John Dyck, Ph.D. ⋅ Spring , TX Career Strategies ⋅ 30 years experience

Jodi,
If you do not have a bachelors degree you need to start working on one. Particularly a BA in business with maybe a concentration in HR. There are several online universities that offer such a degree.

Google the SHRM(Society of human resource managers). They have several certification programs and are a good source of information.

Join the local chapter of SHRM.

In what area of HR are you interested? Staffing, recruiting, training, HR systems, compensation, benefits, employee assistance(drug and alcohol abuse), records administration ???????

HR departments need benefit administrators. Benefit administration is really a risk management job. Your experience with SGLI will be a big plus.

And as others have suggested network, network, network. There are several good books on how to network and the internet has lots of good information.

Ruben Gonzalez ⋅ Brownsville , TX Social Security Administration ⋅ 34 years experience

Hey the advise listed above is excellent.
I can only add the following from personal experience:narrow down your focus to the short list of agencies you would really love to work for and Lean Into those applications .

Applying for a job is one way to do it but doing your homework on what is happening in an agency and showing them that you are inearnet about working there is some time the deciding factor in getting that particular job that your heart desires.Good luck and God speed

Jo Prabhu ⋅ San Rafael , CA International Services Group ⋅ 20 years experience

I fully understand the difficulties you have experienced- I see and hear it multiple times a day. Added to the millions of other job seekers out of work, you, as an ex-serviceman, are now in the mix, which adds to the frustration.
Instead of sending your resume out to companies that will not and cannot respond for the sheer volume of resumes they receive, I suggest you take a pro-active approach:
Target medium or large size companies in your area, check out their websites to see if they have an internship or trainee program-most usually have HR Co-Ordinator or Admin positions for their departments.
Next call up a few choice companies and ask the front desk to hook you up with someone in HR to discuss their internships or trainee programs. Pay is low, between $15 and $20/hr, but its the best way to get your foot in the door and learn in their environment; and given your prior experience, you can quickly move up the ranks and take command of your career once you are on board.
Another tip:
Sign up with a Temp Agency and they will find a temp job for you. Most companies end up hiring those who have temped and trained in their system when new jobs come available and believe me they will- as employees are constantly changing jobs to create these vacancies. Don’t lose hope. Just be more creative than the others! Good luck!

Kelly Williams ⋅ Newark , DE Stars to Stripes Military Transition Assistance ⋅ 10 years experience

Jodi,

Checkout the Human Resources Management Federal Career Series 0201. I ran a general search in within 100 miles of your area of consideration.

Results: https://www.usajobs.gov/Search?Keyword=0201&Location=Salisbury%2C+Maryland&search=Search&AutoCompleteSelected=true

Feel free to contact me for assistance with resume development (corporate or federal).

Thank you for your service.

Warmest Regards,

Kelly Williams
Career Strategist & President
Security Cleared Careers
Expert Resume Solutions
Business: (732) 686-6455
Email: info@expertresumesolutions.com
www.ExpertResumeSolutions.com
Job Board: wwww.SecurityClearedCareers.com