FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. ⋅ San Diego, CA THE CONDOR GROUP ⋅ 30 years experience

My two cents: Don't expect to enter the corporate world leading a Platoon. Seems to me if you exhibit that kind of attitude, your chances of being hired are adversely affected. Better to say you are a "trained Marine, who knows how to work; knows how to finish the tasks assigned, and knows how to take responsibility". Say, "I am looking for a fine company, with a sterling future, and advancement possibilities, where I can start in a junior position and prove my work ethic and my solid contributions. I suggest looking at positions starting in Purchasing/Procurement and working your way up. Don't geographically limit your job search. Contact companies like USAA which are vet friendly.

Good luck.

Richard Darden ⋅ Leesburg, VA IBM ⋅ 24 years experience

Mark,

Lots of good advice here. Speaking from my experience as a former navy nuclear submarine officer who got out and wanted a job as a software engineer. Let me offer something that gets more to the heart of your question. Your experience probably does not fit exactly the job description and years of experience an employer might want. So you might need to accept a position a little lower than you would like because the company is essentially taking your word that you can apply your skills in a new profession and be of benefit to the company. But unlike the military, you can negotiate for a 6 month salary review, and if you are performing as you said you could, get a substantial raise. Or unlike the military you can decide to switch jobs to move up. I took a slight pay cut after accounting for tax advantages of military pay when I got out. Proved to be as good as I said I was, switched companies after 6 months for a 25% raise. Then switched again after a year and a half for over a 33% raise for when my boss at my second company went to work at IBM and called me up and said you know that Chief Architect role you wanted, I got one. And he had to top what he did to try to keep me at my second company. Another 20% raise the following year to keep me at IBM and 3 years out I had doubled my salary. Unlike in the military, the commercial world will reward talent and production (not just give you more work). Though you might need to change jobs to get rewarded. So play the long game. Find a field of work you enjoy. Do a damn good job leveraging your experience gained from your service. And get rewarded for it.

Good Luck and thanks for your service.

Dick

David Andersen ⋅ Alexandria, VA Avanade (Accenture) ⋅ 6 years experience

Mark,
Omar, John, and Francis have provided you some great insight into how to approach your upcoming opportunities. I will say though, with the correct approach, you can have many options in front of you. Your degree serves as a great base, and as an 0802 there are many things that you can bring forward into your resume that highlight your organizational and supply chain skills. Feel free to reach out to me and we can put together a plan.
David

Ed Jasper ⋅ Salem, VA EJJ Consulting (Current) (Last - John Deere) ⋅ 25 years experience

Mark
This is a good question and one that many people struggle with!
When I coach people I tend to encourage them to find the right company with the right culture and opportunity for growth instead of the "perfect job" or one that they think is at the right level.

In every business, your leadership experience will standout, but you will need to learn the basics about the business or industry and that may mean taking a position as an individual contributor like Omar suggested instead of a position where you are supervising people right right away.

I believe if you pick the right company/opportunity and with the right attitude and drive, those next promotional opportunities will open up and you will have then have the required experience to take on those roles.

Hope this helped provide some additional insight.

Omar Sultan ⋅ Elk Grove, CA Cisco ⋅ 25 years experience

Without industry expertise, you should probably still expect to join the corporate world as an individual contributor, albeit one with a lot of potential. If you are successful at translating your military experience into demonstrably better performance in your new job, your prior leadership experience should give you an advantage when it comes time from advancement.

Stephen Stewart-Hill ⋅ New Paltz, NY IBM Corporation ⋅ 44 years experience

Hi Mark. What was your MOS? You may start out in an entry position; however, during the interview, make it clear your expectations to accelerate to a level commensurate to your experience.

You will have the advantage of leadership skills. Cite accomplishments that are not DoD sensitive. I was a 4063 COBOL programmer. I brought to the table experience in JCL and OS Utilities. I also had leadership experience as a Marine Sergeant.

Your resume and cover letter will have to be tuned to each job you are looking to apply. Bet of luck, Leatherneck. Semper Fidelis.

Jansen Weaver ⋅ Philadelphia, PA Healthcare Accelerator Director - Innovation & Investment ⋅ 10 years experience

Hi Mark,

As a Marine for Life Representative (https://www.usmc-mccs.org/services/career/marine-for-life-network/), I would encourage you to reach out to me on LinkedIn as I would love to help you think through your transition plan, including what industries, roles, and levels you think may be a good fit.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansenfweaver/

I look forward to connecting,
Jansen

Matt Johnson ⋅ Chicago, IL EY-Parthenon ⋅ 10 years experience

Mark,
You're on the right track in that you can build off relevant skills to get a job well ahead of entry level. Where you land is intensely dependent on how you pitch your skills, the company's life cycle (startup vs. established enterprise), and their familiarity with hiring veterans. Before getting to choosing individual companies you're interested in pursuing, it may be helpful to get high level career primers by industry.

I personally found that downloading the free primers from MBAmission.com to helpful in my own discernment process. Even if you decide not to pursue graduate degree in business, the primers are super helpful in determining benefits, pain points, hierarchy, salary expectations, and major players in the space.

18 months before your transition, attend TRS (say it's precautionary in case you don't get Career Designation even though 95% of officers get it if you're worried about being blackballed by more rigid commands). Also start looking into the Hire Our Heroes Congressional Fellowship - it's a 12 week program with blue chip companies like Amazon, Boeing, USAA, Salesforce, or Booz Allen Hamilton. Attending one of these programs will often be looked on favorably by schools and future employers - you may even secure an offer in the process. Internships and fellowships are great ways to gain exposure when trying to break into a new industry.

Another useful tool is this list of great veteran resources which including Shift (more fellowships) or FourBlock (helps with networking and self-awareness with some live online events):
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/military-transition-resources-comprehensive-list-hannah-ringel/