Charles Ferree ⋅ Charleston, SC Boeing ⋅ 6 years experience

Josh

Thank you for your service. couple of tidbits of thought

1. Being an instructor for those years will really open doors for you. Make sure that when you put that on your resume, put down what you taught (subjects), and any details that will show your skills

2. Just because you were a drill instructor does not translate to a good manager. You cannot scream, or use the same tactics that you used as a DI in the civilian workplace. If you want managerial position, you will need to show on your resume that you have the qualifications that they are looking for.

Good luck

Cindy Munnell ⋅ Auburn, WA Boeing ⋅ 18 years experience

Hi Josh,

Depending on your skills, experience and or education, you certainly don't need to 'start at the bottom'. For Boeing, the best place to start is; http://www.boeing.com/boeing/careers/. On the left menu is a drop down for 'Military' that takes you to a page with resources for transitioning military. You can also search for available jobs by just a key word, or you can create an advanced search. It would be good to create your own account in the system, where you can upload a resume and makes it easier for you to navigate in your future visits to the site. Click on 'My Account' and it opens to a page providing a mechanism for 'New' users to create to an account. On your resumes...here are some tips and notice that is plural...apply for all you think you could be a good fit for. Always, always, always, translate or relate your skills and experience in each of your resumes to the key words in each job posting. You should have a tailored resume for each position you are applying for. This pretty much holds true for any position in any company. Use those key words in your resumes to help describe what you did. Provide a couple examples of specifically what you accomplished, if you can make it relate in some way to the concepts in the job posting. Own what YOU did, try not to rely on phrases like, 'part of a team', 'worked on', 'participated in'. Those phrases won't be helpful because they don't tell much. Provide examples of how having you on a job or project helped make it successful, in a clear, concise way. Have your most impressive, important things you are proud of at the top of your resumes, whether it's your focal skills, experience, or education. Keep to one page if at all possible, as very rarely are two pages warranted, unless it's an executive position, nor will it be read if not specifically relating to the position.
Hope this helps....

Stephanie Arnold ⋅ Lake Odessa, MI Cargill ⋅ 10 years experience

I agree with David that you'll want to start looking at where the companies you've identified are posting positions. You can start by doing a search for "Boeing" on Indeed.com, which returns a few postings, or just go directly to Boeing's website and look at their career page. Same for Lockheed or any other company you're interested in. Big companies like that will often have Training Managers/Departments, too, which might be a route to pursue that would combine your background in teaching as well as your degree in management.

You can also check out any and all job fairs that are going on in your area. Talk with as many recruiters as you can, regardless of if you would want to work for them specifically; let them know your background, your interests, and ask what qualifications they are looking for to fill their openings. Even if they don't have a management position open at that moment, they should be able to give you a general idea of what their company requires for management-type positions, which should give you an idea of where you could start out (I agree it doesn't necessarily have to be at the bottom!). Make sure your resume is top-notch (I'd be happy to review it if you'd like) and you dress appropriately - you never know what doors could open! Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

Stephanie

David Bonner ⋅ Riverside, CA U.S. Marine Corps, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 10 years served

Josh,
Finding out where Boeing, Lockheed, etc., advertise their openings is very important. If you don't know you can contact their human resources departments. This will help you to see what qualifications and experience they are looking for. You may not have to start at the bottom, but the key is getting in. Your leadership and teaching skilss will go with you and once inside you can make additional contacts and find out what path will be the quickest to take you where you want to go.

D. Bonner