Posted on Feb 12, 2016
How do I stand out as a reservist in a competitive civilian workforce?
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This is not directed towards a specific MOS, but rather towards any soldier serving in the reserves, regardless of which branch they serve in. As we all know, many companies have reservations about hiring a current drilling reservist, basically because of the time off they will need for training. This goes above the standard 2 days a month, 2 weeks a year. Many of us have severe ambitions to excel in the military, and most of the time that requires going to numerous schools. However, I've been told on a couple different occasions by my employer that my obligation to the military is much different than what was told in the interview. My question here is, when going into an interview that you feel is a career job, how do you approach it? You know as well as I know that they will ask you about your military obligations and whether it will have an impact on your position in the company. That is to say if you even get that far, because there are many of us who have sent out countless resumes, even after having them checked for errors, yet still get no call backs. Is it because civilian hiring managers are getting more aware of our obligations? Companies such as Starbucks and Walmart thrive on hiring veterans and current reserve service members, however the pay is barely minimum wage. Try sending out a resume for a position where there is a good salary and benefits involved. We have all been there before, and in some situations I have seen soldiers get out of their contract early so that they have a better chance of landing a civilian career. So what is it that we need to do to stand out positively in the civilian workforce? What great details need to be on a resume that separate us from others applying for the same position? All in all, what do WE need to do to prove that we are the best and brightest this country has to offer?
Army Reserve
Jobs
Civilian Career
Employment
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 17
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Use your network and connections! I was actually chosen for my current position because I'm a drilling reservist and my Director was looking for someone from a military background for his team. Play up the positive parts of your involvement for the Reserves (for me it was improved networking, training and train-ability of vets, and don't forget that most folks prize our motivation and continued drive). My role is in marketing and staffing and it takes a very aggressive and head strong person to be successful here. Thankfully, my director thought to look at military personnel first and their corporate recruiter plucked me off of LinkedIn for this role. It is much easier for an employer to dismiss you if they don't know you. Always try to put your face to your name in their minds and get to know them LONG before they have to decide if they're going to hire you. Plus, do you really want an employer that doesn't view your service with the same respect you do?
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That's a multi facetted one. Some reservist don't have that issue because either they are in a unit that doesn't have a lot of training going on or their civilian job is very flexible and recognizes the military for what it is. Being that a lot of the civilian jobs top employers used to be military themselves. It's difficult depending on who you work for and your unit. I'm in the process of starting my own business. Now I'm the Boss and it works for me. Your resume constructed properly should reflect your military career in civilian language. Also, please understand that your civilian job doesn't have to recognize every single training event your unit has on top of the two weeks a year and two days a month and all the other MUTAS. You have to give and take. The civilian job/company is a business and they have to and will take care of their best interest as well as you are so motivated to take care of yours. You need to have a balance. The Army Reserves is suppose to recognize that you have a civilian job as well. two days a month, two weeks a year and deployment. If your company recognizes that, that means they care about you and they are glad you serve. Good luck with trying to excel in a company with your qualification and being at every single training your reserve unit has for the year every year. The civilian job is going to hire that guy or girl or promote the same that pulls up in the 3M parking lot a little more than you. Balance is the key. reserve is just that and not Active Duty.
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You will be lucky to find an employer worthy of being a career as a Reservist or Guard Soldier. Employers want to know how you can benefit the organization. Having to break off of your productivity for that company or corporation is not well greeted. You cannot lie about the military obligation or you will be fired. Best advice I have to offer is choose wisely what you want. Do you want to be a career Servicemenber or have a career elsewhere? Otherwise, general labor may be the best avenue in the interm. I could suggest a spouse with a career field. Sadly, you will be hard pressed to find someone willing to accept the required absence in your career position.
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By using everything you learned in the service, the Ethos something most civilians lack.
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Don't ever undermine the fact that you're a Citizen/Soldier. The skills you bring to the playfield are unmatched from any civilian with your same age, or sometimes older than you. Whether you know it or fail to highlight it YOU ARE A LEADER, because you did not settle to be; you wanted more with the innate skills that you already have. So, point out (in civilian terms; do your research) everything that makes you THE CANDIDATE!!!. Be humble but assertive. Don't short sale yourself, but don't over sale. Just my two cents in the matter.
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The biggest problem I've noticed with Veterans or Guard/Reservists trying to use their military experience in the civilian world, is that the civilian world truly doesn't understand military experience. You need to remove ALL military jargon from your resume, and convert it to muggle speak. For example, if you're a Yeoman in the Navy, you'd put "Human Resources Specialist", because that's what the muggles understand. If you're not getting calls back, it's because your experience isn't in line with what they want, or your resume is substandard.
As for interviewing... generally speaking, most muggle hiring officials will not fully understand how the Guard/Reserve program works, unless they're in the Guard/Reserves themselves. But that being said, you should only discuss your military career as it applies to the interview questions, or your pitch about yourself. If the interviewer decides to ask what your military commitment looks like, they're entering dangerous grounds of a discrimination lawsuit. This is the same reason you should never include a picture of yourself on your resume, list your gender, or list your marital status on your resume. LinkedIn and social networking has been a fancy way to dip into the gray area of discrimination prior to the interview, but they still can't discriminate against protected statuses.
As for being currently employed, the law is clear, and there is no gray area. Guard/Reserve activities are protected. Period.
As for interviewing... generally speaking, most muggle hiring officials will not fully understand how the Guard/Reserve program works, unless they're in the Guard/Reserves themselves. But that being said, you should only discuss your military career as it applies to the interview questions, or your pitch about yourself. If the interviewer decides to ask what your military commitment looks like, they're entering dangerous grounds of a discrimination lawsuit. This is the same reason you should never include a picture of yourself on your resume, list your gender, or list your marital status on your resume. LinkedIn and social networking has been a fancy way to dip into the gray area of discrimination prior to the interview, but they still can't discriminate against protected statuses.
As for being currently employed, the law is clear, and there is no gray area. Guard/Reserve activities are protected. Period.
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When I work as a Assistant Manager for Wal-mart I was the best at my job and dedicated and work 10 times harder then my co worker and the only reason I am not there is because they don't support us like they said and they let me go for medical reasons
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