Job hunting tips
1. Prepare all paperwork and job searches a year before availability in the civilian workforce.2. Give yourself as many options as possible when it comes to the job hunt.
3. Be professional (i.e. appropriate e-mail address, photos on social networking sites, etc.)
4. Have a transition plan for your family. Don't let health insurance lapse and prepare accordingly for a move.
5. "Civilian-ize" your resume, experience and practice interviewing with friends or family members. Remember, most of corporate America won't understand military lingo.
6. Sell yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Identify those points before you go into an interview.
7. Explore all your options. Don't be narrow-minded when it comes to the job search.
8. Don't be modest. The interviewer may not make the connection between your military experience and how you can bring something new to the table at that company.
9. Don't settle. Take the job you truly want.
10. Get off on the right foot.
Staff Sgt. Lisa Lopez is petrified of retiring from her 20-year military career.
Like hundreds of other soldiers, she is worried about finding a civilian job. The volatile economy and a 9.6 percent unemployment rate don’t offer much in the way of encourage-
ment.
“I’m not scared of getting out of the military,” she said. “I’m scared of not finding a job.”
There are currently 14.9 million unemployed workers in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ September summary.
Civilianjobs.com’s Fort Stewart career expo Wednesday morning drew civilians, military spouses and soldiers looking for employment and education opportunities. Many servicemen and women in attendance are preparing to transition into civilian life.
Sam Valme, job fair supervisor, said he hopes the expo is one of many resources military members will use in their job searches.
“This is a continuation of the services already offered to help service members,” he said. “I think it is a great opportunity for all the people here.”
Throughout the day, 497 attendees came through the ballroom of the Stewart Club and more than 200 people showed up within the first half hour of the event opening, said Vicki Washington, a senior career expo coordinator for civilianjobs.com.
As for what is impressive to future employers, Valme recommends that those looking for jobs do thorough research before attending a job expo. “What impresses them is you doing your research just as much as being in the right attire,” he said.
The four-hour event, sponsored by the Transportation Security Administration, offered participants an opportunity to speak to representatives from 36 different companies and universities in hopes of solidifying the next step in their lives.
Lopez, dressed in her Army fatigues, hopes to find a career in anything with logistics.
As a mother of a teenager, she also worries about the impact her civilian transition could have on her daughter, but said the military life has been good to both of them.
“I am going to miss the military,” she mused. “Now I have to move on to something else.”
Like hundreds of other soldiers, she is worried about finding a civilian job. The volatile economy and a 9.6 percent unemployment rate don’t offer much in the way of encourage-
ment.
“I’m not scared of getting out of the military,” she said. “I’m scared of not finding a job.”
There are currently 14.9 million unemployed workers in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ September summary.
Civilianjobs.com’s Fort Stewart career expo Wednesday morning drew civilians, military spouses and soldiers looking for employment and education opportunities. Many servicemen and women in attendance are preparing to transition into civilian life.
Sam Valme, job fair supervisor, said he hopes the expo is one of many resources military members will use in their job searches.
“This is a continuation of the services already offered to help service members,” he said. “I think it is a great opportunity for all the people here.”
Throughout the day, 497 attendees came through the ballroom of the Stewart Club and more than 200 people showed up within the first half hour of the event opening, said Vicki Washington, a senior career expo coordinator for civilianjobs.com.
As for what is impressive to future employers, Valme recommends that those looking for jobs do thorough research before attending a job expo. “What impresses them is you doing your research just as much as being in the right attire,” he said.
The four-hour event, sponsored by the Transportation Security Administration, offered participants an opportunity to speak to representatives from 36 different companies and universities in hopes of solidifying the next step in their lives.
Lopez, dressed in her Army fatigues, hopes to find a career in anything with logistics.
As a mother of a teenager, she also worries about the impact her civilian transition could have on her daughter, but said the military life has been good to both of them.
“I am going to miss the military,” she mused. “Now I have to move on to something else.”