Tim Best

To those service members transitioning to civilian life and who are in the application stage (2 -3 months from availability) here's some important tips. Don't explain what you did in the military and list all your awards and accolades on your resume. Those are great and anyone out there will appreciate your service. However, that is not what an employer is looking for. Let me explain. Hiring managers want to know what you can do for the company once you arrive on the first day. That's what they are going to pay you for. It's not like in the military where you were sent to training or a school to train you to do a specific job. That costs money and companies don't have the benefit of dipping into Uncle Sam's wallet. If any training is provided, it is scaled down much lower than what you are used to. When you arrive at your new job, the honeymoon called onboarding is short-lived. You'll be expected to own the responsibilities of the job immediately, because up to this point, another employee or manager was doing it in addition to their own job. They are ready to give it all to you. You will be expected to perform and get results right away. Trust me! Keep this in mind when you think about the level of responsibility (your title) you had in the military and equating it to the same title and responsibility on the civilian side. It's not quite the same, so manage your expectations well! When translating your military title into a civilian title, be careful not to overdo it. Don't call yourself a Vice President, Director, or Chief Operating Officer just because you think what you did in the military is equal to those roles. A hiring manager for those type of roles knows exactly the type of candidate they are looking for. If you don't meet those requirements, that's a quick way to get yourself rejected. When you tailor your resume to a job description, think about how your experience has prepared you for the specific job you are applying for. You need to write your resume to specifically address the company's needs and how your experiences relate to the job responsibilities. Do this by reading the job description and understand the responsibilities, the required qualifications, and the essential skills. Focus on the first five bullets or so, they are the most important for that role. The best way to prepare for all this is to reach out and talk to people in those roles. Don't ask them for a job! Ask them for some advice and mentorship. Remember, their time is valuable so don't waste it. Think about the questions you want to ask them before you reach out. You will be much happier and successful in your transition if you do this. Best wishes to all the transitioning service members out there! #military #transitioningservicemembers #tap #hiring

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Career fairs might seem old school. Breathing oxygen is old school, too…but that doesn’t mean we stop doing it. At RecruitMilitary, we’re the first to say technology improves military community job outcomes. It really does. But nothing replaces showing up face-to-face. Often, one five-minute conversation at a career fair can do more than 50 online applications. Your personality, your drive, rarely come through on a resume. Not to say technology and face-to-face moments are either/or. Our team has seen firsthand that these two work best together. But when it comes to career fairs, we’ve also seen this: People walk in unsure, maybe even nervous. They walk out with interviews, connections, and confidence that transforms their face and body language. So, military community job seekers, don’t discount a career fair. Don’t discount any avenue. Sometimes, the best opportunities happen when you meet someone in person. And in a world of shiny new technology, in-person interactions can feel as easy and welcome as a deep breath.

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