As a recruiter, I am always interested in what attracts a person to a job. What attracts you, as a veteran, to an employer?

Joanne Maresca — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 12:00:00 -0400

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Apr 13 at 2017 12:02 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 12:02:40 -0400

For me, it's the people & culture inside the organization. That is always my #1.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Apr 13 at 2017 12:06 PM

SSG Steven Borders — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 12:06:18 -0400

For me it I look for something I know I am good at. I came in late at 31, so I had various jobs before joining. I was an Inventory Clerk, Automotive Parts Counter Person, Drove Dump Trucks, and even worked at a Computer Store as the Tech Manager. I recently have been applying to the USPS because my time transfers over and it is still Federal work. I am still thinking about going NG as well so defiantly trying to find something that is Military friendly.

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Apr 13 at 2017 12:09 PM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 12:09:49 -0400

1) Closet Management
2) Life Cycle Replacement schedule
3) Organizational buy-in to Security standards

What? I'm a military IT troop. We've got some different priorities about our work environment.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2017 12:42 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 12:42:59 -0400

Will it be something I enjoy and look forward to doing daily? Is there a future in the position or am I stuck without any chance of promotion? Is the office very quiet without any interactions between employees or is there discussion across cubes and aisles?

Are there any signs of micro-management in the organization? A very quick turn off for me.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2017 12:59 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 12:59:48 -0400

Joanne Maresca What attracted me to a job was fulfilling my goals. When I was discharged, I found a job at a chemical plant because I knew I would make very good money while I went to school. Once I had my degree, I actually made less money to start work on the Space Shuttle Program. This career was what I wanted to do, so I stayed with it for 33 years.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Apr 13 at 2017 1:10 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 13:10:03 -0400

A paycheck - and coworkers that are interested in doing a good job.
The rest is up to me.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2017 4:47 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 16:47:50 -0400

For me it's probably having money to eat and live.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Apr 13 at 2017 7:31 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 19:31:49 -0400

For me it was finding an industry that I really enjoyed combined with a reputation of taking care of its people. Since I've always been a nature freak I soon found that the zoo and aquarium industry seemed like a good fit. Sure no direct transfer of technical skills, but everything else that I brought from the military made the transition easy. Also discovered that the biologist/scientific types that are most prevalent in this industry really appreciate someone who can take charge and get things done.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Apr 14 at 2017 8:26 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 08:26:31 -0400

1. THE PEOPLE
2. DO THE LEADERSHIP VALUE THEIR PEOPLE AND LISTEN TO THEIR PEOPLES NEEDS
3. FUTURE GOALS WITH THAT COMPANY

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Apr 14 at 2017 1:22 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 13:22:38 -0400

Reputation comes to mind. Just like people try to avoid a bad assignment, no one likes working for a company that say one of their divisions goes and clubs baby seals, or degrades certain groups. How innovative the company is, not just in technology, but in trying new and different things. Pay and benefits, yes I said it, if I am moving ahead, or you want my skills, pay me what I am worth, or give me something that shows you are a company worth looking at, no one likes cheapskates who try to go back on their promises. If you have no integrity, it will show quickly, and if that is how you treat your employees, how do you treat your customers?

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2017 11:24 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 23:24:43 -0400

For me, they are simple:
1. Clear mission statement of what the employer does and wants to do.
2. Clear standards of conduct for the employees - that are ENFORCED!!
3. Opportunities to move up if desired.

If the employer can't do that, it is a TOTAL turn-off and I'll bail out of there, and have done so in the past.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Apr 17 at 2017 9:52 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 09:52:38 -0400

What attracts me to a job... the simple answer is how close a job aligns with my current MOS. I loved my MOS. It's something I picked up really quick and it's something I continued to pursue after the military. So if I find a job that comes close to my MOS, I'm automatically interested.

Response by SGT Robert Lincecum made Apr 21 at 2017 10:32 AM

SGT Robert Lincecum — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:32:38 -0400

Being able to work and pay my bills. I fell into contracting after separating from the Air Force in 1999. Unfortunately, the contracts aren't always long term. Or, they are "indefinite term" and when budgets get cut, I seem to be one of the first to be "downsized".

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 21 at 2017 10:48 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:48:35 -0400

Lots of idealism here. You send out resumes, use connections and everything in your toolbox. A few, if you are lucky, will respond. Others will pass on you with a telephone interview and others will drop you after your face to face interview. You make a choice those that make an offer, and if you need to support your family, take the best offer. During my 20+ in telecommunications private industry, I worked for three major international companies, in a variety of positions. As a new employee, things are great, but eventually, as in the military, you get a rotten boss somewhere in the heirarchy that effect all. Then it becomes a matter of choice to stay or go, regardless of administrative things like mission statements. I probably should have been a prostitute, because I always looked at the end game and if you paid me enough, I can take anything until retirement. My personal opinion is get real!

Response by SGT Charles Napierala made Apr 25 at 2017 3:07 PM

SGT Charles Napierala — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 15:07:10 -0400

- I think there are a lot of great responses, but also responses that are missing the point.
When I'm searching for a job, I want it to be in a field that I enjoy working, or would like to see myself working in. After finding a field and a potential job, the base salary and amounts of weekly workable hours would be the second most appealing aspect to me.
- Once I find a job that offers a position with a livable/enjoyable salary, I start to look at the company's reputation--is the company reputable? Is it a startup company? Is the company in a financial crisis or have they trended in massive down-sizing? What is the company's vision?
- After researching the company trends and seeing the potential for company growth, I look at the company's vision. Is the company's vision and large-scale objective in line with my own views? If it is, then I'm more than happy to apply.
- The most important factor that attracts me to a company is the first phone call, or email, from the company representative. An interview and phone call isn't just for the company to assess the applicant, but also for the applicant to assess the job and company, too.

Edited for formatting.