I'm beginning my transition into the Marine Corps Reserve this fall and can't help but feel underqualified for positions I'm interested in as my military experience, and previous civilian employment experience don't match a linear progression that I perceive as typical in the work force. Additionally, due to personal and my reserve commitment I'm limiting my ventures to the San Francisco Bay Area.
I'm very much a generalist as I haven't committed enough time in any industry long enough to specialize. My resume floats a theme of dabble, from recreation management, non profit marketing, environmental education to having spent the last two and a half years serving as a Ground Intelligence Officer in the Marines. Much of my experience is focused on program management, research and analysis focused on critical thinking and solution development, which is why I find myself drawn to consulting and the variety of opportunities out there, but at the same time find careers in business strategy, intelligence, aerospace, clean energy extremely appealing. I have appointments with consulting mentors in the coming weeks, but wanted to reach out and see if I might be able to gain better insight on consulting as a whole or (in your opinions) industries/sectors where I might provide greater value and utilize my clearance.
Because I lack a foundation in these areas I feel especially underqualified which forces me to lean more towards exploring training/education/internship opportunities over new career roles.
If it helps - www.linkedin.com/in/alexklopes
I appreciate any advice you all might have in advance!
Answers
Semper Fi, Alex. Recently retired Marine here. It’s hard to get into program management positions without program management certifications. I checked out your LinkedIn profile and did not see any. If you do have PM certs, I highly recommend you list them. If you don’t and you really want to work in that field, I highly recommend you go after them. There are several PMP prep courses offered for free to transitioning military. I believe one of them is through Syracuse University. Another recommendations is to work through placement firms that focus on transitioning junior military officers like Lucas Group. Finally, if you’re interested, I know a Ground Intel Officer who got out as a captain about three years ago. I’m sure he’d be willing to share some of his transition experiences with you. If you’re interested in that, hit me up on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/sablansolutions
Hi Alex,
My recommendation is to focus on your accomplishments. It is very common for military officers to have a very wide set of experiences. This is not a bad thing. Just focus your resume on the accomplishments in each role. I've written a blog article that goes into more detail on how to identify and communicate those accomplishments.
https://www.militaryhire.com/blog/vets/entry/how-to-identify-my-accomplishments
Just as you have applied your skills to succeed in a variety of roles up to now, you will continue to apply those skills and see similar success going forward. Employers need people who are adaptable and can succeed in many different areas!
Good Luck in your job search!
Sean
I echo the comment about finding your strengths. Try https://www.strengthsquest.com/192614/purchase.aspx#ite-193472
Not just for students! I participated in a seminar around this tool a few years ago and was so impressed. It is a $20 investment that might fit for you.
Rather than asking potential employers to see your strengths, this tool (takes around 2 hrs if I recall correctly) helps YOU to see your strengths (particularly your top 4).
Best wishes!
I've fixed the link - www.linkedin.com/in/alexklopes
Paul - That would be the ideal avenue, to go through an existing consulting firm as I'd love the opportunity to learn the role, from senior consultants, and the industry as a whole. I hadn't thought of the client/consultant back track, that's an interesting take.
Steven and Hank - I'll reach out to both regarding the services you've provided.
Thank you all for your replies!
Hi Alex,
The LinkedIn link doesn't seem to be working on my computer, but from the info posted here, it does seem like consulting might be a good match for your background (specifically program management, research and analysis). One option might be to be to work through an existing consulting firm (vs. starting your own venture). This could be full or part time, as well as, either as an employee or as a contractor (W-2 vs 1099). You could research this by searching for openings at various consulting firms, or maybe look into what contracts/clients are of interest and work backwards to try to learn if they are already working with a consulting firm (and focus your efforts on them).
Best of luck!
-Paul
I can send you some free material to help you develop a Winning Resume. I can also send you some examples on how to translate your military experience into marketable commercial skills. slmathews99@gmail.com
Hello! What you may lack in experience can be made up for (easily) by understanding where your talents lie, playing to them, and finding vocational opportunities that "fit" said talents. It starts with identifying said talents. Here is a FREE website that I, as a vocational counselor, is a good starting place. If you have any difficulty understanding or appreciating same, share your letter and % grade for each off this channel - also free.
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