How Bridge My Return helped me navigate the transition to a civilian career

PO1 Luis Acosta — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 15:16:13 -0500

As I transitioned from a lengthy career in the Navy, I had access to an impressive set of resources to help me land a job in the civilian space. But the sheer amount of information soon became overwhelming. Where do I even start?

Following my exit in April 2020 at the rank of E-6, I used the available resources to create a resume and LinkedIn profile based on nearly 16 years of work in the military here and abroad. I started my job search.

I applied for positions that seemed to align with my long experience in Navy logistics, much of it in leadership roles. But I struggled to describe my military skills to match position descriptions. I also needed keywords that could be seen by online applicant tracking systems (ATS), which so many employers use to screen resumes.

In the months that followed my transition date, few job offers arrived. It was tempting to become dispirited. But I kept at it, connecting with organizations such as Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) and American Corporate Partners (ACP) and sorting through the flood of career advice for Veterans. The perseverance paid off.

Persevering pays off

One day, I saw a post about Bridge My Return in a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) email newsletter. I learned that the organization could use my information to create an electronic profile and match me with Veteran-friendly employers.

I signed up, and immediately saw how the Bridge My Return algorithm functioned in translating my military experience into language recognized by civilian employers — and their ATS.

Bridge My Return also provided another piece missing in my job-search toolkit: a personalized referral to an employer. The organization — based in Chicago but serving Veterans anywhere — invites only military-ready employers onto its platform. Veterans are connected to organizations already looking for the skills that Veterans, military spouses and caregivers offer — flexibility, leadership, loyalty and commitment, to name a few.

In addition to resume assistance, the platform provides Veterans with personalized career coaching services. In my case, Tara Plybon, Bridge My Return’s marketing director and partner advocate, showed me how to take full advantage of the system. (Find more advice from Tara at https://www.rallypoint.com/profiles/1924120-tara-plybon.)

Getting you “shine time”

Sure enough, within a few weeks of being on Bridge My Return, I got a hit. I was contacted by James Evenson, head of operations at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Transplant Diagnostics Division, who invited me to apply for open positions.

With a more targeted resume and a critical referral source from within the company, Bridge My Return made sure that key hiring managers saw what I had to offer. I interviewed and, within 45 days, got hired as a supervisor.

I now lead a six-person team of professionals who facilitate the delivery of life-saving products to our global customer base. Every day, I draw on my military experiences — in areas such as acquisitions, communications, forecasting, process improvements, purchasing, scheduling, warehouse operations and more — to make sure everyone on my team is successful.

And with Evenson’s encouragement and my military connections, I co-lead a Veteran’s Resource Group chapter at my job site in West Hills, California. The program, which Evenson stood up, assists in recruiting military talent to Thermo Fisher Scientific. I encourage qualified Veterans to apply for open positions and prepare them for at least 15 minutes of “shine time” with recruiters and hiring managers. I also encourage Veterans to enroll in Bridge My Return so that their profiles are seen by companies that will benefit from their expertise.

To my fellow Veterans starting or continuing on the path to civilian employment, I’ll add this: You may hit a snag in your job search, but try not to give up. Stay healthy and take breaks, but keep going.

Take advantage of the resources listed below, including the Defense Department’s Transition Assistance Program, VA benefits and services, and nongovernmental initiatives such as HOH and ACP’s Mentoring program. Network with other Veterans and professionals. Gather advice from your friends and family.

And reach out to me on RallyPoint. I’ll share my experiences and do what I can to get you the shine time you’ve earned.

I am a Veteran in transition seeking employment: https://rly.pt/BridgeMyReturn
I am not a Veteran in transition but I am interested in helping to mentor those who are: https://rly.pt/ACPmentor

Tara Plybon | Spouse | RallyPoint Civilian Profile

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2023 3:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 15:39:04 -0500

"Persevering pays off" Great observations. Very good advise.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2023 3:17 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 15:17:49 -0500

Thank you for your Service! To those who are still a couple of years from enjoying a military retirement, please ensure you begin to work on a degree path, trade skill, or a certification path so you are as marketable as possible. Those of you who are already retired should reach out to your local base TAP/transition center because they offer programs for retirees as well.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Mar 4 at 2023 8:18 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 08:18:37 -0500

I found not only the experience I gained in the military but also college courses and a BS degree in Criminal Justice not only resulted in interviews but out of 850 applicants on a job I was the one that got hired (that Department was 95% Veterans for the Police Officers) I actually had to contact another Police Department that though i was going to work for them and tell them I took a job on another Department. My resume and references were pretty complete and also submitted with a cover letter. Like most things I'd done over my lifetime I sold Myself and did My own preparation. One interview I got called in for I was Number 41 of a list of 11,500 applicants but also had a choice of other Police jobs. I had only applied in Massachusetts and Rhode Island with the exception being a couple Departments in Colorado which I was offered interviews. NOTE: The photo here is Me in My Polcie Uniform.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Mar 4 at 2023 11:09 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 11:09:09 -0500

I'm heartened by the various transition programs, but sometimes wonder why they are necessary. I used to conduct a outgoing interview with anyone leaving my unit whenever possible. During that interview I would thank them for their service, ask them if they had plans for their civilian life and if they didn't, emphasize the experience and training they had received; the fact there were many vets in hiring positions who appreciated that and their job was to emphasize how their military experience fit the employers' needs.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2023 8:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 20:40:54 -0500

thanks for the share.