Military Transition News – September/October 2015, Veteran Franchise and Entrepreneur Issue by CivilianJobs.com, publisher of Military Transition News

Franchise and Entrepreneur issue CivilianJOBS.com’s

The Essential Military-to-Civilian Transition Resource September - October 2015

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JDog: More Than Just Lip Service by Janet Farley Contributing Editor

ou may not miss the formations or the “0’Dark Thirty” PT sessions when you transition out of the military, but you may miss some of the more intangible aspects of the lifestyle. For example, you are used to working in a mission-oriented world with others who share a common work ethic and a solid sense of esprit de corps. In uniform, you know you can count on the person next to you because that person can count on you. But you don’t always find that type of organizational culture in the civilian workplace. You can find it by becoming a JDog Junk Removal franchisee, however. That’s what Jeremy Parker did after retiring from the

Army in 2014. JDog Junk Removal (www. jdogjunkremoval.com) is a fullservice franchise that specializes in sorting, recycling, hauling and disposal of unwanted residential and commercial items. Recently retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jeremy Parker learned about the franchise through the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP). Parker was impressed. “The fact that the franchise is veteran-owned and veteranoperated really appealed to me. We [veterans] support each other differently than civilians do,” said Parker. “The JDog franchise speaks a language I am familiar with,” he said. Parker was able to connect the dots between the skills he used in the military and the skills needed to own and operate a small business.

“As a preventive medicine supervisor, I was a jack of all trades,” said Parker. “I had to carefully plan the work, prioritize the tasks, make decisions and work closely with others to get the job done. Those are skills that will help me as a small business owner, too,” said Parker. Parker encourages other veterans who may be considering becoming a franchisee to seriously look at JDog Junk Removal. “The basic start-up cost to me was only $60K and while that may seem like a lot, it’s not. Other franchises I researched easily cost $500K and up,” said Parker. According to Parker, a number of items are covered in that $60K. “It covers the basic cost of the franchise which is $25K. It covers a vehicle that can pull a trailer and the trailer itself. It also covers the advertising vinyl that goes on both

the truck and the trailer,” said Parker. “It also covers the administrative needs such as the business licenses, legal and accounting fees,” he said. Future would-be franchisees can also expect to receive intensive training. “I spent three days in Pennsylvania with the franchise owner, Jerry Flanagan. He went over all the basics with me,” said Parker. According to Parker, he learned how to do the paperwork, manage the finances, obtain free advertising and conduct a competitive cost analysis. He also learned more about the franchise’s mission statement which centers around helping and hiring more veterans in an effort to reduce the gap between civilian and vet unemployment. “I also had the opportunity to meet with members of the advisory board and I spent an afternoon with another franchisee to see how things really work on the job itself,” said Parker. Parker has some good advice for fellow veterans considering

becoming a JDog Junk Removal franchisee. “Talk to Jerry Flanagan, CEO of JDog Franchises. He knows everything,” said Parker. “If you’re willing to put in the groundwork, this franchise is a) affordable and b) extremely vetfriendly. They don’t just play lip service to veteran support either,” said Parker. Parker and his wife, Randi are scheduled to open the doors to a new JDog Junk Removal franchise in San Antonio, Texas in August 2015. And, he intends to hire veterans very soon. Janet Farley is a job search and workplace issues expert and the author of “The Military Spouse’s Guide to Employment: Smart Job Choices for Mobile Lifestyles,” (Impact Pubs, 2013) and “Quick Military Transition Guide: Seven Steps to Landing a Civilian Job,” (Jist, Inc. 2013). She is also co-author of “Stories Around the Table: Laughter, Wisdom and Strength in Military Life,” (Elva Resa Publishing, 2014).

Franchising: A Perfect Fit for Veterans by Heidi Lynn Russell Contributing Editor

lexandra Myers was craving smoothies. Rich Anthony had too many mosquitos in his back yard. The light dawned: If those things were important to them, other people probably felt the same way, too. Both now own flourishing franchises that have grown so exponentially, even they didn’t

foresee their resounding success. Myers, of New Orleans, is a former Navy LT who is currently the owner of 10 Smoothie King locations, which are either on or near military installations nationwide. And Anthony, of Oklahoma City, was an Army SPC who spent eight years as a nuclear biological chemical specialist. He opened his first Mosquito Joe franchise in 2014 and immediately grew the business to 650 customers. He started with two Mosquito Joe vans and this year

has six; by next year he expects to operate 12, plus expand his geographic outreach to customers. Myers and Anthony say franchising is a great fit for veterans seeking to be their own bosses. For one thing, its systems are similar to those of the military’s. And for another, veterans have a can-do, self-starting attitude that propels their franchise ownership even further. “The reason franchises are successful business operations is that

they’ve already failed and tried and have learned what it takes to be successful,” Anthony says. “For a military person, it’s structure that you need that’s not out of control.” continues page 4 Photo Right: Alexandra Myers, Smoothie King Franchisee

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Transition Talk: What is Networking? ....................page 3

Profile: Entrepreneur Success Stories

Finance: Tips for Business Owners

...............page 7

......... page 17

Job Fairs: Fall Face to Face Functions ................page 18

Career Coach’s Corner: WWWWWH ..... page 19

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Publisher Managing Editor Art Director Associate Editor Contributing Editors Director of Technology Project Coordinator Senior Consultant Consultant Consultant Consultant Account Representative Account Representative Account Representative Account Representative Account Representative

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Jake Hutchings Kathy Scott Alec Trapheagen Anthony Morris Janet Farley Heidi Lynn Russell Tom Wolfe Don Nowak Jessica Doll Brett Comerford Stephanie Brinkley Tucker Harrell Garrett Reed Kyle Friend Jillian LeBlanc Glen Nelson David Rivera John Skinner

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. ©2007-2015 Civilian Jobs, LLC. All rights reserved. Military Transition News and CivilianJobs.com are whollyowned subsidiaries of Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI), the largest military-focused placement firm in the U.S.

Transition Talk by Mike Arsenault Vice President of Candidate Services

Bradley-Morris answers questions from transitioning military job seekers.

Q: I will be transitioning out of the military in the next

18 months. Several people have suggested that I begin “networking” as a way to make connections. Can you provide me with some examples of great networking? It seems to be a catch all for connecting, but I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something.

A: Great question! Yes, while connecting is essential in

your job search, either through social media like LinkedIn or personal friendships, “networking” takes those connections to a more personal level. Consider a network as a series of individuals who place a priority on the success of their connections. If one succeeds and grows his or her network, others benefit as well with new inroads into businesses and top decision-makers. Great networkers reach out to their base with offers of help and assistance. Industry-specific associations like Rotary Club or Kiwanis have been great resources for millions of professionals across the U.S. Other exceptional networking opportunities exist through volunteerism. Meeting people who connect with you on a personal level with like-minded intentions can be the beginning of powerful professional relationships. There are three organizations that work to connect people with charities and events through online portals. The first is

VolunteerMatch.org, which allows you to search by location and interest. Idealist.org has several different ways for individuals to get involved that are paid and volunteer, and HandsonNetwork.org provides opportunities as well as information about ways to maximize time and commitment. Volunteering can also assist in adding to your resume as you expand your skills. The people you meet and the connections you make will help you grow your network beyond with people you might otherwise never meet. Of course, it may be as simple as volunteering to be a coach on your child’s soccer team. That’s how one of our Bradley-Morris employees got introduced to the company - the other coach was one of our principal managers - and that employee just celebrated their 10-year anniversary with the firm! So if you have children, don’t discount the networking you can do through school- and youth-based organizations. Frequently, the coaches/leaders of those groups are go-getters, and showing you have what it takes to, for instance, help lead a scout troop weekend camping trip might also introduce you to a prospective employer. 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.

Photo credit for top right cover image: Robert Doliber

Read this issue online now at Online.MilitaryTransitionNews.com

It seems many other veterans would agree. They own more than 66,000 franchises in the United States, which equates to one in seven, or 14 percent of all franchise owners, George Eldridge, says George Eldridge International of the International Franchise Franchise Association Association in Washington, D.C. Eldridge coordinates IFA’s VetFran Program, which provides funding, training and mentoring to veteranowned franchisees. “Why franchises are appealing is that, unlike a startup, you have help. In the military, we’re all used to SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) — instructions with vague guidance on how to do the job. This is just the same thing, except the instructions aren’t vague,” Eldridge says. Here are their tips on finding the franchise that’s right for you and shoring support to get your new business on firm footing: Investigate options based on consumer needs. If you care about something or want a certain product, chances are you’re not alone. The top five industries for franchises are (in this order): services, senior care, home services, advertising/marketing and food, Eldridge says. Ironically, neither Myers nor Anthony had long-term aspirations to become franchise owners. Both of them stumbled into it because they had needs as consumers. As a Naval Academy midshipman, Myers says she was “well-trapped on campus” with food choices. She sorely missed the Smoothie King that was widely available in her faraway hometown of New Orleans. During her ensuing career, she found that naval bases also did not provide very healthy food options. “I thought it was a good idea based on my experience and what I wanted and what other people wanted, too,” she says. She became a partner in a Smoothie King business in 2009, and then bought out the partner in 2011. Her business growth has been rooted in the strategy to locate new franchises on or near military installations. They’re so popular with military members that, “I feel I could open a new location every other month at this point,” she says. Myers, too, had a need: He has a young hearing-impaired son who couldn’t hear wasps buzzing near his head in the back yard. The family also has a pool, which attracts mosquitos. Myers was spending $190 monthly on bug spray. “I thought, ‘There has to be a company out there that will spray for me better than what I can do and cheaper. I looked in Oklahoma City, but there was no one who just sprayed for mosquitoes, and they all wanted you to sign a contract. Nobody guaranteed their work,” he says. Once you narrow down a niche, research

Photos: Rich Anthony, Mosquito Joe Owner

Securing Funding for Franchising There are many funding sources for veterans to start franchising businesses, but George Eldridge of the International Franchise Association suggests you hit them in the following order: 1. Start with the franchisor itself. “They have financing recommendations and work with specific banks. Find out what financing is available through them,” he says. 2. Then look at the Small Business Administration, which offers the Patriot Express Loan for up to $50,000, as well as larger loans for which veterans are eligible. 3. From there, consider peer-to-peer lending. “Sometimes the interest rates are higher, but they’re easier to get,” he says. 4. Ask friends and family for help. 5. Your last option is to roll over your 401(k) into your business. But this should be a final resort. “Unfortunately, you have to look at a business realistically. If you fail, what do you have left? Military members don’t like to talk about failure, but look at both sides of the coin,” Eldridge says.

Our hat’s off to you. American is proud to support our veterans and members of the military. Find us at aa.com/careers.

Also see MTN’s Finance column on page 17.

franchises. After Anthony couldn’t find a local mosquito-spraying business in Oklahoma City, he researched companies and found Mosquito Joe as a top 10 franchisor in Forbes magazine. “One thing led to another. I jumped on a plane and literally I loved everything they had to say. It’s more than just pest control; it’s health care,” he says. Also investigate whether the franchisor participates in the VetFran program. Franchise fees normally range from $40,000 to $50,000, but there are more than 650 VetFran member companies that offer discounts to veterans. The list can be viewed here:http://www.franchise.org/vetfran-directory. Anthony was “wowed” by Mosquito Joe’s discount of $2,500 off its franchise fee, plus a payment plan with no interest for the remainder due. He had to buy vans, a rack system inside the vans and blowers. To get started in the franchise, he estimates someone needs $62,000 to $100,000. Although he didn’t have much money, he obtained loans for the first vehicle and also received financial support from his family. Anthony has a three-year payment installment plan and intends on expanding his territory next year. “I proved I was going to be a hard worker and make the business functional and successful. They said, ‘We have faith in you and will front you the money to expand,” he says. Heidi Lynn Russell writes about employment and business issues.

“Franchising: A Perfect Fit for Veterans” continued from page 1

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Three Secrets to Entrepreneurial Success by Heidi Lynn Russell Contributing Editor

f you boil down all reasons that entrepreneurs’ businesses thrive, no matter the varying types of companies, there is one thing they all have in common: They are the experts on Indigo Triplett one service (or product), and their expertise is so refined that people are willing to pay top dollar for it, says former U.S. Marine-turned-multi-millionaire Dr. Indigo Triplett. That’s how Triplett launched her company in 1995. She is the CEO of Careers in Transition Inc. in Atlanta. She narrowed down that one thing she knew people would highly value - her expertise in human resources. But that expertise was hard fought and hard won. When she exited the Marines in 1988 as a Specialist, she had been a Field Radio Operator and a Communications and Public Relations Specialist. “They tell us that the (military) job is transferrable, but no one needed me to call in an air strike on Chicago,” she says. “So I looked for jobs but couldn’t find anything.” She went to school and refined her experiences in HR. Today, her firm’s client roster includes heavy-hitter federal agencies like the CIA and NASA, and large corporations such as Time Warner Cable and Halliburton. “It took about five years before I started getting great clients, and it took another five years to get larger contracts,” she says. “Clients came first and then grew into advanced contracts.” The U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes the impact veterans like Triplett have on the economy. There is about one veteran-owned entrepreneurial firm for every 10 veterans, and veteran-owned firms employ 5.8 million people. Veterans are 45 percent more likely to be self-employed than non-veterans, the SBA says. How do you know if your expertise in a service or product offering can propel you to success like Triplett’s? Here are three tips on realizing your dream, from Triplett and two other entrepreneur veterans. 1. You may need to hone your expertise. Triplett didn’t launch her business as soon as she was out of the Marines. Initially, she

thought she’d open a salon. Then she went to school for radio and television, receiving a B.A. in that field from Southern Illinois University. She segued to human resources, receiving an M.A. from Webster University, and worked with students at a technical college. But she wanted to run her own operation, so she launched her consulting business in 1995. Two years later, it was incorporated. Inc. Magazine recognized the company in 2012 as one of the Top 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America. In May 2014, Triplett received her Ph.D. in Values-Driven Leadership from Benedictine University. She’s also a public speaker and author. “It takes a lot of sweat equity. Forbes magazine says that entrepreneurs work 80 hours for themselves and 40 for someone else. You make very little the first couple of years because you’re busy building,” she says. That said, her expertise is widely recognized, and her firm is now reaping the results. 2. Be open to surprising yourself with new discoveries. Tim Scott is the founder of Mitscoots, a sock company in Austin, Texas. Mitscoots makes fun and funky socks in three different styles for men, women and children. However, this isn’t an ordinary sock company. Scott happened upon the idea because he and his wife, Agata, were volunteering along the streets to feed the homeless. They discovered that right after food and water, there was no greater request among the less fortunate than for a clean pair of socks. They established Mitscoots through crowdfunding, launching in August 2012. Mitscoots socks are American-sourced, and packaging is made from recycled materials. They are built to last a long time, because they are given to individuals who may wear the same pair of socks for several days or months at a time. Scott served as a United States Air Force SrA from 2001 to 2005. “I remember how critical socks were for me at the end of the flight line, and during boot camp, when you’d change your socks. I thought it’s a silly problem, and it makes sense that guys need socks. It almost seems trivial and tragic that when dealing with circumstances like homelessness, that socks have to be a primary concern,” Scott says. For every pair purchased, Mitscoots gives away a pair of socks to someone in need - at

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least 1,000 pair per month. The company also employs those transitioning out of homelessness to help package the socks at its office in Austin. “I wish I would not have waited as long as I did to start it,” Scott says. “I had the idea in 2009, and kept thinking I will need to gain this skill or wait until this thing happens before I jump in. I’m still learning every day. I’d tell others, if you’re waiting until you’re ready, you’re too late. With business, whoever is first out of the gate succeeds. You have to learn on the fly.” 3. Gauge your service or product by watching your clients’ reactions to your work. After he left the Army as a CPT in 1998, Tom Aiello went into the agency world. But he realized his passion was marketing and communications to the military and veteran community after a career that included roles such as recruiting veterans for Sears Holdings Corp. During the last two years, Aiello and other veterans started MARCH Marketing in Chicago, to help organizations understand how to recruit, retain and foster Tom Aiello the growth of employees who are veterans. A portion of the company’s bottom line every year goes back to help military veteran charities. Having worked so long with veterans and as a veteran himself, Aiello knew he understood the military culture and what companies needed to do to keep their veteran employees satisfied and productive. He knew he’d hit a “magic formula” for his company’s services immediately. “It was 2012, during the first client meeting where we delivered our first product. They were ecstatic. That mentally validated that we could do this. That was really early on within weeks of starting,” Aiello says. Although his business is still young, Aiello feels confident about its future. He has a sixperson team that handles digital media, creative development, social media strategy and copywriting, plus he hires freelancers. “We’ve got enough in the bank, we’re growing and aggressive, and I don’t have to lose sleep over making payroll,” he says. Heidi Lynn Russell writes about employment and business issues.

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Etsy: Not Just Another Sideline Business by Heidi Lynn Russell Contributing Editor

alentine’s Day 2006. Baghdad. Army SSG Tara Hutchinson was an MP squad leader on a mission when her vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device. She lost her right leg and suffered brain injuries, which led to hand tremors. As she recovered, an occupational therapist suggested she try jewelry-making to rebuild her fine motor skills. Hutchinson regained strength in her hands and eventually found herself in a new career filled with gemstones, boutique shops, jewelry trade shows … and an Etsy business called San Antonio Silver. “I started by making necklaces using my hands. I liked that I was able to do those things, because it’s difficult to put tiny beads on tiny strings, so difficult. At the time, I made a deal with Tara Hutchinson God. I said, ‘If You can fix what’s wrong with my hands and head and get me out of this depression and help me move on, I would share what I have with my jewelry and share my story with women to help them feel better about themselves,’” she says. Hutchinson, of San Antonio, Texas, opened her Etsy business in 2012, which gave her a valuable jumping-off platform to expand her customer base. In May, she attended a jewelry trade show in Las Vegas, where she was able to make valuable connections to sell her wares in high-end boutiques. Her target customer: urban, professional, middle-aged women. “Last year I sold $2,000 worth of jewelry on Etsy, and the previous years, $5000 to $6,000. I have had people who show up at trade shows who say, ‘I saw you on Etsy!’” she says. The Cost of Doing Business on Etsy Etsy can be used to either supplement an income, boost a business like Hutchinson has done or even sustain you full-time, depending on how you use it and market your wares, say veterans who have businesses on the site. Founded in 2005 in Brooklyn, Etsy bills itself as “a marketplace where people around the world connect, both online and offline, to make, sell and buy unique goods.” Creative entrepreneurs use the site to sell what they make or curate. In 2014, the company posted $1.93 billion in annual gross merchandise sales, with 1.4 million active sellers and 20.8 million active buyers. The company says 76 percent of U.S. sellers consider their Etsy shop to be a business, and one-third have become so well established that it’s their sole occupation.

Basically, the company makes money when you do. You pay 20 cents to list each item (each listing lasts for four months) and a 3.5 percent fee for sales completed on the

Robert Doliber and family website. Sellers also pay additional fees for services that include Etsy’s advertising platform, payment processing and discounted shipping labels. SSG Robert Doliber is a member of the Minnesota National Guard who discovered Etsy during a year-long security mission to Kuwait. “We had 12-hour overnight shifts, with two or three hours of doing work. Some of my soldiers were playing video games. I spent time online building a business plan,” he says. His shop, Rob’s Rustics, enabled him to quit a full-time accounting job. He launched in August 2012. “It took me right about two years to pass what I was making at my salary job. Initially, it was something that I could do as a side gig, until about the two-year point. July 9 last year was my last day of fulltime employment. I did about $103,000 in revenue, which comes out to about $60,000 in profits,” he says. The low startup costs, plus low overhead (Doliber helped a soldier in his unit tear down a barn and took the wood for supplies initially) gave Doliber a strong start in the business. His products also got noticed when a celebrity bought one and it was photographed for a magazine spread. He’s received mentions in Better Homes and Gardens, Real Simple and Food Network magazines. Standing Out from the Crowd Because Etsy has 1.4 million sellers, Doliber says Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools are crucial to get noticed by buyers. SEO is how the search engines find you and provide the link to the customer. He also relies heavily on great photography of his products to stand out. “When someone does a search result, and you’re there with thousands of others, what will make your product jump off the page? I learned that the product photography was important. I studied other shops that were successful and what they were doing - how they were staging and setting up photography and how those photos were drawing customers,” he says. Terry Shackelford is just getting started with Etsy, but he’s already trying to figure

out how to make his products stand out to women who frequent the site. Most people might not think a former Navy CPO would want to start a business appealing to feminine interests, but Shackelford says he’s just being practical. “I’m thinking, if I can make something that’s decorative, what better place than to put it up on Etsy? I don’t make those decisions in my house - typically the female side makes them,” he says. Shackelford, who lives in Alabama, retired in 2002 from the Navy and was working for the Tennessee Valley Authority as an instructor at its Nuclear Power Authority. But his job was eliminated, along with another 2,500 positions. He received a separation package, and he took part of it to lease a $25,000 Computer Numerically Controlled Router. He uses it to create decorative door hangers and is developing another product for which he is obtaining a patent. He’s trying to capitalize on social media to generate interest in his Etsy business,

called Shack’s CNC Workshop, which he launched this summer. “If I’m going to tweet something, I make it beneficial for the reader. That gets them interested. Provide content, and you get a better response if you’re transparent. Everything has connectability,” he says. Hutchinson emphasizes her outreach to women who buy her products on Etsy, as well as face-to-face at places like jewelry trade shows. It’s not only for business building, but also keeps her connected to an important reason she started the business. “My mission is to help women feel beautiful,” she says. “It took about six months before I realized that my brain injury was completely gone. I realized one day I had no tremors. It’s incredible. Now I can do things like this. I remember the day I couldn’t even hold a pencil. It took me so long to get to this point.” Heidi Lynn Russell writes about employment and business issues.

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ᰠ䈀漀爀搀攀爀䴀愀最椀挀栀愀猀挀栀愀渀最攀搀洀礀氀椀昀攀昀漀爀琀栀攀戀攀猀琀⸀ 吀栀攀瀀漀琀攀渀琀椀愀氀戀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀愀瘀愀椀氀愀戀氀攀Ⰰ 瀀氀甀猀琀栀攀焀甀愀氀椀琀礀眀漀爀欀洀愀渀猀栀椀瀀漀渀挀漀洀瀀氀攀琀攀搀瀀爀漀樀攀挀琀猀洀愀欀攀猀昀漀爀瘀攀爀礀猀愀琀椀猀昀礀椀渀最搀愀礀猀⸀ 䤀氀漀瘀攀眀栀愀琀䤀搀漀愀渀搀䤀眀漀甀氀搀渀ᤠ琀挀栀愀渀最攀愀琀栀椀渀最⸀ᴠ ⴀ 䌀栀愀搀䠀愀洀攀猀Ⰰ 伀眀渀攀爀䰀漀渀最䜀爀漀瘀攀Ⰰ 䤀䄀

圀攀愀爀攀琀栀攀漀渀氀礀挀漀洀瀀愀渀礀椀渀琀栀攀椀渀搀甀猀琀爀礀琀漀漀û攀爀愀㄀礀攀愀爀氀椀洀椀琀攀搀眀愀爀爀愀渀琀礀⸀

䈀漀爀搀攀爀䴀愀最椀挀글 漀û攀爀猀礀漀甀漀爀礀漀甀爀挀爀攀眀琀栀攀漀瀀瀀漀爀琀甀渀椀琀礀琀漀眀漀爀欀漀甀琀搀漀漀爀猀挀爀攀愀琀椀渀最漀甀爀挀甀猀琀漀洀挀漀渀琀椀渀甀漀甀猀挀漀渀挀爀攀琀攀氀愀渀搀猀挀愀瀀攀攀搀最椀渀最Ⰰ 爀攀猀椀搀攀渀琀椀愀氀愀渀搀挀漀洀洀攀爀挀椀愀氀挀甀爀戀椀渀最

圀攀ᤠ瘀攀䜀漀琀吀栀攀䔀搀最攀℀

Sep/Oct 2015

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䌀氀椀洀戀琀漀琀栀攀倀攀愀欀漀昀匀甀挀挀攀猀猀眀椀琀栀漀甀爀琀攀愀洀⸀⸀⸀

圀椀琀栀䈀漀甀氀搀攀爀䐀攀猀椀最渀猀글Ⰰ 夀漀甀漀爀礀漀甀爀挀爀攀眀眀漀甀氀搀戀甀椀氀搀愀渀搀猀攀氀氀䌀漀洀瀀氀攀琀攀氀礀䌀甀猀琀漀洀䌀漀洀洀攀爀挀椀愀氀匀椀最渀猀Ⰰ 䴀愀椀氀戀漀砀攀猀Ⰰ 䴀攀洀漀爀椀愀氀猀愀渀搀洀漀爀攀⸀⸀⸀

䴀愀搀攀䨀甀猀琀昀漀爀夀漀甀℀

∀䄀焀甀椀挀欀猀琀漀爀礀⸀⸀⸀ 䤀琀栀椀渀欀椀琀眀愀猀琀栀椀猀瀀愀猀琀䐀攀挀攀洀戀攀爀Ⰰ 搀甀爀椀渀最愀猀渀漀眀猀琀漀爀洀Ⰰ 䤀眀愀猀猀甀爀ǻ渀最琀栀攀渀攀琀氀漀漀欀椀渀最愀琀昀爀愀渀挀栀椀猀攀猀⸀ 䤀搀椀搀渀✀琀眀愀渀琀琀漀漀瀀攀渀愀爀攀猀琀愀甀爀愀渀琀Ⰰ 挀栀愀渀最攀漀椀氀Ⰰ 挀氀攀愀渀挀愀爀瀀攀琀猀漀爀栀椀爀攀瀀攀漀瀀氀攀琀漀挀甀琀栀愀椀爀Ⰰ 戀甀琀䤀搀椀搀眀愀渀琀琀漀洀愀欀攀猀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最愀渀搀栀愀瘀攀昀甀渀搀漀椀渀最椀琀⸀ 䤀挀愀洀攀愀挀爀漀猀猀䈀漀甀氀搀攀爀䐀攀猀椀最渀猀愀渀搀琀栀漀甀最栀琀椀琀眀愀猀琀栀攀挀漀漀氀攀猀琀挀漀渀挀攀瀀琀愀渀搀漀渀攀琀栀愀琀眀漀甀氀搀 ǻ琀眀椀琀栀眀栀愀琀䤀眀愀渀琀攀搀琀漀搀漀⸀ 䤀挀漀渀琀愀挀琀攀搀琀栀攀昀爀愀渀挀栀椀猀攀愀渀搀眀愀猀椀洀洀攀搀椀愀琀攀氀礀椀洀瀀爀攀猀猀攀搀眀椀琀栀栀漀眀琀栀攀礀栀愀渀搀氀攀搀洀礀椀渀焀甀椀爀礀⸀ 吀栀攀漀眀渀攀爀挀漀渀琀愀挀琀攀搀洀攀搀椀爀攀挀琀氀礀Ⰰ 最愀瘀攀洀攀愀昀攀眀渀甀洀戀攀爀猀漀昀漀琀栀攀爀昀爀愀渀挀栀椀猀攀爀猀琀漀挀愀氀氀愀渀搀琀漀氀搀洀攀琀漀挀愀氀氀琀栀攀洀 ǻ爀猀琀戀攀昀漀爀攀䤀挀愀氀氀攀搀栀椀洀戀愀挀欀⸀ 䤀搀椀搀愀渀搀眀愀猀昀甀爀琀栀攀爀椀洀瀀爀攀猀猀攀搀戀礀琀栀攀昀攀攀搀戀愀挀欀䤀爀攀挀攀椀瘀攀搀⸀ 䤀搀攀挀椀搀攀搀琀漀洀漀瘀攀昀漀爀眀愀爀搀愀渀搀猀琀愀爀琀攀搀瀀甀琀琀椀渀最攀瘀攀爀礀琀栀椀渀最椀渀瀀氀愀挀攀⸀⸀⸀愀氀攀愀爀渀椀渀最攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀愀氀氀漀昀椀琀猀漀眀渀℀ 吀漀猀甀洀椀琀甀瀀椀渀昀漀爀眀愀漀渀攀猀攀渀琀攀渀挀攀 ⴀ 夀攀猀Ⰰ 䤀搀椀搀戀甀椀氀搀琀栀椀猀⸀ 倀攀爀栀愀瀀猀䤀眀愀猀洀漀爀攀攀渀愀洀漀爀攀搀眀椀琀栀琀栀攀瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀琀栀愀渀猀漀洀攀Ⰰ 戀甀琀眀栀攀渀礀漀甀愀挀琀甀愀氀氀礀瀀栀礀猀椀挀愀氀氀礀猀攀攀琀栀攀爀攀猀甀氀琀猀椀琀猀栀愀爀搀渀漀琀琀漀戀攀椀洀瀀爀攀猀猀攀搀⸀ 圀攀爀攀愀氀氀礀搀漀洀愀欀攀㄀ ─ 瀀攀爀猀漀渀愀氀椀稀攀搀戀漀甀氀搀攀爀猀⸀ 吀栀攀䈀漀甀氀搀攀爀猀愀爀攀渀漀琀洀愀猀猀瀀爀漀搀甀挀攀搀⸀ 倀愀爀琀猀挀甀氀瀀琀甀爀攀Ⰰ 瀀愀爀琀愀爀琀眀漀爀欀愀渀搀愀氀漀琀漀昀挀爀攀愀琀椀瘀椀琀礀⸀ 䔀愀挀栀漀渀攀椀猀甀渀椀焀甀攀愀渀搀漀渀攀漀昀愀欀椀渀搀⸀∀ ⴀ 吀漀搀搀愀渀搀䤀猀洀愀攀氀Ⰰ 嘀攀琀攀爀愀渀猀愀渀搀䘀爀愀渀挀栀椀猀攀伀眀渀攀爀猀圀愀爀爀攀渀琀漀渀Ⰰ 嘀䄀

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Sep/Oct 2015

United States Air Force Veteran Fulfills His American Dream as a Coverall® Franchised Business Owner

CIVILIANJOBS.COM

s Americans, we all dream of owning a business and doing our own thing. It’s just a matter of finding your niche,” said United States Air Force Veteran, Mario Rivers. The former Senior Airman discovered how difficult that niche is to find. After working in education for 17 years, it was pure happenstance and a colleague’s phone conversation that encouraged him to finally make the call to Coverall’s Charlotte Support Center and start the journey of business ownership. “I heard of Coverall a few years back but never pursued the opportunity,” said Mario. “It wasn’t until I overheard a colleague on the phone that I realized he was a Coverall business owner. It was then that I decided to ask him about the opportunity.” It might have been the coincidence of that phone conversation which sparked Mario to begin thinking about a franchised business opportunity with Coverall. But, it was the commercial cleaning industry itself that gave him the confidence to get started. After all, offices, medical facilities, childcare centers and other businesses will always require a cleaning service of some kind. Such a need wasn’t the only factor. In addition, he would be able to maintain his job while

commercial cleaning industry. With more than 8,000 franchised business owners in 90 markets across the globe, Veterans from all branches of the military have become Coverall Franchised Business Owners. Offer of Franchise made by prospectus only. See Franchise Disclosure Document for details.

Franchising and Military Q&A With Air Force Veteran and Coverall® Franchised Business Owner Mario Rivers Q: How has your military background been of service to you as a business owner? A: Besides the discipline and structure, it’s the interaction with my employees and my customers that has been the greatest influence from my time in the U.S. Air Force. In the military, we work with each other and the way you treat the folks working around you goes a long way to accomplishing what you set out to achieve. Q: What advice would you give a fellow Veteran just starting their business? A: Learn your customers. You can do everything you think is right, and maybe you are right, but it’s the customer who is putting food on your table. You’ve got to take the time to focus on what makes your customers tick and make the necessary adjustments to keep them happy. Q: Would you recommend a Coverall franchised business to your fellow Veterans? Why? A: Had I known about Coverall when I transitioned out of the military, I would’ve done it immediately. Starting a business is a great option for a Veteran, especially one just making the transition to civilian life. No matter how specialized or prominent your position was in the military, it can be difficult to integrate those skills into the working world, which makes for a tough path to finding a way of life and a way to survive.

Start a Commercial Cleaning Business!

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✓ AFFORDABLE Financing options available ✓ STRUCTURED

Turn-key with processes in place

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Call now. 800.537.3371 As a Military-Friendly Franchise, Coverall offers Veterans a 10% Discount.* © 2015 Coverall North America, Inc. This offer is made by prospectus only. See Franchise Disclosure Document for details. * Qualified Veterans receive a 10% discount on the initial franchise fee on the purchase of a Coverall Franchised Business. Discount offered may not be available in all locations and may vary depending on where the Coverall Franchised Business is purchased. See the Franchise Disclosure Document for details.

www.coverall.com

HIREMILITARYBLOG.COM

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starting and growing his own business at his own pace. This helped alleviate the risk of going “all in” that many other business owners face when first starting out. There was another element to his inspiration -- something he realized after reading an article in a Coverall newsletter during his visit to the Charlotte Support Center. The article highlighted the story of a Coverall Franchised Business Owner who employs members of the community and provides them with a job opportunity. From that moment on, he was all in. Today, as the owner of C.E.R. Enterprises, LLC, based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, Mario builds his business in pursuit of his personal and professional goals. He started his Coverall Franchised Business in March of this year and already has plans to expand so he can offer jobs to those who need them. “I’m extremely happy that I’m doing this,” Mario reflects. “Not only do I have an opportunity to be a business owner, I can help others by employing them too. Best of all, this is something I hope to pass on to my son one day.” Military Veteran today, business owner tomorrow. You have what it takes. Call 800.537.3371 or visit www.coverall.com today. For 30 years, Coverall has been a leading franchised brand in the

MILITARY TRANSITION NEWS

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Sep/Oct 2015

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Our idea of career transition.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) offers transitioning military health care providers three career paths — they can maintain their military retirement benefits through the USPHS Commissioned Corps; receive a comprehensive compensation and benefits package through the federal civil service; or work for and negotiate benefits directly with a Tribal health program. IHS clinicians practice patient-centered care and work within an integrated team environment. They enjoy a structured yet flexible work schedule and have ample opportunities for recreational pursuits. Explore a world of opportunities in Indian health careers at www.ihs.gov/careeropps.

Here at HUB International we value our veterans for their uncanny ability to work as a team. The specialized skills, traits and leadership that service members carry are an invaluable part of what we stand for. HUB International will continue to support and recognize our military service members, past and present. Our career opportunities include: Leadership and sales training development Career mobility Competitive pay and benefits

Opportunity. Adventure. Purpose.

HUB International www.hubinternational.jobs The policy of the IHS is to provide absolute preference to qualified Indian applicants and employees who are suitable for federal employment in filling vacancies within the IHS. IHS is an equal opportunity employer.

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At your service across the United States and Canada.

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Sep/Oct 2015

Spouse Series: Taking Care of Business... Your Own Business by Janet Farley Contributing Editor

nce upon a time, employment opportunities for military spouses were severely limited. Let’s refer to those times as the dark ages, shall we? Fortunately, that era is over. Thanks to evolving business attitudes, global corporate partnerships and advances in technology, military spouses today have more career enhancing options available to them than ever before. One of those options is self-employment. There is no denying the potentially significant perks to being an enterprising entrepreneur. Perks, of course, may vary depending upon the nature of the exact business, but generally speaking: • You never have to suck up to the boss again. You are the boss. You answer to yourself. You pay yourself. You evaluate your own work performance. Yay you. Give yourself a raise. You deserve it. • You don’t have to deal with toxic coworkers ever again. • You truly control your own fate. You get to decide when you go to work, where you go to work and how long you will work on any given day. Workplace flexibility, a once foreign concept, is an everyday occurrence. Ill-timed dental appointments and early weeknight soccer matches for everyone! • If your business is a mobile one, you

don’t have to quit your job and find a new one all over again when PCS orders move you from one duty station to the next. Do you hear angels singing? I distinctly heard angels singing! • If you grow your business to be a thriving one, you develop a solid stream of income that can also help to alleviate some of your spouse’s military-to-civilian career transition angst when that time finally comes. • You can channel your true passions, realizing your own career hopes and dreams in the process. • You can wear your bunny slippers 24/7. That alone makes the whole idea totally worth it, right? Your dry cleaning and commuting costs could also see a drop. Self-employment isn’t all fun and games, of course. Ironically, some of the very advantages can turn into disadvantages along the way. • You are the boss. When things go wrong, you only have yourself to blame. A raise may be out of the question for some time. A paycheck may even be out of the questions for a while. • You may not have to deal with toxic coworkers, but you still have to play nice with incompetent and annoying people who may be instrumental to the success of your business. Welcome to your new reality.

• Workplace flexibility may truly mean you’re free to work 24/7. After all, logic demands you have a business up and running smoothly in order to have a workplace from which you can be flexible. Self-employment, however professionally exciting it may sound to you, is not the perfect career choice for everyone. Is it for you, however? According to the Small Business Administration, entrepreneurs share some are fairly common characteristics and skills. • They are calculated risk takers who embrace uncertainty and who aren’t afraid to make tough decisions when they need to be made. • They are independent souls who trust their own gut and who can weather rejection when it does happen. • They are smooth talkers - and not in a creepy way. They know how to effectively communicate their ideas to others and get them to buy into them. • They are skilled negotiators who can say and do the right things needed to propel their businesses forward. • They do not lack imagination. Instead they think creatively. • They know how to build a strong support team and sustain and grow it for the benefit of their business.

If the budding entrepreneur inside you wants out, then give it a fighting chance. The following resources can help you further your future career transition: • Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov) • SCORE (www.score.org) • Military Spouse Business Association (www.milspousebiz.org) • National Association for the Self- Employed (www.nase.org) Janet Farley is a job search and workplace issues expert and the author of “The Military Spouse’s Guide to Employment: Smart Job Choices for Mobile Lifestyles,” (Impact Pubs, 2013) and “Quick Military Transition Guide: Seven Steps to Landing a Civilian Job,” (Jist, Inc. 2013).

Are you looking for a company that values INTEGRITY, LOYALTY & FAMILY? Do you want to build your career keeping the general public SAFE FROM HAZARDS they don’t know exist? GeoStabilization International (GSI) is the premier geohazard mitigation firm in the US and Canada. Our expertise, proprietary tools, and worldwide partnerships allow us to repair virtually any slope stability problem. We specialize in emergency landslide repairs and rockfall mitigation using design/build contracting. Military veteran applicants are highly encouraged. EOE.

We’ve Got Your Six Finding your place after serving your country may seem tough. But your training has made you resilient, adaptive and ready for your next move. At Xcel Energy, we’re powering an energy future that requires your mission-driven skills, discipline and integrity. And we’re backing you 100% with transition tools and personal support from over 1,400 vets that work here. Make your move now.

Explore the possibilities today. xcelenergy.com/Military

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Visit our website www.geostabilization.com/career-opportunities

Sep/Oct 2015

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Build your career with Eaton, and build power management solutions that keep the world moving more efficiently, reliably and safely.

If you are searching for a career with a company that values the training and experience that veterans bring, then Eaton is your ideal company. Military professionals at Eaton are part of an organization that focuses on providing power management solutions to global customers while doing business right.

Search and apply at www.eaton.com/MilitaryCareers Eaton is a global power management company. We help customers manage power, so buildings, airplanes, trucks, cars, machinery and entire businesses can do more while consuming less energy. As an integrated global company, we are unified in our commitment to powering business worldwide. Eaton is an Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer, minority/female/ disabled/protected veteran.

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Sep/Oct 2015

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6 Financial Tips for Entrepreneurs

by Ashley Feinstein Contributing Writer

eing an entrepreneur is an extremely fulfilling career where you get to challenge yourself daily, live your passion and experience great freedom. While you may enjoy spending your time on your expertise or the operations side of your business, other aspects, such as the finance side, may feel overwhelming. You probably have a mile long to-do list, might not have any experience in finance and may not even see the need to spend your precious time concentrating on the numbers. It’s enough to make you avoid or completely neglect them altogether! But having a handle on the financial side of your business is incredibly important. An understanding of the numbers can maximize what you earn, protect you and your family and even keep you in business. Dedicate some time to your finances each month and you’ll be more likely to improve your business, reduce stress and avoid unnecessary heartache. Here are six important financial tips entrepreneurs need to know. 1. Set up Monthly Bookkeeping. As a small business owner, it can be tempting to lump your personal finances in with your business finances. Many of your personal expenses are also business expenses and it might feel simpler to look at them both together. I highly recommend keeping your personal finances separate from your business finances for many reasons. If your personal and business expenses aren’t separate, it makes it very difficult to see how your business is actually doing. Large personal expenses can make business earnings look smaller than they actually are and vice versa. It will also add a lot of unnecessary work at tax time. Bookkeeping is a very important practice for entrepreneurs. If you have the resources, this is something that you can also hire someone to do for a reasonable fee. Bookkeeping simply means keeping track of your income and expenses in an easy-to-reference way. There are various types of software available to help you do it, making it easy to see how much money you made and spent in a given month and even in a given category. You can track growth or decline in specific areas and revenue streams, however you prefer to look at your business. Also, you’d be surprised how much revenue companies lose by forgetting to collect on an invoice or by not following up with customers who have not yet paid. Losing money you’ve already earned is definitely something we all want to avoid.

2. Create projections. As an entrepreneur, you will want to create projections into the next year and even the next few years. What do you expect your company to earn in the coming months given what you know about your current business and potential new revenue? What can you expect to spend each month based on your recurring bills, when annual expenses fall and the new investments you’ll need to make in your business? Breaking down how many new customers you’ll need to achieve your revenue goals will help you put together a plan to make it happen. Also, if you know you have a large expense coming up, you can plan for it accordingly by saving cash for a certain period of time, creating a payment plan or getting access to financing. If the large expense comes up and you didn’t plan for it, you will have to scrape the money together quickly and may have to take on unfavorable and expensive financing terms. 3. Build a cushion. While many expenses can be planned for, others come unexpectedly. To protect your business and yourself, you need to make sure that you have a financial cushion saved up. Ideally, you will have a personal savings cushion for emergency situations as well as a business savings cushion to use in case of unexpected expenses. Emergency funds are important for everyone to have but are especially important for those with irregular income because you want to have money to turn to in the event of a low revenue month. The size of your emergency or rainy day fund depends on your personal comfort level, but you can start by calculating your personal and business burn rate. A burn rate is how much you expect to spend each month. For your personal life, this is how much you spend on housing, bills and food. Then you can think through a couple of surprise or emergency situations and decide how many months savings you would like to have to make you feel comfortable. Anything is better than nothing so don’t fret if you don’t have as much saved as you had hoped! You get to decide how much you can put aside for your rainy day fund each month and have that transfer over automatically each paycheck until your fund is as large as you’d like. 4. Get tax advice. It’s important to get professional tax advice so you can minimize your tax bill and prepare accordingly. If you are on a payroll, taxes are automatically deducted from your paycheck, but if you are earning revenue from your own business, you’ll want to put a certain percentage of money aside to pay your tax bill at the end of each year. You do not want a huge unexpected tax bill to stress or even bankrupt your business during tax season. Find a tax professional you trust and check in each quarter to estimate your projected tax bill for the last few months. The more you plan, the more you’ll be prepared and won’t run into any unwanted surprises. Having your personal expenses separate from your business expenses will make meetings with your tax professional a whole lot easier and less time consuming.

5. Protect yourself. Many entrepreneurs sacrifice their own financial health for the sake of their businesses. Make sure to protect you and your business with the right types of insurance. You will want to have health insurance to take care of your medical and health needs, disability insurance in case you are unable to work for a short or long period of time, and life insurance if you have people who depend on you for their financial well being. You will also want to make sure you have the right business insurance, which will depend on your industry and the type of business you have. Business insurance will protect you from unnecessary liability from your day-today business operations. Talk to an insurance professional to get advice on the best type of insurance for you. 6. Pay yourself first. Paying ourselves is another area where entrepreneurs struggle because often so much of what we make gets invested back into the business. At the end of the day, running a business is a job that you are doing so you can make money. If you don’t pay yourself first and protect your financial future, no one else will do it for you. Take the time to set up the correct retirement options for you and your employees. Depending on your company structure, you can set up a SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Arrangement), 401(k), Simple IRA (Individual Retirement Account) or defined benefit plan. Once you choose the correct structure for you, put it to work. Set up automatic contributions so you are paying yourself each month. If it seems overwhelming, start small. You can contribute as little as 1 percent of your income and slowly work up from there. Some plans will increase your contributions automatically by whatever you choose over a specified period of time. If you increase your contribution percentage every month by 1 percent, you’ll be contributing 12 percent by the end of the first year and may hardly notice a change! Set aside time to address these six financial tips and you will be setting yourself and your business up for a bright financial future. While avoiding your finances altogether may feel easier at times, facing the numbers will help you create a plan for a successful business while also reducing your stress. The good news is that you don’t have to go it alone. You have the option to hire talented professionals to help you make the right choices. Don’t be afraid to use the resources available to you!

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Read this issue online now at Online.MilitaryTransitionNews.com

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NEWS

Sep/Oct 2015

Job Fair Calendar Date: Location: Sponsor:

September 2, 2015 Ft. Rucker, AL - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Bldg. 4502, Rm. 210, 4502 Andrews Ave. POC: Mr. Bryan Tharpe, Ft. Rucker

Date: September 3, 2015 Location: Carlisle Barracks, PA 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Carlisle Expo Ctr., 100 K St. Sponsor: POC: Jeffrey Hanks, jeffrey.a.hanks3.civ@mail.mil Date: September 9, 2015 Location: Ft. Polk, LA - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 7438 California Ave., Bldg. 4275 Sponsor: POC: Tami Culbreath, tami.b.culbreath.mil@mail.mil (337) 531-1594 Date: September 9, 2015 Location: Ft. Campbell - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cole Park Commons, 1610 101st Airborne Division Rd. Sponsor: POC: Sean Solorzano, sean.p.solorzano.civ@mail.mil (270) 798-6507 Date: September 9, 2015 Location: Ft. Leonard Wood - 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 6836 Iowa Ave., Bldg. 1067 Sponsor: POC: Beverly Rowe, beverly.d.rowe.civ@mail.mil (573) 596-0175 Date: Location: Sponsor:

September 15, 2015 Ft. Stewart, GA - Stewart Club 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 1020 Hero Rd., Bldg. 405 POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location: Sponsor:

September 15, 2015 Ft. Eustis, VA, JBLE Job Fair 9 a.m. - 2 p.m./2123 Pershing Ave. POC: Reba Gordon, reba.d.gordon.civ@mail.mil (757) 878-2881

Date: Location: Sponsor:

September 22, 2015 DC National Guard Armory 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 2001 East Capitol St. SE POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com, Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473

Date: Location: Sponsor:

September 23, 2015 Ft. Huachuca, AZ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Murr Community Ctr., Bldg. 51301, Cushing St. POC: Bobby Fields, robert.w.fields14.civ@mail.mil (520) 533-5764

Date: Location: Sponsor:

September 24, 2015 Dahlgren, VA at Univ. of Mary Washington-Dahlgren Campus 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. 4224 University Dr., University Hall Room 110, King George, VA POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473

Date: Location: Sponsor:

September 29, 2015 Ft. Lee, VA - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Regimental Club, 2609 C Ave. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location: Sponsor:

October 7, 2015 Redstone Arsenal, AL 10 a.m. -2 p.m. The Summit, Bldg. 130, Golf Course Rd. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location: Sponsor:

October 20, 2015 Camp Pendleton, CA 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Pacific Views, Bldg. 202850 San Jacinto Rd. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: October 21, 2015 Location: Ft. Lee - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Regimental Club and Hide Away, 2609 C Ave. Sponsor: POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com, Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473 Date: October 22, 2015 Location: Joint Base Andrews AFB, MD 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Club at Andrews, 1889 Arnold Ave. Sponsor: POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com, Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473 Date: Location: Sponsor:

October 23, 2015 Schofield ACS, HI 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Nehelani Banquet & Conference Ctr., 1249 Kolekole Ave., Schofield Barracks POC: Caron Ferguson, caron.g.ferguson.civ@mail.mil (808) 655-4227

Date: Location: Sponsor:

October 28, 2015 Ft. Bragg, NC 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Conference and Catering Ctr., Bldg. 5-5348, 2658 Reilly Rd. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location: Sponsor:

November 5, 2015 Ft. Benning, GA 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Benning Club, Bldg. 128, Morrison Rd. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location: Sponsor:

November 10, 2015 Patuxent River NAS, MD 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Bay District Vol. Fire Dept. Social Hall, 46900 S. Shangri-La Dr. POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473

Date: Location: Sponsor:

November 12, 2015 Belvoir-Springfield, VA 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. American Legion Post 176, 6520 Amherst Ave., Springfield, VA POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473

For more job fair dates and locations, go to CivilianJobs.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.

HireMilitaryBlog.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

Sep/Oct 2015

NEWS career coach’s corner

by Tom Wolfe Career Coach and Contributing Editor

hile rummaging through some old boxes in my attic the other day, I ran across a pile of notebooks from my college days. Among them was one labeled “Journalism 101.” Leafing through the notebook, I noticed the letters WWWWWH at the top of a page. Curious, I read my notes and was reminded of the basics of writing a good news story, particularly the importance of covering the facts surrounding the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of the event. I was immediately struck by the realization that these five W’s and one H are just as important to “Career Transition 101” as they are to that basic journalism course.

Career Transition 101 Engineer or Systems Analyst just might do the trick. Absent a specific job title or objective, at least be able to describe the attributes of the best job for you; for example, personal interaction, teamwork, analytic, problem solving, process improvement, fastpaced, hands-on, creativity, leadership, outand-about, customer service, variety and any others that apply to you. In addition to outlining these descriptors, make sure you have real examples that prove each of them are true and/or show how they impact your effectiveness. These illustrations enhance both your credibility and also your likelihood of being remembered - in a positive way - by the interviewer.

Who? Specifically, who are you and what makes you tick? A high level of knowledge is critical to job search success. Before interviewing, you must have knowledge of the company, the industry and the position, but do not stop there. Self-knowledge is as important as those three combined. In order to interview successfully, you must present yourself in such a way that the interviewer will visualize you in the job, doing it well and with a smile on your face. Strong self-knowledge allows you to do this, and without it you are doomed to fail the interview.

When? There are two categories of reasons why people fail interviews: things beyond their control and things they can control. In the case of the former, that’s called life. In the latter, that’s called neglectful. Imagine how you will feel if you are rejected because of something you could have controlled? Although when you can start work might be out of your control, how far in advance of that day you begin to interview is definitely controllable. When answering the What is your availability? question, make sure your answer causes the interviewer to smile. A lead time of 99 days or less is best for most employers. If they are interviewing for the job, they want to fill the job. If you are the best candidate, they will wait, but for only so long. No matter how well you interview, minimize the chances that they have also interviewed an equally likeable and qualified candidate who can start sooner than you can.

What? What are you looking for? What kind of work do you want to do? You do not necessarily need a targeted job title, although that helps, as long as it is specific. Whereas titles like Manager or Technician or Engineer or Analyst are too vague or general to be of much use, Inventory Control Manager or Communications Technician or Operating

Where? On your list of priorities, how important is the location of the job? Maybe you are wide open for a great opportunity regardless of what town it’s in. Maybe your personal situation restricts you to a specific location. Maybe, like most people, your geographic needs fall somewhere in between those extremes. Regardless, figure it out before

you begin to interview. Location is a great filter, for both you and the employer. Why should they interview you if you do not want to live in their town or would prefer to live someplace else? Why should you waste time interviewing for a job in a location where you and/or your family would not be happy? Here’s an exercise for you. Take a look at a map of the United States. Go state by state (or portions of states if that is more appropriate) and put each in one of three columns. Use Column A for places you would love to live. Column C is for locations that are completely off the list - erase them from your map. Everything else goes in Column B - places you would live if the opportunity was good enough to offset the fact that it’s not your first choice. Use this ABC list as a geographic template for your search.

preparation, execution, decision and launch; self-knowledge, research, networking and leads; personal skills inventory, resumes, wardrobe and references. Looking at all of that as a whole can be daunting. Breaking it up into steps and phases makes it easier to handle. How to get started? Three recommendations:

Why? People change jobs and/or careers for a variety of reasons. How about you? Why are you leaving the military? Why is your current situation changing? Why is your current position no longer good enough for you? Have you identified your motivators and are you prepared to discuss them in an interview? You have skills - things you do well, correct? Well, why are you good at these things? What are the keys for your success? Understanding the reasons behind your transition will maximize the odds that the new job will fix what was broken or missing in the last one.

In summary, knowing your who, what, when, where, why and how will lead to a news story written by you titled My Successful Career Transition. In the interim, thanks for your service and good hunting!

1. Participate in the DOL/OPM/ED/VA/ SBA joint venture called Transition GPS: www.dodtap.mil. 2. Print out and use this combination http://bit.ly/70TransitionSteps. 3. Read Out Of Uniform: Your Guide to a Successful Military-to-Civilian Career Transition (www.out-of-uniform.com), in which all of the guidance in this column is covered in detail.

Tom Wolfe is a Career Coach, Columnist, Author and Veteran and can be found at www. out-of-uniform.com.

How? So you have answers to the five W’s - now what? How do you go about generating the interest and interviews that will lead to that new career? Welcome to your job search! You need a plan that includes both big picture strategy and implementation tactics;

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Sep/Oct 2015

NEWS

“I

FOUND ANOTHER WAY TO SERVE. THAT WAS MY MOMENT.” Scott Green Undergraduate Cybersecurity Student

PROGRAMS IN HIGH-DEMAND FIELDS After being injured while serving his country, Scott experienced his Moment when he found another way to serve by pursuing his undergraduate degree in cybersecurity. He wants to make

Creating Moments, Building Your Future.

a diﬀerence by learning the proper techniques, policies, and procedures to protect and defend information systems in local and broad-based domains. UMUC can help you transition to your post-military career in high-demand ﬁelds with • Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cybersecurity, information technology, business, public safety, and more • Up to 60 transfer credits for your military experience and training, saving you time and money • More than 140 classroom and service locations, including military installations throughout the world

UMUC Is the No. 1 University for Veterans.*

Call 800-939-UMUC (8682) or visit military.umuc.edu/mtncyber to learn more. *Military Times ranked UMUC No. 1 in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2015 annual survey of online and non-traditional colleges and universities.

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