by JJ Weir | Nov 9, 2015 | Advice, Newsletter
Salute To Our Veterans
First, I’d like to say thank you to all of our military veterans, and active duty military. With Veterans Day coming up on Wednesday, it’s important to take a moment to highlight this special group of people. I feel thankful to live in a country where men and women volunteer to put themselves in harm’s way for the greater good.
But, the sacrifice of the veteran doesn’t end when they leave the military. Transitioning back into the civilian corporate working world is a very difficult process for most veterans. Like most people, I was relatively unaware of this issue before starting my business.
Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to both work with military veterans in my coaching practice, and to interview military veterans for my podcast. I’ve learned a great deal from these folks that has given me a much broader perspective on life after the military.
Some of the common struggles military veterans face when transitioning into the civilian workforce include:
- Having great experience on their resume that doesn’t translate well to the corporate hiring manager
- Feeling the hiring manager may be negatively biased towards veterans
- Not having a professional network that expands beyond the military
- Limited experience applying for or interviewing for jobs
- Difficulty finding a position that will pay enough to support the same quality of life
- Not enough professional support provided to assist with these issues while making the transition
Many of these struggles are common for job seekers from all industries, but they can be especially challenging for veterans. From what has been shared with me from those who have actually lived it, the experience reminds me a bit of leaving an impressive job with a great title that everyone respects – and then transitioning into a brand new field and industry where you have no prior experience, no connections, and you don’t really know how the whole game is played. It’s like everyone is speaking a foreign language. And, in a way, you’ve lost your own identity.
You spent years honing your political prowess and leadership skills, but those rules don’t apply anymore. You’ve got to start from scratch – and quickly – to be able to maintain the quality of life for you and your family. It’s scary, stressful, and definitely not the way it was described when you were still in the military.
If you, or someone you love is facing these issues, here are a few tips to help out:
- Start networking – Focus the largest part of your job search on networking. When you apply online, it’s rare that any person will actually see your resume. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply online. But, it means that you should put a significant focus on the offline world.
- Get a LinkedIn account – This is important. It will help you with networking, and it will help you to locate hiring managers. LinkedIn really is important. Don’t skip it.
- Ask for help with you resume – Find a career coach, or a friend who can help. Ask someone with no military experience to read your resume. Find out if they understand what you did. Take their feedback into consideration.
- Be open to feedback – The process of finding a job completely changed when Monster.com launched in 1999. If you’ve been in the military for a number of years, finding a job is a totally different world than you probably remember. Be willing to listen to feedback and try things outside of your comfort zone. It may be uncomfortable, but it will pay off in the end.
- Reach out to other veterans – There are many veterans out there who successfully made the transition, and can empathize with the difficult process. Reach out to them for support and assistance during your search.
- Know that it’s a numbers game – You will not, I repeat, will not get an interview for every job you apply for. You will also not, I repeat, also not get an offer for every interview you have. This is true for everyone. Applying for a job has become a bit of a numbers game. Expect it. It will help to give you realistic expectations.
- Give yourself a break – Remember, finding a job is a job. And, given the state of our economy and number of other factors, transitioning into your dream corporate job is probably not going to be a fast process. But, don’t stop trying. Don’t assume something is wrong with you. Keep knocking on doors and one will eventually open.
Tomorrow, I’m going to rebroadcast a previous episode of the Copeland Coaching Podcast. It’s an interview I did over the summer with Eric Gates when I visited Austin, Texas. Eric is a Minister at Central Christian Church now, but he is also a veteran. After the military, he spent time working as a police officer. And, he knows first-hand just how hard the transition can be. He shared his experience very candidly with me. It was such an informative and honest episode that I wanted to share it with you again, in honor of Veterans Day. I hope you will enjoy it!
THANK YOU again to our active military and all of the veterans who have made personal sacrifices for everyone!
I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.
Also, be sure to subscribe to my Copeland Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher where I discuss career advice every Tuesday! If you’ve already heard the podcast and enjoy it, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
by Angela Copeland | Nov 9, 2015 | Job Posting
USAA is seeking an Audit Director in San Antonio, TX.
An Audit Director manages the day-to-day planning and execution of multiple audit engagements to ensure audit objectives are effectively met and contribute to the overall mission of USAA. This role nurtures and maintains relationships between and among audit teams and process owners during audit engagements and supports the development of the annual audit plan to ensure appropriate coverage. In addition, an Audit Director builds risk assessments, leads integrated planning efforts for audit engagements and identifies and recommends internal audit process improvements.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the USAA website here.
by Angela Copeland | Nov 9, 2015 | Job Posting
Verizon is seeking a Creative Director in Alpharetta, GA.
The first area of responsibility focuses on managing and directing visual communications for Verizon’s Learning & Development teams. A suitable candidate should have prior experience in graphics design, user experience design and/or “design thinking” methodologies utilizing current best practices. A candidate should also be fluent in graphics and design terminology and able to clearly convey a vision or concept to a team of artists and developers. Visual communications include 2D/3D graphics, illustrations, photographs and more; they should also reinforce Verizon’s branding and image. The second area of responsibility pertains to managing and directing a small team of content developers who will work with the graphics team to design and develop training content. This may be in the form self-paced courseware, print based media, video, audio podcast, and more.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Verizon website here.
by Angela Copeland | Nov 8, 2015 | Job Posting
ServiceMaster is seeking a Reputation Manager in Memphis, TN.
Conceptualizes, develops, executes and manages comprehensive marketing campaigns and programs to achieve sales objectives. Contributes to marketing strategy and vision in support
of current and potential business opportunities. Supports and facilitates marketing integration across the enterprise. Manages relationships with third-party business partners and agencies.
Serves as an internal subject matter expert on specified marketing area(s). Develops and manages budget. Manages assigned marketing staff.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the ServiceMaster job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | Nov 7, 2015 | Job Posting
KIHOMAC is seeking an Engineering Manager in Roy, UT.
This is a great opportunity for a veteran with a background in electrical or mechanical engineering!
The Kihomac Engineering Manager has overall responsibility for all engineering activities and technical integrity in support of A-10 Weapon System Support & Analysis. This position will manage a group of approximately 12 engineers, to include system and electrical engineers. Requires exceptional communication, leadership, and expectation-setting skills with corporate leadership, customers, suppliers, colleagues and subordinates. Represents site engineering as the internal and external contact for all planning or work instruction issues with the customer.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the KIHOMAC job posting here.
by JJ Weir | Nov 6, 2015 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Careers for Veterans”
Veterans Day is the official holiday honoring our U.S. Armed Forces, I feel thankful to live in a country where so many men and women voluntarily serve and put themselves in harm’s way for the better good of everyone.
But life after the military isn’t always easy. Never before have I felt more aware of the challenges veterans face after their years of dedicated service. Working with and interviewing veterans has truly broadened my perspective.
The process of leaving the service and finding full-time employment in the civilian world is a jarring experience at best.
To read the rest of my column, and learn some great career tips, visit the Memphis Daily News website here.
by Angela Copeland | Nov 6, 2015 | Job Posting
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is seeking a Director, Physician Recruitment in Memphis, TN.
Responsible for all phases of system wide strategic physician recruitment program. Provides consultation, support, leadership, strategic oversight, and tactical management to identify, attract, and hire the highest quality practitioners in partnership with Methodist academic partner. Models appropriate behavior as exemplified in MLH Mission, Vision and Values.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare website here.
by Angela Copeland | Nov 6, 2015 | Job Posting
CBRE is seeking a Project Manager Director in Dallas, TX.
The purpose of this position is to conduct planning, designing, managing and implementing all necessary activities to manage the successful execution of large size project(s). Responsible for indirect leadership and support of a team of project resources across multiple departments and business units. Responsibilities for assigned projects include managing and maintaining the project plans, assist in business requirement review, assembling cross functional teams, managing scope, and actively managing resources, costs, quality and risk. Creates and manages project plans; monitors and reviews project progress and timelines; adjusts schedules and plans as needed; identifies and resolves issues to ensure project(s) success. Manages day-to-day execution of project implementations, documentations and status updates for the project(s).
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the CBRE job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | Nov 5, 2015 | Job Posting
American Home Shield is seeking a Manager, Workforce Management in Memphis, TN.
Manages scheduling operations of multiple call centers in different locations. Oversees the application of the scheduling function, including policy and procedures, operating structure, and information flow of multiple call centers. Analyzes company-wide trends relative to scheduling and allocation of staff to ensure optimal cost effectiveness, operational efficiency and deliver quality. Provides reliable resource capacity, utilization and forecast data. Recommends workforce efficiencies and operational improvements to management. Utilizes work force technology to analyze trends to predict long-term and short-term staffing needs. Works with all levels of management (V.P’s, Directors, Managers, and Supervisors) to assist them in gaining efficiency and productivity in their departments.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the American Home Shield website here.
by Angela Copeland | Nov 5, 2015 | Job Posting
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is seeking a Program Management Director in Dallas, TX.
The Sales/Client Project Manager/Business Analyst will work with the cross-functional stakeholders to support projects as well as maintain and manage relationships across various Finance, Business and Technology teams. This individual will have the opportunity to become involved in a variety of sales/client planning and analysis related data quality, process, operating model and applications/systems improvement book of work.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the JPMorgan Chase & Co website here.
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