Deborah Carter ⋅ Owens Cross Roads, AL Raytheon ⋅ 28 years experience

Hi Johnathan,

You didn't mention which industry and type of role that you're interested in, is that because you aren't sure yet? If that's the case, that's fine, and also really common.

(1) Evaluate what you want to do and determine if there are skills gaps (fill the gaps)
(2) Network with professionals in the industry / organization (I have two professional certifications and am a member of my local chapters)
(3) Talk to someone in the industry / organization regarding specific job openings since some that sound great are actually intended for someone specific, contingent upon new work or just a trolling advertisement
(4) Eliminate military jargon, schools, deployments on your resume unless they directly relate to the role you're applying (we veterans have a tendency to intimidate and befuddle some of our civilian counterparts)
(5) Find a mentor in the industry / organization and ask for feedback

Good luck!
Deb

Howard Spiegel ⋅ Houston, TX HR ON CALL ⋅ 20 years experience

Johnathan

Interviews are not obtained by sending an email with a cover letter and resume attached. To get an interview you have to work the problem backwards.

If you are able to identify what company has the opening you are interested in, then you send a note out to your network to see if anyone knows anyone in the company. If so, you send them your details and ask them to get it to the hiring manager for review. Not HR.

You do need to make sure that you have told everyone you know that you are making this career change.

This means everyone in your family, every friend, neighbor, church member etc. They all need to what position you are seeking. They are the ones to send the note out to regarding the company.

Then you have to target your paperwork to that specific opening.

If you have 250 resumes, something is wrong.... why? Because you just cannot be qualified for that many different positions.

You have to accept that there are only a limited number of positions that your work experience will qualify you for.

Otherwise you come across as jack of all trades, master of none. If you need help just send it on to me.

Good luck and thank you for your service.

Stuart Egrin ⋅ Troy, MI western & southern life ⋅ 36 years experience

My two cents, for what it is worth, is that you are using an approach that was successful decades ago but is not necessarily the approach that will work today. I would focus on the "hidden" job market which entails, if you have not already done so, posting your resume on Indeed, "networking" through Facebook and LinkedIn. I would also attend local job fairs and talk to the recruiters to find out what they find works best today, call it best practices. The best thing to do is to really know what you are looking to do, why are looking to do that and how good are you at doing that. Having people in your corner helping to open up some doors for you is how things get done today. I hope this helps in some way and best wishes to you.

Paul Dyksterhouse ⋅ Oceanside, CA Walmart eCommerce ⋅ 30 years experience

Jon, reach out to the PMI.org chapter in your target cities, attend their project management meetings in person and start to get their feedback on companies that you are interested in, your resume, and people they may know in those companies. They often have mentors too. Face to face relationships with people in your target areas and their feedback is essential.

Kevin Hicks ⋅ Freehold, NY U.S. Army ⋅ 29 years experience

If you decide to continue looking at other options, try networking with veterans at companies you’re interested in working with: in LinkedIn, type the name of the company and “veteran” in the search bar. Hopefully some of the employees there identified themselves as Vets. You can connect with them, maybe network over a coffee or the promise of a drink if you’re ever in the area. Ask if they know of any openings there, or if they’d mind reviewing your resume. If nothing else, they’ll at least have you in mind a few months down the road when they do hear of potential opportunities, either at their or other companies they work with.

Good luck!

Henry ("Dr. Hank") Stevens ⋅ Fort Lauderdale, FL Human Resources Quality Assurance, LLC (Now Retired) ⋅ 50 years experience

Great replies here BUT . . . . one thing is missing: The denominator. That is, have you stepped back and asked yourself, "Just what, exactly, is it that I want to do?" Your descriptor and most all of the comments seem to focus on the HOW. I suggest, you first focus on the WHAT. That is the first step. The HOW comes later.

This link will get you started if you agree with this theme: http://www.humanmetrics.com/hr/jtypesresult.aspx

It is a kind of talent assessment. Yeah - I realize everyone wants to focus on education/experience; but speaking as a long-seasoned recruiter, I want to know if you have the TALENT as I (my employer) can always teach you the experience.

So, the denominator question is, just what is it you want to do?

If you get bogged down or want a second opinion with understanding the results of this FREE assessment, let me know and I will be pleased to share my 2-cents with you (also FREE). I will need the resultant 4-letter score and associated percentage.

Lastly, feel free to contact me off this channel at hlstevens42@gmail.com

Regards, Dr. Hank

J Leo ⋅ Fairfax, VA U.S. Navy, Lieutenant ⋅ 23 years served

#1: You know as well as everyone else here that ultimately it comes to who you know. Every HR is "overworked" by online resume submissions. You/any Vet want a job? Network. It is hard to network initially - can't really look to your right or left on that one. Oh, btw, personal knowledge of another person isn't the way either... it's the second hand/tertiary connections that make it the most. I'll add that word smith-ing the posted job req into your resume may help as long as it is in your skills bank. This would assist with resume scanners.

#2: Military has the worst ability to create a 1-2 pg resume. Only you know what u can do, have done. Posted jobs are all "dream" lists of a positions "need." If you meet 80% of required and 10% of additional skills, you are a fit. However, see #1.

#3: Transition is daunting and full of concerns. But so isn't any deployment. This transition, is you leading yourself and have no-one to lay accountable except yourself. Sites like this have real people who will help - more importantly - have means to help. Get a mentor if you have not already.

#4: DO NOT LOOK FOR A "FOREVER" JOB. Look for one to get you started. Many of my peers (and me included) have changed 3-5 jobs in the first 5 years. These are for many reasons: the 1st being you do not have a concept of what you are worth in the market place. As you start, you will soon find out by other immediate much higher offers.

Luck isn't for you - you are the secret sauce.

Nancy Quartey ⋅ Palo Alto, CA ⋅ 1 years experience

Hi Jonathan,

It looks as if you've received a lot of great advice already. Have you thought of taking control of your career through business ownership? As a military spouse I was frustrated having to depend on a hiring manager to believe in me, when I was sure I could do whatever I put my mind to. That's why I turned to franchising and want to let others know about it as an option. If you'd like to talk to me about it, please book a time on my calendar at nquartey.youcanbook.me and I will give you a call.
Best,
Nancy

Jose Roman ⋅ Norfolk, VA Military Resource Center Regent university ⋅ 8 years experience

Hello Jonathan,

I work as the Veterans Employment Coordinator at the Military Resource Center at Regent University in Virginia Beach. Let me know if you want to connect and I can give you a few additional connections to pursue. Email me at JRoman@Regent.edu

Best,
Jose R

Thomas Pear ⋅ Cape Coral, FL Keiser University ⋅ 16 years experience

John,
I just sent you a word document with difficult job interview questions and how to answer them.

Jonathan Salzbrunn ⋅ Newport News, VA U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class ⋅ 23 years served

Dr. Hank - Thank you and what you said really hit home with me. I have accepted an offer since I posted this but would like you (FREE advice) if possible after I take the assessment. There is always room for improvement and in order to gain the talent, I need to know where to improve (my opinion).

Mr. Singh - No sir, I have not ruled out GS jobs but, honestly, have not pursued nor applied for any. My goal is to get out there on the civilian side and learn from people that have never been in the military. Again, I have not ruled out GS jobs.

Rabi Singh ⋅ Orange Park, FL Deutsche Bank ⋅ 21 years experience

Have you ruled out GS jobs?

Jonathan Salzbrunn ⋅ Newport News, VA U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class ⋅ 23 years served

Nancy,
Thank you for your reply and to answer your question, I have looked into opening my own franchise. I was actually working with the Entrepreneur Source at one point, approved M5 but did not follow through. There is still one franchise on my radar that I keep in touch with. Some areas that were not appealing to me in the process made me divert my plans. I do appreciate your offer.
Jon

Jonathan Salzbrunn ⋅ Newport News, VA U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class ⋅ 23 years served

Thank you all, I am truly grateful for your comments. Although my extensive background is in the aviation industry, my goals are to become a Project Manager. I am currently enrolled in a cohort with an ECD of September 17, then I will schedule to test early October. In addition, I am enrolled to begin my Master's (MSPM) in January. My family resides in California and that is not a target area for me, therefore I am not marketing myself there. Booz Allen Hamilton, PAE, Sikorsky, MD Helicopters, and several other companies have been my target (all southeastern states). Rob, I truly believe and see what you're saying with the "asymmetric warfare" approach. Also, I will need to backward plan from here on out as I read an article that said: only 3% of people that send in their resume via computer, get the job (source unknown). I have tailored my resume to fit a PM job and for different positions, but getting someone within the company to be a POI is more difficult. My LinkedIn profile increased over 200% in contacts and I have sent out simple "hello" messages, "if there is anything I can do", and literally tried every piece of advice from every hiring/job conference in the past year that I have attended (face-to-face, and virtual). HHUSA, Orion, Bradley-Morris, Grey Corporation, Veterati, and the list goes on. On the positive note, I have been very blessed to be smart about the things I have spent my money on in the past 23 years and will not be out on the streets if I do not find the right fit.

Would anyone be willing to be a mentor? Or is there a separate tab to click on? I wish everyone a very blessed day and, again, thank you.
Jon