly, a respectable dose of fear can be a positive thing in the transition process. A huge amount of it, however, can be downright paralyzing and totally unproductive in a moving-forward-in-life kind of way. Whether you are the transitioning service
member or the person married to one, you can avoid experiencing the deer in the headlights look in these most unsettling of times. Here are several techniques for doing so: • Feel the fear and embrace it anyway. You’re probably pretty good at this anyhow. This isn’t your first challenging situation in the military, is it? It’s just another one. Rise to this auspicious occasion and take care of matters…like you always do. • Get educated about the transition process. Take advantage of the individual career counseling services, workshops and briefings offered by those who work at the transition assistance and military family centers. Listen to what they have to say even if you think you know it all because you don’t. Information changes all the time and you need to keep up. • Surround yourself with positive people. Two of my favorite positive people, Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer, co-authors of the recently released book “Military Spouse Journey: Discover the Possibilities and Live Your Dreams,” suggest that you form your own dream team, or small group of people whose only goal is to support every member of the team in creating a life that works for them. In such a situation, every
team member wins. It makes sense to me. • Think positive thoughts. If you believe you will find a good job, you will probably find a good job. Likewise, if you think you will never find a good job, well then it just sucks to be you, doesn’t it? You need to bluff: Where the mind goes, life follows. • Develop a list for the transition process and establish a realistic timeline. Divide and conquer where possible, and don’t forget to celebrate the achievements, great and small, along the way. Remember, life is a journey, not a destination. Tired cliché? Perhaps. Spot on? Absolutely. • Finally, don’t be so one-dimensional. While your joint military-to-civilian career and life transition may well be the elephant in every room of your house, don’t let every conversation you have with each other or with your children center around it. Talk about other things that bring you joy. Talk about the weather. Whatever you do, just don’t let the elephant win. Janet Farley is a career strategist, a workplace consultant, and the author of “The Military Spouse’s Guide to Employment: Smart Job Choices for Mobile Lifestyles” (Impact Publications, 2013). ). Janet blogs at Life’s Too Short to Hate Your Job.
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Bureaucratic Battlefield Tips for Dealing With the V.A. by Carolyn Heinze Contributing Editor
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avigating through a sticky maze of red tape is kind of like math: there are those of us who are good at it - enjoy it, even, and then, there are those of us who, try as we might, that can’t make much sense of it. When it comes to filing a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.), you owe it to yourself to give it your best shot, no matter how great at amassing paperwork you are - or aren’t. The V.A. offers services and benefits related to disability, education and training, vocational rehabilitation and employment, home loan guarantees, dependent and survivor benefits, medical treatment, life insurance and burial benefits. The question is: is there a right way of going about filing a claim? Yes and no. Like many things in life, the most appropriate answer is, “it depends.” Here, we have compiled some of the basic steps to follow, based both on information provided to us by the V.A., as well as through what veterans themselves have shared, based on their own experiences. Take the time to do your homework. There is a lot of information out there, which doesn’t always make things easier, but if you take the time to sift through the information, it can certainly help. This involves a lot of Web surfing, even more reading and, hopefully, reaching out to others who have been in your position through organizations and social
networks. Of course, not all advice that you ferret out or receive will be good advice, but the more you gather, the better equipped you will be at sorting through what’s useful, and what’s not. Get in touch with a Veteran Service Organization (VSO). The V.A. provides information directly via its toll-free number (1-800-827-1000), or through its network of regional offices (visit http://www.va.gov for a full listing by clicking on the Locations tab). Veterans may also seek help from a VSO. VSOs are either chartered or unchartered. Chartered organizations are federally authorized to provide veteran representation before the V.A. for things like preparing and filing claims. They may also provide veterans and their families with legal representation before the V.A. Board of Appeals in cases where veterans are not in accordance with the results of their initial claim. Chartered VSOs include The American Legion, The American Red Cross, Blue Star Mothers of America, Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Disabled American Veterans, Gold Star Wives of America and United Service Organizations (USO). For more information on these and other VSOs, visit http://www.realwarriors.net/ veterans/discharge/vsos.php. Help the V.A. do its homework. In “Getting Your VA Claim Processed: The Simple Truths” (http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2012/08/ getting-your-va-claim-processed-the-simpletruths/), V.A. representative and veteran
Catherine Trombley offers this advice: “make your claim easy to approve.” This means gathering as much evidence as you possibly can - especially medical records if they were generated by a private sector doctor. Supply the V.A. with important details. Trombley recounts receiving claims that simply stated the veteran had a “leg condition” or “back pain,” leaving her to wonder, “Which leg? What part of the leg? What is the actual condition causing the back pain?” Medical records are the only way for the V.A. to answer these types of questions. If you don’t have the evidence in your own hands, be sure to tell the V.A. where to find it. Prepare to wait. As with many things that are government-related, getting a claim processed takes time, sometimes months sometimes many, many months. While being patient is probably one of the most difficult things to be where finances are concerned, unfortunately, it’s pretty much a requirement in this case. This is why it’s so important to gather as much evidence to support your claim as possible, as it can help to prevent delays in processing your claim. You don’t have to do this (entirely) alone. There are a number of veterans’ advocate resources out there that offer information on how to file claims, and will support you through the process. We have listed a number of these organizations in the sidebar. Carolyn Heinze is a freelance writer/editor.
Additional Resources DODLive www.dodlive.mil
National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates Inc. www.vetadvocates.org
Real Warriors Campaign www.realwarriors.net
Swords to Plowshares www.swords-to-plowshares.org
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - New to V.A. http://www.va.gov/opa/newtova.asp
VAWatchdog www.vawatchdog.org Helpful, straight-shooting article co-authored by VAWatchdog Jim Strickland and veterans attorney Katrina Eagle: http://www.familyofavet.com/va_ claim_what_to_do.html
Veterans of Foreign Wars www.vfw.org
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Mar/Apr 2014
NEWS
Your Personal Brand Matters Most! by Lida Citroën Contributing Writer
T
oday’s veterans are preparing to transition from the battlefield back to civilian life in record numbers. And the tools, landscape and resources they need to become competitive and relevant in a civilian job are more challenging than ever. The internet, increased competition and emphasis on likability and “culture” fit mean that today’s veteran needs a strong personal brand in addition to relevant skills and experience. While it might seem natural to focus on your résumé, in my many years working with transitioning veterans, the most powerful impact and success comes from understanding YOU - the person, individual and future employee. As you transition to your next career, particularly if you are targeting a job in the civilian sector, you will soon realize the importance of presenting a powerful personal brand. Your personal brand is your reputation, your legacy and your most valuable asset. Today, it is critical that you direct and manage your reputation in person and online, and live your core values (walk the talk) even before you rewrite your résumé.
What is a Personal Brand? While a résumé is a reflection of the work you’ve done in the past - your accomplishments, skills and certifications - your personal brand sets the expectation for what others can expect from you in the future. Your personal brand is defined and expressed in your actions, words, image, behavior and relationships. The value people assign to you is directly tied to how they feel about you - and perception is often created by your brand. How others feel about you directly impacts their desire to promote you, hire you, include you in critical projects and help advance your career. Instead of hoping someone will understand what makes you tick, see why you are unique and find you relevant, take control of your brand and your reputation today. Building Your Personal Brand While the process to build and enhance your personal brand is relatively simple, the work needed to have a sustainable and relevant personal brand is not easy. In order to be credible, all individuals - veteran and civilian alike - need to be able to, No. 1, articulate their values (What do you stand for? What is meaningful and important to you?); and No. 2, put action to those values (the proof is in the action). This is the only way to become truly credible for a brand. For example, if you tell me you value “honesty,” will you give me a straight
answer? Will you be truthful even if the truth might be painful to hear? Similarly, if you promote that your value is to “help others,” can I see evidence of this in your actions? Manage and Direct Your Brand/Reputation 1. Be clear about your desired personal brand. Your military career is how you expressed your values and commitment. Now look at how your values and skills translate to a civilian job. 2. Be consistent. Focus on being consistent in your image, tone, language, online profile and body language. Promote you the way YOU want. 3. Be intentional. Make it your job to focus your experience to align with your personal brand. What are the skills, traits and aspects of your character that make you successful, relatable and intriguing to a prospective employer? 4. Pay attention to relationships. Who you hang out with professionally sends a message about who you are and creates your reputation. Be mindful of your associations and friendships - and the impression they send. 5. Earn credibility. Show prospective employers that they can trust you when you say something and can hold you accountable for specific values. Highlight examples (from your service) where you built trust and earned respect.
Lida Citroën 6. Network. Form relationships with key contacts in person and online. Learn about these contacts and find common areas of interest. Networking is a two-way dialogue; be sure to give as much as you ask for. No transition is easy, but going from a military to civilian career is unique in both challenges and opportunities. Instead of swapping out words on a résumé to seem more relevant, focus on your brand, passions and values to make you compelling to a future employer. Lida Citroën is an international reputation management and personal branding specialist. She is also the author of the new book,“Your Next Mission: A personal branding guide for the military-to-civilian transition” (www.YourNextMissionBook.com).
DEDICATION. COMMITMENT. SERVICE.
The Air Force Reserve offers great opportunities for people transitioning from active duty or those who have previously served in any branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. Part-time jobs in the Air Force Reserve give you the time and financial support to continue your education or begin a civilian career. As a Reservist, you can retain the close friendships you gained in the military, and you will have the opportunity to do the extraordinary.
800-237-8279 • AFReserve.com/Prior Connect with us
Mar/Apr 2014
13
NEWS career coach’s corner
by Tom Wolfe Career Coach and Contributing Editor
W
hen it comes to job hunting, focusing on the details will make the difference between success and failure. Here are 10 little things you can do to enhance your militaryto-civilian transition. 1. Facebook. This and similar social networking platforms may be great for personal connections and communicating, but the content can cause problems in your job search. A potential employer may check you out on Facebook as part of the interviewing process. Will viewing your wall and photos increase or decrease the likelihood of getting interviewed and hired? 2. LinkedIn. Do you have a presence there? You should! This professional networking site is a growing component of job hunting. Create your profile and make sure it is professional, is appropriate, and presents you in an accurate and positive way. 3. Résumé. The best résumé is one that presents your experience in a way that also indicates your potential. In military to civilian transition, how well you have done is frequently more important than what you have done. Remember: It must be 100 percent letter-perfect, error-free and grammatically correct.
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10 Little Things That Count 4. Q-and-A. An interview is nothing more than an exchange of questions and answers between the interviewer and the candidate. An employer asks questions to add your personality to your résumé, to fill in the blanks and to get to know you. You ask questions to gain information and show interest. Are you ready for this exchange? Do not underestimate the importance of this twoway Q-and-A. You need two lists of questions: the ones you expect to be asked and the ones you will be asking. Rehearse your answers and your questions. Avoid selfish questions (e.g., salary, benefits, vacation, holidays, etc.) until after the offer is on the table. 5. Be selective. It takes a lot of hard work to land a great job. You have to find the right opportunity with the right company and then convince that company to hire you. As challenging as that may be, if you are not careful, you may be faced with an even higher hurdle. What if that company has little or no history hiring military service members? In that case, you will first have to convince them to hire that profile. Assuming you can pull that off, you will then have to convince them to hire you. However, if you focus on organizations that already have a demonstrated affinity for hiring veterans, then all you have to do is convince them to hire you. 6. Needs or wants? No, they are not the same. Many job seekers focus on the latter to the detriment of the former. You do not want to end up in a job that gives you much or all of what you want if, in the process, you fail to also
satisfy your needs. This is where forethought, self-knowledge and a reality check come into play. Take a job only if it satisfies your needs. If it also happens to match up with your wants, either initially or in the future, then all the better. 7. Look in the mirror. What do you see? Is that the kind of person you want on your team? Is that someone you would sponsor, endorse and go to bat for? Is this someone you would hire? Military personnel are known for physical fitness, healthy lifestyles, excellent grooming and pride in appearance. Do you live up to this expectation? Yes, appearance matters, but there is a second issue here - personality. Does that person appear to be friendly? Approachable? Self-confident? Interesting? Interested? Appropriately attired? The old adage about first impressions is not a cliché. 8. Professional reading. Read any good books lately? How about magazines and newspapers? Trade journals? Annual reports? Corporate mission and core value statements? Self-help books? Career transition guides? A major component of your job search has to do with knowledge of potential employers, of industries and businesses, of market trends and product development, and, most important, of yourself. This is especially important if you are focusing on a particular discipline, such as supply chain management, manufacturing or sales. 9. Take care of yourself. Change is hard, and facing the unknown is scary. Anyone going through career transition and job
hunting is subjected to a high degree of stress and anxiety. Pay attention to your mental and physical health. Introspection, diet and exercise will help. Allocate 30 to 60 minutes out of every day to get the blood flowing. Move your body - walk, run, jog, bike, dance, lift, swim, stretch, spin, practice yoga. 10. Ask for help. Rejection is a common element of every job search. There are always more good people than there are good jobs, and an interviewer looks for reasons to say no long before he or she looks for reasons to say yes. That helps explain why we are frequently turned away when we ask someone for an interview or a job. One way to improve your odds is to change the question. The same person who says no to you when the request is about a job just might say yes when it’s a request for help. It could go something like this: “Mr. Smith, thank you for taking my call. I am getting out of the Army soon and I am not exactly sure what I want to do. Could you give me a few minutes of your time so that we can talk about your company, my background and any advice you would have for me regarding the start of my civilian career?” A grant of that request for help may become an informational interview, and informational interviews will frequently turn into employment interviews, so prepare accordingly. Tom Wolfe is a Career Coach, Columnist, Author and Veteran and can be found at www. out-of-uniform.com.
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14
Mar/Apr 2014
NEWS
Job Fair Calendar Date: Location: Sponsor:
March 3, 2014 Ft. Hood Mini Job Fair 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Oveta Culp Hobby Soldier and Family Readiness Center POC - Robert Schumacher (254) 288-0827
Date: Location: Sponsor:
Date: March 5, 2014 Location: Ft. Sam Houston 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Sam Houston Community Center, 1395 Chaffee Rd., Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234 Sponsor: POC - Brent Redmon (703) 696-6243 brent.redmon@cpms.osd.mil Date: Location: Sponsor:
March 6, 2014 Ft. Knox Employer Day 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Bldg. 1378 (Basement) 70 Pershing Dr., Ft. Knox, KY 40121 POC - Frank Johnston (502) 624-2627
Date: Location: Sponsor:
March 12, 2014 Ft. Bragg, NC Ft. Bragg Club / 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
April 7, 2014 Ft. Hood Mini Job Fair 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Oveta Culp Hobby Soldier and Family Readiness Center POC - Robert Schumacher (254) 288-0827
Date: April 8, 2014 Location: Leavenworth Job Fair 10 a.m. 2 p.m. - 350 Biddle Blvd., Ft. Leavenworth, KS 66027 Sponsor: POC hrc.tagd.acapcomm@gmail.com Date: April 9, 2014 Location: Ft. Campbell Job Fair 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 1610 101st Airborne Division Rd. (Cole Park Commons), Ft. Campbell Sponsor: POC hrc.tagd.acapcomm@gmail.com
Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI) is the largest military-focused recruiting firm in the U.S. that for over 20 years has specialized in placing prior military job seekers with Fortune 1000 companies.
CivilianJobs.com helps military-friendly companies who actively recruit candidates from the military by offering cost-effective and customized solutions to meet their hiring needs. NEWS
Military Transition News is a bi-monthly publication providing military job seekers with relevant career and transition advice. It is distributed in print and online to over 500 military bases.
MilitaryResumes.com provides professional resume writing and consulting services for transitioning military, veterans, and their spouses seeking a civilian or federal career. Essential Events and Travel, Inc. provides expert event planning services for corporate events and meetings. We excel in managing specialized events.
Date: April 10, 2014 Location: Ft. Campbell Job Fair 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 1610 101st Airborne Division Rd. (Cole Park Commons), Ft. Campbell Sponsor: POC hrc.tagd.acapcomm@gmail.com
Date: March 19, 2014 Location: Ft. Meade Job Fair 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Club Meade, 6600 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755 Sponsor: POC hrc.tagd.acapcomm@gmail.com
Date: Location: Sponsor:
April 10, 2014 Ft. Knox Employer Day 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Bldg. 1378 (Basement) 70 Pershing Dr., Ft. Knox, KY 40121 POC - Frank Johnston (502) 624-2627
Date: Location: Sponsor:
March 20, 2014 Ft. Knox Employer Day 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Bldg. 1378 (Basement) 70 Pershing Dr., Ft. Knox, KY 40121 POC - Frank Johnston (502) 624-2627
Date: Location: Sponsor:
April 17, 2014 Ft. Hood Mini Job Fair 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Oveta Culp Hobby Soldier and Family Readiness Center POC - Robert Schumacher (254) 288-0827
Date: Location: Sponsor:
March 21, 2014 Wiesbaden Employment Event 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Bldg. 1378 (Basement) 70 Pershing Dr. Ft. Knox, KY 40121 POC - Frank Johnston (502) 624-2627
Date: Location: Sponsor:
April 23, 2014 Ft. Lee Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 2609, C Ave., Ft. Lee VA 23801 POC - Carmen Rohena Pastrana - (804) 734-6615
Date: Location: Sponsor:
March 24, 2014 Ft. Hood Mini Job Fair 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Oveta Culp Hobby Soldier and Family Readiness Center POC - Robert Schumacher (254) 288-0827
Date: Location: Sponsor:
April 29, 2014 Camp Pendleton, CA Pacific Views Event Ctr. (formerly South Mesa Club) 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
March 26, 2014 Ft. Lee, VA - The Lee Club 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Bldg. 9009, 1100 Lee Ave., Ft. Lee, VA 23801 CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
March 27, 2014 JB Myer-Henderson Hall Officers Club / 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
April 2, 2014 Ft. Hood, TX - Club Hood 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
April 3, 2014 Ft. Knox Employer Day 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Bldg. 1378 (Basement) 70 Pershing Dr., Ft. Knox, KY 40121 POC - Frank Johnston (502) 624-2627
Date: April 29, 2014 Location: Leonard Wood Job Fair 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Nutter Field House, Bldg. 1067, Ft. Leona Rd. Wood, MO 65473 Sponsor: POC hrc.tagd.acapcomm@gmail.com Date: Location: Sponsor:
May 1, 2014 Ft. Knox Employer Day 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Bldg. 1378 (Basement) 70 Pershing Dr., Ft. Knox, KY 40121 POC - Frank Johnston (502) 624-2627
Date: Location: Sponsor:
May 8, 2014 Ft. Drum Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - The Commons, P4350 Euphrates River Valley, Ft. Drum, NY 13602 POC - Lorrie Guler (315) 772-3284
Date: Location: Sponsor:
May 14, 2014 Ft. Benning, GA Benning Conference Center 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
For more job fair dates and locations, go to CivilianJobs.com
HireMilitary.com is a blog dedicated to educating and assisting employers (HR Recruiters) with sourcing and hiring candidates with prior-military experience. MilitaryTransition.com is a blog devoted to providing transition assistance information and tools to service members transitioning from the military to a civilian career.
LARGEST MILITARY FOOTPRINT
THE OPPORTUNITY
right for you
Visualize yourself as a leader. Imagine the opportunity to own your own business and reach your personal goals. As a Jani-King franchise owner, you’ll receive initial and ongoing training, administrative support, operational assistance and so much more that will help you grow your very own commercial cleaning business. Your military experience has prepared you for success. Let Jani-King deliver you the opportunity.
Franchise Opportunity Š2014 Jani-King International, Inc. CD0214-0021
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Mar/Apr 2014
NEWS
Transitioning A to Z:
In the upcoming issues of Military Transition News, we will be listing everything a service member needs to know about transitioning, from A to Z. This issue, we tackle “K” and “L”.
“K”: Know your value You’re transitioning into the civilian job market from the most powerful military organization in the world. The United States military is more than 1.4 million “workers” strong, packed with the world’s most technologically advanced systems anywhere. No other nation comes close to these cutting-edge resources. When it comes to business, you have served with the number one employer, sometimes under very demanding conditions. You had to show up to work on time. You had to get the job done. You had to be a good team member, or lead your group. The experience and skills you’ve gained are tools that companies hope to acquire and they are setting up initiatives in order to find ways to hire you. Your background and experience in the U.S. military gives you the highest recommendation as a leader, organizer and achiever. Make sure you Know your value.
“L”: Don’t let your insurance Lapse Transitioning out of the military means research, paperwork and details, some of which will wear you down. Health insurance is one of those tasks that sometimes can be so exhausting that it gets ignored. Don’t let it Lapse! Most of you are familiar with TRICARE, part of the Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP) that will bridge the health insurance gap between transition and your new civilian job, which should offer you some form of health insurance. According to Military.com, TAMP “offers transitional TRICARE coverage to certain separating active duty members and their eligible family members. Care is available for only 180 days.” There are four categories of eligibility, so make sure you log onto the Benefits tab at Military.com to view the fine print. Other programs include the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) for a select group of former military beneficiaries. You can also compare insurance costs at eHealthInsurance.com, HealthCare.gov and the Veterans Affairs web site to learn about options.
Read this issue online now at Online.MilitaryTransitionNews.com
WHAT’S
YOUR NEXT MOVE? Owning a Real Property Management franchise has proven to be a good fit for military veterans.
More Americans than ever before are renting, and homeowners and investors are increasingly seeking professional property management. Discover Real Property Management and enjoy the freedom of owning your own business and capitalize on the skills you gained in the military.
NOW HIRING Worthington Industries Manufacturing Positions at Our Columbus Steel and Cylinders Locations If you’re a responsible, hardworking individual looking for a full-time manufacturing opportunity to build an engaging career, Worthington Industries is for you. Voted a 2013 Top Workplace in Columbus, Worthington operates on a people-first philosophy rooted in the Golden Rule.
Worthington Offers: Competitive pay, plus shift premiums if you work an off shift A generous benefit package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401K and Profit Sharing
”It was an easy transition for me because I am able to utilize the skills gained in the military, such as working in an uncertain environment and being my own boss. And I help meet a need in my community by providing a service to the military.” – Riley Ockerman, Franchise Owner (U.S. Marine Corps)
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Apply Today Complete an application online at www.worthingtonindustries.com or in person at Worthington Industries Truck Entrance located at 905 Dearborn Drive in Columbus, Ohio. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.
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Mar/Apr 2014
16
NEWS
This is your invitation to join an organization offering greater opportunity, greater challenge and greater satisfaction. An organization dedicated to teamwork and collaboration. An organization working in the forefront of technology, including 89 of the Fortune Global 100 to reinvent business. As a military man or woman, your strong work ethic, commitment to excellence and attention to detail mirror many of the same core values we live at Accenture. And, with our wide range of career opportunities for military professionals, you can transfer these values – and the lessons you’ve learned – to the work we do. We are proud of our vibrant community of Accenture military employees. Join Accenture and discover how great you can be. Visit accenture.com/military today.
© 2013 Accenture. All rights reserved.