Posted on Aug 25, 2014
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Having recently retired from the Army, I've been to my share of job fairs. Do you think they are helpful? If not, what would you recommend employers do to connect with military talent?
Transition
Jobs
Job Fairs
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 22
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As MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca and SGT Ben Keen have mentioned - most are a lot of fluff. I've been to several over the years. In most, since you've filled out info ahead of time, they've already pre-selected you for specific hiring companies. Normally, if you don't have an active clearance any longer literally none of the big DOD supporting companies want anything to do with you - no matter what your skill set. I had several conversations with over 40 different companies - they're being instructed to ignore older veterans without active clearances.
So, unless you have an active clearance, you're shuttled off to the companies that will take anyone with no skill sets whatsoever and pay you minimum wage to boot.
My take - younger / recent retirees with active clearance - go for it. If you don't have an active clearance, you're wasting your time driving there.
So, unless you have an active clearance, you're shuttled off to the companies that will take anyone with no skill sets whatsoever and pay you minimum wage to boot.
My take - younger / recent retirees with active clearance - go for it. If you don't have an active clearance, you're wasting your time driving there.
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SFC Jeff L.
I have found that a security clearance means more to us as military servicemen than to civilian employers, unless, and only unless, you're applying to one of the military industrial complex employers like Raytheon, General Dynamics, and so forth.
As far as having been out of the military for a while versus transitioning servicemember I've found that companies with a dedicated veteran recruiting program tend to focus on those who are transitioning for two reasons: 1) Work Opportunity Tax Credit - they get a tax credit for selected veterans who qualify. 2) Those who have been out a while are already in the civilian workforce, and, as such, are less likely to need a dedicated military recruitment process.
As far as having been out of the military for a while versus transitioning servicemember I've found that companies with a dedicated veteran recruiting program tend to focus on those who are transitioning for two reasons: 1) Work Opportunity Tax Credit - they get a tax credit for selected veterans who qualify. 2) Those who have been out a while are already in the civilian workforce, and, as such, are less likely to need a dedicated military recruitment process.
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The few I've been to seemed to be geared towards entry level positions and hands-on type of work and a lot of school advertising.
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LTC Paul Heinlein
I read this article a ways back and it really made sense:
Thank You for Your Military Service — Now Here Are 9 Reasons Why I Won't Hire You!
http://www.careerattraction.com/congratulations-on-your-military-service-now-here-are-9-reasons-why-i-wont-hire-you/#ixzz2petrvSuk
The #1 reason in the story is "You Can’t (or Won’t) Accept That You’re Starting Over"
Unless you are staying in the exact same field working for the exact same people.
From my perspective, you have to understand regardless of how old you are and experienced, you are the new guy. Accept it. But, the civilian world (minus some city, state, federal government jobs) is about the bottom line- Money. If you have the skills, it will be acknowledged and you will move up....because they want to improve the bottom line. If this is not happening, then take the time to find a company that will. Another aspect of starting over that you need to understand is right now the supply of good jobs is low and the demand is high. So employers have the leverage. As such, their demands for experience, education, etc. for entry and lower level positions is going to be higher than it needs to be.
Bottom Line: Keep plugging away, keep a source of income coming, do your best, and it will work out for you.
Thank You for Your Military Service — Now Here Are 9 Reasons Why I Won't Hire You!
http://www.careerattraction.com/congratulations-on-your-military-service-now-here-are-9-reasons-why-i-wont-hire-you/#ixzz2petrvSuk
The #1 reason in the story is "You Can’t (or Won’t) Accept That You’re Starting Over"
Unless you are staying in the exact same field working for the exact same people.
From my perspective, you have to understand regardless of how old you are and experienced, you are the new guy. Accept it. But, the civilian world (minus some city, state, federal government jobs) is about the bottom line- Money. If you have the skills, it will be acknowledged and you will move up....because they want to improve the bottom line. If this is not happening, then take the time to find a company that will. Another aspect of starting over that you need to understand is right now the supply of good jobs is low and the demand is high. So employers have the leverage. As such, their demands for experience, education, etc. for entry and lower level positions is going to be higher than it needs to be.
Bottom Line: Keep plugging away, keep a source of income coming, do your best, and it will work out for you.
Congratulations on Your Military Service… Now Here Are 9 Reasons Why I Won’t Hire You
Just because you have the skills and experience for a position, that doesn’t mean you’ll get it. Avoid these mistakes to make sure you don’t sabotage your chances.
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1SG Mark Colomb
I discuss every one of these points when I mentor veterans int he transition process. Attitude adjustments must take place before they get their DD FM 214. After that it compounds the issue of unemployment.
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SPC (Join to see)
While I am still in the process of transitioning, I can attest to what Mr. Colomb is saying. I was lucky to get the chance to speak with him during our career day and his advice was invaluable. My biggest complaint about the job fairs though is that most jobs seem to be angled toward the higher ranks and almost none look at those of us who are retiring young or at lower ranks due to medical injuries..
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I have been to maybe 10-25 around my area over the last 10yrs...trust me as everybody else said a waste of time. you're either over qualified or they will take your resume and file 13 it when you walk away.
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