Bob Molluro ⋅ Wilmington, DE Benchmark Consulting Services ltd. ⋅ 30 years experience

While the resume is like your ticket to get into the concert, if you want to sit in the better seats you need to know someone. Therefore since you are not from the area you need to get involved with networking functions where you can meet lots of people. Let them know what you are looking for and eventually someone will introduce you to an influential person who can help.
This may sound like an onerous task however it will allow you to expand your horizons and when interviewed you will have an interesting story to tell regarding how diligently you went after the position. This is how you can distinguish yourself from the other candidates.

Don Hammond ⋅ New York, NY ⋅ 25 years experience

Hello Jeanine,

Not sure how this came to fruition but I've written many dozens and possibly even hundreds of resumes for friends, family, coworkers, etc and I've been fortunate enough to personally hire a similar number of talented people over the years.

That being said, by far the two most frequent and obvious failings of resume writing are the following:

1.) In some cases, people don't actually state their hiring objective and when you read the resume the reviewer is more or less forced to assume they wish to continue doing the things they've already done. This may be good if you do indeed plan to continue on your current trajectory. Its nothing short of infuriating if that isn't your goal. Don't let the reviewer have to guess your intentions. Make them clear, make them concise and make sure you do it at or near the top of your resume.

2.) On nearly every occasion, people fail to include tangible examples (actual raw numbers and data) that display previous success but more importantly even if this information is included they fail to detail how those actions MADE THEMSELVES AND THE COMPANY SUCCESSFUL AND HOW THAT SAME SUCCESS CAN BE RELATED (to the new company and the position you are applying for).

BAD: I sold a lot and made my customers really happy.
BETTER: I sold 119% quota and my retention rate was in the top 10% of the company.
BEST: At 119% of sales quota and 94% of customer retention - both reside in the top tiers of company performers - I am able to not only drive short term revenue but ensure long term profits and guaranteed positive return to the company's overall bottom line.

In closing, review your resume - and maybe more importantly have others review your resume - and ensure that you are doing both #1 and #2 and I'm confident the tides will turn for you.

And if you really want to know what your resume says... ask a random acquaintance you hardly know to read it and then tell you (1.) what job(s) they think you are applying for and (2.) why should they hire you. If they can't answer both questions in a basic fashion, you will need to continue retooling.

I hope this response finds you well and of course thank you for serving.

Regards,
Don Hammond

Douglas Williams ⋅ Las Vegas, NV U.S. Air Force, Master Sergeant ⋅ 20 years served

Hello Jeanine,

I retired from the AF as a prior First Sergeant and MTL, so I have a very strong HR background, yet I still have had some difficulty transitioning into civilian HR as it is significantly different in certain aspects. I would suggest considering applying for HR Specialist and HR Coordinator positions first, as Generalist positions usually require more experience and direct knowledge of employment laws and HR systems.

I also would consider applying to the VCTP through Syracuse and pursuing your PHR or SPHR certification. It is free if accepted, and having your certification will make you a better rounded candidate and may help bridge the experience gap between military and civilian HR.

You also can become a member of the SHRM society and there should be a local chapter of HR professionals that hold regular meetings.

http://vets.syr.edu/education/employment-programs/

http://www.shrm.org/pages/default.aspx

Joshuah Chrisman ⋅ New York, NY NYC Department of Parks and Recreation ⋅ 1 years experience

Hi Jeanine,
As you can see, there are plenty of Mentors on ACP AdvisorNet who are always happy to help you out. I also wanted to let you know that we can set you up with a personal Mentor from one of the more than 60 companies that we partner with by logging on to acp-usa.org and filling out an application. We can match you up with a high level executive in the HR industry who can provide you with the inside track on how to get ahead. Of course, while participating in a mentorship, you will still have complete access to this site and can network with as many potential Mentors and fellow Veterans as you like. You should really consider signing up for a Mentor - I know that we could find you someone amazing and it won't cost you a thing.
--Josh.

Teri Graves ⋅ Littleton, CO Lockheed Martin ⋅ 20 years experience

Hi, Jeanine! I think they key for successfully transitioning to the civilian workplace is the mapping of military work experience to business vernacular and expectations of the particular role for which one is applying. I am happy to review your resume and cover letter to offer suggestions on how to do so.

John Kalusa ⋅ Alpharetta, GA Profisee Group ⋅ 10 years experience

Lots of good answers here. Having helped thousands of Veterans transition, it is my experience that project management and HR are the top 2 professions people think they are qualified for after being in the military. 80% aren't even close. If your degree is in HR, look for positions that may seem entry level... specialist, generalist, staffing coordinator etc. If you have experience in training as it seems, then as a training admin or something else that may seem below your capability, but will get you in the door.

Your objective is to get in the door, all the other intangibles that set Veterans head and shoulders above other candidates will be discovered once you are on the job.

Research, research, research....

Having made a career transition from Sales & Marketing to HR myself, it can be daunting, but getting the appropriate certifications (PHR etc.), asking HR professionals for help, joining SHRM and giving back to the profession and being flexible and persistent will get you where you are going. (here's a link to the article the Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote on this subject) http://www.ajc.com/news/business/human-resources-people-side-doing-business/nX74S/

Happy to connect with you and talk further....

Bonnie Nadler ⋅ Winsted, CT Alcoa ⋅ 20 years experience

Hi Jeanine,

Lots of great advice!

I would like to add my personal experience since I found it difficult as a civilian to land a position in the HR field. I started off as an HR Assistant and moved into a recruiter position with a staffing agency. As a recruiter in the staffing agency, you are working like a generalist since you are dealing with employee related issues and workplace problems. I took a staffing position in a larger corporation which really provided me with an understanding and appreciation of the many facets and disciplines offered in HR. Long story short...it was these different positions and environments that became the foundation and gave me enough tranferrable skills to qualify as an HR generalist.

I hope this little bit of advice helps.

Thanks for serving our country.

Bonnie

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

Jeanine,

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/nwz27gc

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

Mack Moore ⋅ San Antonio, TX The Schwan Food Company ⋅ 38 years experience

I started my corporate career out of the Army is the area of training. I retired as a VP HR for a major food company. Don't be afraid to start in training and development. You can build an internal network fast that way. Demonstrate your people and presentation skills. Both are necessary for a career in HR. Look for the leadership skills courses to teach then managers come looking for your advise since you are the subject matter expert. They will seek you as their HR Business Partner and now you have moved into HR generalist role. Look for a company that does rotational assignment in HR and look into working on your graduate degree in HR once employed.

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

Hi Jeanine-

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.

Jim Watson

Stephen Wolff ⋅ Des Plaines, IL National Kwikmetal Service ⋅ 35 years experience

Jeanine,
I would be happy to look at your resume.
Perhaps I can help.
Steve