Aaron Collins ⋅ Barnegat, NJ U.S. Air Force, Senior Airman ⋅ 7 years served

I really appreciate everyone's responses, they were very helpful. My response was much delayed beacuse I was transitioning between classes this last week. I will take everyone's advice to heart, and try to revamp my resume as well as create a cover letter. I will respond directly to those who contacted me directly for more feedback. Once again, thank you.

Aaron Collins

Josh Margolis ⋅ Columbus, OH CRM Insights LLC ⋅ 40 years experience

Aaron,

Sending out your resume has a 5% probability of getting someone's attention, and then all you've done is gotten your foot in the door. Your best chance of actually landing a job is through someone who knows you, what you can do, and knows someone looking for someone like you. In other words, networking. It's hard. And it involves cold calling which will send shivers up your spine if it doesn't make you throw up first.

What to do? Learn how to sell--the right way. I'll give you some books to read below. You're the product. Market it. Research whom you want to approach. Join LinkedIn groups in the field your interested in and connect with people there.

When you connect with someone, go through a discovery process to learn what's eating him. Shut up and listen. Then ask a question. Listen. Follow up with a question based on what you hear--don't think about your next question while he's talking. Listen. Don't talk. In a 45 minute meeting, you may not talk more than 10 minutes.You may need to prepare a presentation. Get a commitment from your prospect that he's really looking for someone like you. Ask how the purchasing decision is made. Negotiate on price. Ask for the order, but don't try any tricky alternate closes--they've heard them all before and can tell which number in the list it is. Be direct. If an offer is extended, it's easy. If not, ask "What do we do next?"

For networking, Lillian Bjorseth, "Breakthrough Networking: Building Relationships That Last, Third Edition" (2009).
For sales:
1) Jill Konrath, "SNAP Selling: Speed Up Sales and Win More Business with Today's Frazzled Customers" (2012)
2) Neil Rackham, "SPIN Selling" (1988)--this is the granddaddy of current sales thinking and the resemblance in titles is deliberate.
For cold calling, Art Sobczak, "Smart Calling: Eliminate the Fear, Failure, and Rejection From Cold Calling" (new edition release Apr. 8, 2013--pre-order on Amazon.com)

I know Lillian, Jill and Art personally and you can use my name if you contact them directly. I'll be glad to work with you on these techniques in more depth.

Josh Margolis
jmargolis@crminsights.com
USAF, 4 years, Dogger, Combat Apple

Dave Miller ⋅ Alexandria, VA Dept of Treasury, 20.5 yrs USN,LT (ret. ⋅ 5 years experience

In addition to my colleagues responses, I would highly encourage you to practice interviewing. Study those job announcements and try to focus your interview questions toward your job announcements. They will always ask your strength and weaknesses and practice your answers with someone. It sure helped alot when I first starting interviewing.

Brian Berenbach ⋅ Edison, NJ Georgia Institute of Technology ⋅ 45 years experience

Dear Aaron,

You are now a mature professional. I notice that most of the responses focused on what you want to do or your resume. My suggestion is to use your VA benefits to go back to school and get a degree in engineering, math or science (math and science are great for teaching). Years ago i gave a lecture at a technical conference. Someone came up to me, and it was quite a surprise to see my old NCO, who had gone back to school, gotten an EE degree, joined the govt. and now had a high ranking position in the defense department. Don't forget you get credit for being a veteran when you apply for a govt. job.

Best of luck to you,

Brian

Vietnam Veteran

James Harper ⋅ Cave Creek, AZ U.S. Army Reserve, Lieutenant Colonel ⋅ 34 years served

Excellent responses above. I would like you to focus on where you want to make it. Read What Color is Your Parachute and take the SIGI career software test at most community college career centers. Take a Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory or Myers Briggs Test to see what you really like and compare it to an acutual career field. Get the know the employer "like the back of your hand" You can find any data on any interviewer these days online...do your homework and know all about their company and their product and drop messages about this knowledge from time to time during the inteview. Keep your "head in the game" and dont mention anything about salary, or PTO or benefits for the first couple of interviews. Email me your resume and I will give you feedback. jimsharper@gmail.com

Heather Gillbanks ⋅ Houston, TX General Electric ⋅ 26 years experience

I agree with the comments above (and I'd be happy to review your resume, too. Heather.Gillbanks@ge.com

Consider the following: being open to anything is great, except that it may make you appear unfocused. Try to narrow your search to 2-3 role types, at most. Create a resume and cover letter tailored for each (and don't mix them up, when sending :)). Especially if you are dealing with any recruiters, they want to see that you are laser-focused on a specific type of role, so they know they can present you and be successful at placing you.

Also, think about these items when considering roles. There are no right and wrong answers (varies by person, and for the same person over time --> young and single does not mean same priorities as young married with a new baby!).

C - Challenge
L - Location
A - Advancement opportunities
M - Money
E - Environment (what is the place like)
S - Stability

Rank these 6 attributes FOR YOURSELF, prior to any interviews. Then, as you interview, stack up the role against those attributes. Pursue the role(s) that best fit your current needs.

Two other thoughts:
* you may be "entry" level, but not lower. :)
* comb this web site, and others (about.com, for instance) - which also have some excellent general job-search tips & tricks.

Best of luck!
-heather

Richard Buck ⋅ Patterson, NY EY ⋅ 25 years experience

Good evening. My name is Richard Buck, a Marine Corp vet. If you still need someone to review your resume, I would be happy to review it and help you.

Richard Buck
76warrior85@gmail.com
914 391 3375

Dr. David Serana MD, Ed.D., MSN, BSSE, BSN, RN-BC, US Army Iraq War Veteran ⋅ Bethpage, NY U.S. Army, Specialist ⋅ 4 years served

contact www.hireheroesusa.org for best resume help.

Drew Brylowe ⋅ San Ramon, CA Hewlett Packard ⋅ 25 years experience

Aaron one suggestion that served me well; it is important to translate as best as possible your military experience into civilian terms. For example consider each device and system you have experience with. Do some research and find the company and civilian model number or reference and list that. I was involved in Anti-Submarine warfare and used the AQA7 a US Navy designation. Open the cabinet and you will find it was made by IBM there was a model number I can't remember now. On my resume I described that I had experience with an "IBM xxxx spectrum analyzer". I was applying to IT companies and they recognized "IBM" which was good enough to get the interview....that is the objective after all....to get an interview! If I can assist further you can reach me at drew.brylowe@hp.com

Rashaud Smith ⋅ Crestview, FL Department of the Air Force ⋅ 12 years experience

Hello Aaron, I will be more than happy to assist with your resume review. Please email your resume to rashaud.smith@us.af.mil

Bill Nobles ⋅ Basking Ridge, NJ Exxon ⋅ 30 years experience

Aaron, thank you for your service. I will be happy to review your resume and discuss your new career options. Please email a copy to billnobles@optonline.net.
Best wishes, Bill

Eric Moeller ⋅ Ormond Beach, FL U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 8 years served

Hi Aaron,

I'd be glad to help. Please send to eric.moeller@hp.com and I'll provide feedback.

Best of luck!
Eric