How do you deal with the question of experience?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 11:28:30 -0500

So how do you deal with the question of having "no" or not enough experience when trying to get into the corporate world. The majority of my adult life has been spent in the military and now as a recent graduate for college and a newly commissioned reserve officer, I find myself trying to get into the corporate and professional world. I have had plenty of interviews and the majority come back saying we like you we like your background and training but you do not have enough experience for our company. Now I am trying to get into entry level management or entry level IT. So how do you overcome this problem?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2015 11:38 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 11:38:52 -0500

2LT Garcia, it has been my experience in the civilian world that employers don't know how to relate military training and experience to the civilian equivalent. Sometimes it's a matter of educating the employer of your duties and responsibilities on the military side and how they apply in the civilian market. For example "Platoon Leader" often means very little to a civilian employer, but when you talk about the supervision and operations management of a group of thirty-some soldiers over a specific period of time you have something a little more concrete and measureable that an employer can relate to. Hope this helps.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2015 12:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 12:11:35 -0500

Sir,

I've been out of the corporate world for over 3 years now, so please take my comment with a grain of salt.

It used to be that we would start people in I.T. by hiring them in an entry-level position at the call center and letting them prove themselves from there. If the employee has strong skills in sales, technical support, or management, it would become evident during his time at the call center and he would be promoted based on his merits.

Another way would be for the potential employee to either take an unpaid position as an apprentice or gain the requisite experience by doing volunteer work in his field of interest. These two avenues give you both experience and access to reputable leaders who will give you letters of recommendation for your future employers.

As for management positions, I'll be surprised if you find a company to hire you directly into a managerial slot without experience, but it's not impossible. In any case, I'm sure you'll do well whichever track you choose. Good luck!

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Mar 2 at 2015 2:36 PM

SPC David Shaffer — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 14:36:05 -0500

It is not what you say but how you say it. People in general could care less what another person wants. You have to sell what your saying in a manner in which they feel they are getting what they want. Read "How To Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. A lot of corporate leaders will swear by it and have read it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 3:55 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 03:55:19 -0500

2LT Garcia. You might try looking at GS jobs. Veterans get a point preference and it's highly likely that people on the hiring committee are veterans themselves and will understand how your military experience translates into civilian work experience.

Response by SPC Frank Rizzo made Aug 6 at 2022 12:57 AM

SPC Frank Rizzo — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 00:57:18 -0400

I can tell you plenty of stories about young Vietnam Vets that were not hired because of the public suspecion of Vietnam Combat Vets! I was lucky and was hired by ITT in 1974 when i got out after four years and one combat tour in RVN. I was hired by two people who were Marine Combat Vets and they understood my qualifications.
Today I would suggest you seek out companies that prfer to hire Vets regardless of MOS. I can tell you there are lots of these companies. Also many Unions have programs to hire Vets as apprentices.