John Nerison ⋅ Boise, ID Retired from POWER Engineers, Inc. www.powereng.com ⋅ 40 years experience

Be glad to provide some ideas. John P Nerison, PE. 406-690-3388

THIEN HUYNH ⋅ Baldwin Park, CA Westfield Corporate US ⋅ 1 years experience

Hi Eric,

Being a Veteran myself, I understand your frustration. It took over 2 years and many rejections before I landed a position in Corporate America. It's always something that comes up and VA medical reviews got in the way. I am also getting disability, which I thought was hindering my options. I learned that it's just another obstacle in the way if you want it to be.
Beside your initial feelings towards these obstacles, have you consider taking workshops at your local career centers or on stop shop (EDD). Their services are free and always provide you with a case manager to help you through impromptu/mock interview questions, while they review your resumes. Yes resumes, you would need different resume for every similar position in every company. If you need assistance, message me with your resumes and provide your background.
Also, have you ever consider a different location? Let me know, I been there and know the feeling of not getting things worked out as planned. I believe there is a time and place for everything. I can also provide you with many sites that provide military assistance with a local centers near you.

Gerry Adolph ⋅ Summit, SD ⋅ 20 years experience

Eric:

Looking for a position in a new-to-you specialized field can be tough, You have been through worse and you can make through this too!

You have been looking for a position for a while and getting the same results. You may need to change the jobs you are applying for and how you are presenting yourself. So far your potential employers are not able to see what a great person you are and that the skill set you bring to the table is what they need.

Work your network. Reach out to your contacts and let them know what you are looking for and what you are willing to do to get into a position in your field. Even people outside of your field can know someone who knows someone... Check back in with your school and instructors. Schools often have some of the best leads for companies looking to hire in your field. Do you know someone who is working in your target position? Tap into them to get ideas of how and where to break into your desired field. If you don't know someone make a cold call to the firm of your dreams and ask for advice on how to get into the field.

Try to take advantage of your status as a disabled vet. Which government agencies are looking for your skill set? Try looking for firms that have government contracts, they may have preferential hiring for Vets as well.

Consider switching your resume to highlight relevant experience, education and personality traits. Most employers are trying to answer what can this candidate do to help my business? A sequential resume may not give a clear answer to that question. Make sure your resume tells prospective employers what you can do to help their business. Use proactive language i.e. do you anticipate and avoid potential problems? generating critical information is more dynamic than maintaining records...

Another option may be for you to start your own firm in your field. There are resources available to help start ups. Is there a retired engineer you could partner with? You may be able to find a mentor through SCORE or the SBA. Before you know it you might be the one with the government contract.

Thank you for your service to our country. I hope you get the job offer you want soon.

Gerry

Geoffrey Matthews ⋅ Waynesville, NC Retired ⋅ 30 years experience

Eric, thank you for your service and my empathy in what must be a frustrating experience for you. There is obviously a pattern that has developed here and is something we can learn from. So, if you are willing, lets start off with you e-mailing me and then hopefully we can turn that into a set of conversations that lead to you obtaining the employment you wish. I look forward to hearing from you.

geoffm52536@charter.net

Deb Yeagle ⋅ Tampa, FL Plan To Win, Inc. ⋅ 39 years experience

Eric-
Don't give up. Don't EVER give up! And NEVER, ever let go of your dreams!
Please feel free to message me with your resume and any recent job announcements you've applied for and I will be glad to give you feedback on how to best demonstrate your relevant experience. I can provide you more specific advice then, but one idea I have is to seek out part-time internships in your chosen field of engineering that could help you obtain some specific experience in that field. I know there are opportunities waiting for you out there. "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it."
THANK YOU for your service!
Deb

Jeremy Serwer ⋅ Woodstock, CT The Serwer Company, LLC ⋅ 30 years experience

Hello Eric --

Not an easy question to address without more detail . . .

But, have you asked interviewers why they feel your education and experience isn't enough, if in fact they want education and experience? Perhaps they could steer you into what they feel is missing based on the job requirements they have. If a pattern develops from one interviewer to the next, then perhaps it might help answer your questions.

If it's a particular "niche" in engineering you want -- but their requirements are for a different one -- you might need to further your education in what employers need today (if, indeed, there's a pattern illustrating a certain skills demand). Hard for me to say (I'm not an engineer), but it appears there's a mismatch in your skill set and experience vs. what employers are looking for.

Good luck in your search, and never give up: many of us feel greatly indebted to those who've served in the military, and all you need is ONE -- hopefully the right one.

Best,

Jeremy