Transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce can be an exciting new adventure, but it does come with a few challenges. Aligning separation dates, maximizing the career potential of your military skills and making relocation decisions are no simple tasks.
Unless a separation date comes on very short notice, most servicemen and women have ample time to prepare for the adjustment. The first step is to avoid the temptation to delay creating a career action plan. Making good use of time beforehand is half the battle and the key to a smooth transition. Deciding what type of job you would like to pursue, and what you're qualified to do, both require stress-free consideration.
Transition Coaching
The good news is that you have many options. It might be a good time to return to school to further the skills you have or explore a new career altogether. It's not uncommon to want to take some time off as well. On the other hand, if you're ready to go directly into the civilian work force, there are dozens of resources waiting to assist you. Your Transition Assistance, Family Service, or Career Resource office is a good starting point. They can help you find a sense of direction and counsel you on what to expect.
The second step is to have a resume that specifically addresses the value of your military skills as they relate to the civilian workplace. Many resume writers are experts in this one field. There is even a new designation for those that specialize in putting together military-to-civilian resumes called the CMRW, or Certified Military Resume Writer.
These are only two suggestions to help you get started:
militaryresumewriters.com
military.com
There's also an impressive number of recruiting firms in the military-to-civilian transition career business. They can take you through the interview process and coach you on how to handle difficult questions. Many of these are staffed by veterans who've been down the same path and give credible advice that is based on first-hand experience. That can be reassuring to know when you don't know what to expect.
Bradley-Morris, Cameron-Brooks, the Lucas Group, and Orion International are a few highly recognized names that carry good reputations. Some of the most popular military transition websites available are offered by both government and non-government entities. You'll find an amazing range of services at some of these sites:
MilitaryJobZone.com
Military.LucasCareers.com
Transition Assistance Online
VetJobs.com
They are familiar with the wide scope of support you might need and many surprising extended resources. There are links to internet blogs just for making friendly connections with other veterans who are walking in your same shoes. You'll also notice a number of career fairs, salary calculators, newsletters, hotlines, and yet more job hunting tips.
Some of these websites emphasize the fact that many employers are hoping to only those candidates with military experience - in case you were wondering if there's a demand for your experience. In addition, none of the sites overlook the need for family support and serve to provide other encouraging news - so it isn't entirely job related information.
As you can probably tell, there's a wealth of resources available to help you make a smooth transition. It's important to find the right fit and determine which of those sources have what you need to make it all happen. The fact is, it can happen, and by now, you have a better idea of where to start.
Military to Civilian - Tips For Making the Transition
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