Recently I was contacted by one of my former Marines. He got out in 2009 and he now lives in Minneapolis with his wife and 18 month old daughter. When he got out he took advantage of the post 9/11 GI bill and immediately began working towards his undergraduate degree in Business Administration as well has holding down a full time job. Earlier this year the company he was working for was downsized and he lost his job. He started up his own small company and began doing some independent contractor work for a construction company. His experience since he has been out of the Marine Corps has been mostly in sales of construction and technology related products.
In order to make ends meet he has been working in Chicago and taking trips back to Minneapolis when he can to see his family (usually one to two times a month). He has had to start taking classes online since he is not in Minneapolis anymore. Additionally, he had to lighten his course load since he is working about 70 hrs a week. He was supposed to graduate in December but it looks like that will be in the spring now. He has assured me that he will complete is degree and I am sure he will.
His current job is ending in November and he does not know what the future is going to hold, which was why he reached out to me. I have told him that I will do everything I can to help connect him with a good opportunity. Any employer would be luck to hire this guy. Additionally, I have advised him to join ACP, and he has started the process.
He is a good Marine and a great man. He told me that if the right opportunity came for him and his family he would move away from Minneapolis; however, he owns a home there and would prefer to stay.
He is looking to remain in a sales type of position, but would consider other areas. if anyone has any leads on careers that may fit someone in this position please let me know. I would be happy to provide a copy of his resume and more details, as well as his direct contact information. Thank you advance for any help or advice. Semper Fi
Answers
Captain, thanks to you and your efforts in helping out your fellow Marines. If you get queries about construction positions in the North East, please reach out to me, I would be glad to help out in any way that I can.
Thank you to all of the people who have posted on this topic. The person who I mentioned in the original post has found a great job. Thanks again for all of the contributions!
Well I am still looking into the Company, but here is the link to get some idea about them http://www.melaleuca.info/?culture=en-us. If he is interested or anybody else for that matter.
Cell: 917-504-5031
I would say for him to look on at HirePurpose. Hirepurpose was developed by veterans, for veterans and we are committed to addressing some of the incredible gaps that exist in the transition from military service to civilian career success. Founded in late 2011, we are excited to finally bring our beta product to the world.
link: https://hirepurpose.com
Semper Fi
_____________________
Richard Buck
(914) 391-3375 (mobile)
76warrior85@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/ribuck/
J.J.,
I received a call recently from a friend in Bio-medical looking for people willing to work in sales. It does require travel but I believe the individual can be located anywhere in the U.S. If you would like more information or for me to pass along your Marines information let me know.
I also have sales positions in the software industry located here in MN that may be of interest.
email me at ericbknode@gmail.com and I can provide more information.
Good luck
I can only add that the company I work for has home offices in Minneapolis and has been sending out emails looking to recruit. I do sales for them but there are many sales related jobs out of that location. If this is of any interest I can be reached at kathleen.fleming@genmills.com
JJ, if he is looking to be in sales, GREAT! But, there is no such thing as being in sales. There are businesses where there are postions selling what the business does or makes. Being in sales is not generic. The task is to get one's foot in the door at any level doing any job of a firm that does/makes something that one would have respect for what it can do for the firm's customers. From these "inside" jobs one will learn the culture of the business, industry, and customers, Trying to sell without that respect and knowledge will not make for being a successful saleman.
Alan
Hi J.J.
IBM would be a good place to look at for a sales role and IBM also may have opportunities in its Rochester MN facility.
In addition, I would mention Edward Jones as a company that your Marine might want to consider. Jones is a Financial Services company in which the advisor progresses with the potential to wind up running his / her own office. I know that company is expanding now and may offer the opportunity to build a business in your Marine's hometown.
Contact me at jtschee@us.ibm.com if you wish.
Thanks.
Jason,
Thanks for the information. I am just getting the chance to respond now, but I forwarded this information along this morning. Thanks for the lead!
Ooh-Rah Captain,
If he is in Chicago tomorrow, there is a Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair in the Loop. A lot of these fairs have on site interviews and great job leads. He can check out this link and register as well. If he can't make the event tomorrow, then there are some more around the country - perhaps even one in MN.
https://events.recruitmilitary.com/events/chicago-opportunity-expo-october-11-2012#event-exhibitors
Semper Fidelis!
Jason Peterson
SSgt
Hi:
First I would like to say that you are truly a great leader to take such time and effort on behalf of one of your men. As one leader to another leader, "I salute you."
Now, down to cases.........I have noticed many insurance and financial services companies eager to hire people with sales abilities. Most of them are commissioned basis only, but some of them are salaried with bonuses. I would strongly advise that (don't know the name of this Marine) post his resume on CareerBuilder, Monster.com, Veterans Job Center and HireVeterans to begin with and then search out other online job boards................and make a LinkedIn profile page so that he may have an "internet presence." When applying for these jobs make sure that he mentions his expected graduation date and degree...........many people forget to put that on their resume thinking that because they have not graduated yet, they should leave it off the resume.............much to the contrary................it helps lend to credential and credibility.
I would advise you to write a reference letter and have it handy, and to tell your Marine to be sure to list your name, email and phone number among two other professional references. Make sure that your Marine has a well-written resume and that for each job opportunity he writes a well-written cover letter. In the resume and cover letter he needs to be sure and "answer" the requirements and qualifications for the job posting. If he needs help with this, I can be reached at abliven@tds.net and by calling 608-426-4184.
Wishing your Marine great success:
MSG (Retired) AnnaMaria Bliven
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