Richard Buck ⋅ Patterson , NY EY ⋅ 25 years experience

I agree it is tough out there. I would be happy to review and make suggestion on your resume.

Semper Fi
_____________________
Richard Buck
(914) 391-3375 (mobile)
76warrior85@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/ribuck/

John Stevens ⋅ Middletown , MD ⋅ 20 years experience

Gary - LinkedIn is a great way to network with the proper approach. I recommend the book How to Find a Job on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google+ by Brad and Deb Schepp. I've followed both editions of the book after meeting the authors about employment and networking techniques. Don't let your age hold you back...your passion will drive you. Once you're in LinkedIn add me to your network and I'll help you.

Bill Nobles ⋅ Basking Ridge , NJ Exxon ⋅ 30 years experience

Gary, thank you for your service. John's advice about considering "retooling" is a good idea. My recent post "What are best tools for veterans to self-assess their aptitude, capabilities, and interests?" contains some tools for you to consider along with the experiences of others who tried them.
Good luck, Bill

Bill Craig ⋅ Madison , VA NDA Partners LLC ⋅ 40 years experience

Garry,

All the advice listed above is good. A couple of other thoughts/questions come to mind:

Are you on LinkedIn? If not, you should be. Do you have a high-level security clearance (i.e. TS or TS/SCI)? If you have that, check out clearancejobs.com. Either way, you (and all job-seekers) need to network, network, network. Start with current colleagues or friends who have recently gotten out or retired.

Whenever you talk to someone, be attuned to potential opportunities, be prepared to dig a bit and then persistently sell yourself. I got my most recent job through a "friend of a friend of a friend" and it took 2 or 3 different interactions before I got was invited to submit a resume. The job was with a very small company and would not have been advertised anywhere. Was I lucky - yes. But luck is often the result of persistence and preparation meeting opportunity. If you can stand another person looking at your resume, send it to whgcraig@gmail.com and I will see if I can offer any suggestions.

Bill

Alan Dankwerth ⋅ Tucson , AZ S.C. Johnson Wax ⋅ 45 years experience

Hello Garry:
I'd be glad to review your resume as well. You've gotten good advice from Susanne. One size does not fit all..
If you have a good library near you have them help you identify all the companies listed as defense/security contractors regardless of size or HQ location. You may also be able to do the same thing on the internet.From the description of the companies, you may be able to put a list together of potential employers. Then check to see if they have an open positions (with description).
To be effective, you must modify your resume to focus on those areas of your career which would make you a strong candidate for that job. Companies will consider candidates whose resumes contain experience which satisfy the requirements of the job they have posted.

Best,

Alan

Judy Tomlinson ⋅ Dallas , TX Energy Future Holdings ⋅ 25 years experience

I agree with Susanne. If you'd like to send me your resume. I can take a look to see if there is anything that can be added/changed/improved to make you stand out. tomlinsonjk@aol.com
Judy Tomlinson

Susanne Scholz ⋅ Conway , AR Hewlett Packard ⋅ 8 years experience

Garry, Perhaps it isn't your age but how you have addressed your experience in your resume. You will have to tailor your resume to each company that you apply to, you can't use the same one for every employer.

Bill Richards ⋅ New York , NY UBS ⋅ 40 years experience

Its a tough environment now but keep at it and don't overlook smaller firms in your search. large firms seem to be having a tough time and smaller ones seem to be prospering. your military experience will be a big advantage so keep at it.
Good Luck
Bill