Posted on Jan 14, 2023
1LT Chaplain Candidate
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At the end of June of 2022 I moved from Hawaii back to Southern California so I could get my Master of Divinity in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Biola. I am currently a Chaplain Candidate and Social Media Manager with 426th CA BN (A). I have tried Indeed and sending out every application I can. I’ve been to a few job interviews but was told their looking for someone with more experience even though they really liked me. I switch to 90% online so I can work full time and I even then I can’t get anything comittal.
It’s not like I’m looking for a quick job. Im trying to find something I can sink my teeth into and work at for at least 5 years while im going through my Masters Program. However, I just can’t seem to catch a break.

If anyone has any advice, recommendations, etc. I would be more than grateful.
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Responses: 22
LTC Program Manager
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Have you used LinkedIn? As a vet you can get a free year of LinkedIn premium. One of the advantages here is you can sort people by almost everything and reach out to people with things in common with you to ask if they like working at their company ti start a conversation. Also you can sort by the job title "recruiter" and connect with them. It's a great tool.
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SGM Mikel Dawson
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My first job interview after completing a mechanics course it was the same. After the boss came out with that line, I looked him right in the eye and replied with a command voice, "You are all the same, wanting someone with more experience. How is a guy like me suppose to get more experience if no one wants to give guys like me a chance?". I continued to look him direct in the eye with a stern look. Finally after a period of silence, he replied, "Well, seeing how you put it that way, I am going to give you a shot".
You want something, reach out and get it. I believe sometimes this is the common line to test people, to see if they really want the job or not.
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SGT Unit Supply Specialist
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Excellent response to that employer.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
10 mo
SGM Mikel Dawson.....
I Have But One Thing To Say About Your Statement:
~~~~~~ BINGO ~~~~~
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1LT Chaplain Candidate
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Hey friend. I am also a Chaplain candidate, just ETS'd to head to grad school. I have 14 years in, this is actually my second ETS. Here is some advice that may be helpful to you at the moment.

Check out the USO pathfinder transition program. This can be a lunching point for you to build some more plans of attack in trying to get hired, and they will have access to a variety of resources and networks that can further guide and support your job search.

Get started on your LinkedIn profile. It may ake a while to get it they way you want it, if you want a quality profile like some of the best out there, and want civilian organizations to understand your worth. Build your connections for a while, then send a respectful message requesting endorsements or recommendations from all your connections. See if there is a LinkedIn workshop near you and take it. The way I was taught is that LinkedIn should be a power-boost to your resume. If you put that little custom LinkedIn link at the top of your resume, they should be able to head to your profile and get further information on everything in the resume and see a bit of personal flare, plus view your endorsements and recommendations from co-workers. Add me if you'd like and scroll through my connections to see some good examples of veteran profiles, in my opinion.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-caley

Look into federal work and see what's open at USAjobs.com. Find a local veteran resource that will help you build your federal resume or call military one source.

Also, don't forget to network. Some crazy percentage, like 75%, of all jobs are secured through networking, skipping the entire hiring process. Word of mouth is still everything in most jobs. Reach out via LinkedIn, friends, family, fellow soldiers, etc. Build yourself a respectful email template that you can push out to everyone to strike up a conversation about how your looking for work and would love to speak to such and such more if they have a few minutes or know of any opportunities.

Good luck my friend! Message me if I can be of help.
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