Wednesday, August 22, 2012

7 Career Transitioning Tips for Military: Insights and GPS for the Journey

Promotion to LTC, Army Reservist, 1998


Back in 1993, I conducted numerous career management and coaching workshops through the TAP (Transition Assistance Program) as an independent contractor. Having gone through the transition process myself (pre TAP), when I left army active duty status in 1984, I gleaned insights which became so useful, that I then used this learning to launch my training business. Subsequently, I went on to do similar work for private sector clients and continue today, along with leadership and diversity programs (also skills and abilities that were enhanced from my army experiences).

            And here we are again, twenty years later, and another drawdown looms as the two combat engagements subside. Unemployment rates are high and more so for veterans, along with other global economic realities. Transition GPS (Goals Planning Success), an overhaul of the former TAP program, will drill down to critical levels of each servicemember’s experiences and goals, to optimize their opportunity to be ‘career ready” beyond the military. A multi-agency effort, with DOD, VA, SBA, DOL and other initialed organizations, Transition GPS will take a more holistic approach for various employment and education options, to include entrepreneurship. Seen also as a ‘reverse boot camp’, this program seeks to reintroduce service members to other aspects of transitioning from a social, financial, and psychological perspective.

            So I found this article I wrote for transitioning military members while working with TAP in 1993, which was published in a couple of local Washington DC area newspapers and circulated to my military organizational affiliations. Much of the advice I offered in this piece is still applicable, with a tweak or two.

Military downsizing has brought on the inevitable for many. Retirement or early separation from a career that has provided a measure of professional growth, steady income, and extraordinary personal experiences is not an easy feat. But, the transition process is survivable and can be successful when approached from the standpoint of being yet another "opportunity to excel."

            As a consultant on career transition issues, I get to see and hear of the many concerns and issues facing a variety of separating service members. My workshops are filled with everyone from E-4 to O-6, specialist to Colonel, representing each of the services, and different occupational specialties, yet all are confronted with the same immediate task, how to find a job in today's tight market.

The following seven "up front" tips are those I find to be the most useful to a successful transitioning job search strategy:
 
I.                   Start preparation as early as possible. Especially for those who are retiring, gearing up for the emotional break is a process that can be started 2 - 3 years out. Get involved in other organizations that provide the opportunity to interact with people who are in other careers and who have varied professional, recreational, and community interests. Make yourself a "demilitarized zone."
II.                Focus on what it is you want to do, where you want to do it, and why you want to do it. Decide what is your prime motivator in this process. Are you seeking a position or career field offering huge financial rewards (mo' money), is stable and secure (not many are these days), offers intrinsic rewards (you enjoy it), utilizes your best skills (you're so good at it), or a combination of two or more.
III. Self-assessment is one of the most crucial yet often left out steps of the transition process. If you haven't done so already, take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (an instrument, not a test, which measures personality attributes and qualities) or some other informal assessment. Some companies use this instrument to determine the types of positions, and at what level, to place prospective employees. This will also be useful tool in handling questions in interviews that relate to your work style preferences (teams, offsite, management). Interviewers will want to know as much about you as a person as possible, not just about your work history. Do take inventory of your skills. Identify those transferable skills that are marketable (leadership, financial management, technology, logistics, environmental) to a civilian employer which could easily match with their organization's needs. Let them be your brand. See a career coach to help in this process.
IV.              Get your net working. Reach out and touch long lost cousins, old friends, classmates, people that you've worked for and with, as well as those that have worked for you. Facebook and Link In them. Seek out and go to meetings of professional associations that match your career interests. Let people know that "you're transitioning from the military and looking for new career opportunities".
V.                 Research. In this social media information age, the more you know better. Find out about the job market, work force issues, different industries, geographical information, various companies, product and economic trends. SEO and the library can be your best friends in this process. Most are well stocked with career transition related publications, computer workstations and may even have seminars. Librarians are knowledgeable about other local resources and may be able to steer you to them.
VI.              Attend career transition workshops, job fairs, and other professional and personal developmental courses. These are valuable sources for new information, reinforcement of things you already know and of course, an opportunity for networking. In the interview, a potential employer will be interested in your level of comfort and techniques in various "soft skills" in addition to your core expertise. Attend job fairs to just practice your “elevator speech” and as a form of researching the market occasionally.
VII.           Lastly, don't underestimate the necessity of a good support system during the career transition process. For many, this is a change of lifestyle, of environment, or mindset. Change brings about a certain amount of stress. Keep those stress levels in check. Take care of the mind: read and surround yourself with encouraging, enthusiastic, and empathetic people. Take care of the body: don't throw away the running shoes or forget the way to the gym. Take care of the spirit; pray, meditate, relax. Take it step by step, one day at a time.
Remember, the competition is stiff and starched too! Your goal is to be as well prepared, as well informed, and as well suited for the next opportunity as possible. That in itself is something that could give you the edge over another candidate.
 
Godspeed and good luck.
 
Deborah
 
 

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