Military Retirement and Beyond…Developing a Game Plan

I’ve had some folks ask me to elaborate on some of my transition experiences, and in the hope that some of these may help some of you, I hacked out some considerations. I had help, specifically from a good friend (Rich Ince) who really stepped up to assist. Basically, this is what he provided to me as I prepared to transition from the Army.

           As I’ve mentioned before, I had no clue what I wanted to do. I basically took the shotgun approach. As I did informational interviews, networked and did my own research I narrowed down my industry/job/career focus and companies. This led to some pretty diverse opportunities. There are many companies out there (e.g. Capital One, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, GE, etc.) that have extraordinary programs designed to get military talent. NEVER underestimate your value, albeit that value is translated as ‘soft skills’ or the intangible ‘leadership’. Here are some steam of conscious notes Rich provided that really set me on my path to finding a career. It’s tailored for the military folks, but applies to all I believe.          

RESUMES

One of the other things I realized in my own transition is that if an employer is interviewing for a position it means that there is some work not being done… translation they want to fill the job ASAP. So I think between 60-90 days out from when you can start is ideal. This was one of the more uncomfortable facts of transition. We are all super anxious to have a job offer under our belt but no employer is going to make you a job offer and then sit on it for 90-120 days. So my advice is figure out your exact availability date… make sure you factor in vacation or anything you want to do with the family after retirement. Back that up 90 days and that should be the window to submit your resume. The actual writing of the resume turned out to be the most frustrating part of transition. If you ask 20 different people what your resume should look like and you will get 20 different answers. BLUF: Your resume is personal and take others' opinions with a grain of salt.

Your resume will not land you a job. It’s just your handshake or introduction to the recruiter or hiring manager. What will get you a job is networking and hard work. 

·       The process is iterative. Every single time I thought that I had de-militarized my resume I found something else to work on (no acronyms, translate military specific phrases, and jobs, no rank unless the company has an affinity for veterans). 

·       Resumes need to be tailored to the job you are applying for. My solution was to put together a super resume with everything and then I would tailor it to that specific job. The “one-size fits all” approach won’t cut it in a marketplace of increasingly specialized needs. So plan on having several versions of your resume adjusted for the different jobs for which you are applying.

·       Do a keyword search of the job description… preferably one that shows them in a cloud balloon - make sure that your resume address the most prominent key words. I used TagCrowd. Make sure that you – and at least one other person you trust – carefully review your resume and adjust it to contain the “key words” that recruiters are looking for.

Include ways you can make an immediate contribution to the organization that reflects the homework you should be doing about the organization you’re applying to. 

The resume should have results. Think in terms of what you did and what the results were and how they impacted the organization. Every one of your accomplishments should be presented as such: Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] doing [Z]. In other words, start with an active verb, numerically measure what you accomplished, provide a baseline for comparison, and detail what you did to achieve your goal. 

Mistakes to watch out for: typos, length (1 page for every ten years), formatting (clean and legible), no confidential information, lies.

·       Does my resume clearly outline both my experience and potential to handle the published qualifications for the position I am applying for? 

·       Is my resume written at a level commensurate with my listed education and experience? (i.e. proper spelling, grammar, clear and concise.) 

·       Size matters and no one has the time to spend a long time reviewing a resume. Keep the resume to one or two pages depending on your experience. 

·       Space equals importance, so put the most critical information first and spend more time and space talking about the skills, experiences, and results that are directly related to the job you are applying for.

The higher the job pays the more these rules apply:

 Common to all. 

1. Network, network, network!!! In all honesty, I actually got hits using Indeed, but I see my experience here as an outlier after talking to some folks.

   2. Your resume is your ticket to a job interview. It won't get you a job. Don't obsess over it. 

   3. Finding a job is easy… finding the right job is damn hard…Hustle, hustle, hustle. 

   4. There are two criteria for getting hired:

      a. Convince them you can do the job. 

      b. I CAN’T OVERSTATE THIS!!!!! Fit. You fit the culture and the team. Remember fit is a two way street. 

   5. Know yourself, generate offers, and choose the best fit. 

 Military only. 

   1. The hardest thing you will do is figure out what you want to do (who you are, what you don't want to do)… it's a process. 

   2. Civilians often don't understand what you did… it’s your job to translate what you did aligning your skills with the requirements of the JD.

   3. Hiring windows…immediately to 90 days. 

   4. Don’t be an asshole. 

 Retirees only. 

   1. At some point you have to stop caring about the unit. Discussion with your boss, expectation management (retirement calendar). 

   2. SFL-TAP is really focused on our wonderful lower enlisted/first commitment officers; great program, but limited for those retiring (just my view)

   3. Veterans Service Agency and the VA: a lot of great, but redundant, info.

   4. Survivor Benefit Plan: I would stay away from it. Better results with a good insurance plan

   5. Compensation (base, bonus, stock options; negotiating - don't leave $$$ on the table)

   6. Don't accept the first job offer unless it meets your criteria. Know your worth. 

   7. Cost of living (tied to compensation; cost of living calculators; misc expenses… clothing, etc). Life costs more. 

   8. Job placement firms/military recruiters… only if you have a weak network. Costs and ROI. Again, just my opinion. I respect the hell out of anyone who can assist.

   9. Military job conferences are worthless unless you are a joe or looking to work for the state government. Military Mojo is awesome though. 

   10. The government hiring process is long!

   11. Transition is a huge adjustment to your personal identity. What are your goals?

 Random Notes/To Do: 

   1. Energize your network

   2. Figure out what you want to do (industry, firm, location, career

path)… with regard to other quality of life factors (decision matrix).

   3. Resume: Build a Super Resume, then adjust to the JD and reduce to 2 pages

   4. Elevator Pitch: When called by a recruiter, know who it is and go right to what you can do to make them better

   5. LinkedIn: Military is free for Premium for a year. USE IT!! I received no less than 6 cold calls based on my profile.

   6. Job Interview Prep (Interview Prep Worksheet): Do you homework.

   7. Business CardsMy absolute heartfelt thanks goes to Rich in helping me in my transition. Hope this helps you folks as well.

Best,

Eddie