Retirement preparation and networking: Any insight or recommendations?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 13:12:48 -0400

I'm about 1 year out from signing out on Terminal Leave/PDY. Here are my questions.

I have already been looking at employment opportunities where I'm moving to. Am I leaning to far forward and trying to lock down a job this far out? I have tentatively set a 1 July 15 date to start working.

I am also looking to start some networking in the area Im moving to (Midwest-Omaha NE/Council Bluffs,IA area). I was born and raised there so I'm not so much moving to an area that I'm not familiar with. I do have family and friends there.

Any insight or recommendations?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 26 at 2015 2:18 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 14:18:42 -0400

If you don't have a good memory you should take your wife to the retirement briefs. You will get a chance to write a prototype resume. Make sure they don't eff up your SBP if you have an ex.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 2:19 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 14:19:07 -0400

The time element depends on the job. Certainly it is not to early to be looking.

Since I am retired and have been for over 10 years I am of no help to you. I do however, wish to extend an early welcome back to your home.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 26 at 2015 2:22 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 14:22:19 -0400

Transportation can put your HH goods in storage for a year for free if you end up in a situation where that is warranted.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 26 at 2015 2:25 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 14:25:03 -0400

Yes.

1. Make sure all injuries, ailments, and afflictions are properly documented in your medical records now, as this will matter when it comes to your retirement physical, and VA disability decision for BDD (Benefits Delivery at Discharge).

2. Make a good civilian resume and GS if you are looking at Government Jobs, and have those who are out, and hire, or were hired take a look at them. Get them right now.

3. Let everyone know you are leaving who is already out, as many jobs are located via your connections based on your reputation. It is never too early to start floating your name, resume, plans, but most companies are in the 30-90 range for hiring.

4. Take advantage of ACAP.

5. Start checking job boards and sites for that area, and consider what you want to do.

6. Get on "Linked-In" and start connecting there.

In most cases, your connections matter, and many find jobs through connections.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Apr 26 at 2015 5:10 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 17:10:02 -0400

Expand your search my friend. There are lot of opportunities all over the United States and some really great places to see and live. Check out all the great cities and states that will allow you retirement dollars to go further. Make sure you have access to a good installation, so you can continue to use the benefits of the PX and Commissary. You need to prepare a solid resume, get your resume posted on the Internet Online Job Boards: Indeed.com, CareerBuilder, CollegeRecruiter, Monster, Simple Hired, Link Up, US.Jobs, Jobing.com, Net-Temps.com, and Job Central.com. These are the top (10) Best Job Hunting Boards on the Internet. Don't wait, no hesitate, sooner is better than later! It is a competitive market out there and former military personnel have unique skills and experiences! On the civilian side of the house I can tell you most companies now are dependent on these Job Boards in order to weed through thousands of resumes. Have a good Cover Letter and Solid Resume (Updated) and ready to go all the time. I'm sure there are many other suggestions, so I hope this helps! Now go out and get that job SFC!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 26 at 2015 5:30 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 17:30:09 -0400

Definitely not too far out.

1) Medical. Make sure your Medical record reflect everything. And I mean everything. Make sure it's legible. Scrapes, bumps, bruises, dings, everything. Cannot stress this enough. What seems insignificant as a PFC, becomes major as a retiree/veteran, when dealing with the bureaucracy of the VA.

2) Education. Do you have your degree? Do you have documentation of all your service level training? Have you got a copy of your JST (Joint Services Transcript), which is easily attainable online. With a year out, you may be able to nickle & dime the remainder or a degree, if you don't already have one. Although a specific degree is hugely advantageous, ANY degree is also advantageous, and may be the difference between pile 1 and pile 2 for a recruiter.

3) How are you selling yourself? Remember that you are a MANAGER! Depending on the field you are looking at, this may be the selling point. This is your primary skill set, the management of people and resources. Combine that with your education, and you've got a winning combination.

4) Many people go through several jobs in the first 5 years of transition, as they re-acclimate to civilian life. Don't be afraid to try something different, as you figure out what you really want to do.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 6:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 18:38:49 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member here are some things to consider as you prepare:

1. Have a financial plan - have that emergency fund to help you through those months where you may not be employed. If you're a dual income family, great, but remember it can be an added stressor if you're used to having two incomes. Start a budget, stick to the budget, there so many variables nothing is perfect.

2. ACAP is mandatory take it for what it is, build a baseline for yourself. Start looking now how to sell yourself to a potential employer. What are your strengths? Your weaknesses? Why are you getting out of the military? What type of work do you want to do? These are all questions that you may know the answers to, but you don’t want to be thinking of them for the first time during the interview process. Ask yourself the hard questions ahead of time to make sure your answers are well-organized, positive, concise and genuine. Practice out loud

Take advantage of all the free services that are available (military placement firms, military job boards, military job fairs, TAP/ACAP) and don’t be afraid to network on your own to find a military connection (VFW, former military you know, military associations such as AUSA, MOAA, LinkedIn. LinkedIn can be very helpful, but user experience may vary)

3. When you're looking for that job, research it, study it like a board, know it inside and out. A company wants to know if you know their product/business, it's history etc. Trust me they will ask those questions.

4. If you haven't done it yet, translate your skill set into civilian speak.

5. Get all you medical/dental stuff copied, make duplicate copies. 180 days out from your retirement date you can submit for a VA claim. I don't care if you think you are in the greatest health, you are getting older, not younger.

There's a whole lot more that everyone will have input on, but just some ideas off the top of my head.

Resources:
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-recruiters-read-resumes-for-jobs-2014-10#ixzz3LIJVM9Kw
http://www.businessinsider.com/what-recruiters-want-to-see-on-your-linkedin-profile-2013-2
http://www.volt.com/Blog/Resume_buzzwords_that_have_lost_their_buzz.aspx

Career translators:
http://www.careerinfonet.org/
http://www.taonline.com/

Tips:
http://blog.linkedin.com/2011/11/10/linkedin-veterans-tips/

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 26 at 2015 9:42 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 21:42:25 -0400

Don't overlook the opportunity to be a government employee. Check out USAJobs. You don't have to translate your experience as much if you're applying for a job with one of the Services. Offutt AFB in Omaha may have GS jobs open. For most other Govt agencies you'll need to civilianized your resume. The civil service hiring process can take about 3 months from announcement to start work. Plan accordingly.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 26 at 2015 9:54 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 21:54:41 -0400

One more hint. Every job application generally requires its own customized resume. You should try to link your experience and accomplishments to the job requirements. Only exception would be a job fair where a generic resume may be your only choice.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made May 24 at 2015 9:22 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sun, 24 May 2015 09:22:35 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member use the Chamber of Commerce link as a good starting point.

https://www.omahachamber.org/

Greater Omaha Chamber

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 8:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 20:43:15 -0400

All the other comments are spot on. Here is my 2¢:

Take some damned time OFF. I worked my entire terminal leave getting the business set up, retired on the 31st and executed our first job on the 6th - now I'm two years into it and still haven't had an downtime. It's been three years of stress-fest. Looking back, I could have taken two weeks and sat on a beach somewhere.