Build a Network: No Resume Required

Maj Jeremy R. — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 09:21:29 -0400

I recently received a survey that asked a number of questions regarding what areas I felt transitioning military needed assistance in. There was a theme that emerged to me after taking the survey – there is this belief that:

a) We need financial assistance and education.
b) We need assistance writing resumes and conducting job searches.
c) We all want to start a business.

I'm not sure why the civilian world believes we are all clueless about financial matters (at least the perception that we are more clueless than the general public), but that's another topic for another day. What I really want to talk about is writing resumes and job searches. Yes, this blog has had several posts about both as does a number of other online resources for transitioning military. So, I won't bore you with more of the same as I'd rather offer a somewhat contrarian viewpoint.

First, a side story. I had been self-employed for about five years until one day a client of mine called me up to see if I would meet with a friend of his who was looking to hire a programmer for his company. I told my client I was not a programmer - he insisted on the meeting and I eventually relented. When I met with this friend the first words out of my mouth were “I'm not a programmer.” At first he seemed disappointed, but then we started to talk and by the time I walked out of his office I had a job offer if I wanted it – in a brand new position that didn't exist on the organization chart prior to my arrival. I ended up taking this position and worked there for a few years prior to my military entry.

In the past 15 years, the closest thing I've had to a resume is a LinkedIn profile. I'm not confident in my resume writing ability– I've never really needed to refine this skill. I believe this is because there is truth in that old saying 'It's 90% who you know and 10% what you know.' I think it goes deeper than this, as the 90% of who you know totally depends on a couple of things. One, how much effort you put into building and expanding your professional and personal relationships. Two, the things you have accomplished which draw attention (from people worth knowing) and demonstrate capability (proven track record). Three, the perception of what you know (not necessarily what you actually do know). Fourth, a bit of luck and timing.

Another side story. Three years ago I had a phone call with a long time friend and mentor. I was making my transition from full-time Reservist to traditional and I told my friend that I had no network in my community. My friend scolded me to get off my butt and get out there and meet people. Three years later I'm a phone call, handshake, or email away from just about any connection in my area. It takes effort and lots of time to build a network, but you need it far more than you need a resume, a job fair, or even a suit (but get one anyway). Resumes are busywork for HR departments – focus on the network.

So, my point is just because you are transitioning or soon will be doesn't mean you need to write a resume and attend job fairs if you don't want to. Sure, they can be handy if you need to jump right now, but if you have the time – build the network. It will eventually be far more valuable to you than just a job source.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Sep 8 at 2014 3:06 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 15:06:41 -0400

This is very true. The person who will give you a job is going to be someone you meet and get to know.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2014 3:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 15:21:11 -0400

This is good advice. I am trying to build a good, diverse network of the right people in the right places that can not only help me, but allow me to help them, as well.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 8 at 2014 3:24 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 15:24:57 -0400

Great article, Sir! Never underestimate the power of networking!

Response by LCpl Christopher Costa made Sep 8 at 2014 5:43 PM

LCpl Christopher Costa — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:43:11 -0400

Captain Reynolds,

You already have a network, a huge network, titled "Veteran."

Thank you for your service. Chris

Response by SPC(P) Geoffrey Fansher made Sep 8 at 2014 8:55 PM

SPC(P) Geoffrey Fansher — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 20:55:42 -0400

You lost me at: c) we all want to start a business....I had been self-employed for 5 years....I took a job working for someone else. What happened?

Response by SPC(P) Geoffrey Fansher made Sep 8 at 2014 9:02 PM

SPC(P) Geoffrey Fansher — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 21:02:55 -0400

Also, BNI is a great networking resource. It's a base, a foundation for networking. The Chamber events, BBB events, etc are great but, it's a variety of people each time and at best, a monthly event. BNI meets weekly, usually early (before the work day typically begins), and has structure....it's the military version of networking.

http://www.bni.com

BNI International - Business Networking and Referrals

BNI International - Business Networking and Referrals. BNI is the world's largest business networking organization, learn from the experts in word of mouth marketing how you can grow your business through referrals and business networking,

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2014 9:05 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 21:05:19 -0400

This very web site, rallypoint.com, is a great place to improve a person's network. What a great idea! And what a great place for military and former military folks to link up, network, and bond.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 8:50 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 20:50:34 -0400

You have some awesome advice, but let me inform you where that mindset you mention in the first paragraph comes from. I went active duty right out of high school, did 4 yrs, then got out and went to college and started a civilian career. While in college, I went back in as a drilling Reservist, and still do that to this day. In my current civilian job, I work with a defense company and my office is with active duty Marines. I have quite a few Marines who went in straight out of high school as I did, but did the full 20+ active, come to me now asking advice about resume's, positions my company may have available, and you'd be surprised, but also with general questions about civilian life like how insurance beyond tricare works. I think a few decades ago, this kind of ignorance about how life "on the outside" (with no base housing and free medical) works was probably the norm, and hence the lingering attitude with civilians about those leaving the military, but the cases I describe are thankfully a small minority of those leaving my beloved Corps nowadays.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Oct 9 at 2014 2:26 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 02:26:30 -0400

Unless I missed it,and I apologize if I did, but nobody has mentioned http://www.linkedin.com yet. Nor has anyone mentioned the general use of social media to build networks.

World's Largest Professional Network | LinkedIn

300 million+ members | Manage your professional identity. Build and engage with your professional network. Access knowledge, insights and opportunities.

Response by SSG John Erny made Oct 15 at 2014 3:26 PM

SSG John Erny — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 15:26:56 -0400

OK, lets see I need
1 Dmark
2 A router
3 A 48 port switch
4 a firewall
5 10 boxes of CAT VI
6 bag of RJ-45 ends
7 wall plate and RJ 45 modules
8 Crimpers and other tools
9 computers and servers

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2014 6:14 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 06:14:14 -0500

Very well written. I can speak from experience that landing an initial job is more about who you know and while you are building your experience at a job, you must network with others in your industry. I have worked in IT Sales for about 14 years. While there are a lot of people who work in this industry, a lot of people know each other and can be references or even coaches for future positions. The other part is knowing people locally in your community. While I've been in sales, I have also owned a small General Contracting business, on the side, for about 6 years until recently. I never wanted for work because I knew people in my community and they called me first because they knew me.

So my advice to anyone transitioning out...make sure you have connections BEFORE getting out. Yes, have a resume in hand, but make sure you spent the time to connect with the civilian work force and have something lined up before stepping out.