The Path to a Successful Career Search for Veterans
The transition from military service to civilian life can be daunting, but having a plan of attack for navigating the job market can help take you from soldier to successful career seeker with just a few steps. As a veteran, you bring a unique set of experiences, qualifications, and insight to the job market. Knowing how to apply those experiences and skills can help ensure that you get to the career of your dreams. And with the right preparation and research, you can stand out from the crowd, land the job you want, and thrive in a new career.
Take an Inventory of Your Unique Skills and Experience
Veterans have a unique experience, skill set, and qualifications that set them apart from other job seekers. Before beginning your job search, take an inventory of everything you can bring to the table— memorable team experiences, technical expertise, soft skills and leadership. Spend some time thinking about your career goals and objectives and be honest about what kind of opportunities you’re looking for. Look for ways to differentiate yourself from other job seekers so that you can stand out and make an impact on employers.
Build Your Resume with Your Story in Mind
Your resume is the key to unlocking opportunities during your job search. To maximize your visibility to employers, craft a resume that tells your unique story and presents the skills you have in a way that’s both engaging and impactful. Keep the document concise, clear, and accurate, adding quantifiable information that shows what concrete value you bring to the position. Don’t forget to include your honorable mentions, awards, and leadership experiences to help you stand out even more.
Utilize Your Military Network
Getting advice from experienced professionals and employers can be a great way to get a leg up on the job market. The military network is one of your most valuable resources to finding a new career. Reach out to your network and tap into their skills, experience, and insider knowledge to find a career path that’s the right fit for you. Consider volunteering for organizations serving veterans, and seek out mentorship opportunities to give you a head start on your new career.
Research Companies and Craft Your Pitch
Before beginning your job search, take some time to research the companies you’re interested in and determine which ones are a good fit for your skills and qualifications. Rather than sending out generic applications to dozens of companies, tailor each one to the specific company you’re applying to and craft a unique pitch illustrating the value you can bring to the team. You can stand out even more by learning about the company culture and values, and crafting your pitch to highlight those.
Take Advantage of Technology and Resources
Modern technology provides veterans with access to a plethora of resources to help in their job search. Take advantage of any available veterans resume assistance or job search services, use automated job postings and alerts to find the right job postings, and attend networking events and conferences to meet potential employers.
Shake Off Any Limiting Beliefs and Go For It
Having a plan and the right resources are critical for success in the job market, but the key factor to a successful career search is having confidence in yourself and the value you can bring to a team. Shake off any limiting beliefs and let go of any fear of failure. Know that your unique experiences and qualifications are positioned to land you the job you want.
By taking the steps outlined above, veterans can tap into their unique skills and experiences, research potential employers and opportunities, and utilize available resources to land the job and career of their dreams. With the right plan of attack and a little confidence, you can stand out from the competition, land the job you want, and thrive in a new career. Good luck and happy job hunting!
