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

Ms. Hall,

Kudos to you for planning early! With your military background, you may want to consider federal employment.

1. You receive a preference during the hiring process (for most applications);
2. You can buy back your time towards retirement.

A corporate style resume will not work on federal applications. We have a specific format that we use for USAJobs applications. I personally work for the Department of Defense, and my business partner works for the Department of Justice – we are very well versed in Federal hiring practices.

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://tinyurl.com/ERS-Resume

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

Larry Steward ⋅ Aiken, SC Stewardship Coaching ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi India,
I'm impressed that you're getting such a head start on your transitioning effort. The networking process is absolutely THE most effective strategy you and most of the others seeking advice on this forum should master. I have years of experience in career management and now life coaching. I advise anyone making a transition toward a new career path to first focus deeply into the person you are and build a plan based on the type of work you would love to do even if you were not paid to do it. That could be a tall order from someone coming out of the military however, an excellent book like this one from Barbara Sher "I Could Do Anything, If I Only Knew What It Was" is just ticket for part one of this process. Read as much as you can about this. Part two then requires the contact process of talking to people doing those things you want to do yourself next. This is why part one is so important. Instead of trying to find job openings that thousands of others are seeking, you lead your effort with purpose based on doing something you would love to do. Whatever job description or type of work you come up with in your search effort - understand there will be other people doing that work in the area you want to be in. You have to operate like a reporter in this process seeking people to talk to so you can learn how they got to where they are now. You don't ask these initial contacts directly, "do you have a job for me?" That is not the purpose in these meetings. However, these people represent the resident experts that somehow found a way to do the work that you desire to do as well. They will respect that you have done your homework to determine the path that you want to follow and they will be the most helpful people of all in terms of sharing information about their company, their industry, other key people to talk to, tips on what employers look for in good candidates, and sooner or later as you get a little deeper into the process, someone will say "by the way, we've been looking for someone like you. Let me introduce you to my boss." Trust that with the background you shared, you have all the experience needed to interest a company to make room for you as they sense how determined you are and what skills you have to offer that fit with what they're doing.

There does not have to be an existing opening at any company where you make contact. That is because companies are growing, people are leaving, people are getting promoted into new positions, jobs are not getting done in I bet every place you connect. When you wind your way through the networking process, informally talking with people who share your interests, and talking to them like a reporter asking what they do in their work and how did they make a connection with this company - you will begin to CREATE opportunities because someone will see the value you can bring to their team and you're right there ready to go. I bet you will find many that you talk to have found their jobs at these companies through the networking process. They will respect the steps you're taking to explore how you can get where they are and in turn provide a lot of support if you follow the rules of effective networking. I wish you the best. You got a good start. Keep it up.

David Akre ⋅ New York, NY A NYSE listed financial company ⋅ 25 years experience

Get on LinkedIn and network with companies in that area.
I'd suggest you focus on the HR part of your experience as the others you mentioned may not directly transfer to the private sector. You'll do well.

Boe Young ⋅ Fairfax Station, VA iVantage/Galloway Consulting ⋅ 25 years experience

Take advantage of these two years - create a plan to make you more marketable. The Army has a larger investment in areas such as SHARP than you will find on the civilian side and while there are ample opportunities in human resources and training, the competition is stiff. Broaden your portfolio. Look for what credentialing you can get while still serving - that has value and meaning in the civilian sector. The transition point will provide some assistance. Look into the reserves - they have an office specifically designed for helping their reservists find employment - called Private, Public Partnership (formerly employer partnership office). Each state usually as a veteran employment office of some kind - NC is very military friendly and they likely do. Good luck.