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How do I successfully change industries?

Veteran

Matthew Baur, PMP Fallbrook, CA

Almost all of my military career was spent in or related to aviation. I was a mechanic, a pilot, and a forward air controller. When I separated from active duty, I took a position working in the after-market services division of a supplier to the oil & gas industry, specifically at an OEM repair facility. I would like to get "back to my roots" as it were. Since getting off active duty I have completed a Master's program and received my PMP certification, however the few jobs that I have applied too haven't made it past the "we received your application" stage. Looking for resume/LinkedIn advice to potential contacts in aviation/aerospace in or around San Diego, CA.

2 October 2017 22 replies Career Advancement

Answers

Advisor

Emanuel Carpenter Alpharetta, GA

Matthew - I think the key is to connect with actual people. Find out who the hiring managers are for the positions you are applying for. Email them after you've applied and send them a personal message. Attach your resume. Connect on LinkedIn. Let them know that online applications don't always turn out right, so you're sending your resume. Research their work phone numbers and call them. If calling is intimidating, call during non-working hours and leave a voicemail. They need to see (and hear) that you are a living, breathing, human being. This will help you stand out from the crowd of others who are simply completing online applicatons.

28 October 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

Chuck Burger King Of Prussia, PA

Speaking of Lockheed Martin, you may want to give their "Skills Translator" a test spin in addition to checking out the "Military Connect" utility that offers the following resources:

- Guidance on what to expect after re-entering the civilian workforce, and what to consider when deciding whether or not to make the transition
- Expert tips on everything from resume writing to how to perform during an interview
- Coaching, mentorships, and career direction advice

http://www.lockheedmartinjobs.com/military-connect.aspx

If you are more open to other geographic locales, opportunities abound in many related and adjacent fields.

Thanks for the opportunity to weigh in! Good luck!

4 October 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

John Green Cary, NC

Simply having a PMP or an MBA is not good enough these days. You need a key-critical skill set.

San Diego has three major industries : US Navy , Space Shuttle replacement , and THAADs.

For THAADs, you need expertise in automated missile flight control and trajectory reassignment, which may be similar to what you are seeking.

http://spacenews.com/lockheeds-thaad-contract-grows-by-345-million/

Look for educational opportunities that add these key-critical skills to your skill set.

3 October 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

George Hernandez La Porte, TX

First clearly identify what you are passionate about, and then find a company that will absorb your transferrable skills. That main point of contact will be a recruiter that understands how to sell you within their organization so that you get a shot for an interview.
Best wishes.

Veteran

Michael Del Vecchio Killingworth, CT

HI,

When I returned from service, I found a job by beating the bushes contacting people who knew my work - using my network (colleges, people I worked with before service, networking). At your level (executive experience, PMP, college,etc.) using a computer will probably yield few results. I would recommend contacting folks you worked with before (in service, elsewhere), college alumni, friends, and contact a retained search recruiter - not contingency. Good luck - in my experience. thinks always worked out for the better.

Advisor

Michael Parks Milford, OH

Matthew, Simple suggestion:
1. Find the company you want to target
2. Search "People who work at [name of company]
3. Scroll until you find the contacts you want
4. Shoot for a broad audience: Top- middle- bottom
5. The approach then begins with making as personal a contact as possible.
Want more thoughts, let me know. Parks

Advisor

Brian Fox Voorhees, NJ

Matthew,

My wife works for one of the major airlines, and she recommended going to the websites for American, United, Delta and other airlines to review their job openings. Based upon what you shared there might be a variety of listings that suit you.

Brian

Veteran

James Sipprell White Pine, TN

Research is first priority. What ever industry catagory you are interested in has a number of 'trade journals' published and available in city public librarys. They have a gold mine of the 'who's' and the 'where's' and all the current topics they are concerned with. One click to their websites gives you a name and number and your next step is direct conversation with any member of their marketing dept. You simply explain you are researching the top firms in this industry to write an article. This person will give you a sense of what is needed on the job and the kind of people they prefer in thier operations areas. Be sure to learn how they got their job in the first place. Armed with this knowledge, your next call to a different firm will be even more successful. Taylor your first letter/resume` to fit the prospective employer. I've hired many people and those who prepare for "my company" go to the top of the list. Best of luck, Jim Sipprell

Advisor

Merry Vickers Richardson, TX

Thank you for your service. There are several suggestions that most services and internet sites recommend, and they are right.

Give your resume a format change and lead with a summary that outlines your skills and qualifications. Share generalities from past positions to translate how it will be beneficial in new roles, like skills, duties, projects or management. Use clear civilian language to describe your career objectives, but highlight key wording from job descriptions and any accomplishments you have achieved. Keep the verbiage in present tense and have others read through it for feedback. If you can pursue any volunteer opportunities, contract jobs, certifications or even CEU (Continuing Education Units) courses will show how interested you are and make recruiters take notice. Take advantage of in-house professional development and training programs available, which always shows you are willing to do and learn more.

I hope this helps you on this new journey and I wish you all the best.

Kindest regards,
Merry Vickers

Advisor

John Zanoff Dallas, TX

Matthew,
First off, thanks for your service. I was 8 years active myself and retired from the Navy Reserve. As others have mentioned, tailoring your resume to specific positions will help you potentially get past the "gatekeepers" in the initial screening process. Raytheon recruiters have put together some tips for crafting a resume that might help. Here they are:
Our Raytheon Recruiters have put together some tips for resumes that might help:
A strong resume will:
- Establish your professional qualities and what you can bring to the role
- Demonstrate your writing skills with clear, well-organized and well-written language
- Clarify your objective, direction, qualifications and strengths

Also, there are Resume Do's and Don'ts you may want to consider. Here are the "Don'ts":
- Write your life story — this is not an autobiography
- Add material that is irrelevant to the job
- Use two pages unless you can fill two full pages
- Abuse military terminology
- Use military jargon such as NCOIC, good-to-go, COMSEC (spell out acronyms)
- Write in third person
- List medals/awards unless relevant to job
- List your disabilities or disability rating
- Put your Social Security number on the resume
- Include salary information
- List previous supervisor or reason for leaving

Here are the "Do's" as well:
- Clearly state your objective
- Clearly state your abilities and background — what makes you special
- Use action verbs when describing your skills/experiences
- List leadership and followership skills
- State education, skills, certifications, etc.
- Use a professional email address
- Write in first person
- Use spell check and proper grammar
- Have your resume reviewed by a professional
- Create a targeted resume for each job you apply for
- Keep a copy of your resume close at all times

You might also want to check our website focused on veterans leaving the military:
www.raytheon.com/military
You can search for positions that may fit with your background.

Good Luck!
John Zanoff

Advisor

Ian Forinash Rockwall, TX

As a hiring manager, I see a lot of resumes even after Human Resources screens out the ones that they deem not a good fit for the job. I often struggle to understand why some folks apply to a certain position because their resume does not communicate that they have any of the experience that I am looking for in a candidate. I think all hiring managers understand that it is almost impossible to find the "perfect" candidate, but they are looking for a candidate that possesses at least some qualifications and background that warrant taking the time for an interview. The advice about human connections that has already been shared is exceptionally important, but it is possible to get interviews and job offers without having those connections. The key is to ensure that you submit a QUALITY resume that is TAILORED for the position for which you are applying. Misspellings and bad grammar are instant death, and if your resume indicates that you are a great basket weaver and you are applying for a job as a Vice President of International Marketing for a technology company, you are probably not going to get an interview! Never, ever flood a company with multiple job applications. Human Resources folks actually keep track of candidates that arbitrarily submit applications for ten or fifteen jobs and they will flag those candidates and often they will be the first applicants to be "screened out" for a position. Do your research and be smart about the jobs for which you apply, and settle in. The process of getting an interview, receiving an offer, then negotiating and finally starting a new job - especially if it is the RIGHT job - can take months. I first interviewed for my current position in December and did not actually start my new position until April, and that was a new position at the company I was already working for! Patience, professionalism and tenacity are the keys here. Use discretion and remember that timing is a big part of this as well. You are a PERFECT FIT for someone - they just haven't found you yet.

Advisor

Debbie Lang Milwaukee, WI

Hi Mathew,

Lots of good advice about the specific line of business that you want to work in. I would also start doing Informational Interviews with places that seem like a good fit for what you want to do. Sending an email or making a call to ask someone to spend 20-30 minutes on what their company or specific dept. does usually pays off - people like to talk about their job. The Informational Interview will also allow you to narrow your focus for the job you want. Additionally, lead some volunteer projects in your community, church, etc. everything counts in the PMP world in regard to projects. It's a safe way to get some experience managing projects.

Advisor

Philip Kang San Antonio, TX

Couple other thoughts to consider:
1. CPIM (through APICS.org) is another great (supply chain) certification that could be a bridge to another career (I did this to go from biotech to consulting to Microsoft). I believe it's a particularly good bridge for the kind of work many of our military know well.
2. start networking/LinkedIn WAY before you need the connections -- keep in touch with people over time, not just when you need a job
3. professional profile photo (spend the money!) will help you stand out

Advisor

Robert Rahni White Plains, NY

Hi Clyde Spence - re: your question on what has been coined the "Forever GI BILL" - yes, it was approved by the House of Representatives and Senate and since signed into legislation by President Trump on August 16, 2017.

While the name may be slightly misleading, "forever" refers to there no longer being a fifteen-year delineating date to use or lose one's well-deserved GI BILL educational benefits.

A complete breakdown of the three-dozen or so provisions and enhancements to the GI BILL as well as when they are set to take effect may be found here:

http://nvest.studentveterans.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Things-to-Know-About-the-Forever-GI-Bill_SVA-1.pdf

A short description of the most popular dozen-and-a-half or so provisions/enhancements may be found here:
https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/FGIBSummaries.asp

Feel free to let me know any questions or if I may be of any further assistance.

All my best,
Rob

Advisor

Clyde Spence Grawn, MI

Are you interested in becoming a commercial pilot? If so, you should look into community colleges similar to the one at Northern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan. They have a program directed towards a commercial license.

Also, does anybody know about the rumored program that President Trump has been promoting that would allow a lifetime G.I. Bill for veterans?

Advisor

Ty Carlson Redmond, WA

Emmanuel Carpenter's answer is spot-on. I would suggest using LinkedIn to build your network, particularly in the San Diego and Aerospace arenas. First, update your Linked In profile. Next, I would connect with your former military colleagues working in aero as well - their connections will start lighting up contacts in the areas you are looking for. Refine your query on LinkedIn to target the specific companies you would like to target. Third, Read up on the latest news in the industry and what the company is doing now (both strengths and areas of improvement) - so that way you have some current news items to start the conversation. Fourth, with full integrity, explain you situation in one sentence and ask for a short lunch meeting. When you meet, give a very short intro, ask about the industry topics impacting the company to get their thinking - then listen carefully. Use your knowledge of industry reading to ask insightful questions. Thank the person sincerely, and give them you card (have a resume handy just in case). Those 1:1 intro meetings are great for people to get feeling of you and your skills. Attend industry conferences or trade shows(if you can find an inexpensive way in) and get to know people. You have a great story to tell, just have a quick 'elevator pitch' of what you are looking for (like just a quick ATC communication). They'll get that you are 1) organized, 2) efficient, 3) clear communicator and 4) have great personal skills. If the lunch meeting goes really well, ask to see if you can meet up again in 3 months. Don't forget to ask for recommendations or introductions to people who can help bridge you to the right hiring manager. Recruiters are fine too, but hiring managers who give candidate's names to recruiters are typically prioritized in the list.

Advisor

Bob Molluro Wilmington, DE

Focus on getting personal introductions to influential people who are willing to help. Sounds like a huge mountain to climb however in the long run it will get you where you want to be. Look at all the frustration you are currently experiencing doing it the good old fashion way. Let everyone you meet know what you are looking for and then ask if they know someone they could introduce you to. What are the networking events in your area -attend them. Are their networking groups you could join? Where do the people hangout that are in the companies you are seeking? Have a drink with them and ask them to help. It took my son in law six months to find the right spot doing what I just suggested. He was having lunch and sitting next to a person who ended up introducing him to a billionaire. Today he is a key executive in the company. Rewards come to those who persist by doing the tough stuff. There is no way to predict where your break through will come from. Good luck.

Advisor

Howard Turk Denver, CO

Emanuel Carpenter's answer is one I think you might want to consider carefully. We often underestimate the value of the 'human' connection. Independent of job skills, hiring managers want to see if you 'fit' the team. Are you eager? are you enthusiastic? Paper and emails only can do so much -finding a way to get them to see you and who you are is essential.

Advisor

Sharon Parker Roanoke, TX

Have you looked 'outside the box'? You might try SpaceX which has 4 facilities in CA. http://www.spacex.com/careers/list

Veteran

Matthew Baur, PMP Fallbrook, CA

I want to thank everyone for the feedback and suggestions. You have given me a lot to think about, much of it things I would not have considered.

Advisor

Louis Schwarz Somerville, NJ

With your background in aviation, try the aviation insurance industry. You could become a producer or an underwriter. This is an industry that needs aviation experience first, then insurance knowledge. The company will provide the insurance knowledge, you have the most difficult, aviation experience. You have the education credentials, so go for it. Contact Aviation insurance companies, or Aviation insurance brokers. Good luck..

Advisor

Susan Fernandez Denver, CO

Hey Matthew:

Have you connected with any recruiters? Getting in the door as a contract resource is one easy way, especially since you’re a PMP. Congratulations, by the way — I’ve managed IT and engineering projects for 20-odd years. It’s no easy test!

Ping me if you’d like to be referred to some national recruiters.

Regards,
Susan

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