July 3, 2009
Providing career independence for returning vets
NWjobs
As we kick back this weekend to fire up the barbecue, soak up this impossibly great Seattle weather and watch people blow stuff up in celebration of our nation's freedom, I can't help but take a moment to reflect on those individuals who have put their lives on the line to keep us free.
After my blog post last month about career fairs that provided employment assistance for returning military veterans, I was contacted by Jessie Richardson, a former naval officer and director of resume services at MilitaryResumes.com, which helps veterans manage the often-difficult transition back into civilian life at the end of their service terms.
For this Independence Day, and as a thank you from Hire Ground to the men and women who have served our country, here are three of Richardson's tips about how veterans can use their in-demand military experience to land a job in the Seattle area:
#1: Target regional industries by "translating" your experience. According to Shannon LaCom, Northwest regional manager at Bradley-Morris, Inc., a leading military job placement firm, Seattle-based companies look to BMI to source military-experienced talent for sales, manufacturing and field-service positions. But you may be thinking, "But I don't have sales, manufacturing or field-service experience." This may be true, but the fundamentals required for success in the military directly correspond to the fundamentals required in these fields.
Translating your military experience can be daunting, but you don't have to go it alone. The Occupational Information Network (O*Net) program is the nation's primary database of standardized and occupation-specific descriptors. The O*Net Web site allows you to identify high-growth industries and search occupations by keyword. Pinpoint the civilian job title that most closely matches your military experience and target your job search. The site not only breaks down your experience into terms that civilians can understand (always avoid using military jargon and acronyms with civilian hiring authorities), it also provides insight into the skills they are actually looking for.
#2: Tap into free resources. With just a few clicks of the mouse, I was able to locate a site called NavyLifePNW, which offers a host of resources on transitioning to civilian life. Plenty of other career events are also available in August and September, including federal resume-writing classes, Myers-Briggs personality testing, a Washington state employment seminar and a three-part series on how to find the job of your dreams. Both McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis have Vets Job Service Centers that offers computerized job-matching systems, national job boards, resume reviews and more. Many of the Puget Sound-area military installations and companies such as CivilianJobs.com frequently host free military job fairs, so check their Web sites and schedules regularly.
#3: Consider the federal government. As of the end of June, there were more than 47,000 openings in the federal government. Over 5,000 of those job openings are located in the Seattle area. Explore positions within the government at USAjobs. Many veterans are given special hiring preferences, so take the time to learn what yours are and how to apply them during the application process. Armed with this knowledge, patience and a keyword-intensive federal resume, you are certain to go far in applying for the nation's largest employer.
Thanks Jessie! For more information on MilitaryResumes.com, contact Jessie Richardson at jrichardson@militaryresumes.com or check out her blog at MilitarytoCivilian.com.
Randy Woods writes about job-search tools, networking techniques and other tips to help you land your dream job.
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Randy Woods writes about job-search tools, networking techniques and other tips to help you land your dream job.
Matt Youngquist based in Bellevue, is a recognized expert in career coaching, job hunting and professional networking.
Natalie Singer is a Seattle writer who covers workplace issues, work/life balance and self-employment.
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Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide."
Paul Anderson helps professionals in transition find their desired employment.
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