Do you put your reserve military service on your LinkedIn profile?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 12:56:21 -0400

So how many of you in the National Guard and Reserves have a LinkedIn profile? Do you have any reference to your current or past military service on LinkedIn? Have you considered removing it or already removed it if you are in job search mode? Do you think our service helps or hurts, especially in seeking professional positions? If you have kept your service in the background, at what point do you divulge it to your employer or do you just take vacation when annual training comes around? I know, lots of questions but I'm curious what experiences others have found especially when seeking professional positions.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 12:59 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 12:59:07 -0400

I do.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jul 8 at 2015 1:10 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 13:10:34 -0400

I got rid of my Linkedin account. I have seen in my life that it depends on the career path that you are taking and the area of the employment. It also depends on the company a lot. I recently applied for a job with a federal contractor, The super asked me if I was in the guard. I said yes. I didn't get the job. Said that it was My credit history. I was applying for a security potion. I have also seen friends that have jobs and the company paid his base salary while we where gone to Afghanistan. Also paid his Medical benefits while he was gone. Then there is a company that the manager fired me because of the national guard. He found another reason and got rid of me. Said resign or get fired. I was working Two jobs at the time so really didn't care. There are good and bad employers you just have to ask the right questions to the right people.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 8 at 2015 1:52 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 13:52:13 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I have a LinkedIn account and it does have my prior service on it, as well as recommendations. It has helped me in finding job opportunities, some that I've turned down and one that I've currently holding now. I use LinkedIn in my professional business and most of my leads and potential opportunities have come from LinkedIn. It is a very important site for me and post articles on it related to my civilian career. I believe that a snapshot of your prior service and experience are important in today's civilian market and should be included. With that said I believe it is a personal preference. In my previous positions during my Guard and Reserve careers it was important for that information to be there. I was fortunate because my employers supported my military duty during deployments and other duty requirements. I used that to involve them in employer programs and educate them on what the military was about and the type of future employees that could get coming off active duty or with reserve or National Guard affiliation. Again, this is my opinion and you are more than welcome to review my LinkedIn page as an example:

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mikel-burroughs/9/358/334

Response by SFC Joseph Bosley made Jul 8 at 2015 2:05 PM

SFC Joseph Bosley — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:05:36 -0400

I have a linked in account and my prior service is listed on it. Im not ashamed of my service and anybody that chooses to not be a part of my life because i'm a veteran can ....... well you know. I don't associate with them. I wont be part of any organization that has an issue with my being a veteran. As to job hunting I've found the only thing these sites hurt or help is how well you articulate your experiences.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 2:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:23:42 -0400

I have to respond. So far out of 5 responses two have referenced being proud of my service. For the record, I have in over 12 years with 5 being active. I served 4 active from 88-92 and then in the NG from 92-96. I chose to join the NG again and after a two-year battle I reenlisted December of 2010. I plan to retire out and they will probably pray to get rid of me before I turn 60 and they kick my tail to the retirement curb. I'm a tanker and believe me it is true, best job I ever had! That said, it doesn't put food on my families table nor does it pay the mortgage or car payment. I truly do it for fun and the pay is of little consequence each month. The access to tri-care is payment enough and if they only knew that they would probably stop paying me, and I'd be OK with it. I have nearly ten years in the IT industry and then I transitioned to sales for nearly another decade. After I deployed I just couldn't come back to a sales job any longer and I took a position at a nuclear plant as a guard which affords me a lot of time to study while I pursue a Master of Accountancy from Auburn. I hope to enter professional accounting preferably with a regional or national level accounting firm and I want to ensure there are no hindrances to reaching that goal. I know for a fact I haven't been given a promotion in the past or a position I applied for because I was in the service. I can't prove it, there is always another excuse they come up with. I love my service and hope to serve well for many years to come, but supporting my family is and will come first and foremost, so if I have to keep my service out of the foreground to reach that goal, then I will sleep soundly knowing that my family is well cared for and I am still ready and able when the "wolf knocks at the door."

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jul 8 at 2015 3:23 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 15:23:45 -0400

I list it very prominently. I think it is very relevant experience for the sorts of positions that I am interested in pursuing.

Separately, I include it because I think it is integral to the total package that is me. It will continue if I take X position. If it's going to be an issue with the potential employer, I'd prefer it to be on the table from the word go, and not after I have been hired. If that means I don't get a position, so much the better for both of us. Yes, I know what the law says. However, I don't want to work for an employer who has issues with my service and I don't wish to "force" anyone to hire me - especially under false pretenses/lack of candor on my part.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 3:40 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 15:40:44 -0400

My service is on my LinkedIn, but I really don't think it's helpful. My civilian career/boss doesn't take interest in my military carer. I think she doesn't know what to think of it or at least gives a neutral attitude towards me about it; She has always given me days off for Annual Training or MUTA 6 training at my expense of my own leave or LWOP.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 4:53 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 16:53:33 -0400

Yes

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jul 8 at 2015 6:08 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 18:08:33 -0400

Mine is on my LinkedIn profile, resumes, and such. For me, it has not been an issue but I have worked for the Army or Army contractors since 2007. I do think that military service will help you, especially if you can articulate what you bring to the company because of that. I would say you want to be upfront with your service instead of hiding it until you need to get time off for duty. Yes, employers cannot discriminate against in hiring because of that but if you hid it and then all of a sudden told them you had to be off for the next two weeks for AT, I think it would raise questions about your honesty and integrity. Even if you try to hide it by taking vacation, you may not be able to take vacation time when you have the AT so it will come out and on top of that, if you are mobilized, you would not be able to hide that very well. Be up front and let me know but also tell them what that means in terms of benefits to them.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Jul 8 at 2015 6:16 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 18:16:20 -0400

I have interviewed for several jobs that I suspected I did not get because of being in the reserve. I have also heard managers say they didn't want to deal with reservists. I would rather know up front what the employer's stance was than to find out later. After getting my first job a police segerant told me that he would have me out of the reserves within 6 months. it didn't happen, but I left in 18 months. I got tired of supervisors calling my CO and telling them I couldn't drill because I had to work (without telling me first.)

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 8:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 20:04:09 -0400

I'm a little naïve when it comes to LinkedIn. I read an article in a business journal that said that of the social media networks, LinkedIn was the most likely to fail in the near term so I dismissed it. It has survived longer than the article expected, but by the same token I have seen very little interest in it from my peer group...

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 10:13 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:13:42 -0400

I have. I actually received a job offer as a Center Manager based of my military background. The hiring manager, stated that he was looking for someone who has great interpersonal, and leadership skills, and could effectively and efficiently run a face pace organization. Don't think your military background is a hinder to having a successful career. In the end it can help you more than you know.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 10:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:25:20 -0400

I have mine listed, say it loud and proud. I think you can use it as a strength. If you're still in reserves/NG there is no point in hiding it anyways.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 12:08 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 00:08:44 -0400

You will need to curtail your resume in order to ascend the pertinent experience regarding the job you are seeking, for example if you are looking for law enforcement job, and you were a grunt, then all the search/pow treatment and operations/ECP security/ riot control training and actual operations are valid. Not all jobs are the same, and what is most important is that you put the relevant and pertaining experience for the job you are applying. I'll give you this from my experience, I am a combat medic with 4 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and few mobilizations in CONUS, due to catastrophes, riots, etc, but my money making career is in Accounting, as I have a BS degree. I could literally run a hospital, I understand how the operations work, I could be a body guard, etc. It all depends what you apply for, so if you go in LinkedIn, is a little different, you will need to put ALL of it there, as best as you can, and get your friends, soldiers, etc to vouch your abilities, as much. It goes both ways, the more endorsements, and testaments of your character it shows, the better of people to get the whole picture, as a reference. Be honest about it, don't exaggerate or lie in it.

So bottom line all that experience is very valid, in resume, curtailed to the job, in LinkedIn more like a network, where all of it goes in. Hope this helps.

Response by SSG James Yellis made Jul 9 at 2015 4:41 AM

SSG James Yellis — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 04:41:43 -0400

Ihave all periods of my service on my profile and on my resume

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 2:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:45:58 -0400

I've had difficulty getting jobs even with my military experience I understand 11B Is a questionable job but I'm proud to have been infantry and I don't care what others think about it I proudly announce my experience in the Army.I found a semi permanent job finally at Wal-Mart that's flexible with my National Guard training. So overall it might be tough getting a professional job or any job at all but persistence is the key to accomplish everything, but never be silent about who you are and were in the military.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 8:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 20:03:00 -0400

I think that serving you country speaks highly of you. You shouldn't be ashamed or scared of what people say. If you don't get hired by any one because of your service in the world's greatest force then their loss. I would rather work for someone who knows where I come from as far as military. There is a bond that non-military do not understand.

Response by SPC Aaron Donnelly made Jul 9 at 2015 9:28 PM

SPC Aaron Donnelly — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 21:28:52 -0400

I'm on LinkedIn. I have my army stuff on it.

Response by LTC Richard Wasserman made Jul 9 at 2015 10:15 PM

LTC Richard Wasserman — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 22:15:35 -0400

YES!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 11:25 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 11:25:53 -0400

Mine is on my LinkedIn Profile as well as my resume.

I don't want to be the employee that hid something, and I don't want to work for a company that would look down on my status as a Reservist.

Response by LTC Damon LaCour made Jul 10 at 2015 11:31 AM

LTC Damon LaCour — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 11:31:02 -0400

I've always divulged my military service & commitments right up front. It has been brought up in interviews in the past, but never negatively. I've been w/my current employer, Burns & McDonnell, for 14 years, so they know I'm in the Guard for the long haul, too. I also list in on LinkedIn, which expands my networkability beyond my civilian career into my military career. I hope that helps, SGT Adams.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 10:10 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 10:10:28 -0400

I absolutely put it in. It is important to see the complete "me" by anyone who looks at my profile.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 11:21 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 11:21:59 -0400

Yes, it's on my resume and LinkedIn and YES I think it hurt my job prospects. Civilian employers outside the DoD sector see Guard/Reserve and think you will get the job and then take off for a year or want every Friday off. They see divided allegiances – and that is very true. They assume you have a tighter bond (both legally and emotionally) to the military than you will have to the job they are hiring for…and that also might be true. Civilian employers see deployments as meaning you have PTSD or a TBI or both. I worked in higher education before I went on active duty and when I got out and tried to return I was given a completely cold shoulder. Higher education tends to be very left-slanted and they saw “Army” and assumed it meant I was a pro-gun, pro-war, conservative who would never “fit” in their culture…even though I served at high levels in higher education for 15 years and at that point had only been in the Army for 4.

But still, I don’t amend my information because I don’t want an employer who will give me a hard time about my military service (which as an officer is a LOT more than 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year). I don’t want to be in an environment where I don’t fit in or where I constantly have to represent for the entire Armed Services. I would probably be completely unhappy. Right now, I design the systems that my Soldiers actually use. LOVE IT! Love that my two worlds are completely integrated. I wouldn’t be in this position if I tried to hide my service.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 4:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 16:54:33 -0400

I'm retired now so I don't have a problem mentioning my service. And the last 9+ years I was in the Reserve, I was on orders of one kind or another so it wasn't a problem. But I will say that in the 1990's when I was actively looking for a job after I finished law school, I took my Reserve information out of my resume. Why? Because I KNOW that law firms were discriminating against me for being in the Reserves. Yes, law firms. I couldn't prove it in court but it got back to me. So I took it off my resume because it was none of their business and they weren't supposed to be basing their decisions on it. It wasn't an issue afterwards. I used vacation time for annual training but had no problems. If I were doing it now, I would hope it wouldn't be as much of a problem as it was 15-20 years ago. And now, with employers looking for leadership skills and commitment, I'd be stressing my service education and training, pointing out the cost to employers for equivalent education and what they are getting for free, etc.

This may not answer you directly but perhaps comparing conditions in the 90's to now is somewhat useful.

BJ Strickland
LTC (ret)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 12:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 12:33:05 -0400

I have my experience on my LinkedIn account. I feel that it's much better to be up front with future employers - integrity. Yes, I am currently enlisted in the USAR. The advantage I have, is that my MOS's usually fall in line with the type of work I am looking for. (LPN & Medic) In my experience, employers are very pleased to have a nurse with a military background. I have previously worked in a civilian Ortho clinic and spent 3 years as a jail nurse right off of AD.

Response by SFC Nyla Newville made Jul 14 at 2015 5:29 PM

SFC Nyla Newville — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:29:05 -0400

No I don't have a Linkedin but I do put in on Face Book and proud of it

Response by SGT James Halstead made Jul 16 at 2015 1:23 AM

SGT James Halstead — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 01:23:03 -0400

I fou d out the hard way that stating you are in the Reserves or National Gaurd makes it really difficult to get a civilian job. I put my service down on all my resumes and LinkedIn anyway because I feel that by omitting that not only am I lying but also projecting a sense of shame about it. I am proud of my service in the Army and I will never let anyone make me feel like I have to hide it or be ashamed of it.