I'm a Sr. IT Security Analyst working for NASA at the Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, VA.
The reason I ask this question is because I've been told different answers from different people, and I wanted to inquire from ACP professionals and find out what your thoughts are on this important topic.
I've been told 90 days out from the date of your availability for full-time employment, i.e. when your terminal leave starts, and you're willing to start working. So, since I'm within that 90-day window, I've been applying for positions through ClearanceJobs.com, USAJobs.gov and several others, and while I've had many contact me regarding future employment, most are unwilling to wait until early September, and often choose another candidate ahead of me just to get the position filled.
My question is, is that common? Also, should I wait until I'm 30 days out to begin reapplying for open positions? It appears that 90 days is too far out, from the folks I've encountered during my job search. I'm trying to plan for my family's future, and this includes the possibility of moving and relocating across country, and so I'm looking to 'lock in' a solid job offer before I go on terminal leave, so I can make arrangements for my son to start school in the Fall, in his new school district, if we move, and to locate housing for my family and it's hard to do this without a solid job offer, that's agreeable between me and the company desiring to hire me. I must admit, I dislike this uncertainty, and would prefer a solid job offer instead.
Any assistance or advice that any of you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Eric Martin
Answers
Eric,
What do you think about starting a new discussion and sharing your career networking plan?
It will serve a as great example for fellow Veterans.
It will help us learn.
It will allow us to provide suggestions and new ideas.
##############
Also, are you open to employment beyond the government sectors ( Federal, state or local employment)?
Have you earned any IT certifications and are you familiar with the 100% free offerings of VCTP Syracuse?
http://vets.syr.edu/employment/vctp-learning-paths/#!
I'm a Sr. IT Security Analyst working for NASA at the Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, VA.
Tom,
Thank you for your candid reply. I agree with you. There is no single 'correct' answer, and so I've decided, after having already crafted my career networking plan, to continue to apply for jobs, if for no other reason than to just network wtih recruiters, who may have openings as I near my retirement date, and enter into the civilian workforce. Who knows that one of these contacts in my network might just be the one who offers me my first civilian job after I retire?
Thank you and I wish you the best.
Sincerely,
Eric Martin, MSIT, Security+
Eric,
There is no single "correct" answer. The answer may vary for different organizations (federal, government contractors, corporations, small business) and different potions, and the flexibility of the hiring process for each specific position.
What you should DEFINITELY be doing now is crafting and implementing your personal career networking plan.
http://www.bing.com/search?q=career+networking+plan
Also, are you open to employment beyond the government sectors ( Federal, state or local employment)?
Have you earned any IT certifications and are you familiar with the 100% free offerings of VCTP Syracuse?
http://vets.syr.edu/employment/vctp-learning-paths/#!
Your Answer
Please log in to answer this question.