I am happy to introduce to you today a guest blogger. I first met Emma at Smile As It Happens through e-mail! And when I read this post that you are about to read, it could not have come at a better time!
For those of you, whether you are a spouse to someone in the military or you are in the military looking to transition to the civilian work world, this post is for you!
Love, Mrs. M
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The changes and transitions of life bring a lot of potential, but can also bring a lot of anxiety. Old sayings about “the devil you know” come to mind. While you might be excited about the possibilities that await you following your transition from the military to the civilian world, you may also have some anxiety. Many rumors circulate about the job market and what you will face as you begin searching for a civilian job. The first step is to discern which of these rumors are true and which myths need to be debunked.
Myth #1: Applying to jobs is arduous and time consuming.
Truth: Although you will have to spend some time honing your resume or tweaking it to suit a desired position, you will probably find the process considerably easier than you first thought it would be. Today’s employers understand that your time is limited. Plus, many companies have streamlined the application process. Through partnering with JIBE, a mobile recruiting specialty company, many companies can now provide electronic platforms that allow you to upload your resume and other pertinent documents directly from your mobile devices!
Myth #2: No special services exist to assist you with your transition from the military into civilian employment.
Truth: Actually, several such resources are available to you. The organization Hire Heroes USA consists of a team of military veterans who have dedicated their energies toward helping other veterans find gainful employment. This program offers networking opportunities, job fairs and training along with dedicated assistance to each individual who joins.
Myth #3: You’re out of luck if you can’t schedule an interview during normal business hours.
Truth: While you will need to have a degree of flexibility in scheduling interviews, employers understand the demands on your time. Especially if you are currently employed, don’t hesitate to politely request an interview outside of regular business hours. Often times, interviews scheduled after business hours take place with fewer interruptions, allowing the prospective employer to focus on you and what you have to offer instead of answering questions from employees that simply “can’t wait.”
Myth #4: Although there are organizations to assist you with finding civilian employment, there is no live person to assist you through the process.
Truth: More and more personal assistance is becoming available to military veterans seeking civilian employment. All post-9/11 veterans qualify for the Gold Card program, which allows you to visit a local One-Stop Career Center. These centers supply personal career guidance, help veterans create Individual Deployment Plans, supply job referrals and offer monthly follow-up visits to further assist throughout the employment process.
Even positive changes come with challenges. Throughout your transition into civilian life, you do not have to face these challenges alone. As you learn about the various resources available, take advantage of them to help you find the best opportunities out there.
Emma is a mid 20-something year old with a passion for life, love, fitness, and helping others. She loves to be active and get involved in as many sport and community activities as possible. Emma is currently studying to become a Career & Life Coach, and loves to network with people from around the world! Check out Emma’s blog at http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/!
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