June R Massoud ⋅ Burlington, VT School Boards/Teaching, Tutoring Business and Technical Business ⋅ 25 years experience

Hello, I would get myself a career counsellor that could guide you in your career or job search. Alternatively, you could tell us more about yourself and your skills and expertise so we could guide you better. That way we'll have a good idea of where you could apply yourself. One of the first things I would do in your situation is make a list of 25 top skills you acquired in the military, with a top 5 as your best assets. Then bring back that list to us and share it with us so we can guide you better. I wish you all the best.

Mike Cottell ⋅ Glen Head, NY Michael T Cottell Consulting ⋅ 42 years experience

Hi Mike, congratulations to you for thinking so far in advance on what will be a major, but also a very exciting new chapter in your life. The other advisors have given you some tremendous advice, so I will not repeat any of it, but perhaps give you a few new areas to explore.
1) Mock Interviewing/ Persuasive Speaking: use the time now to get comfortable selling yourself to a future employer. Get a trusted friend to play the role of employer and get comfortable making an introductory opening summary of who you are and what your experiences have been. Consider video recording the event so you can watch yourself for mannerisms , pace of speech etc. You will have a wealth of great experience to share, get comfortable with a humble, yet confident approach . Get honest feedback from your friend or whoever plays the role of employer. Practice makes perfect!
2) Successes: Make a list of successes that you have been proud of in your life-whether they have been big or small and think about how you can use these as examples of skills that you have that can translate to the civilian sector. Can be from the Navy or personal.
3) There are different on line tools that allow you to match your personality type / skills to potential careers . The key is to use these as guides and don't take them literally as you may or may not agree with the suggestions, but sometimes they trigger new ideas. Try searches like " Holland Career code " or " Interest Profiler"
4) Development Areas: the business world is big on " development or growth" plans where you are given feedback on areas to improve. Use the time on your side to think about areas where you can stretch yourself, whether it be expanding your technology horizon, becoming a better public speaker etc. Very often this is a big interview topic--the areas you are looking to improve upon.
Thank you for dedication and service to this great country of ours and rest assured that you will succeed in landing in an exciting new place.
Best Regards, Mike

James Sipprell ⋅ White Pine, TN U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Second Class ⋅ 6 years served

Mike,
Going from a predictable life to a totally un-predictable one is a significant challenge, and the previous suggestions are spot on. I'm a beliver in taking the temp help path as you learn more from exposure to a wide variety of business's and build up a contact file in the process. New turf new job without the presure of staying afloat is much easier as a retiree.
Lots of Navy at Jax to connect with and attending events or meetings with service clubs is an excellent 'back door' way to see who is hiring and for what kind of work. Kiwanis, Rotary clubs and similar.
Newspaper want ads are usually for low end jobs, head hunters may be worth a try but
have your 1 page resume` focus on what you did not where or for who. Good luck, Jim Sipprell BBP Ret. x USN spook

George Wilhelmsen ⋅ Rochelle, IL Sargent & Lundy ⋅ 38 years experience

Good morning Mike,

You're asking all the right questions. The best answer is from Drew - I agree it is important to research and figure out what you want to do.

The other advisor has a point as well - if you can find a job doing what you like to do, you won't "work" a day in your life. So, you really need to assess what lights your fire.

You really haven't given us (the advisors) any idea of what you have done for 22 years. Can you give us a thumbnail of your experience, and what you enjoyed most about it? If you can do that, perhaps we can provide a little more direction.

Consider this: Most hiring takes around a month or two these days, and it can be more for positions where there are security requirements (e.g., background checks, credit checks, various exams).

I think your goals should be:

1. Identify what I like to do.
2. Identify careers that will allow me to do what I like to do.
3. Search the job market in and around of my destination where I'd like to relocate for those jobs starting within 3 to 4 months from my release date
4. Expand my search / reconsider my location if I can't find the job I want where I want to live.

I just "up-stakes pulled" and moved 100 miles for a job. Was it stressful? I won't lie - it was. However, the 20 minute drive to work is a lot easier to take than the 1:40 drive I had each way before!

I hope this helps. Thank you for your service to our great country.

George Wilhelmsen

Elizabeth Raddatz ⋅ Orland Park, IL Kopka Pinkus Dolin, PC ⋅ 25 years experience

Hello, Mike and thank you for your service!

Now is the time for some reflection as you prepare to transition to civilian life. What part of your work in the Navy did you enjoy the most? If it was the structure and service, then perhaps a second career in law enforcement is your calling. If you enjoyed the leadership and decision-making, then maybe look toward business. If you loved the computer work and problem solving, then IT or other technologies might be the way to go.

Why not check out a website like CareerBuilder and look at different types of jobs in Jacksonville and see what appeals to you. Then, as Drew suggested, start the process of networking, resume building - tailored to your interest, and event participation.

All the best to you!!!!

Drew Schildwächter ⋅ Wilmington, NC Salesforce ⋅ 8 years experience

Mike: I don't think you can start too early. Certainly few people will want to talk seriously and interview when you are a long way away from separation, but that doesn't mean you cannot network and build your plan a long ways out.

My own plan was about one year, during which I spent about six months researching, networking, and refining my résumé; I then spent three months applying and attending events, and then three months wrapping up interviews and deciding. I found that the preparation time really paid off.

Best of luck!