michael convey ⋅ Longboat Key, FL JH Williams Oil Co ⋅ 42 years experience

The petroleum industry has growth opportunities in western Pa. The development of shale as a strong source of energy has created a need for people. Large gasoline and heating oil wholesalers are diversifying into natural gas. The Pennsylvania Petroleum Marketers, headquartered, in Harrisburg, would be a good source for a list of companies in western Pa. In fact some of the companies, like Shipley OIl, in York, are large and may have expansion plans. If you have problems getting this information, you may be able to google it. I would be happy to assist you in looking at some of the companies to help locate viable prospects. Mike Convey 813-470 8556 or email at: mfconvey@gmail.com.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

John,
I took a look at your LinkedIn summary section. This is not my area of expertise, so I am not going to make too many suggestions.

Bottom-line, up-front:
Start new discussions here and on other boards, and ask for "expert" feedback and assistance with your summary statement, elevator speech, LinkedIn profile and resume. Consider using language more typical within civilian industries. Consider paying for a professionally written resume.

* Summary Section:
Many recruiters will never get past the summary. I think your summary is OK but can be better. I think it needs to focus more on the benefits and skills you offer to an employer, focusing first and foremost on the employer.

I suggest you work on a written and spoken 8-10 second "opening statement", followed by a 30-second "elevator speech".

Start new discussions here and on other boards, and ask for "expert" feedback and assistance with your summary statement and elevator speech. (I think your's can be better, but I know I am not the best person to directly help you with this, and that there are many others better equipped to help in this area.)

* use the LinkedIn job-seeker badge to indicate that you are seeking a job

* also request expert assistance with your "title", resume and LinkedIn profile. If you are seeking a Project Management position, a person with project management related experience might be best positioned to help re-write your resume.

e.g. your title:
you have:
"Transitioning military professional seeking new management opportunities in the Pittsburgh area!"

Is this or something similar better (I've been told that 3-5 words is best)?:
"Experienced Project Manager seeking opportunity near Pittsburgh"

* Check with pmi.org and VCTP, and find the appropriate ways to indicate that you are enrolled in a PMP certification course, and you progress towards and intent to earn the PMP certification. VCTP and PMI.org should be able to help with this.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

John,
I'm glad those posts are reaching and helping Veterans.

(At some point I need to buckle down and get my own investment management career on track - I currently manage only my own capital.)

See the LInkedIn discussion above, "Job-Seekers and Entrepreneurs: Do you have a "networking plan"? Please share your list or plan, and/or please ask for assistance."

As I try to help Veterans and play a constructive role, I am drawing upon some of my Army and Civil Affairs training and experiences, and identifying "force-multipliers" that can help Veterans (and others) achieve their career and life goals.

[An example: In Fallujah during 2004 - 2005, approximately 9 year ago today, we were encamped in the desert on the outskirts of Fallujah, readying for our largest land battle since Vietnam. As we worked to clean up Fallujah after the battle, we were faced with a city full of rubble and other hazardous materials, and only a few of our own bulldozers and equipment operators, and a need to make the city habitable so refugees that had fled to tent cities near Baghdad could return to the city prior to winter and the rainy season. Our "force multipliers" included a few dozen Iraqi construction workers and equipment operators, who we helped bring into the city, with their own trucks, bulldozers and other equipment, to clear the city of debris, standing water, and other hazardous materials. Within weeks, we ere able to begin allowing refugees back into the city.]

For transitioning purposes, VCTP Syracuse, ACP, the Veteran Mentor Network on LinkedIn, and the MC4 group on LinkedIn are all useful and relevant "force-multipliers".

Other force multipliers include industry groups, professional organizations and labor unions that provide in-demand certifications, actual skills training programs and up-and-running apprenticeship programs.

Here are a few more actionable ideas:
* Start attending toastmasters.org meetings near employers
(public-speaking and networking)

* Start attending pmi.org and apics.org meetings near employers. Reach out by email and phone, introduce yourself and request advice and mentoring, and perhaps a coffee meeting.

(There is a PMI Pittsburgh bowling networking meeting this Saturday Oct 19, 2013. I suggest you ask for permission to attend prior to the meeting, introduce yourself and explain your "story and goals, and show up with business cards and maybe even resumes. Consider putting your "10-second opening statement" on the back of your business card.)
http://www.pittsburghpmi.org/

http://www.pittsburghpmi.org/index.php?option=com_jevents&view=month&task=month.calendar&Itemid=156

http://apics-pgh.org/

John Migyanko ⋅ Springboro, OH U.S. Air Force, Colonel ⋅ 25 years served

Tom,

I saw one of your previous posts on LinkedIn regarding the VCTP Syracuse program and enrolled in the PMP session which begins on 21 Oct -- Thank you!

As far as the networking plan goes, I've been using the LinkedIn groups for the Pittsburgh market to seek contacts. So far it's produced a phone interview which led to an upcoming in-person interview as well as a meeting next week with a recruiter for a large organization. Like many of my peers, I'm a novice when it comes to seeking employment and building a network. I'm open to any and all recommendations.

Best regards,
John

Dan Beard ⋅ San Antonio, TX STS Systems Integration, LLC ⋅ 25 years experience

John, take a look at WESCO. A Pitt based fortune 500 company with a huge logistics arm and government sales positions. Good luck
Dan

John Migyanko ⋅ Springboro, OH U.S. Air Force, Colonel ⋅ 25 years served

Thanks Mike...I'm interested to see what opportunities exists within the oil & gas industry in the Pittsburgh area. Will check-out the PA Petroleum Marketers for more info.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Also take full advantage of your alma matter's career planning centers and alumni resources. They should be one of you primary sources of career planning an job-search assistance. They took your dollars, they really do owe it to you. They have the resources to hire professionally trained career counselors, resume writers, etc.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

John,
see also:
"Job-Seekers and Entrepreneurs: Do you have a "networking plan"? Please share your list or plan, and/or please ask for assistance."

Please provide constructive feedback and critique. I am always looking to improve the information we can provide.

http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=4466143&item=ANET%3AS%3A277096830&trk=NUS_RITM-title

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

John,
Some initial advice:
* Explore relevant certification programs.

* Learn about the VCTP Syracuse program (100% free certs, no GI Bill required). You seem like a great candidate for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

* Network via professional organizations such as pmi.org and apics.org . Most have local chapters. Join up, request a mentor, volunteer, get involved.

* Read this:
https://acp-advisornet.org/question/927/a-checklist-for-veterans-how-to-learn-more-about-the-project-management-professional-pmp-cert.

* apics.org also offers potentially relevant certifications

also see:
https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/topic/certifications

https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/topic/pmp

* Keep us updated, so we can continue to help. Offer help to others as well.

ACP AdvisorNet Staff ⋅ New York, NY ⋅ 10 years experience

Hi John,

Thank you for your service.

Please take a look at our Advisor+ Directory at the top, righthand corner of the page beneath the 'ask a question button.' If you filter the State field by 'Pennsylvania,' you will find over 20 Advisors in PA. Some of them are located in Pittsburgh or surrounding towns.

Advisors+ are available for private in-depth conversations, so I encourage you to reach out to them for advice directly. They could be helpful in your search for advice about networking and employment in the area.

Best,
ACP AdvisorNet Staff