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Are companies willing to train us?

Veteran

Nathan Trotter Harker Heights, TX

How likely is it that a company would be willing to send a new employee to training to fill in the missing requirements from their resume?

I realize this sounds like a naive/dumb question, but I think it's valid based on the internships and training available during the SFL-TAP process.

I am just starting the retirement process (15 months out) and have realized that my marketable job skills as a MIlitary Intelligence Captain don't really seem to apply to a lot of job qualifications outside of generic management and the intelligence field.

16 October 2017 15 replies Career Exploration

Answers

Advisor

Kimberly Smith Chicago, IL

Hello and thank you for your service! I work for AT&T and we are headquartered in Dallas Texas where there are many opportunities so it looks like you are in the right area! But we hire everywhere especially when it comes to our retail stores or technicians that are in the field if that is something up your alley. Since many of our technical roles are very specific, there is always training before going into the field. And we love to hire VETS! If you go to http://att.jobs/ or att.com/careers you can see what jobs are currently posted. It changes regularly so check back. My UID is KS2382 if there is a place on the application to indicate who referred you so feel free to use that and I would be happy to support you! Good luck.

10 January 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Jeanne Perdue Houston, TX

Dear Nathan:
Most oil companies have extensive in-house training and will also pay for (reimburse you if you pass) college training after you are hired, if such training is needed for your job. Of course, they will hire people who already have those skills first, but learning is a life-long thing. Cybersecurity in the automation business (Internet of Things) will certainly need somebody with intelligence and security experience. Go for it!
- Jeanne Perdue, Houston, TX

10 January 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Howard Turk Denver, CO

It's a matter of finding the 'right' employer. Some employers know that they can teach skills to an employee, but not attitude. I think you should look for employers who talk about their workplace 'culture' and if there is a fit with how both you and they look at the world, hone in on that.
Generally, this is easier in lower level positions -but remember there is nothing wrong with starting in a lower level position, learning and then proving yourself.

8 January 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Teresa Greenwood Hartford, CT

HI Nathan,
Thank you for your service. Be sure to emphasize your professional and leadership qualities in the hiring process. Soft skills are difficult to teach and are the foundation for helping others and your employer to be successful. Empathetic listening, teamwork, integrity, accountability, and leading by example, are examples. http://www.businessinsider.com/soft-skills-leaders-need-for-success-2016-4/#-13

These are exciting times for cyber and intelligence. Maybe consider the NSA which seems to provide training, https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/nsa/index.html, Homeland security, or possibly jobs involving the nationwide issue of cargo theft opportunities.

All the best,
Teri

8 January 2018 Helpful answer

Advisor

Michael Palumbo Waltham, MA

I think the answer depends on where you intend to enter in the market. If you're breaking in to an entry level position, it is more likely that a company would be willing to train if you have the right raw ingredients. Higher paying jobs will demand you come equipped with the necessary skills and expertise.

9 November 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

Merry Vickers Richardson, TX

Thank you for your service.

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

9 November 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

Tom Muszynski Tucson, AZ

You definitely possess unique skills that are in high demand. A little bias here, but if you searched jobs on Raytheon (www.raytheon.com/military), you'll see in the job description that as long as you're willing to obtain certain certifications, then your current experience may align with the company requirements. If you have good familiarity with NISPOM, then you may meet the criteria or qualifications a recruiter may be seeking. This (intelligence or cyber) isn't my area of expertise, but hope this does help. Good luck

1 November 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

Fred Dandes West Orange, NJ

Hi Nathan,

19 years served , looks great on a civilian resume. Cyber-Security interest is growing beyond belief , in all industries. So that career choice is a good choice .

Try to learn the basic concepts + detail . Certification is needed. I recommend doing a Certification. This will get you in the front door of an employer .

If management is of interest to you, look into a PMP cert . If computer networking is of interest, look into Cisco cert . If IT is of interest , look into Linux, Microsoft or Openstack certs . Employers are looking to fill specific requirements, which certs will provide.

Good Luck. And enjoy the journey .
Fred Dandes

17 October 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

John Green Cary, NC

security+ is not a worthwhile certification as it is not what employers hire on. If you are interested in Cyber-security, you should train those skills :

http://www.umuc.edu/academic-programs/cyber-security/index.cfm

Having skills that are specialized that the market demands is an ideal situation. Having skills and experience that the market does not demand is not worth much to employers who pay big bucks for the right candidate.

17 October 2017 Helpful answer

Advisor

Drew Schildwächter Wilmington, NC

It is very likely that someone will hire you on the basis of your intangibles or potential, and be willing to train you on the rest. Many military hiring programs function this way.

Which field interests you? Someone may be able to point you to something more specific.

17 October 2017 Helpful answer

Veteran

Art Grimshaw Guilderland, NY

Since you are in Military Intelligence I presume you have a TS or above clearance. If this is true then YES companies that need cleared staff will train you. The latest GAO report indicates clearances are taking an average of 459 days to get. It is quicker for a company to hire someone with a clearance and train them than it is to hire someone and hope they can get a clearance.

Setup a profile on https://www.clearancejobs.com and I bet the job offers will quickly follow.

**The article regarding clearances is at https://news.clearancejobs.com/2017/12/12/personnel-security-problems/

Veteran

Nathan Trotter Harker Heights, TX

Jeanne Perdue thank you, that’s a field I hadn’t even considered. I’ll definately look into them. I guess my biggest concern is whether or not a company is willing to overlook a lack of hard experience, but with certifications, at a reasonable salary.

Veteran

Michael Del Vecchio Killingworth, CT

Hi,

Also consider starting your own business. I do volunteer as an instructor at TAP and EBV, many of the grads start their own security enterprises. Good contacts are SCORE, the EBV program.

Veteran

Nathan Trotter Harker Heights, TX

Teresa Greenwood, thank you for the information. I can only hope that the soft skills will help.

I will definitely look into the NSA opportunities. I am currently working on network+ and security+ as well as PMP before I retire

Veteran

Nathan Trotter Harker Heights, TX

As of right now I'm fairly open to opportunities as they come but focusing on my intelligence and security management background as a MI officer/enlisted.

The original question stems from having an overall security management background (information security, physical security, operations security and anti-terrorism/force protection) but not the specifics. I have looked into the DOD security management certification and security+. I am unsure what else would be desirable for a new hire either for a GS position with various agencies such as the department of State or the customs and border patrol (CBP) or with civilian sector jobs.

I have also started looking at opportunities such as CBP Officers or professional staff due to the (seemingly) more stable work environment, but not my first choice.

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