As large numbers of Veterans separate from the military they run into employment issues that sometimes seem daunting as they attempt to make a successful transition from the life they have known for many years. The typical areas that negatively affect a Veteran in transition are:
- Translating skills
- Resume support
- Interview skills
- Understanding the Market
- Salary Comparison
Our Veterans have skills and training that is unlike those obtained in the Civilian sector but do have commonality. Many struggle with how they translate those into terms that someone who has little to no military background can understand. They have experienced situations that cannot be replicated or there is no equivalent to. There are various tools available on the internet that can help in making these translations, some of the bigger companies that are Veteran friendly offer their own tools as well.
- www.military.com/veteran-jobs/skills-translator/
- www.careerinfonet.org
- www.onetonline.org/.../MOC/
- www.taonline.com
- www.lockheedmartinjobs.com/military-skills-translator.aspx
- jobs.boeing.com/Military-Skills-Translator
For those that have been in the Military their whole career or a good portion of their early career lack the experience in writing an effective resume that is competitive with those that have received such experience. They are unsure of what to include, how to translate the military experience and what type of format works best. There are various online tools and non-profits that offer support in these areas:
- www.militaryonesource.mil/.../job-preparation-and-resume-writing
- www.militaryresumewriters.com
- www.careerproplus.com › Resume Services
- www.resumewriters.com/military-resumes/
Being able to effectively interview for any position, no matter what your background, is a daunting task to take on. How do you effectively prepare, are you able to communicate your experience, are you saying the right things to get noticed, how do you dress, are you coming across the best way possible, are you sitting or standing in a way that shows confidence. There are so many things to consider that training and practice is vital to being successful.
- www.military.com/.../interview-tips/top-10-interview-questi...
- www.job-hunt.org/veterans-job.../ace-military-transition-interview.shtml
- www.civilianjobs.com/Jan.Feb2012_cjn_five_difficult_interview_questi...
- https://hireourheroes.org/veterans/interview-prep/
There are many career fields to choose from and the biggest concern is does what I did in the Military have a civilian equivalent. In many careers this is not the case. If that happens what does the Veteran do, pick a whole new field or try to figure out how to find something different but similar. Will the Veteran be able to be competitive in either scenario going up against someone who has always been in the civilian sector? This on top of some of the previous areas we have discussed can seem like an unfamiliar mountain to conquer. Understanding the job market can be a full time job and therefore becomes a large issue for Veterans.
And finally the last area from this short representative list of issues Veterans face under unemployment is compensation. How do I know what is a fair compensation based on what I was receiving in the military. Many Veterans make the mistake of taking their base pay as their overall compensation needs. When in fact military pay is calculated and represented differently than civilian pay. Knowing these differences will be key to the successful negotiation of a comparable salary.
- www.gijobs.com/military-pay-calculator/
- www.moaa.org/calculators/Milit...
- www.military1.com/.../457467-calculate-negotiate-your-best-salar..
Bottom line is unemployment for our Veterans is real and needs to be addressed. There are many Non-profits and federal agencies that are focusing on just this issue but we still have a large gap to fill.
Landmark Life Coaching's Mission is to honorably and respectfully serve courageous groundbreakers and transitioning veterans to persevere in defining and executing their future by providing an atmosphere of comradery and trust that honors their dedication and commitment. This will empower our clients to feel whole, honored, respected and fulfilled in defining and living their life purpose.
Founder/Coach/Speaker/Writer
Dwayne.paro@landmarklifecoaching.com