Matthew Hurt ⋅ Kailua , HI U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant ⋅ 12 years served

I just realized that I have been responding to all of you via email and not in ACP. Thank you all for the great feedback and advice, I really appreciate it. I will ensure to update as needed or desired (if at all) to let you all know the results of your advice. Again thank you all for the help with this issue.

Jaclyn Breding ⋅ Seattle , WA Boeing ⋅ 5 years experience

Good morning Matt - I have found that what matters most is tailoring that great resume for each job, especially if it's an online application. Often times, big companies (and maybe all companies!) run the resumes they receive through some kind of screening software that matches it against the language in the job posting. I find that when you use key words from the posting itself (assuming the words apply to your experience and are relevant) that helps get you past the software to a person, and that's when the review from your instructors and commander will be of the most benefit. I would also be happy to review your resume if you'd like, jaclyn.breding@boeing.com. Good luck with your search!

Jack Bosma ⋅ Butler , NJ U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 23 years served

please send to jackbarrybosma@hotmail.com

Jane Greenwald ⋅ Short Hills , NJ Gilbert Tweed International ⋅ 30 years experience

Yes I am happy to review it. Please send to my work email. Jgreenwald@gilberttweed.com

Curt Sundell ⋅ Lehi , UT AAPC ⋅ 13 years experience

Matt, it looks like you have plenty of help in reviewing your resume, so I'll try to help on the other questions. It's hard to answer about the job market conditions without knowing where your'e looking, or what field you're targeting. A general response to that point is that you may want to consider expanding your search area and/or career field.

If you haven't already done so while you were in, use your GI Bill benefits. Get a degree, or certifications, or a vocational certificate. Unless your military experience is directly applicable to the field you're pursuing, you'll need additional credentials to get your foot in the door. That's not to say that you can't get going on a career until you have graduated, you just might need to start out at a lower level while you collect a few feathers in your cap.

Finally, within your resume, and all communications you send to potential employers, the main message you need to be communicating is what you can do for them. The employer needs to hear how you're going to do a job better than the other candidates, what you have to offer that will set you apart. Show the employer how your previous experience will translate to results for them. Be sure to emphasize accomplishments and results that you have acheived, and not just responsibilities or duties.

kristen rayder ⋅ Morristown , NJ Johnson & Johnson ⋅ 24 years experience

Matt,
I'm happy to review your resume and provide feedback.
Kristen Rayder
krayder@its.jnj.com

Donnell Turner ⋅ Auburndale , MA Lasell College ⋅ 15 years experience

Hello Matt,

It looks like you have experienced an overwhelming response. If you need additional assistance, please feel free to contact me.

All the best,

Donnell Turner
Director of Career Services
Lasell College
dturner@lasell.edu

Andrew Sperfslage ⋅ Decatur , GA Coca-Cola ⋅ 10 years experience

Matt - I'd be happy to review and provide some feedback. You can send directly to me at: asperfslage@coca-cola.com

Thanks!
Andy

Jamie Doud ⋅ Houston , TX JRD Consulting; (Prior): Easton Sports ⋅ 20 years experience

Matt, you have received excellent advise above, and looks like you have several people reviewing your resume already. To answer one of your questions, yes the overall job market is tough (depending on the particular job/industry). I've personally been looking to close my consulting business and return to full time work. I am competing against approximately 100 people for every job I have applied to during the last six months. The companies I've applied to tend to want someone who is "currently" working for another company in their specific industry, vs. me being a consultant with my own company. If there is anyway you can do some type of temporary, or volunteer work in your particular field/industry, and put that on your resume that may be beneficial.

Additional Advice: Continue to target the specific job/industry you are interested in; make sure you are truly qualified for the particular job, if not, find out how to get the necessary training/knowledge; tailor your resume and cover letter to each particular job, be concise, but complete; there are networking groups of job seekers online and in actual groups around the country that you may be interested in (you can google to your particular job/industry/city, etc.); and most importantly, you being an "awesome" veteran: never ever give up! Good Luck...

Ryan Binkholder ⋅ Annada , MO ⋅ 10 years experience

Matt,

I'd be happy to review your resume and provide feedback. Please send a copy to rbinkholder@hotmail.com

Ryan Binkholder

Dave Goldich ⋅ Washington , DC U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant ⋅ 4 years served

Matt,

Looks like you have received plenty of good feedback but please feel free to send me your resume and we can take it from there. I was in the same boat as you when I separated from the Marines as a sergeant in 2009 and might be able to help from that perspective.

Dave

dave_goldich@gallup.com

Tom Quinn ⋅ Ponte Vedra Beach , FL LEADERS Professional Recruiting, Inc. ⋅ 26 years experience

Looks like you are in good hands, Matt. My website may be of assistance re transitioning: www.leadersinc.com. My email: tquinn@leadersinc.com. I went to Leilehua HS in Wahiawa.

Pat Lozito ⋅ Alabaster , AL 12 Stones Staffing & Consulting ⋅ 17 years experience

If you need another set of eyes on your resume, just let me know. plozito@himconnections.com

Matthew Hurt ⋅ Kailua , HI U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant ⋅ 12 years served

Roger that Eric I will shoot one right over. To you as we'll Jaclyn. Thank you so much for this great opportunity

Eric Hodgson ⋅ Bethesda , MD Hewlett Packard ⋅ 20 years experience

Surething Marine,

Please send me your latest version. Ms. Breding has given you a great tip to tailor each submission to the position description you are applying, but always answer truthfully in doing so.

My e-mail is eric.hodgson@hp.com

Please be sure to list what job skills you have, education and the type of job area (IT, logistics etc…) you are considering.

s/f

E. Hodgson

Matthew Hurt ⋅ Kailua , HI U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant ⋅ 12 years served

Thank you! I have sent a copy of my resume to you both. I will be eagerly anticipating any suggestions you may have to increase my marketability.

Respectfully,

Matt Hurt

Heather Winter ⋅ Seattle , WA ⋅ 10 years experience

I would be happy to review your resume. I can also have a couple of other professionals give it a review as well. Send your resume to me at heather.fp.winter@gmail.com

Jose Arche ⋅ Long Beach , CA Boeing ⋅ 4 years experience

Hi Matt,

I'd be happy to review your resume. Please email it to me at jose.r.arche@boeing.com.

Regards,
Jose Arche