Taube Weiner ⋅ Dedham, MA TransitionsbyTaube.com ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi Derrick,
I'd like to review your resume for you. I am a career coach and help veterans at no cost to thank you for your service. I think I can help you with the difference between military and the rest of the world. if you're interested I'll give you my contact information.

Meanwhile you can look me up on my website.

Best

Taube Weiner, TransitionsbyTaube.com.

Laura Zoerner ⋅ Littleton, CO W.L. Gore & Associates ⋅ 20 years experience

That's an interesting transition. From what you describe it seems that you already have a lot of the skills that are used in the civilian world. The issue might be more that you're thinking so much like a military person and aren't aware of what goes on in civilian world that you can't see that relationship.

I'd suggest going to linked in or any other professional site that is similar and find people working in the field of human resources that have a similar title or similar actions like you. I believe that you will find a lot of people with the same activities the same skills that you have they just word it differently and have done it for a different organization.

If you check out different people and their skill sets, line it up against your skill sets (not tasks), you will find a lot of similarities. Create your resume focusing on the skills that are gained from your military career and that will help the recruiter you are talking to see the value of your work!

Jarret Hammons ⋅ Van Wert, OH U.S. Army, Master Sergeant ⋅ 24 years served

Derrick,

I have over twenty years in the HR field with the Military everything from recruiting, marketing, and training. You will need to know State and federal labor laws. You will need at minimum a degree (BS) in a business related field.

But most importantly be able to convert your military experience into what the civilian market understands.

SHANNON MCCALL ⋅ Santa Rosa, CA State of California ⋅ 27 years experience

Hello, Derrick. I recently joined as an advisor and was intrigued by your question. I was military personnel in the Air Force for nearly 20 years and had a bachelors degree in business. I thought I would make a very easy transition and would be set with a job. If I may share some of my experiences since 2007 -

* I would suggest that you consider looking into a branch that is associated with HR, such as marketing. I did this with retail. I was able to work as a retail marketing manager, which allowed me to both discover how to supervise in a much more diverse and unstructured environment, but it also allowed me to explore marketing with a civilian economy. As a military member, we market ourselves all the time, but can be out of touch with the world off a post/base/port, etc. I found this to be educational - although low paying.
* I also used my skills in personnel to establish myself as an independent contractor and a consultant. I found that allow myself to have a bit of free rein allowed me to continue to feel out how my skills work and how I can hone them for the market. I worked with many small business in their staffing needs, budgetary needs, and overall business plans.
* Finally, I looked to the veteran community to see if what I had could be marketed to those needing it. In doing this, I discovered a community that addresses veteran challenges, such as homelessness, disabilities, poor transition, lack of job search skills, etc. In this, I was able to continue developing an independent career that led to me working for the state as an official resource for veterans.
* I would suggest that you consider doing some informational interviews with HR professionals you know. You would simply call the person, explain that you aren't looking for a job, but you are interested in talking with them regarding skills they have that makes them successful and any advice they have in the field.

HR is a rewarding career field, but it is can also be difficult, as you are taking care of many of the problems and difficult issues arising from people just being people. I encourage you to consider all the positives of your skills and work to ensure that you mentally and physically are transitioning well. This will make the difference regardless of what you chose to do.

I hope this helps - and if you need more, just let me know. I am here to assist you.

Happy Regards, Shannon McCall

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

Derrick,

I spend the last 9 years of my career in military HR positions and found out after that it isn't easy to transition to civilian HR and you might need to be flexible and open to starting out as an HR assistant or HR specialist. While we gain the people skills we need in the military and other "soft" skills that are useful, we generally are lacking in knowledge of, or professional experience in, laws/acts that govern the civilian workplace such as USERRA, FLMA, AA/EEO, ADA, COBRA etc.

You might want to consider looking at the VCTP program through Syracuse as a way of learning about civilian HR and pursuing certification. https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/veteran-and-family-resources/career-training/vctp/

Finally, I would say that the mindset is quite different in civilian HR as for the most part it seems to be less about helping individuals and more about protecting the company. This doesn't always hold true, but in general that's what I have found.

Jo Prabhu ⋅ San Rafael, CA International Services Group ⋅ 20 years experience

Hi Derrick,

Linked in may be a good source for you and I suggest you try a more direct approach by contacting HR Professionals in your area. Once they accept your invitation, send them a brief bulleted list of your strengths and offer your services either as an advisor or a volunteer whichever you prefer. You may be surprised at the responses you receive. FYI, many volunteer opportunities turn into employment once they experience your value! i would also check out SHRM to research any certification that may enhance your CV, even if its in progress.

Maurice Taylor ⋅ Indianapolis, IN Eli Lilly and Company ⋅ 30 years experience

You may not want to limit your career pursuit to only just HR. I think operations is another area to consider or any role that may supervise others. I would consider joining the SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) and go to the local affiliate/chapter meetings to network. This networking activity should be added to your existing job search strategies.

Mikhail Relushchin ⋅ Brooklyn, NY NationSwell ⋅ 3 years experience

Hi Derrick,

In addition to the answers above, you can also take a look at ACP AdvisorNet's Community page. You can use it to search for Advisors in your general area that specialize in Human Resources, and build a one-on-one dialogue about how your experience can be translated into your job search. Your background in personnel management, leadership development and planning all sound like areas our Advisors could speak to!

Derrick Wainwright ⋅ Winchester, CA U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 24 years served

Taube,

Thank you for the offer and I will take you up on that offer. I am looking for HR and Management analyst positions. Also, how does one show the impact of proper administration/adherence of HR and administrative processes? Is it okay to showcase you done the task, without showing mind blowing impact statements.

Derrick Wainwright ⋅ Winchester, CA U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 24 years served

Laura,

Thank you for your response! I was basing my opinion on what I have been told by some. As you stated, my skills are similar to those in the HR field and others, such as education management. But I am constantly reminded that the military culture and organization is different; therefore, my skills may not fully transfer. I do not believe because I am veteran I am entitle to a job, but I do wonder why some disregard similar skill-sets because of the structure and type of organization. Then again, maybe I am reading too much into what a couple of individuals were saying because they do not fully understand the organization.