Why Top Performers Fail When They Leave The Military

Capt Byron Chen — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 19:44:29 -0400

Where motivated veterans go wrong when they start their career search.

For many lifelong top performers, the military can seem stifling. It feels like the promotion system can be limiting to those looking to fast track their careers. And that's why many high achievers decide to get out. They think, "I'll take my chances in the civilian world. Maybe then, I'll finally be recognized for what I do."

I had thoughts like that. And then I went through my first job search. That process has a way of humbling even the most confident transitioning veterans. Since leaving the military, I've seen the process play out over and over.

Top performers come out, confident in their own abilities, but miss seeing their weaknesses. What ends up happening? They're humbled by the transition process, feel like they must not be ready, and end up taking a job they won't be happy with because it's well below their experience level and does not appeal to their long term goals.

I originally published my thoughts on this here: http://www.successvets.com/2016/07/31/why-top-performers-fail-when-they-leave-the-military/

Below is the pattern that I see affect high achievers who struggle with the transition when it would seem that they should do well.

1. Being confident in all the wrong areas...

Many veterans feel confident in their professional abilities. They've been tested in high tempo environments and succeeded under harrowing odds. You hear it constantly -- "Veterans know how to perform." Then why is it they suck when it comes to finding and getting jobs they want? Because the skills that get you the job -- interviewing, networking, business writing (for resumes, e-mails, cover letters, etc) -- are things in which most veterans have zero experience.

You've led soldiers in combat? So what? You've landed a fighter jet on a carrier deck in the dark? So what? You've managed an emergency response in a nuclear engineering room? So what?

When you interview with employers, you're going to get this, "So what...," question underlining everything you explain about your service. They probably won't outright say this, but they will wonder how anything you've done is going to benefit their company.

You see, employers respect your skills as a service member, but they hire for your skills that contribute to their workforce. If you don't know how to communicate how your professional experience in the military translates to the business world, you're not going to get hired to do what you are actually capable of doing.

2. Lacking self awareness of what they're missing...

After a few interviews or jobs that don't hit the mark, veterans start to think the game is rigged. This is where I see people start to consider going back into the military, or think going back to school is the answer. While this maybe the case in some instances, more often than not, these veterans are taking their lack of success as a sign that they can't be successful in the private sector. Doing something else, instead of figuring out what's not working and fixing it, becomes their next step.

3. Not taking the right corrective actions...

After those first couple missteps, some people start to get discouraged. Some try to start over. They look for other jobs or sectors. But they do all the same things that they did before. They see others succeeding and wonder what's different about them?

They fall back on what made them successful in the military. They work hard, thinking that their actions will speak for themselves. They don't build champions in their network. They don't get feedback from mentors. The don't develop a network to feed them better opportunities.

At this stage, people in their careers keep pursuing the same actions, but expect different results. And when those results don't show up, they're back at square one.

So what to do?

When you leave the military, it's important to take stock of the skills you don't have. Sure, we all have confidence in our abilities to figure things out. What most veterans don't realize is that process starts as soon as you're thinking about your next career move.

It's imperative to learn how to communicate all those amazing skills and experiences you got from the military into a cohesive narrative for employers. You have to convince them that you have all the qualities that they are looking for, right now. Most companies don't want to have to train someone extensively to take a position. They'd rather just start them at entry level in those cases.

Here is why networking is so important. If you have a desire to succeed and get a job at a company you desire, then there's no better way to get the insider info that will tell you what skills they are looking for than going to people who have experience in that industry. It might be scary and disheartening to hear that the resume you've been working so long on isn't appealing to a hiring manager. But knowing that gives you the information you need to improve!

Most people ignore this sort of critical feedback, and push their careers forward in a cave without a flashlight. If you're looking to succeed as you make a significant career change, don't fall into this loop. Top performers in the military learn from their mistakes. It's no different in the private sector.

Writing this out helped me clarify for other veterans what to watch out for when they transition.

Got any other struggles during your transition? Let me know how I can help.

Response by TSgt Alex Benningfield made Aug 7 at 2016 7:44 PM

TSgt Alex Benningfield — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 19:44:57 -0400

Great post. Thank you for sharing this.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2016 7:57 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 19:57:09 -0400

This entire post should be a required reading in SFL-TAP/ACAP/(whatever your branch transition program is called).

#1 was spot on. "So what?".

Response by SGT Monica Brooks made Aug 7 at 2016 8:33 PM

SGT Monica Brooks — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 20:33:55 -0400

I agree with what you're saying in reference to success or lack there of in the civilian job market.

Recently, I spoke to several service members about interview skills and how to write an effective resume. Many lack the ability to write and promote themselves without overinflating their credentials.
I'm also a big fan of cover letters and post interview thank you letters. It shows the recruiting/HR team you're interested and courteous.
Great read.
I hope the job seekers are able to use your advice. -M

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Aug 7 at 2016 9:07 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 21:07:44 -0400

The guy above probably because he needs a shave.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 7 at 2016 11:42 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 23:42:07 -0400

Capt Tom Brown Now, now Captain, he was probably interviewing for an acting part! (I totally agree Tom, golfers are trying to appear as dirt bags also!).

Response by Ken Kraetzer made Aug 9 at 2016 11:59 AM

Ken Kraetzer — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 11:59:55 -0400

Great article. Being over confident happens to career civilians as well. Key I have learned in sales situations which is similar to job interviews, is to ask about what the company you are talking to needs help with, how can you jump in and solve a problem that no on board can do. Listening skills are key, we all have the tendency to want to talk past accomplishments, but the only thing that matters in a sales or interview situation is what problem or challenge can you solve for them.

Response by SFC Richard Giles made Aug 9 at 2016 6:40 PM

SFC Richard Giles — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 18:40:58 -0400

I am going thru the same exact thing right know, even with "military friendly" companies. It took a couple of rejections to figure out what they were saying exactly when I didn't get hired and it was for the reasons you stated above.
But I will say going to school is a good option though, networking at college can be a great tool and you can more then likely find someone who can help you with your resume issues.
My only gripe with a resume is anybody can put on paper what the hiring officials want to see but I'm of the adage that actions speak louder then words sometime. I was interviewed by a hiring official once that wasn't even part of the company I was interviewing for, they were actually contracted out by the company to do interviews. That is a company I will not work for.
Resumes are getting to be like NCOER's in my opinion, they don't want to see it in your own words, they want to see standard bullet comments from the internet with "catch words" or "catch phrases" , if they aren't there sorry you don't get interviewed.
I understand the importance of resumes but it really shouldn't be this hard. You're telling a short story about yourself I get it but I believe it's the hiring officials that don't get it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 3:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:25:10 -0400

You hit this nail right on the head.

Response by SPC Rebecca M. made Sep 14 at 2016 12:29 PM

SPC Rebecca M. — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 12:29:09 -0400

The above is exactly why I'm building out my consulting services to target the military to civilian transitioners, particularly those military service members who are leaving the service with disabling conditions they did not initially have. It's a tricky thing, the civilian hiring world, and the military is insular enough that it does not lend itself readily to a smooth transition in many cases. Add in a new disability and that's a whole new layer of complexity.

Since I've been there, done that from just about every angle you can imagine, I've decided to combine my experience and education in assisting this particular group of individuals as well as their family members. People often forget the families have to transition to civilian life, too. I'm eager to get to the point where I can actively begin offering services, but in the meantime, I'm here to support anyone who wants "free advice" (which no doubt I'll keep doing even after I start the formal business operation, as that's just what I do).

The "So what?" is SO TRUE. You have to remember to reframe your experience in terms of "what I can do for you and your company" and connect the dots for the interviewer. That's hard to do for many, but also super critical to learn how to do, and do it effectively.

Response by Ken Kraetzer made Oct 28 at 2016 10:43 AM

Ken Kraetzer — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 10:43:14 -0400

Great article. Would you say that veterans who spent time in staff jobs working communications and planning skills have an advantage over those who were in primarily operational roles?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2020 11:09 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 11:09:31 -0500

While all the things in the post are great points. The single most important thing to be noted here I believe is:
It’s All About Connections!
You can be as dumb as a box of rocks but if you have connections you can get the job.
Too many SM’s I know rely too much on their own little bubble and never branch out. This limits their ability to establish a larger network of connections. My first real Civilian Job as a Defense Contractor I applied for I fit the bill but was missing one key element at the time and that was a college degree. I wasn’t going to get hired but I had a connection in the company that vouched for me and bam... I got the job.
Since then I’ve completed my bachelors and recently finished my masters degree to make sure I’ve covered all my bases. But without that first connection, helping me get my first job, who knows where I’d be today....???