2

Talk to those you know, who left the 1-2 years prior to your separation. The labor market is ever changing and using information, processes, or methodology that proved effective just a few years ago, may no longer work.

I was using a resume format that had previously worked well. But with the advent of the ATS I'm sure that most (if not all) of my submitted resumes never went past a computer-based screening, and no actual individual ever even seen those resumes.

Once I found out how the application process had changed, began tailoring my resume with that information, things started turning around.

3

Network, ask questions, and research private sector industries. This will determine possible locations for you if you're willing to move. Don't assume you only want to move into gov't work.

4

Losing your career doesn't remove your acquired knowledge, skills, abilities or education. Learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible and strengthen connections with "civilians" in all career fields. Take time out to attend whatever preparation courses are offered, such as the optional courses following the 5-day TAP program (Higher Education, Entrepreneurship, and Career Technical Training Track). The military will still be functioning after you leave. Take your knowledge, skills, etc. with you to enhance the "mission" outside the military to make the world a better place for all of us.

5

Do not expect a position to simply open up based on the fact that you are a veteran. Craft a resume unique to each position you are applying for and use the resume to illustrate how your skills were developed and used during your service. The resume should illustrate how these same skills and experience will provide value to the organization in this new role.

6

Get any and all certifications that will benefit your post military career. Request a copy of all medical records. Complete any educational degrees started.

7

Have a goal specific to what you want to return to by looking at your past, what you enjoy, and what is needed for your family/self to live.

8

Line up a real job 1 year before retiring

9

Taking your military knowledge and experience and being able to translate them into a business lexicon

10

Most of what they teach in TAP classes is worthless. Government jobs are few and far between so go after private sector work and be willing to move to the locations with those jobs (bigger cities). Head hunters will have much better information than those teaching TAP.

11

Learn the language. Go over your military career and the training you received, the skills you gained and translate them into words civilians will understand.

12

Civilian life is a different world from your military experience. Many will not be as organized or dedicated to mission - but those that are will be rising to the top ahead of the rest. Look for them, and partner with them.

13

If you are retiring you will receive no or little unemployment benefits. File for unemployment anyway. I was told during TAP, "each state is different" and to "contact my state". This is not good enough. I obtained eligibility, but my retirement pay falls into the three year window in the state run program, so reduces my benefit to $0. Once three years from filing has passed, retirement pay no longer counts against you. The state must approve your federal unemployment benefits, so make sure you file to start your clock in case you should become unemployed later.

14

Have a plan or intention for what you'll do when you leave. Don't be aimless.

15

Realize that civilian leaders are concerned that you will lead in the stereotypical military way, e.g. like Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men. You will need to work hard to show them that you can lead through influence, not power; that your experience has taught you that style and you regularly succeed by influencing your teams.

16

Persistence -- Don't give up just because you are not hired right away. Rejection is hard to take, especially by those who are were top performers in the military. Just understand that every job interview is an opportunity to excel and prepare for each one with a positive attitude. I know too many veterans who let rejection get the best of them and quit their job search before finding the right match. If you accept a job that you really didn't want, don't stop your job search efforts. Give your employer an honest day's work, but no job is permanent. Keep your options open for the job you really want.

17

How to go about the job search and interviewing skills. These aren't learned during military service.

18

Preparing for interviews by translating military service to equivalent civilian focus. In my hiring this continues to be a challenge for military veterans seeking roles in the civilian job market.

19

1) If you're transitioning to a different field, know how to articulate the skills the military gave you to succeed in the job vs. the experience. 2) Be realistic about the salary you'll make.

20

Leadership experience is a universal strength

21

Other than anecdotal stories, most employers do not care about your military experience, unless it applies directly to the job at hand.

22

Be humble. What you accomplished in the military is most likely of greater impact and a larger job than any that your prospective employer (hiring authority) has ever done. While you want to tell him/her about your accomplishments and how many people you led, they will often hear it as only bragging.

23

Network, connect with others, meet everyone possible....ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS be favorable.

24

Unless you are blind sided by transitioning (due to force shaping) plan at least 2 yrs out. less than 7 months is not enough time especially if you are deployed when told or at a remote CONUS base with no support.

25

talk to as many people as possible before you decide and after you decide to get out -- learn and apply from others

26

Having a plan and building a strong professional network before venturing out into the civilian world, also learning beyond what they taught you in the transition class, which was little or no help at all.

27

Be proactive and start things early. I was told in February that I was passed over for promotion and will retire by EOM Jul. I immediately signed up for the first TAPS class available, during that time I worked with a Dept of Labor rep who worked on my resume for me. Once he finished it up I already had accounts created in numerous job sites (Monster, Ladders, Clearance Jobs) and uploaded it. By Jun I had a company aggressively seeking me to join their team. EOM of Jun I was employed and they gave me the time to out-process and retire without any questions. Smooth transition from the uniform to the suit with no break in income or the stress of trying to find employment.

28

Have a job lined up before you get out. Have at least 6 months of your monthly expenditures saved up.

29

Start networking early and engage continuously...at least 4-5 years out. Join goal relevant professional associations and pursue related certifications.

30

Start preparing for your exit a year in advance. TAP teaches good concepts but much of the time it's "too little too late". Civilian job hunting requires a different mindset and you may need help translating your military experience into corporate lingo. Start building your linkedin network immediately, then figure out what you would like to do (take personality tests, check out careers on http://www.bls.gov/ooh/). Once you know your field of interest, start looking at [literally] hundreds of indeed.com job listings. This will do two things: help you understand the new language of your desired field, and identify gaps in your skills. This is why you need to start this process so early. If you have a couple of skill gaps, you can hopefully fill them before you get out of the military. Once you're ready to get out then you'll start leveraging your network you've built up since the beginning. That high school friend you forgot about? He's now your best friend because he works at a company you want to work. Call/Email him and explain your situation, ask how he likes working for company X and ask if he'll connect you with other's within the company. If this doesn't work, use your network and find recruiters. Connect with them and find the jobs you want. Blindly applying to position after position will not get your resume filtered to the top. Creating relationships will.

31

Prepare early. Plan your future and be flexible.

32

When writing your resume, do not use military jargon and never use acronyms. Never assume the reader understands which skills you may transition from your military experience - spell them out.

33

Realize that civilians/business talk about supporting Veterans, but they're not ready to hire you. You go to the end of the line and work your way up, again. Make sure you have a financial nest egg for 6-12 months after you leave so you can pay your bills and look for a job, if you don't have one lined up. Expect to move on after 3-4 years of being there, either by your own choosing or because the employer makes you leave. Military drama is not the same as civilian drama; there's no personnel handbook that acts like UCMJ, LOR's or First Sgts. It's a dog eat dog world and you're wearing a fresh pair of Milk-Bone grunts. Job fairs are a waste of time - it's ghosting; they'll take your resume and never call you back. Employ your tenacity and resiliency; use your organization skills to create a follow-up tasker and make employers respond to you, even if it's in the negative. No reply is not a negative reply.

34

I left the military at the end of my commitment for a job at a medical school and was unpleasantly surprised by how "hands off" my orientation to the school was compared to typical "in processing" that is provided to the military when coming to a new base. That was my first indication of how different life out of the military was going to be, but there were many other changes and differences that surprised me. I also found it interesting how much I missed many aspects of my military life and experience in those initial years.

35

Be open to different options--not just the mirror image match to your military career field / training / experience. The transition opens new possibilities and "change theory" suggests that when changing one thing, it is easier to change several at once rather than individually over time. If you are going back to school, do NOT limit yourself only to schools who are lauded as being good for Vets based on their participation in the VA programs / GI Bill programs. Some schools are very pro-military and offer accepted Vets full academic scholarships (like Hillsdale College) but won't be listed on "Best Schools" lists because they do not participate in VA programs. I received a fully-funded MA (my second) without using any VA benefits. Also, consider taking a short "sabbatical" break if you can budget for it...especially if you had a long career or lots of deployments/family separations. Don't work. Do something that is good for your soul or your psyche. Read. Travel. Write. Sleep In. Live on the beach. Spend time with family. Get reacquainted with your spouse or children. Binge watch some shows you missed. Work through some Great Courses at your leisure. Get fit. Learn a language. Explore your faith. etc. The opportunity to do that will not come easily or soon once you start back to work after leaving active duty.

36

Most people have little to no understanding of the military. Be careful not to intimidate them or come off too strong. Get involved in your new organization and look for ways to provide value.

37

It seems like finding a job as a veteran is easy. if you find it difficult to get the job you want find a veteran employment specialist.