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Networking and Job opportunities

Veteran

Danesh Kateli Orlando, FL

Hello,
I am Danesh Kateli. I am a 20+ year Military Veteran and a Project Manager and with a Top-Secret Security Clearance of demonstrated management and exceptional results in challenging and high-pressure environments.

After applying to several jobs, I have realized that it is all about who you know and who can get you that particular job. I am looking to network with you all, in order to procure a job opportunity, post Military life.

Some education / certifications that I have:
Masters in Management and Leadership, 4.0 GPA
Project Management Professional (PMP) Course
Knowledge and Information Management, Multi-TADIL Advanced Joint Interoperability Course, etc.
Top Secret Clearance -TS/SCI (Exp Aug 2021)

Diverse Experience: I have worked in a Joint environment for the past 3 years, performed in Management level positions for over 10 years and have over 6 years of Sales and Sales Management experience.

My interests---
Types of career fields: - Operations Manager, Project Manager, Program Manager, Implementation Manager and Sales Manager.

Company types: - Technology, Sales, Consulting, Government, Production or Operation type companies.

Location Preference: - Orlando or Central Florida, Anywhere Florida. Atlanta, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Washington D.C, and New York City

If my particular skill set is something that your company is looking for, please reach out to me. I can send you my resume if needed.

Gratefully,

Danesh P. Kateli, MS
Daneshkateli@gmail.com
(910) 578-3264
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danesh-kateli/

10 April 2017 9 replies Networking

Answers

Advisor

Mike Cottell Glen Head, NY

Hi Danesh, I'll give you a few thoughts that might be of assistance to you and I'm sure you will continue to get feedback from the advisor community.

1) Networking, you are 100% correct that " connectors" can be a major advantage to opening doors, generating new leads or even giving fresh opinions and perspectives. In addition to the Advisor Community here giving you leads and feedback , consider the following in terms of asking for leads / jobs :
a) Elected Officials, reach out to your US and State Senators, Governor, Mayor and any other elected officials introducing yourself as a military veteran looking for leads and contacts in your particular filed of expertise.
b) Target Companies: research companies in as wide a geographic area as you desire that you feel that you would like to have a career. Find a senior person, by name , that you can address a cover letter and a resume to identifying all your talent. The cover letter is very specific to a job posting or why you are targeting that company. Your resume is a summary of your accomplishments, skills and experience, The cover letter laser focuses on why they should consider you as you have solutions to their needs or problems. See Advisor Net articles--many good advisors articles have been written on both topics.
c) Alumni --reach out to your schools and ask for postings or mentions on an alumni letter or website--again--asking for leads.
d) High Quality Search Firms/ Employment Agencies--register with one or more if you can find it. David Griswold & Associates is a national firm led and staffed by all ex military with a focus on transitioning military to civilian jobs. Highly recommended to check out.
e) Corporate Gray, often does job fairs with a lens on transitioning military. Check them out as well
Stay focused, stay positive and GOOD LUCK to you Danesh !
Best Regards, Mike

10 April 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

John Green Cary, NC

Capt Kateli, thank you for your service.

Respectfully, and in my own opinion, your cover letter seems backwards in the approach. First, never limit your geography unnecessarily. Second, you should be willing to at least interview worldwide. You can always turn down any offer you choose, or price yourself higher in less desirable locales.

Next, we come to your skillset. While I see how much effort you have put in, your not identifying with any skills that are demanded by the market that are not already satisfied by any other person. What I mean by this is, PMPs and MBAs are dime a dozen, everyone possesses these skills. These are not differentiators.

You need specialization, such as Cyber-security (what the military calls Cyber-warfare). Or, Artificial Intelligence. Or, mobile development. Or, health care HL7. http://www.umuc.edu/academic-programs/cyber-security/index.cfm

Please contact my friend, Gary Silver at The Shay Group. He specializes in Florida placements. http://www.shaygroup.com/managers.html

One last comment. A resume gets you an interview, not a job. A cover letter gets you no where. Dress your resume up with relevant facts that are results oriented, then nail the interview. I would abandon your cover letter approach.

Good luck sir, wish you all the best.

10 April 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

Sriram Iyer Menlo Park, CA

Please let me know if you are interested in a role in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Advisor

Joe Pierce Jonesboro, AR

If you have not already, join linkden
Chambers of Commerce in those cities can be helpful

Advisor

Jim Williams Fpo, AE

Danesh,

I can relate to what you are going through in your transition to civilian life. I retired from the Navy 2 Year’s ago and like you had an MBA and several years of military leadership experience. I don’t consider myself an expert in the job hunt, however I did learn some valuable lessons along the way. Most of the interviews I got were a direct result of networking through ACP, LinkedIn, job fairs, community events, veterans organizations like VFW, etc. I was talking to everyone. Hardest thing was translating my experience at the interview in a compelling way civilian employers could connect with. This was a big lesson for me. I was interviewing for management positions and employers wanted to know that I had the specific industry experience I could bring to the table so I really had to fine tune my interview responses. I also learned I had to laser focus my job search AND build trust in my network. I wanted those in my network to be confident in vouching for me therefore I put allot of energy into establishing a productive relationship. I would also advocate for other veterans while on the job hunt. If I interviewed for a position I did not get, but knew of a veteran that could be a good fit, I made the introduction to the hiring manager. This was well received and helped towards building my credibility and confidence in the job market because hiring manager know other hiring managers and having hiring managers in your network really opens doors quick. You are on track with building your network, however consider taking it a step further and focus on building relationships within your network. This will help tremendously.

I eventually landed a job with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and have been there for two years now. Ther is light at the end of the tunnel just got to keep pushing forward and stay positive. Good luck on your job search.

Advisor

James Spencer Dowell, IL

Danesh,
Thank you for your services. You who have served us so well for so long deserve assistance of the highest quality and if you do your networking as directed by John Cotell you can not loose. I have been in the transition and placement business over 20 years and that is some of the best advice for networking I have ever read. Follow what he has suggested and you will get a job. In addition, the complete networking he describes will generate the offers in areas where you want to work.

Veteran

Danesh Kateli Orlando, FL

John , i was enlisted for 11 years before making the switch to the officer corps. All my evaluations are quite high. Feel free to contact me directly if you have some more personal questions.
Danesh

Advisor

John Green Cary, NC

Danesh, What held you back in promotion during your career? Fast-track Captains make grade in about 4 years Time-in-service. Rank of Major ten years. Lt. Colonel 18 years. You have 21 years in service and have advanced only to Captain. You may need some good explanation during your face-to-face interviews for this fact. Just a heads up to start thinking about what that answer will be.

Veteran

Danesh Kateli Orlando, FL

John,
Thank you for the awesome advice. I did not attach a cover letter. I will adjust my resume accordingly. I truly appreciate your candid feedback and the time you took to share it.

I am currently available to worldwide opportunities, but prefer Florida. I just left Gary a VM, hope to hear back from him.

Let me know if you have any other contacts you could share.

V/r
Danesh

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