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Posted on Jun 2, 2015
Why is it so hard to find Civilian jobs that your MOS is comparable to?
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I did the Job of a Contracting NCO (51C) about the time the MOS was being given to the Army. After doing this job during a deployment I was ready to come home and take that job on full time on the Civilian side, but I don't meet the requirements that everyone is looking for (Accounting Degree / 10 years experience). I have a degree and experience from a deployment working with Civilians, Army, Air Force and Navy, but not 10 years of it....does the fast pace and stress of a deployment experience mean anything?? Just because I don't have an accounting degree does that mean that I can't do the job?? I was given high praise for the work I did being thrown into the job overseas, so does my experience from then carry no merit now in the Civilian job market?
Now I have another MOS (29E Electronic Warfare NCO) that I am trying to get into on the Civilian side and I am once again faced with similar road blocks..."Not enough experience", "Not the right background"...my question is then, how do you gain the experience employers are looking for without getting a chance to do the job? How do I get someone to look past the requirements that cause these jobs to sit open and unfilled so that employers can see the drive that I have to learn and succeed? Are there any surefire tips for me to make this happen?
Now I have another MOS (29E Electronic Warfare NCO) that I am trying to get into on the Civilian side and I am once again faced with similar road blocks..."Not enough experience", "Not the right background"...my question is then, how do you gain the experience employers are looking for without getting a chance to do the job? How do I get someone to look past the requirements that cause these jobs to sit open and unfilled so that employers can see the drive that I have to learn and succeed? Are there any surefire tips for me to make this happen?
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Transition
MOS
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 40
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I had similar issues after getting my degree that I would find jobs that I felt I was qualified for but didn't have the experience, then continually wondered how to get the experience. My advice is go for P/T and entry-level positions to start, you don't even have to stay that long, but once you have a job it is easier to find another, better job. Also, just because you don't meet the qualifications doesn't mean you shouldn't apply. Computers will likely filter the original application but HR will look at it from there for interviews. To beat the computer take the job quals and copy and paste them into the end of your resume, make them 1 pt. font and make the color white (the computer will pick it up but no one else will). Finally, don't rely on military-friendly job boards, companies aren't posting there for the most part. My choice is indeed.com. Also, if you do find a job on a job board make sure to go to the company's website and apply, don't use the job board application.
I know it's tough but if you stick with it and work from the bottom up you can make it pretty far pretty fast. Also, if possible keep advancing your education, a Masters is the new Bachelors.
I know it's tough but if you stick with it and work from the bottom up you can make it pretty far pretty fast. Also, if possible keep advancing your education, a Masters is the new Bachelors.
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Very true...I know I listed a few of the big boards, but I'm also on a ton of the other smaller and lesser well known ones, to include ones specifically for Florida and Florida' Veterans. I like the idea of putting the quals in a resume and hiding them...I may really try that!! My masters in on my radar for sure, but there are also other military schools that I need to get into to further my chances as well. I'm willing to start at the bottom, but I have to find that bottom.
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SGT James Elphick
SSG(P) (Join to see) anything you can get into that is relevant to your field will work. I know it's tough, I went through the same thing like I said. Just stick with it though, persistence pays off!
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Oh I definitely will...I'm not the kind of person to give up when faced with a problem...I find ways to adapt (hence why I came here to look for insight from those who have been here before) and overcome!! thanks for the help I will definitely use what you mentioned here to help my chances!
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Hang in there brother!
A whole lot of what you see in the ads are just raising the bar to keep the number of applicants down and have little to do with the actual job requirements. So don't feel too bad.
Networking is what is going to get you a job. It ain't so much what you know and who you know. Find out where the people that do the work you want to do hang out and go there. LinkedIn might help.
Good luck!
A whole lot of what you see in the ads are just raising the bar to keep the number of applicants down and have little to do with the actual job requirements. So don't feel too bad.
Networking is what is going to get you a job. It ain't so much what you know and who you know. Find out where the people that do the work you want to do hang out and go there. LinkedIn might help.
Good luck!
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. the area where the work I want to do is at CENTCOM, SOCCOM, and SOCCENT...its a bit hard to just walk in and hang out...that's the biggest problem I see right now...its such a tightknit community that it makes it extremely hard to break into.
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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
Roger that.
My guess is those folks just hire each other and never look at the Job sites.
Tough nut to crack man.
Need to know someone that knows someone.
I wonder if you can scan the RP membership for tags ...
Have you looked over at TogetherWeServed?
My guess is those folks just hire each other and never look at the Job sites.
Tough nut to crack man.
Need to know someone that knows someone.
I wonder if you can scan the RP membership for tags ...
Have you looked over at TogetherWeServed?
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
No...never heard of it, but I will definitely check them out now that you mention it. There are a few small communities out there in the EW field, but its a bit of the same thing...im on the outside of the kitchen looking in and I can barely see over the counter.
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Great Query. My Ancient Black Arts really don't equate well with anything. Smoke and Mirrors based on WWII concepts just tweaked for the Modern World. Cyber Security is pretty much what I did but my skills are very dated and I would need a whole lot of new schooling to be up to date. When I did it the Crypto and Computer were separate units now they are intertwined. I am relegated to being the Historian for the next gen Cyber Security folks.
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