Po Wong ⋅ Orlando, FL Johnson & Johnson (retired) ⋅ 40 years experience

Hi Matthew,
As pointed out by others, let us know what you are searching for and your experience. Can you relocate?? The Oil Industry is fast growing in your area.

Feel free to send your resume to my e-mail address. More than happy to assist if you like…..

Thanks for your service!

Sheila Stern ⋅ Nashville, TN HCA ⋅ 10 years experience

Matthew,

Please post what type of role you are seeking/skills you have. HCA (my organization) has 42 hospitals in Texas, multiple in the Houston area, and we hire all roles from clerical, customer service, logistics, supply chain, and more. Not just clinical. This forum is to help you and I see by all the posts there are folks sending you the very best information. We seek to help you quickly.

Steven Betts ⋅ Houston, TX Partners Claim Services, Inc. ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi Matthew,

Thank you for your service! I'm sympathetic to your situation, you are not alone.

The only suggestion I have may or may not appeal to you, but it is in an industry that values military experience and has been a good fit for many in the past. I am reserved to recommend the insurance industry (the business model is changing rapidly...good and bad.), but if you are at the right place at the right time, it could be a good career. After years of layoffs when AIG and Lloyds of London failed the same year, this year I see a lot more opportunities advertised

GEICO is opened one of their largest regional offices in the US, in Houston this year. They will be hiring for three years until they reach about 1,000 employees. They have positions for people with HS diploma or equivalent to Fast-Track Management Development programs.

The good is that GEICO is a solid company, growing faster than the Industry average, VERY GOOD benefits; profit sharing bonuses at year-end go up to 25% of your salary, with a 17% average. A good work environment, friendly co-workers, and flexible work conditions.

Their new office is actually located in Katy
21420 Merchants Way
Katy, TX 77449
832-772-0592

I am reserved when time recommending the insurance industry (the business model is changing rapidly...good and bad. The good is that GEICO is a solid company, growing faster than the Industry average, VERY GOOD benefits, profit sharing bonuses at year end go up to 25% of your salary, with a 17% average. A good work environment, friendly co-workers, but as many "Mega-Insurers", there may be a trend to micromanage, with fairly heavy workloads.

The not so good..The industry is projected to grow at a slower than average pace, fewer employees doing more work due to efficiencies from technology., While the most lucrative, local insurance Agents are becoming a thing of the past. GEICO has only three Agents in Houston, the internet has replaced the rest, "sign up online in 15 minutes!", no commissions to be paid. And there may be a trend to micromanage, with heavy workloads.

Most entry level positions at the company appear to start in the $40-$55K range

I hope this helps. GEICO is only one insurance company in a big sector, I just happen to know an employee who works for the company (in another state,) and he is happy, the company is ethical. They are only one example and can be used to compare other companies. I feel GEICO is one of the better companies to work for, there are many more, and sadly I think I have to say there are just as many you want to steer clear of.

Thank you again Matthew, Best Wishes

PS
I highly recommend starting a LinkedIn profile if you have not done so already. That is how I was found by my current employer 5 years ago. It is ok if you're unemployed. I see people list the company they work for as "Unemployed, looking, etc." Regardless of what you do, it demonstrates your computer skills. You have demonstrated those skills by posting in this forum.

Jim Flynn ⋅ Olympia, WA State of Washington ⋅ 30 years experience

Hello, Matthew. I was once a veteran, like you, looking for work. It's like changing your MOS in the Army; you can help yourself with some re-training. Can you receive assistance that will get you into a local two year college or vocational school? I found that was where I could get help while I held a part time job. You can get some job training and they have the contacts with employers. Good luck; keep trying. It works.