patra

Career Goals

Many of our columns talk specifically about job search actions. This one focuses on the larger issues of your career.

Where are you going?

Wherever you are currently: have you thought about your career goals in any detail recently? Most people change their career goals and interests regularly over time. And too often military in transition […]

By |August 4th, 2014|Military in Transition|Comments Off on Career Goals

Targets of Opportunity and Your Search

A major portion of your job search should be devoted to identifying potential jobs and employers who match your needs and to building your network to help you succeed. These targets are your most important focus. You need to build intel and define your battle order here.

But every job search also includes “targets of […]

By |August 4th, 2014|Military in Transition|Comments Off on Targets of Opportunity and Your Search

Special Tips for Women Veterans

Military women transitioning to the civilian world over the past decade have had higher rates of unemployment than men. What can you do to ensure you find the right job and succeed?  The following information can help you.
1. Take advantage of every transition program offered.
Research shows that those who start the job search at […]

By |August 4th, 2014|Military in Transition|Comments Off on Special Tips for Women Veterans

Job Search Success Tactics

Vets are highly successful in corporate America. For many the transition is not so easy, but success comes rapidly once you find the right opportunity.
Success Tactic 1. Build an advisory board.
Think about the people you know and what they can add to your search. Pick out several who can help you long-term as candidates […]

By |August 3rd, 2014|Military in Transition|Comments Off on Job Search Success Tactics

Career Analysis – What makes You Unique

Whether you are quite certain of what job and career you want when you leave active duty or have no idea, making the transition successfully takes time and effort.

Attending transition programs on your base is a smart start. But you have a lot of self-analysis to do. You need to understand yourself, your values, […]

By |August 3rd, 2014|Military in Transition|Comments Off on Career Analysis – What makes You Unique

3 Tips for Effective References

“We had two top candidates for a senior job. One whose references were glowing and one whose took forever to respond and then barely remembered the person.”

– HR Executive.

“I can always find ways to get references to tell me a lot about the person I am checking on.”

– top Corporate Recruiter

“If all his references […]

By |June 2nd, 2014|Job Search Tips and Tactics|Comments Off on 3 Tips for Effective References

Cleared Salaries, Budget Cuts and Reality

Scene from a recruiting analytics presentation: The defense contracting client had several cleared vacancies but could not fill them. Data analysis showed that the firm’s salary was $30,000 lower than what people who met the requirements were making. The Program Manager rejected any higher compensation and said “cut the years required from 10-12 down […]

By |May 21st, 2014|Job Search Tips and Tactics|Comments Off on Cleared Salaries, Budget Cuts and Reality

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

‘SO YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS OR NON-PROFIT’
I spoke at the Virginia Women Veterans Conference about how to think about becoming and entrepreneur
or solopreneur.  Great audience with lots of interesting ideas for their own future efforts.  Here are some of the
basic issues you should think about as well as some […]

By |May 8th, 2014|Military in Transition|Comments Off on ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Defense and Intel Contracting Are Evolving, Are You

Government contracting work has changed. The huge boom in employment over the past decade in intel, in supporting two wars, and in increased outsourcing has turned. The past two years have seen big cutbacks across the landscape. With the focus on cutting the budget that will continue.

Many people are looking and waiting and discouraged. […]

By |March 24th, 2014|Job Search Tips and Tactics|Comments Off on Defense and Intel Contracting Are Evolving, Are You

Does Your Resume #Fail

The crowd was great at the most recent Cleared Job Fair Resume Reviews. Patient, positive, networking while waiting. And most even followed the written instructions. So I saw a lot of resumes full of editing done while waiting. All good.

But the most common problems remain just that.

#1: A resume full of job descriptions but […]

By |February 12th, 2014|Job Search Tips and Tactics|Comments Off on Does Your Resume #Fail