For most veterans, finding an employment opportunity or starting a post-military career is daunting and overwhelming. This explains why most servicemen and women end up being unemployed during their first year after the military, especially if they don’t have a college degree.
Besides, most employers don’t recognize the professional development, maturity, and leadership skills veterans bring to an organization.
Fortunately, retired military officers can follow several steps when transitioning from active duty. However, before you transition, you should understand the reality of living on a tight budget because of reduced pay and loss of military allowances. You will also spend more on civilian clothing and job-search-related costs, such as career development, employment agency fees, and more.
How to Find a Job After Military
Consider the following tips when searching for a job after the military;
- Narrow Your Skills and Interests
Like any other citizen looking for job opportunities, you should figure out what you want to do post-military. While you may not have sufficient skills to get your dream job, think of the experiences that can help you get there.
Typically, you shouldn’t search for jobs broadly. Understand where your skills and education level currently fall into and start searching for a job there.
Note that you can start doing this even before quitting or retiring from the military. Take advantage of the U.S Self-assessment tests, which help service members identify jobs that they are a good fit. If you don’t have the required experience, you can enroll in a class for a tech skill or practical skill, which is cost-effective or free while still in the military. Most tech courses for veterans are free or offered with discounts under the GI Bill Benefits.
- Update Your Details
To find a new job successfully, you should update your resume and cover letter. These are obviously the first documents that your potential employer will scrutinize.
Therefore, ensure that they capture all the skills and talent that will benefit your employer. However, keep it brief and personalized. You can use the department of defense’s guide for writing a civilian cover letter and resume.
Apart from the resume and cover letter, job recruiters also use other evaluation methods when filtering through job applicants. A growing trend is the use of social media platforms, especially by recruiters who want to know more about your personality.
Therefore, besides clearing your social media platforms, open and optimize a LinkedIn account with your skills. Also, connect with relevant professionals in your field.
- Submit Your Applications
With a cover letter and resume customized to suit your desired job position, you should then focus on submitting your applications. Unfortunately, it may take several job applications and interviews to find employment. Submitting multiple applications may be discouraging but important if you want to get into employment.
To ease your search, make use of Local Transition Assistance Programs and job fairs to network and connect.
Best Jobs After Military
Some of the best career paths to consider after military include;
- Information Security Analyst
With projected job growth of 32%, you can make a good information security analyst after your military career. These professionals are hired to support IT-related security measures and protect organizations from cyberattacks and other threats.
To get such a job, you should have some technical skills, such as cryptography, ethical hacking, and risk management, which post-service members are trained in during their service period. A bachelor’s degree in IT or computer science may be required.
- Financial Advisor
Otherwise known as accountants, retired service members can also make good financial advisors. The main duty of a financial advisor is to help businesses, individuals, and families manage financial resources. As a financial advisor, you should understand your client’s financial goals and objectives and create plans to help them achieve these goals.
- Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners work alongside other healthcare personnel to provide both primary and specialty patient care. However, the roles of nurse practitioners vary from one state to another due to state laws and licensing.
As a nurse practitioner, you can work in various settings, including clinics, hospitals, or home care facilities. Fortunately, several military skills are transferable to this career.
- Operations Manager
General managers are tasked with planning and coordinating various operations within an organization. This includes preparing staff schedules, assigning responsibilities, allocating resources, and coordinating interdepartmental activities.
Operations managers should have strong leadership skills to guide and motivate other workers, making military experience valuable in this role. You can also enroll for a degree in business management and any other related field.
The Bottom Line
An estimated 18000 service members transition annually from active military duties to civilian life. Unfortunately, re-entry into civilian duties after some absence requires extra preparation and planning. This guide should provide a gist of where to start after military service if you are currently facing this.
