James Watson ⋅ San Diego, CA General Atomics ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi Audrey-

I am retired after a 40 year career in industry where I hired over 100 people. Now I am helping veterans like yourself by helping with their resumes. If you would e-mail me your resume (drjamesfwatson@gmail.com) I would be happy to comment on it. I also recommend the book "Tired of Eating Peanut and Butter Sandwiches? - Tips to Get a Job Fast" available on Amazon. It contains practical advice. Good luck in your search!!

Jim Watson

David Jackson ⋅ Midland, MI U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 3 years served

I feel that you're giving out too much information. An unwritten rule is to say don't go back anymore than ten years with your information, because the more experience you show the more expensive you're showing yourself to be and employers want good but also cheap. If there are points that you want to emphasize set up a category of "Additional Skill and Experience" there you can add and highlight points that go beyond the ten years. But know in that section you don't want to post any dates. In addition, you need to list your clearance because that says a lot about you as an individual. (you have to be really good to get one,,, I know because I had a top secret) Also if you have any Good Conduct Medals list them (all of them) because what employer wouldn't want to hire someone that not only was able to acquire a security clearance and has Good Conduct Medals. There is only one function that a resume is to perform and that is to get you an interview so think about that and how it's going to read to an employer. The average length of an "Objective" is only 2 sentences because the average time for a first glance by a recruiter is about 15 - 20 seconds. So your Objective should start with an identifier,,,,,,,,, Military veteran seeking a position in (or) as a ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,. Direct and to the point. A lot of people fill up an objective with information that needs to be in the body of the resume and not in the objective. An objective is what you want,,,,,,,,, what is your objective????? Any other information would be better shown in a category that would pertain to the information. Also show your military training/education without dates! Hopefully this has helped and there are a few other tricks but I don't want to overload you. So,,,,,,,,,,, feel free to contact me and just as and FYI I was in Veteran placement prior to being moved into TAA. One final note and that is don't say anything on your resume about medical. If you feel that you can perform the job that you're interested in without any extra support then there is no need to discuss it,,,,,,,,, as long as you can do the job, it's none of their business!

Kelly Williams ⋅ Newark, DE Stars to Stripes Military Transition Assistance ⋅ 10 years experience

Audrey,

My company provides free resume critiques to all military service members. You can submit your resume to us via email or by using our secure online submission form:

Email: Info@ExpertResumeSolutions.com
Form: http://www.tinyurl.com/ERS-Critique

Please allow 3-5 business days for completion.

We use two different formats for corporate and federal applications. I can send you examples of each to get you started.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kellywilliamsmaresca/

Thank you for your service.

Warmest Regards,

Kelly Williams
Career Strategist & President
Security Cleared Careers
Expert Resume Solutions
Business: (732) 686-6455
Email: info@expertresumesolutions.com
www.ExpertResumeSolutions.com

Job Board: wwww.SecurityClearedCareers.com

Matt Garley ⋅ Elm Grove, WI NextHire Recruiting ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi Audrey...

Impossible to (effectively) provide an answer unless someone can see your resume, and ideally the types of positions you are submitting it to.

A resume is a MARKETING document. The most effective marketing takes place in understanding the needs of your target market (particular job/employer needs) and aligning/presenting your own skills, knowledge, experience and expertise so the employer does not have to "connect-the-dots" to recognize the potential value you offer to their organization.

Send me your resume and a couple of job postings for the jobs you are applying for, or will be applying to and I will be able to identify the root causes of your resume not getting attention.

NEXT: I saw that you indicated that you are concerned that you do not have many marketable skills that you can verify on paper.

A. You do not have to "verify" them on paper.
B. You probably do have marketable skills--but you need to find the job types need what you have to offer.

I will cover that in more detail once I see your resume.

COVER LETTER? If you have a well optimized resume, a cover letter adds little value to the equation. As a hiring manager/recruiter/headhunter I personally never read them. Some mangers want to see them in that they feel that it will allow them to see the persons writing/communications, thinking, presentation, similar skills; because most resumes are in a "form" that often does not provide for such insight of those personal/professional characteristics. But most people use a cover letter "template" in writing their cover letters so the hiring manager is not even getting what they think they are in that way.

Hope this helps. Thank you for your service and send me your resume/target job types so that I may address your question with directivity-related feedback.

Matt Garley (USN 1977-81, FTM2)
Today: Business Owner | Master Recruiter | Career Coach | Resume Writer

James Moore ⋅ Ozawkie, KS ⋅ 10 years experience

Audrey,

All good advice from commenters above.

You say that you are 70 percent service connected. That is quite a lot.

I don't know your condition(s) and their severity, but you may qualify to apply through the VA for TDIU. That is a special rating where if you are disabled and can't work in gainful employment, the VA would pay you at the 100 percent rate.

If your service connection(s) allow you to work, then perhaps staying in school and earning your bachelor and even master's degree might be a profitable option. I don't believe having an associate's degree is going to put you at the top of the list. Too many people have more education these days.

Volunteering is good for resume building and gaining valuable experience, like the other commenters have suggested. VoluteerMatch.org is a great place to connect with non-profits around the country. You can enter your interests and search for matches. The great thing about it is that you can do 'virtual volunteering' from your home.

Another suggestion is to search USAJOBS and apply for positions through the VA. It is a great place to work and they offer great benefits, generous leave time, sick days and vacation time. If you work there in certain positions, after 20 or 25 years you can qualify for retirement.

Good Luck

Dave Weinberg ⋅ Rio Rancho, NM Practical Risk, LLC ⋅ 40 years experience

Audry,

First, thank you for your service and sacrifice.

In the brief information you have given, it's difficult to provide a great deal of specific advice. You said that you are doing an AAS in Homeland Security & Emergency Management. What drew you to that? Whatever it was should be saying something about what it is you want to do. What are your goals in that field (or any other)?

Both your resume and cover letter should be tuned to the job you are applying for. The resume is a "Joe Friday, Just the facts kind of thing" (albeit tuned for a job), while the cover letter is a a narrative about what you want and why you fill the job requirements. This also begs the question, are you looking for a job or a career? How you proceed will be drive by the answer to that question.

I'm happy to help, but I'd need much more information from you. Feel free to contact me through ACP Network if you think I could help.

James Yaple ⋅ Austin, TX Department of Veterans Affairs ⋅ 25 years experience

One more thing about your degree, the Government is very interested in Homeland security, not always in the traditional sense (customs, border patrol, TSA).

Do some research into homeland security presidential directives (HSPD). The specific one I deal with all the time is HSPD 51 about continuity.

This should give you a taste. This is required for every government agency and most large companies ahve a similar program.

http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nspd/nspd-51.htm

(4) Continuity requirements shall be incorporated into daily operations of all executive departments and agencies. As a result of the asymmetric threat environment, adequate warning of potential emergencies that could pose a significant risk to the homeland might not be available, and therefore all continuity planning shall be based on the assumption that no such warning will be received. Emphasis will be placed upon geographic dispersion of leadership, staff, and infrastructure in order to increase survivability and maintain uninterrupted Government Functions. Risk management principles shall be applied to ensure that appropriate operational readiness decisions are based on the probability of an attack or other incident and its consequences.

Good luck

James

James Yaple ⋅ Austin, TX Department of Veterans Affairs ⋅ 25 years experience

As a disable (more than 30%) veteran, you can take advantage of a Schedule A appointment for a federal job. This can get you a non-competitive appointment (job is never advertised) up to a GS-11. See http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring/#url=Schedule-A-Hiring-Authority. I did a google search on "OPM schedule A" and got a lot of results. I've seen this work a couple of ways. First, contact your local government HR department and tell them you want to submit a resume for schedule A consideration. A local VA hospital is one option for this. Another way is to find a local government hiring manager and convince them you can do the job and a schedule A appointment is easier for them. You can also search for schedule A jobs on USAJOBS and find one that way. After your two year time period is up, they either make you permanent or let you go. So be a valuable employee.

This is another good link for you: http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/initiatives/lead/abc_applicants_with_disabilities.cfm

Good luck

James3678

G. Rino Fazio ⋅ Arlington, VA U.S. Department of State ⋅ 15 years experience

Audrey -

Have you tried calling/emailing all of your raters and senior raters? I would review your NCOERs and find the ones who had the best things to say about you. Don't be afraid to reach out to officers either, I have gave many recommendations to good NCOs that have worked for me in the past. You can also ask your current teachers as well.

Also, check out usajobs.gov and ensure you get a 10-point letter from the VA:
http://www.opm.gov/faq/USAJOBS/How-do-I-get-a-Preference-letter-from-VAWhen-a.ashx

Here are some tips when applying to jobs on USAJobs.gov:
- upload the right documentation, DD-214, 10 Point Letter, etc
- ensure your USAJobs web-based resume is in the following format: Duties, Accomplishments, & Skills
- if they ask to rate yourself, if you can articulate why you are an expert (in whatever they're asking you) ensure you mark you're an expert. Just be able to explain it.
- apply to many jobs, you will be rejected many times, but all you need is one job offer!

Good luck!

- Rino

Jo Prabhu ⋅ San Rafael, CA International Services Group ⋅ 20 years experience

Hello Audrey,

Thank you for serving our country. Email me a resume and I would be happy to proof it and also write you a cover letter to attract potential 'civilian' employers. You can also upload it on our career site which has exposure to millions of Employers and am sure someone will notice.
You are in a good place because the subjects you have chosen are very marketable as 'security' of any kind is a very hire-able skill. While you are still in school, there are many ways you can try to get jobs.
1. Volunteer or join a hospital or organization you believe in and keep applying for jobs on their bulletin boards while chatting up everyone in decision making roles as you will have direct access from within. It helps and it works.
2. Put up your card on your grocery store bulletin board, ask the check-out person if they are hiring, go to your church, approach everyone you know short of putting a sign outside your house. It takes guts which you have plenty of, but you will stand out and EVERYONE has a soft spot for our troops especially, as you have integrity, guts, discipline, are a solid team player and have received the best human training from our Government to survive in this world while serving our country.
3. Offer FREE services to local businesses or try to get an internship at your bank or any local business. Initially they you can sign up as an intern or later an extern and it is rare they don't hire you once you are trained from within and already on board.