ACP AdvisorNet Staff ⋅ New York, NY ⋅ 10 years experience

Hi Stephen,
I just wanted to share with you that there are a few jobs listed on ACP AdvisorNet by clicking on Jobs at the top and if you go to acp-usa.org and click on "Protégé Resources, there are Military Job Boards and websites, résumé and interviewing tips, and other resources that may help you in your search. Best of luck - Josh.

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

Stephen - if you were not happy as a civil servant, I recommend you take a hard look at being a government contractor.

But when I was looking for a civilian job, my number 1 mission in life was to find a job. I tailored my resume to every job I applied for and I applied to many...many...many jobs. I also took advantage of every job fair and recruiter/headhunter I could find. This helped me get interviews and strengthen my interview skills...even though I was not finding my dream job.

I didn't matter to me if I applied to 100 jobs and got selected for only one...getting only one job only mattered.

And the best place to look for your dream job is to look from your current comfortable job.

Good luck!

- Rino

Gail Baccetti ⋅ Lake Geneva, WI Retired ⋅ 42 years experience

Stephen, have you had outside eyes look at your resume? I have been a Career Consultant, and would be happy to take a look. Also, if you'd like, we can do a mock interview over the phone. Perhaps you are not always presenting yourself as you think you are, or maximizing your skills. You can reach me at gbaccetti@hotmail.com.

Thanks so much for your service to our country!

Timothy Ruiz ⋅ New Port Richey, FL Ringfeder Power Transmission ⋅ 17 years experience

Hello Stephen,

Firstly, Thank You for your service!! To your question, I have been in a layoff scenario that spanned 4 solid months when my position was eliminated due to cutbacks. After two months, enthusiasm starts to ween and one becomes discouraged. Stay Strong! There are so many opportunities out there, it really is a matter of finding the right one, or being found for the right one. I have had some great successes with recruiters, which have lead to good employement moves.
Now to your question: Understand the position and the requirements of the role ... personalize it ... when you speak to the employer, speak as if you are already part of their team, investing yourself along with them into the company. I would recommend to do more listening than speaking ... this shows you are in tune with them and are not simply trying to state what you think. Re-affirm key points in the conversation as the conversation continues, this way they know you were listening. Be confident without being prideful.
When it's said and done, the best interviews in my view are the ones where each person on the line, is themselves, and does not try to be someone they are not. Your experience is of Great Value, I am certain. You Will land that position in time.

Deborah Meyer ⋅ Columbus, OH Anthem, Inc. ⋅ 35 years experience

Persistence! Also, I re-examined my resume from a different lens - that of the hiring manager. I had some short term work experience that on first glance looked like I was moving around a lot. I added on Reason for leaving: to my last three positions - and began receiving interviews! With your current part time position try adding: Reason for leaving: Part time temporary position will end xxx date (or sooner - flexible) and enables me to maintain skills (or adding skills etc.)
Good Luck and STAY POSITIVE! (easier said...but that can be what will come off and eliminate you. I have given myself pep talks - boosting energy prior to interviews - worked!)

Rachel Guida ⋅ Groveland, MA A.W. Chesterton ⋅ 12 years experience

Stephen, try a new approach. When I was looking for new employment I struggled because the positions I knew I could do well all wanted a degree I didn't possess. At first I didn't bother to send my resume because I didn't fit exactly what they wanted. I saw a job that would be perfect and decided that I would try a new approach. I emailed the company and told them who I was and what I could do despite not having the degree they wanted. My unique approach of telling them where I fell short in the requirements actually worked and I have been here for 4 years. Now, that might not work with every position, but if you try a different approach, it might just work. It could be that everyone is doing the same thing you are because it is the social norm. Being a little unique (but not totally wacky) can help you stand out from the piles of resumes. Good luck!

Shellye Reteguiz ⋅ Jacksonville, FL Florida Coastal School of Law ⋅ 10 years experience

I have learned that it is important to adjust your resume to each job you are applying for. I am an Admissions Counselor but I am also a teacher so I have 2 separate resumes one geared towards higher education and the other that focuses on my Teaching and Education experience.

I have certainly used my personal networks to get every job I have had. Personal networks are the most important thing you can have. When you go for your VA appointments or you go out to dinner and meet new people - if they are in a field you are interested in get their information, make them part of your professional network. Unfortunately, there is not much competition anymore. Everyone has access to a degree, so this job market has turned from what you know to who you know.

Also, unless you are looking for employment in the field you have been working in for a long time, you may have to start somewhere to get to where you want to be. I transitioned from teaching to higher education by taking a part time (I was told it would never be a full time position) Advisor position within a Navy College Office which opened up an entirely new world to me.

You stated you just finished your Masters degree, reach out to your classmates, professors, friends, advisors, everyone! Let them know you are looking for employment, you never know who they know or what their companies are hiring for.

Good Luck and Thank you for your service!

Emanuel Carpenter ⋅ Alpharetta, GA SDR Master Class ⋅ 20 years experience

I sent every family member, friend, and ex-colleague a copy of my resume and told them it was imperative that I found a job. One ex-colleagues printed my resume and gave it to the president of the company. Two weeks later, I was hired.

Your personal network will be your personal headhunters. But you have to ask them.

John Green ⋅ Cary, NC Information Technology ⋅ 40 years experience

If in IT, one would work on self-directed projects, for example, those that can be found on github. This becomes the documentation you use in your resume that plugs gaps in employment. Since you are part time right now, look for other part time work or volunteer work you can do, or work-at-home jobs, such as those from Amazon's Mechanical Turk. You won't receive alot of income, but it will keep you busy and you can network with MT's sponsors. It may also pollinate some creativity in your thought process. Doing such work also bridges the communication divide where you can learn to grasp new handles that you previously had not seen.