What did you find most challenging in your post-military job search?

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 12:24:44 -0400

I recently retired after twenty-five years of service. During my preparation, I found the job search for my next career to be the most difficult, and the most humbling experience of my adult life. I am curious of others experiences, and what were the biggest challenges you may have faced.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 1 at 2014 2:46 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 02:46:40 -0400

Accepting the fact that my accustomed military life would never be found in the civilian sector. I might be ruined for civilian work. I am sticking to the GS series and staying close to my brothers and sisters.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Nov 1 at 2014 2:57 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 02:57:08 -0400

Not having the certs for a civilian equivalent. The need to return home since GS options were no longer an option. Trying to go back to the civilian world after 19 years.

Response by SCPO Albert Lee Smith made Nov 2 at 2014 9:13 PM

SCPO Albert Lee Smith — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 21:13:10 -0500

My biggest barrier was initially mindset. I simply didn't fully understand how this new world worked. To some degree, I still struggle with it, and it's been a few years.

Not having civilian equavalant qualifications hurt my job prospects. I had no real idea of how to translate what I knew into language hiring managers would truly understand. TAP class was of litle to no help what-so-ever when it came to this, other than pointing me to O-Net. Even that was not all inclusive. It wasn't until I sat down with a hiring manager that was a 30 year Veteran that I could finally gain a little clarity.

Response by Sgt Junyer Knight made Nov 3 at 2014 3:10 PM

Sgt Junyer Knight — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:10:50 -0500

I got to be a fly on a wall at a national university ranked #14 due to friends I had made in the nearby town. I saw young people, 21-23, living without a care in the world and abusing substances that would get anyone kicked out of the service. They would talk about which 60k base starting position to take at Fortune 500 companies, weighing the benefits of this package vs. this one.

All I could think about were the guys I served with that would run circles around these kids in any professional workplace. I'm still not completely over this and it pains me to know it continues. Veterans mostly hold themselves to a higher standard and in those moments it seemed like a wasted effort.

I've moved on, gotten a great job offer, and started a new life but that experience was eye-opening and mindset shattering.

Edited for grammar.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 23 at 2015 7:35 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 07:35:57 -0500

Translating military leadership skills to the civilian world

Response by CSM Andrew Perrault made Aug 22 at 2017 10:17 PM

CSM Andrew Perrault — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 22:17:21 -0400

I found the pace was a lot slower than military life....No real focus for the most part and if the task didn't get done that day oh well there's tomorrow.......Folks being late almost drove me nuts their concept of time management was horrible.