Problem: I cannot get any interviews for anything other than an entry level position. Is my experience actually hurting my chances of getting a job?
I left active duty Navy after a stellar career as a Leading Chief Petty Officer in a high technical role with USSOCOM to complete a degree while working for a startup company. As with many start-ups, this one had some financial troubles and after missing payroll for the employees more than a couple of times, I left. Desperate to find work, I have been doing commission-only sales for almost a year and a half. The problem is that it is wearing on me terribly and even after paring down my family's expenses and lifestyle, it is not paying the bills.
Now when I apply to jobs, I list my technical expertise, years of leadership, my current Navy reserves position as a Senior Enlisted Leader, and usually my job as Product Development Director with the green energy company. I always do my best to tailor my reported experiences to that of the requirements listed in job descriptions, yet I still don't get interviewed for any decent paying positions.
My amplified question is, what should I do about my gap in relevant technical experience in the year and a half that I've been doing sales, while looking for a tech job that pays more than $10/hour. I have recently taken time off to get updated technical certifications.
Answers
Benjamin
Are you still in the green energy field? We are looking for veterans and would love to share with you an opportunity that pays a lot more than $10/hr.
Feel free to contact me.
Dejesus6499@gmail.com
David
It sounds like your resume portrays your experiences and skills -- and not your accomplishments. There's a big difference. And resumes filled with just experiences and skills are often just skimmed quickly and dismissed -- "accomplishments" make a person reviewing want to know more about what you can do for them. You can also arrange the resume to portray the accomplishments you want for a particular application. I will certainly review your resume and make suggestions. You can send via this site or to info@212-careers.com
My clarification question for you is are you sure that going to work for someone else is the direction you need to go in order to get the quality of life you REALLY want? Working for someone else only covers half of what you should consider... the income. But if you go that route then you are giving up the second half... the wealth-building part of creating equity in a business you can sell in the future. Nothing wrong with being an employee, just make sure they pay you enough or possibly give you an equity position.
When you read your own resume, do you answer the question of the job needs you are applying for? If you have done the very same work, list the project, the goal and your outcome. Whether done in the military or not, employers are looking for someone to get something done and must see that in your resume. If you have done similar work, show them in results and list the skills you will bring to them. The resume is everything. I'd be available to help if you would like more input.
Tech jobs that pay more then 10 dollars an hour are on the wholesale side. Like you, I have got one of those Political Science degrees. I thought I would work for the Voice of America. I ended up in technical sales in Telecom.. Political Science majors look at the world in shades of grey and not black and white. With your degree, you have a large ability to be a sales guy. Most of your prospective employers do not have any connection with the military. When you go over that part of your resume about the military, their eyes just glaze over.
I would suggest the following: Go for big ticket sales. B2B, base + a large commission if you bring in a big project.
Suggestions on where to get an interview: Comcast, American Tower, Verizon (this was my playground). Look at jobs that sell these company's services to apartment buildings, universities, and large companies. If they say you have no experience, tell them you can get up to speed quick. All these companies are looking for someone to get their foot in buyers door.
Remember you are the king of battle as a sales guy. All the operations and engineering guys and gals would not have a job without you.
Contact me if you have any questions.
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