Posted on Oct 31, 2016
For those who have transitioned/transitioning, what areas are you finding difficult that you need more information for a smoother transition?
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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I would agree with the resume writing point. My resume has grown in strength as I learn what employers want, but I was having issues with relating my military experience to civilian jobs.
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CMSgt Kevin Howell
That is the key, learning what employers want. Every business type is different. If you can crack that code you can be successful.
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SSG G Smith
CMSgt Kevin Howell - Yes I found that when I started it was as if I had 20yrs that counted for nothing, but as I continue to learn how to translate things I have more experience then I thought. Funny when it looked as if I couldn't manage a team of 3 people but then you figure out how to write your experience and then 3 people are a drop in the bucket compared to most in the civilian work force.
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CMSgt Kevin Howell
SSG G Smith - Funny things is most civilians have never supervised anyone and those that have don't have near the training and experience you do. In some cases you have more experience than the people that hire you and that can be a threat to them. No other company in the world prepares their leaders better through schools, training and experience than the military does. Getting that experience on paper for other to understand is the key.
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CMSgt Kevin Howell,
Good morning, As an Artillery guy a lot of people in the civilian world during job interviews or phone interviews always have this questions, What can an Artilleryman give back to the civilian world after 20 years of military service? SO transitioning from Artillery to Security, not a security guard but like, Personnel Security, Physical Security, not a lot of artillery guy are going into this field but I just happen to find loopholes in the system and learn how to word my resume after working in the S2 and going to school for security and working in a prison for 1 year as a CO, But still people don't see the office prospective in this on my resume. They don't want to give us a chance, its' like they are afraid too. Resume writing has been always been a super hard thing for me because we only know the military side and we must get with our civilian counterparts to help with the rewording of our military terms because there is always a way and for a start when I was in 1SG course or Senior leaders Course. We were never given any instructions on resume writing because, I think the course should as be designed for us to help us start transitioning our soldiers out of the military because not all soldiers decided they want to make this a career path. You ask a lot of senior NCO's who are getting ready to transition out of the military if they have a clue on resume writing unless they learned in college most combat arms guys and girls have not. SO it's been a ride for sometime since I have retired. I just happened to have the right tools and have gone to the right schools and , it's about networking building relationship and remembering leaders who trained you and the key is the Resume and the cover letter.
STEPHENS'
Good morning, As an Artillery guy a lot of people in the civilian world during job interviews or phone interviews always have this questions, What can an Artilleryman give back to the civilian world after 20 years of military service? SO transitioning from Artillery to Security, not a security guard but like, Personnel Security, Physical Security, not a lot of artillery guy are going into this field but I just happen to find loopholes in the system and learn how to word my resume after working in the S2 and going to school for security and working in a prison for 1 year as a CO, But still people don't see the office prospective in this on my resume. They don't want to give us a chance, its' like they are afraid too. Resume writing has been always been a super hard thing for me because we only know the military side and we must get with our civilian counterparts to help with the rewording of our military terms because there is always a way and for a start when I was in 1SG course or Senior leaders Course. We were never given any instructions on resume writing because, I think the course should as be designed for us to help us start transitioning our soldiers out of the military because not all soldiers decided they want to make this a career path. You ask a lot of senior NCO's who are getting ready to transition out of the military if they have a clue on resume writing unless they learned in college most combat arms guys and girls have not. SO it's been a ride for sometime since I have retired. I just happened to have the right tools and have gone to the right schools and , it's about networking building relationship and remembering leaders who trained you and the key is the Resume and the cover letter.
STEPHENS'
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CMSgt Kevin Howell
William, You have hit on something that a lot of service members go through. Company knowledge of your skills and your knowledge of putting your skills on paper to get a company to recognize your talent. It took me some time to flip the switch in that understanding as well. You have a lot of skills that translate but just don't have the industry lingo to make it connect. My suggestion is to always network with folks in the area that you want to be in. Find someone in industry who can review your resume who is NOT a veteran so they can give you feedback on what your resume is or is not saying. Your resume is your calling card and will only get you to in interview. It needs to be tailored to the specific opening and identify the skills you have that are going to meet the companies need for that specific position. What I've learned is most people don't put the time into writing, editing, rewriting, getting feedback, then rewriting their resume. I know you get my point and I hope those reading it do as well.
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The process of which jobs would be beneficial based on your skills acquired during time of service. My Navy job is a bit complicated since I can't necessary change to the outside world because of the classification. While I may not have wanted to continue on with my Navy job in the civilian world, I would like to see what those in the civilian sector are looking for based on veterans coming out of service. I work an admin-based job where I'm stuck sitting for 8 hours and coming from a environment of on your feet all day everyday to sitting, I don't like the complacency.
I hope that with TAPS classes, that there is a better way to for those who have situations like me can be able to find decent and good-paying jobs and not have to struggle to make ends meet.
I hope that with TAPS classes, that there is a better way to for those who have situations like me can be able to find decent and good-paying jobs and not have to struggle to make ends meet.
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CMSgt Kevin Howell
Katie, During TGPS, you will do a skills inventory to build the foundation for making the entry into the civilian sector. The key is to consider all your skills, from primary duties, collateral duties and anything you do off duty. If you are stuck in a job you don't want to do on the outside, look for opportunities to volunteer or go to school to gain new skills. The key is to identify a career path and begin to network with folks in the same industry. They can give you advice and point you in the right direction, If you ever need any advice or just to talk through an idea, give me a call, I work with transitioning sailors everyday. Kevin [login to see]
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PO1 (Join to see)
I was going to go to school but I had to many responsibilities to take control so I've put that on the back burner. I did re-enlist into the Reserves and will be going Temp Active Duty for Recruiting.
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CMSgt Kevin Howell
What I've learned about the Navy Reserve is there may be an opportunity to work your way into a different rate. Good luck and God Bless.
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