David Moore ⋅ Spokane , WA Realtime Associates ⋅ 35 years experience

A lot of great advice being offered. Pay attention to it and digest it. When I entered the job search (headhunting) industry, my mentor told me that "everyone who looks for work...goes to work. You just can't say 'when,' 'where,' or 'what...'" The key is not to give up. If you need training or school, go and get it. Cultivate networks. People hire people they know or who know people.

Good Luck

Dave

David Bonner ⋅ Riverside , CA U.S. Marine Corps, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 10 years served

I agree with Phil. Networking through all avenues possible are important. Your local Unemployment office will have a veterans representative as well who may provide you with information on jobs in your area and what employers are looking for. Higher education simply makes you more marketable and there are some jobs that you have the skill set for, but will not qualify for without your degree.

So follow every lead and go to work on sitting up the next phase of your life.

Phil C. ⋅ Fort Worth , TX ⋅ 3 years experience

I would recommend networking through various military veteran organizations (like VFW) or through any other means (Linkedin helps) and going to college to get a degree that can lead to a good, fruitful career. You really have to have a bachelors degree. Folks in the business world are so focused on that little piece of paper it's sickening, but that's the way the world works. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a sweet deal. Use it!

Michael Sheinblum ⋅ New York , NY ⋅ 10 years experience

Thank you for your service!

All of the previous replies have fantastic ideas. However, they only subtly mentioned, what I think, is the most important aspect of job searching - finding the best match for your interests AND your skill set. What are you interested in doing and what kind of skills do you have that will let you do that job (or what steps do you need to take to get that job)? Providing some more information about your education, job interests and experience will allow us to provide better advice to you.

For example, do you have any college education? If not, your veteran benefits will be extremely helpful in funding an education and will vastly improve your chances of having a good job (even if you earn an associate degree/certificate or take a few classes). Some of my friends who served decided to go into law enforcement, which their military experience prepared them for. However, depending on the location, you may need to have at least some college credits for a job in law enforcement. If you like your job, you'll do well at it. My recommendation is to go for a job (or earn the skills/experience) to get you a job that you won't hate getting up for each morning to go to. Sites like Linkedin, Indeed.com and usajobs.gov are great resources for looking for jobs (and Linkedin is excellent for networking and setting up connections for job recruiters to contact you).

One last word of advice - the job postings that you see may ask for some (or many) skills or experience that you do not have. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED BY THIS! Those job postings are for the perfect candidate - no one will have all of those skills/experience.

You'll be fine! Good luck!

Jim Flynn ⋅ Olympia , WA State of Washington ⋅ 30 years experience

Hello, Staff Sergeant. I'm a retired State personnel administrator who, like you, transitioned from the Army many years ago. I found it a challenge to immediately translate my military experience to the career I would enjoy over many years. But, what experience I had accumulated did serve as valuable career building blocks for my future. If workable, I suggest you look for suitable part time employment and then enroll in a community college or four year university. That offers options where you can secure technical/professional training that will provide a bridge to a rewarding, long term career. Best wishes to you, and thank you very much for your service.

Paul Trejo ⋅ Austin , TX University of Texas at Austin ⋅ 40 years experience

First, Staff Sergeant Barrie, thank you for your years of service.

Secondly, the job market is tight for civilians, yet it is a bit easier for Veterans, because of naitonal policies.

The key to making the shift, as I see it, is to match your Work Experience as closely as possible to your prospective work in civilan life. For example, let's say that as a Staff Sergeant you supervised people in semi-skilled tasks, and you kept records on all these people, making the appropriate reports.

If that was true in the military, then that is the sort of job to seek in the non-military work environment. Any interaction you had with computers should be transferred as far as possible, also. Supervisory skills and computer skills are in higher demand in today's civilian workforce.

You will have many prospects, Staff Sergeant Barrie. Ms. Ceroni gave you good advice when she said you should start your job search early -- while you're still in the military. For some reason, it is much easier to find a job when we're holding a job, than when we're not. It makes us look more valuable, perhaps.

Anyway, your plan of action might look something like this:

1. Decide where you want to live.
2. Identify the major employers close to that location.
3. Read about each employer
4. Narrow down your choices to your top three.
5. Narrow down your choices to just one -- and research that company thoroughly.

As for the interview itself:

1. Prepare a long list of short stories about how you overcame common workday obstacles in your current job.
2. When you are asked a question in the interview, answer with one of these short stories, as an example, rather than with a mere "yes" or "no".
3. Never complain about your current or previous jobs.
4. Never confess to any mistakes of any kind; keep your sunny side up.
5. Show them you're a consistent winner, and you'll get the job.

I think you'll do fine, Staff Sergeant.

Best wishes,
--Paul Trejo

Joyce Cerroni ⋅ Boca Raton , FL U.S. Army National Guard ⋅ 24 years served

Good morning Staff Sergeant, Today's job market is tighter as you are probably aware. However, that does not mean that you will be unable to find a suitable position. I would suggest that you start your search as soon as possible, before leaving the service. I am the wife of a Cmd. Sgt. Maj., Ret, US Army National Guard, and I volunteer with an organization called Welcome Home Resumes. We offer a unique Interactive Resume and Interview Preparedness Training for veterans and their families, free of charge, always. With 13 years in the military (thank you so much for your service), you have a lot of experience. The goal is to translate that experience and your skills into civilian qualifications. Our services are hands-on and we work with you through the entire process and beyond.

Please have a look at our Interactive Employment (interactiveemployment.org) and Welcome Home Resumes (welcomehomeresumes.org) websites for further information about how we can help. If we can be of any assistance, answer any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Certainly, you can begin the process at any time. We will do whatever is necessary to assist you in obtaining employment.

Sincerely,
Joyce Cerroni