Why is it so hard to find Civilian jobs that your MOS is comparable to?

So true, I just can't find a company that will let me develop a psyops operation to run on civilians, buo I'm always hopeful

It is sad to say, but, military training doesn't mean squat today in the civilian world. I was a heavy equipment operator in the SeaBees and couldn't get a construction job and the county road commission told me I was over qualified. So now I work maintenance at an apartment complex with HVAC certifications.
Actually went to school for an associates degree in HVAC.

Check out start-ups and smaller companies where ability and versatility ranks above paper requirements.

The jobs tend to be less secure, require many more hours, but the experience in several skill areas simultaneously will improve your resume.

Worked for me when I got out 43 years ago when jobs were tight like they are today.

Also try looking directly at some of the larger defense contractor's job boards. I've found that often they have jobs listed there you won't find on Monster, Indeed, and the other job sites.

Just for example, http://jobs.raytheon.com/

Also try http://www.showyourstripes.org/

It uses Monster to pull veteran friendly jobs. I have used it myself with some success.

You seem to already be on the bigger sites, Linkedin, clearancejobs, and usajobs, but I also recommend doing a Google search for veteran friendly job search. I just did one and got quite a few hits.

SSgt, after being out for over a year now there is one hard truth you have to face. The civilian world does not care about the skills military veterans bring because to them these skills are alien to them. Picture a civilian trying to walk into any military unit claiming to have all these qualifications to supervise and lead troops but has never been in the military! That is the way most civilians look upon military veterans. Of course they say they appreciate all we did or do but the reality is that nobody cares as far as job hunting goes.

That is not to say that there are not a lot of companies who want veterans there are. My point is that civilians give more credit for civilian related qualifications first before military qualifications. Keep your head up and keep applying.

I think a lot of it is different experiences and/or lack of experiences. Not to mention the military doesn't require certifications or a degree to do some jobs, while outside the gate the same job requires a degree or certifications up the wazoo. So if you really want to do it in the civilian realm you'll have to do more work. I say more work because you'll need to get certified to do something you already know or are already doing.

I heard a story of a USAF Firefighter who was getting out after 12 years and was applying with a county fire department and when the Fire Chief asked how many fires he put out in 12 years, the Firefighter said he put out less than ten over 12 years and the Fire Chief laughed and said he has had rookies put out more in their first week.

When I was in the USAF I was Public Health, and the duties are much of what the health department off base does. Best way of explaining it.

And I can tell you it is very hard to translate this job. You can translate it but you may need a masters to get an entry level job. If you have a bachelors, you'll need a lot of certifications to help back it up too and/or go to a lot of bases. When I was stationed in DC it was a huge deal if we had three cases of chlamydia in a month. You go outside the gates, the DC health department is dealing with a hell of a lot worse stuff on a daily basis such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B on a regular basis and I am sure they have more than three cases of those problems in a month, maybe a day or a week! So we don't always get a lot of experience, plus your average military population for the most part is healthier than your off base population.

I have no desire to do this job anymore and it's for the best - it doesn't suit or fit my personality and I can tell you I have gotten very little experience in this field due to the lack of "fires" so to speak.

I know a few people who have gotten jobs with the health department or CDC though, but it seems the majority do something else when they get out, go to school, or try and move to the tech school to get a job at the school house and/or get one of the few rare GS or contractor positions. I have been told the health department where I am at fires and hires on a daily basis.

SSG, I'd still apply and adjust the resume accordingly. I got a job that requires a heavy IT cert that I don't have, and all my coworkers are technically more qualified and meet the standard, but they looked at the overall picture (yes I understand there might be some differences between contracting and IT). I would have thought contracting would have a direct work translation (and also available positions, probably on the same installation you were at) on the GS/contractor side??

You might have to, at some point, reinvent yourself. Either back taking a lesser position to acquire the experience or look to start your own business. You face what many have faced in similar positions and that is corporate America not being able to see your experience and the asset you could be to their company.

Business Consultant

As a hospital corpsman I found that applying to private practices increased my chances of getting hired since the doctors had the final say. As apposed to big hospitals which required me to show licenses and certifications to the HR department. Hope that helps.