What's the best way to get an OCONUS civilian position?

CPL Carl Buck — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 05:37:18 -0500

I'm looking for any oconus positions. Pleas advise. Thank you.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jan 6 at 2015 9:07 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 09:07:33 -0500

If you can network with people in your particular industry that may know companies by name, that would help quite a bit. For instance, and not endorsing them, but Lockheed Martin was a popular force supporter when I was in the UAE.

As SMSgt Thomas said, I have heard that Indeed.com is also a good source. USAJobs and applying directly to the SPAWAR site is what landed me my current position, it's unfortunate that USAJobs hasn't worked for you to this point. Keep at it, I'm sure something will come up over the horizon.

Response by SPC Daniel Bowen made Jan 6 at 2015 9:13 AM

SPC Daniel Bowen — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 09:13:12 -0500

For both CPL Carl Buck and 1LT John Martin:
It honestly depends on what jobs you want to do OCONUS. USAJOBs is a good site, but mainly for stateside work.

A lot of security companies do have high paying positions available but sometimes they would like you to take lower paying contracts to get your foot in the door. I did that with my former company. I was hired to go through protective services but because they have no openings I took an Armed Guard position until one did. It looks good on your resume for civilian contractor work and adds time OCONUS.
1LT Martin, seeing is how you were Infantry, I would suggest http://www.academi.com (employment under contracts), http://www.soc-usa.com for Protective/ERT jobs. Both companies mainly hire from within but they do open the jobs to outsiders with prior experience.
CPL Buck, depending on your background in the military Armed Guard or Maritime Security contracts may be your better options if you do not carry a direct combat arms MOS. You guys can use your GI Bill for job training if you wished to take protection and firearms instructor courses to help boost your resume. Also there is always a need for team medics so if that is a calling for you, get your EMT-I cert with hours and that will make you that much more attractive for those OCONUS jobs. Hit me up if you guys have any other questions.

Academi

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Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 12:06 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:06:12 -0500

My unit has several civilian slots, what are you looking for?

Response by Sgt Ken Prescott made Jul 12 at 2015 12:51 AM

Sgt Ken Prescott — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:51:56 -0400

If you are VEOA eligible and have skills that are in demand, the DoD is hiring for GS positions. There are a lot of folks who have overstayed their tours and are getting told they cannot extend their tour again.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Aug 23 at 2016 6:34 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 18:34:59 -0400

I know COL Sid McManus has several open OCONUS roles overseas.

Response by COL Sid McManus made Aug 25 at 2016 3:54 PM

COL Sid McManus — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 15:54:12 -0400

Ryan,
Several good comments below. There are multiple ways of finding OCONUS positions- job boards, .gov sites, networking are all methods of trying to land a position OCONUS. Another venue is to go the contractor route in the host country you are interested in gaining employment. If you have a position and the time to work the system, this might not be a route you would consider to explore, but if your in-between positions and looking for work, contracting in the host country maybe a viable alternative for you to have a job, while you look for that other job. There are multiple companies out there, just like ours which is a company called Vinnell Arabia based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia that offer multiple opportunities for veterans. Find the company, with a position that interests you and gain employment. Then, through the routine course of networking within the host country site you are interested in gaining employment; you should be one step closer to achieving that goal.