My Amazon Warrior Story: Preparing transitioning service members, Veterans and military spouses for civilian careers

2021-09-21T12:17:45-04:00

How does a bilingual, skilled and experienced carpenter with a degree in construction management (obtained via the GI Bill) find himself struggling to get a job in his field?

I had the experience to answer the question for this former E4. While volunteering for the Santa Clarita Veterans Collaborative, I was approached by his spouse, who explained her husband’s predicament. After speaking with him, I learned he could benefit from practicing interviewing techniques, removing military jargon from his resume and using free LinkedIn networking benefits offered to Veterans.

We worked together to improve his job seeking skills and tools, which allowed him to project more confidence when speaking to potential employers. He is now earning a six-figure salary and, with his spouse, is buying his first home. Being part of this Veteran’s success is why I do what I do.

From green to gold to Amazon

How many E4’s can say they’ve received personalized career coaching from a lieutenant colonel? The answer is very few, and I know that because I worked my way through the ranks from E1 to 05. I led platoons, trained cadets and briefed the brass. I deployed three times to Iraq, and deployed eight times overall.

By 2016, after 27 years in the U.S. Army, we decided as a family that it was best for me to retire and settle in one location. We were ready for a new challenge. But what was next? I found myself in a similar place as the soldier-turned-civilian mentioned above.

In service at Amazon

Enter Amazon, where I started employment in 2019. It’s not where I pictured myself working after almost three decades in the service. I began with Amazon Fresh, where I managed warehouse operations and a team of 50 associates.

The work was rewarding, but walking the warehouse floor was painful due to a back injury sustained in the Army. My back issue prevented me from doing my job to the best of my abilities — literally.

Instead of leaving me to solve my predicament on my own, Amazon’s accommodations team and I collaborated to find a management role in Disability and Leave Service that was less physically demanding but no less rewarding. Despite not having formal training for this role, my superiors trusted that I could do the job, in part because of my military leadership background.

I spent a year in that position, while being encouraged to develop professionally in the field. To gain more experience, I now work in a newly created role within Amazon’s Talent Acquisitions for Disability and Leave Service (DLS). Here I support our DLS contract personnel and work with vendors to bring on talent for positions in human resources. I spend many of my off hours advocating for transitioning service members and Veterans.

My career journey speaks to Amazon’s willingness to look at the array of my experiences and to provide suitable opportunities for growth and development.

I am one of the 40,000-plus U.S.-based Amazon employees representing the military, which includes recently transitioned service members, retired military taking on new careers, Veterans from every recent service era, and spouses of those who are serving now. Amazon is developing military talent through training programs in cloud computing, robotics and many other fields. We swap stories on the virtual Warriors@Amazon platform and connect with colleagues who share our unique experiences, struggles and successes.

How to get hired at Amazon

Many of us are also helping Amazon in its commitment to hire 100,000 more Veterans and military spouses by 2024.

When I’m advocating for Veterans — either in my job at Amazon or when volunteering in the community — I’m often asked for advice on how to get hired. Here are a few things I tell transitioning service members, Veterans or military spouses to keep in mind throughout the process of job searching, resume drafting and applying for a position:

1. Job searching: Leverage your benefits. Remember that as a service member or Veteran or military spouse with a MySECO account you can take advantage of a free one-year upgrade to LinkedIn Premium and LinkedIn Learning (https://socialimpact.linkedin.com/programs/veterans). This service gives you with the ability to search for jobs at Amazon (and other companies) and offers training and transition tips to guide you to where you’re going next. Also be sure to explore and apply for the benefits you’ve earned from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (https://choose.va.gov).

2. Resume writing: Translate your military duties into civilian-speak. Amazon careers on the warehouse floor are challenging and fun, but they aren’t for everyone. Luckily, there are administrative opportunities better suited for folks with service-connected disabilities or other physical limitations. The trick is wording your military experiences for civilian positions (https://www.vaforvets.va.gov). For instance, if you served as a first sergeant, platoon sergeant or even company commander, you do have administrative experience — you processed evaluations, conducted numerous counseling sessions and wrote award recommendations for deserving service members. These are human resources skills, and you can compete for these types of positions.

In addition, be sure to quantify your accomplishments. Corporations like Amazon are all about numbers and percentages. Try to highlight quantifiable examples of your personal achievements in military service. Include certifications and coursework on your resume. If you’re just a few classes away from finishing your degree, get them done! And if that’s not possible, look into the Amazon positions that allow you to substitute years of experience for a college degree.

3. Applying for a job: Fine-tune your resume. Customize your resume for the job position you’re applying for (https://rly.pt/3nUOwRa). Include the actual words from the basic qualifications section of the job recommendation in bolded text within your resume. This makes it more likely that a job recruiter will pull your resume from a crowded pile of applicants.

Are you a Warrior in Transition? See if a career at Amazon works for you.

Learn more:

Read about Amazon’s pledge to hire 100,000 Veterans and military spouses by 2024: https://rly.pt/3AvxX1A

Check out Amazon’s hiring and skills development programs for transitioning service members and Veterans and military spouses: https://www.amazon.jobs/en/landing_pages/mil-transition.

Get more information about roles at Amazon through the Amazon Military Webinar Series: https://amazonmilitarywebinarseries.splashthat.com.

Search and apply for more than 38,000 open positions based in the United States: https://www.amazon.jobs/en/military.

Explore Amazon’s Warriors@Amazon military affinity group and other employee-run affinity groups: https://www.aboutamazon.com/affinity-groups.

Discover more about Amazon here: https://www.aboutamazon.com.

veterans).

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 21 at 2021 12:20 PM

2021-09-21T12:20:02-04:00

LTC David Jackson: Sir, Thank You for Honoring us here on Rally Point; with your Very Respectable Presence.

Response by SGT Anna Tyler made Sep 21 at 2021 3:35 PM

2021-09-21T15:35:06-04:00

Great information! Kudos for sharing!

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Sep 22 at 2021 7:41 PM

2021-09-22T19:41:30-04:00

Thanks for your service, and for sharing the story of your journey and transition

Response by Bobby Ch made Sep 23 at 2021 11:18 AM

2021-09-23T11:18:18-04:00

I am very happy to read your story God bless you.

Response by Bobby Ch made Sep 24 at 2021 10:58 AM

2021-09-24T10:58:20-04:00

I like this message knowing more things for this article about amazon.

Response by COL Jim Ainslie made Sep 25 at 2021 6:37 PM

2021-09-25T18:37:33-04:00

amazing story. There are many corporations that work with former military members that don't receive recognition it is great that a major corporation is highlighted. Congratulations on your career and best wishes for your future.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2021 5:21 PM

2021-10-27T17:21:49-04:00

LTC David Jackson I admire your commitment to your fellow soldier & your work ethic.

Response by Sgt Jennifer Locker made Nov 27 at 2021 10:22 AM

2021-11-27T10:22:00-05:00

The VA offers Peer Support for transitioning from active to civilian life. Just call your nearest VA and ask for Peer Support. For many, it can be a culture shock. Location is important. Keep your skill specialties in mind when determining location. Job placement assistance is also available. Good luck on your transition and thank you for your service.

Response by Sgt Matthew John made Dec 18 at 2021 1:44 PM

2021-12-18T13:44:55-05:00

Amazon is nearly impossible to get hired at and they basically want a PhD to be a janitor. I have applied to so many jobs there that I was qualified for and always get rejected for consideration.