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What gives. what happened to being able to get a job on what you could do not who you know. This shit is ridiculous. I definitely have some buyers remorse about leaving the army.
Posted in these groups: 
Transition
Transition
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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MSG Wade Huffman
You nailed it. Networking is the key. The vast majority of what most would consider "good jobs" are NEVER advertised. That's why networking is so important.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
Absolutely. As a hiring manager, I have learned that a lot of people have creative writing and acting skills. Some of this can be overcome by reference checks, but it is the references that I know that will really "sell" me on the candidate.
Moreover, I may be talking about a potential opening with my peers for weeks or months before I actually am ready to hire. If a "perfect" candidate happens to walk in 15 minutes after I open the job, because "a little bird told them", so be it.
(NOTE: I don't do sham postings and will hire the person I consider to be the best of the current candidates. IF there is an excellent candidate right out of the gate, they just made my life easier.)
I just made a job offer to a candidate today who never applied. A peer knew I was hiring and forwarded her resume to me, along with an introduction. She happened to be a great fit. Yay! I can now close a 4+ month vacancy.
Moreover, I may be talking about a potential opening with my peers for weeks or months before I actually am ready to hire. If a "perfect" candidate happens to walk in 15 minutes after I open the job, because "a little bird told them", so be it.
(NOTE: I don't do sham postings and will hire the person I consider to be the best of the current candidates. IF there is an excellent candidate right out of the gate, they just made my life easier.)
I just made a job offer to a candidate today who never applied. A peer knew I was hiring and forwarded her resume to me, along with an introduction. She happened to be a great fit. Yay! I can now close a 4+ month vacancy.
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SGT Ben Keen
Took the words right out of my mouth SGM Quick! Is it rough for a Veteran to find a job, sure is. More so at this time of year when the hiring pool is flood with recent college grads also looking for a job.
My advice to this young Veteran is to network, then network some more, followed by networking. Use sites like RallyPoint and LinkedIN. Reach out to those of us that have gone through the same transition. Reach out to local Veterans' organizations. Network, network, network.
My advice to this young Veteran is to network, then network some more, followed by networking. Use sites like RallyPoint and LinkedIN. Reach out to those of us that have gone through the same transition. Reach out to local Veterans' organizations. Network, network, network.
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SPC Macedo,
Since you might be new to job networking, here are a few things to get you started.
First and foremost: have a conversation with yourself and honestly identify your strengths, unique attributes, and any other positives. These can be skills, character attributes, education, etc. The list goes on. The key is that these are what are going to set you apart.
Don't forget to build out your public profile with the information that you want others to see as well (for instance, all I can tell about you at first glance is that you live in Las Cruces, were an Army E4, deployed to OEF, and worked for four months fueling planes at Southwest). Based on that, I would never give you a second glance unless there were some other reason ... such as a recommendation from someone in my network (possibly they are overlapping with folks in your network).
Second: Connect, connect, connect. I'm not talking about the "Facebook Connect" syndrome where you're racing to see how many complete strangers you can connect with so you can get a +1, but rather connect with those that share those strengths or background you identified. RallyPoint and other targeted social media sites are an absolutely right step in that direction.
Third: GET INVOLVED! After you've been on here a while, you'll start to get a feel for others just based on conversations you observe or are having with them (I can still consider myself a RP newbie, but already am building an informal network of individuals that way).
Since you might be new to job networking, here are a few things to get you started.
First and foremost: have a conversation with yourself and honestly identify your strengths, unique attributes, and any other positives. These can be skills, character attributes, education, etc. The list goes on. The key is that these are what are going to set you apart.
Don't forget to build out your public profile with the information that you want others to see as well (for instance, all I can tell about you at first glance is that you live in Las Cruces, were an Army E4, deployed to OEF, and worked for four months fueling planes at Southwest). Based on that, I would never give you a second glance unless there were some other reason ... such as a recommendation from someone in my network (possibly they are overlapping with folks in your network).
Second: Connect, connect, connect. I'm not talking about the "Facebook Connect" syndrome where you're racing to see how many complete strangers you can connect with so you can get a +1, but rather connect with those that share those strengths or background you identified. RallyPoint and other targeted social media sites are an absolutely right step in that direction.
Third: GET INVOLVED! After you've been on here a while, you'll start to get a feel for others just based on conversations you observe or are having with them (I can still consider myself a RP newbie, but already am building an informal network of individuals that way).
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Here is my philosophy/opinion on this.
I would rather hire/promote someone that I know, someone who knows me and what I expect in an employee then hire someone that I don't. This is not because I have any issues with those that I don't know, it is because it is so hard to unhire/Fire someone now days,especially in state/federal service. If I have those that I don't want to hire/promote then I look to the outside/unknown. This has burnt me and my employer in the past, people can do a good interview, they can work hard until probation/trial service is up. Low and behold, once they become permanent and under the contract, they turn into shit bags and it takes and act of congress to get rid of them. That is the reality. I would take a service member/ veteran over a non, but service-members/veterans does not guarantee a good employee, but it does help. So don't call it GOOD OL BOY, call it networking and work it. There is resources right here, there is resources at LINKedIn as well. Use them, connect to old military buddies and get on USAJOBs and your state job website. You will get there.
I would rather hire/promote someone that I know, someone who knows me and what I expect in an employee then hire someone that I don't. This is not because I have any issues with those that I don't know, it is because it is so hard to unhire/Fire someone now days,especially in state/federal service. If I have those that I don't want to hire/promote then I look to the outside/unknown. This has burnt me and my employer in the past, people can do a good interview, they can work hard until probation/trial service is up. Low and behold, once they become permanent and under the contract, they turn into shit bags and it takes and act of congress to get rid of them. That is the reality. I would take a service member/ veteran over a non, but service-members/veterans does not guarantee a good employee, but it does help. So don't call it GOOD OL BOY, call it networking and work it. There is resources right here, there is resources at LINKedIn as well. Use them, connect to old military buddies and get on USAJOBs and your state job website. You will get there.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
1SG Niles, very well said and my exact opinion. Hiring is the #1 most important thing I do. Anything that helps assure me that the person is a good fit, I'll take it. The word of someone I respect is a darn good start.
The #2 most important thing I do is fire, but as you point out, that is MUCH harder to do than hiring is.
The #2 most important thing I do is fire, but as you point out, that is MUCH harder to do than hiring is.
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COL Randall C.
My command recently had conversations with a few of the top west coast companies regarding how they do talent management. I was intrigued by one of the companies and they way they handled it. In order to be hired, you actually had to be championed by one of the VPs. In addition, if that person didn't work out, then that VP actually got a ding against them.
Bottom line of this process is that they are committed to the 'right person' being hired instead of the 'right now' person - they would much rather have a vacancy sit instead of hiring the wrong person.
Bottom line of this process is that they are committed to the 'right person' being hired instead of the 'right now' person - they would much rather have a vacancy sit instead of hiring the wrong person.
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Getting a job on what you can do is easy. But what can you do that fits within what a company wants? Being a mechanic in the Army does not in any way qualify you to be a mechanic in a civilian auto shop. You need to be at a minimum ASE certified for that. As far as being a combat engineer, unless you have valid certifications in the civilian sector, your job skills basically transfer over to being a general construction worker, and those are seasonal as well as economy-based jobs. It all boils down to having the skills that a company is looking for and having the solid proof to back up your claims of those skills.
If a guy came to me and said he knew how to weld, I hire him and then it turns out he welded a little in high school shop class and couldn't tell me the difference between flux core and gas-shielded MIG welding, I would kick myself in the ass for not asking to see his certifications. Get the certifications that match the job you want and you will see the results of what you can do.
If a guy came to me and said he knew how to weld, I hire him and then it turns out he welded a little in high school shop class and couldn't tell me the difference between flux core and gas-shielded MIG welding, I would kick myself in the ass for not asking to see his certifications. Get the certifications that match the job you want and you will see the results of what you can do.
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Las Cruces is not too far from Fort Bliss....I suggest you check out the Soldier for Life Program...I am including a link thaqt will take you right to the "veterans" page:
http://soldierforlife.army.mil/retirement/veterans.html
also, here's another link from a story last month that ran in the Army Times:
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140510/NEWS/305100028/Soldier-Life-program-targets-transitioning-soldiers
You are part of a huge network (good ol boys club!)
http://soldierforlife.army.mil/retirement/veterans.html
also, here's another link from a story last month that ran in the Army Times:
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140510/NEWS/305100028/Soldier-Life-program-targets-transitioning-soldiers
You are part of a huge network (good ol boys club!)
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MSG Sean Milhauser
Another great point CSM... and also take advantage of veteran's organizations, etc. That can help fellow veterans with employment, etc.
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Suspended Profile
Networking is absolutely key in finding a job! I actually met the Western Hemisphere director of homeland security on a flight while on a mid-tour leave and he offered me a job on the spot. I turned it down after some serious thinking. Essentially because I wasn't finished with my degree and wanted to ensure I was marketable if things didn't work for whatever reason. And now I have a indef contract with the Army that I love!
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According to some reports, up to 80% of job openings are not advertised. Networking is key to finding these job openings. In my mind, the second step, after build your resume, is to examine your network. It's called mapping your network and their are many articles on it online. The gist is that you need to identify the connectors in your network, people who will introduce you to others. Shoot your resume out to people in your network. I am sure someone will know a friend of a friend who can point you in the right direction.
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Also, I would recommend joining an organization for fellow veterans such as the VFW, American Legion, etc. They have resources to assist veterans in employment, education, etc. And you can meet other veterans and network there also. You don't necessarily have to attend every meeting, etc. but it can help with networking as well.
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In regards to networking, however, many leaders have posted some great advice on here. Networking is not the same as a "Good ol' Boys club". It is about meeting and getting to know as many people as you can. Use professional social media (such as this site, or LinkedIn for example) to make a professional web presence and meet (virtually at least) other people whom share your professional goals or careers you may be interested in. Maybe even a few people who don't, because they may know someone that knows someone in a company or career field you are working to get into that can possibly help you. And in turn, maybe in the future you can help them.
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The reality is, that is how some civilian companies do their hiring (and in some cases firing or laying off). Especially small companies in small towns. Bosses in some cases will hire family members, friends, friends of friends or family members of friends. If times are tough, the boss is going to lay off someone and they have to choose between their nephew, or you, well you can guess how that is going to go. In some cases they will do that even if you may be more qualified for the job.
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