Kay Stout

Career Transition - - Dramatic Change of Pace

For those who've served our country and enjoyed the high stress, adrenalin surge required  to be successful, the transition to civilian work can be a difficult journey.  Two examples are:   the flight deck of an aircraft carrier ( Navy aircraft carrier )    or a search and rescue helicopter (  Coast Guard Search and Rescue ).  There are few jobs in the civilian world that require that intense, life or death decision making capability.  I frequently hear former military professionals say they are prepared for the difference, but only rarely has that proved to be an easy statement to implement.

I remember a former first sergeant who was amazed at how few people he would be required to manage during an eight hour shift.  And equally amazed when he realized he would not be responsible for them once they left work.  Likewise,  young professionals who enjoyed their service with the Third Herd, as a battalion leader, helicopter repair technician.  They greatly missed the feeling of  success  and contribution to a mission in defense o their country.

Twenty plus year ago, I remember the look of shock on a former fighter pilot's face when I told him we have nothing in the civilian world that equals flying a multi-million dollar aircraft in support of your country.  His transition took quite awhile and he always admitted he missed the camaraderie of  military life and the importance of a "mission".

Careers as civilians who work in Emergency Rooms, as firemen, policemen or for the highway patrol will come close - - but it won't be quite the same.  Gone will be the sense of mission, the close-knit relationships developed under incredible stress. 

Employers who realize the significance of the discipline and training that are a part of a former military professional and hire them  - - they will be amazed.  It will take a time of transition and collaboration, but the end result will be an employee who takes pride in their work, gets the job done and handles stress very well.

Veteran's Day - when I became a patriot - 1966

In early 1966,  I found myself on an airplane bound for Seoul, Korea.  There were many firsts during that flight.  My first airplane trip, the first time to visit a foreign country, the first time I would be away from my parents and the small Wyoming town where I grew up.  I was on my way to meet my husband who was stationed with the Armed Forces Radio & Television at Yongson Army Post in Seoul, Korean (AFKN).  It was an unaccompanied tour.  Because of the war effort in VietNam, DAC's (Department of the Army Civilians) were in demand.  Scared - - beyond explanation.  The trip included an overnight stay at the Hilton in Tokyo (a story for another time).

Vivid memories include:  Arriving in Seoul during the winter.  It was bitter cold and our tiny apartment had no heat (and I do mean no heat).  There was ice about 1/4" thick on the inside of the windows.  Rats that could (and did) chew through walls.  Unbelievable poverty - - equally unbelievably resilient Koreans determined to build a better life.  Working as a secretary for  Col. Pence (KMAG Engineers).  Marvelling at how tough the ROK Army personnel were.  Going to Pan Mun Jom - looking into the eyes of North Korean guards and witnessing the ongoing discussions between the United Nations representatives and the North Koreans.  Watching the beautiful garrison flag ceremony on the Army Post.  Looking at the hills and valleys of Korea and trying to imagine:  a)  how difficult it had to be during the Korean War; b) the challenge of identifying a North Korean from a South Korean (I never could); how sad the nation had been divided at the 39th parallel.

Somewhere during my 11 month stay, I realized how privileged and honored I was to be an American.  That deep feeling of patriotism has never left my heart.  Certainly when I came home, I got into some heated discussions with those who were not supportive of our troops in Viet Nam and I'll always remember, with shame, how few people turned out for a Veteran's Day parade in Dallas, Texas in 1967.  What I've never forgotten is that I am an American and the members of the Armed Forces who are deployed around the world deserve our respect and support.  So do their families. 

So today - I salute each and every one of you who have served (or are currently serving) our country.  And I salute your families who understand why you serve.

Facing the unkown - - remaining calm

This post is for those who do not have a job waiting for them as they exit the military.  Facing the unknown of the civilian world can be as stressful as your first day in Basic Training when everyone was yelling at you and nothing you did seemed right.  While there is no one yelling at you after you leave military service, neither is there anyone providing day-to-day directions on what to do next.  It can be stressful - very stressful.

Here are some important things to know about civilian employment and civilian life. In today's world, for the most part, there is no civilian employment security.  In the military, you may not have been able to decide your next duty post - - but you knew you were going somewhere.  In the civilian world,  you may not know where your first (or next) career position is going to be; but how you get there will be, in large part, up to you.  There is no one with a master plan of who goes where/when.  You are literally and figuratively in the driver's seat.

The speed at which the civilian work place operates may seem like the pace of a turtle, compared to your military experience.  The important thing to know is:  No, they will not speed up because you say so.  This is especially true if you are an E7 or above, or an 06 or above.  You will have to earn the respect of your fellow employees, your supervisors and senior management.  There is no rank that automatically gives you some authority.  No matter the title, if you do not earn their respect, they will not follow you.

Loyalty, as you know it, is rarely a part of the civilian employment world.  Commitment to get a job done replaces loyalty.  And, when the job is done and you are ready to move on - - it's okay - - move on - - to something bigger and better.   Will you miss the comraderie of the military - - absolutely.  So, stay in touch with the friends you made in the military.  They are the only ones who will understand how you feel and why.

Life is different in the civilian world.  You will not be sent to a hostile environment; but you may miss the sense of "belonging" to a higher purpose that you had while serving your country.  It's just different.

The Longest Day - until your first civilian paycheck

Each time I work with someone who will soon be leaving military service  or has already made that big step, their journey into civilian employment is truly The Longest Day for them.  I'm a member of the LinkedIn Military Veterans Group and there are many posts by frustrated ex-military on what they encountered once they entered the civilian market place.   Their expectations are, for the most part, not in line with the reality of what they  will encounter in obtaining that first civilian paycheck.

There is hope at the end of the tunnel and it is not an on-rushing freight train.  For anyone reading this post who is thinking about leaving military service, make a six month plan for survival once you've left and start planning your career search at least six months before you leave Uncle Sam.

An important part of your plan should be building a network of contacts outside the military.  Start with your college alumni office, the chamber of commerce in the city where you plan to move once you're a civilian (if this is part of your plan), all the websites devoted to working with the military.

Here's a partial list - by no means complete - but a good place to start:

bradley morris,   orion international, military hire, military connections, vet jobs, 

Time consuming - yes.  Worth the investment - yes. 

Your job search should be composed of internet sites like those listed above; your civilian network; and actual jobs posted on company sites and sites such as Indeed.

It takes a multi-pronged approach to secure your first position.  You can't start too early to plan for the day you put on civilian clothes and report for your first day of the rest of your life. 

Basic Training

If you, or someone you know, will soon be entering the civilian world of work, the job search may remind you of basic training.  There is no drill sergeant, but the transition will not be without drill sergeants moments of frustration on your part.  Remember when you learned a new language in the military (E6, O3, 3rd Herd, CINCPAC, SAC, TACAMO, platoon,  squadron, etc)?  For the most part, the hiring managers who will read your resume and/or interview you  have little or no understanding of the training, discipline and ability to adapt you've learned while serving your country.

It is never too early to be prepared.  Start reading newspapers and business magazines to learn the current business "buzz" words and make a connection between those words and what you've learned and experienced in the military.  Incorporate the words in your conversation and your resume.  Build a file of companies in which you are interested.  Research them on the internet and in networking groups such as LinkedIn. 

Involved in social or religious groups outside the military?  Spend time visiting with the other members, get feedback/advice on the job market in the area and suggestions, from them, on where you might look for your first civilian job once you've left military service.

You may have to take a step back.  Don't despair.  Once your civilian employer/supervisor  observes you in action and you begin to make significant contributions to the organization, promotions and pay raises can come much faster than they did when you were in uniform.  And you can move on to bigger and better opportunities.

There is a communication/comprehension gap between what you know and how the civilian hiring managers perceive that knowledge.  The more effort you put into closing the gap on your resume, in your conversations, and during an interview, will help tremendously.

Making All the Connections

Occasionally, as a writer, you have a sudden flash of brilliance (from your point of view).  I had one today.  Here's the result.

For everyone reading this blog, I do hope you are a member of LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com).  Yes it costs a small amount of money each month; but at this point in the technology race, it is one of the best investments you can make in your career. 

Once you're connected, spend time getting familiar with all the bells, whistles and buttons offered. Then the  first order of business is to fill out your profile.  Spend quality time making sure you have the right key words, phrases and information needed.  Next comes the fun part.  In the upper right hand corner is your connection to an amazing world.  Be prepared to go on a journey around the world from the comfort of your home.  Type in words related to your branch of the military (Army, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard).  You can also type in your unit, your MOS.  Then slowly go through each name and write down the names that live near you; or thos whose experience was similar to yours; or - - you served with them!!!  Next, go to the inmail or get acquainted through a referral button and type your email.  At some point, you will make a connection that will open a door for you.  You may have to go through many doors, but you will be making progress and building a network.

Here are additional resources to help you with your career search.  Go to http://jobsearch.about.com.  Alison Doyle has practical information on interview questions, letter writing examples and general information valuable for a career search.  Take the time to print out the information you find of value.   Alison's book  "Internet Your Way to a New Job" (www.happyabout.com); Joyce Lain Kennedy's "Job Interviews for Dummies"  (www.dummies.com) and her website (www.sunfeatures.com) are good investments in your career future as well.

Get started ... have fun .. and build your network to your next job.  It may be your first job since leaving the military or it may be your next job - - either way - - get started. 

Second Translation

Civilian friends know a few things about you.  I know this is true, because I frequently open emails from friends that have questions designed to learn more about me (and them).  Always, I discover something new about them that surprises me.  I often wonder why I never knew that before.  In part, because civilian friends share some time together, but do not, usually, have to depend on each other in order to stay alive or survive in a hostile situation.  Also, because our world of work is so mobile, we have many friends who move in and out or our circle over time and often we’ve not shared a lot with them outside the office.

Veteran friends could write a book with direct quotes from you.  The reason is because when you’re far away from home, in a tense situation and you need someone to talk to - - you have a buddy nearby.  For those who have not been in the military, they may have a difficult time understanding what it means to go through basic training with people, be assigned to a battalion, squadron or group and find themselves in a foreign country under difficult circumstances, trying to survive.  The team building of basic training, alone, speaks volumes to the bonding that occurs within military groups.  There is no civilian experience that equals it. 

Here are a few other differences - - only a short translation is needed.

Civilian friends will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.  Often this is true, but not always.

Veteran friends will make sure you are never left behind.  It goes back to the basics learned when you survived the drill sergeant in your face and the obstacle course in front of you.

Civilian friends have shared a few experiences with you.  True

Veteran friends have shared a lifetime of experiences few citizens could ever dream of.  True.

Why the differences???  Because a veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount “up to and including my life”.  Few civilians, very few, can make that same statement.

First Translation - More to Come

I’m a member of the LinkedIn Military Employment group (http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/LinkedinMilitaryVeteransEmployment/).  Frequently, I can sense the frustration of a veteran who is trying to figure out how to navigate the civilian world.  In a recent column, Matt Liptak  identified six differences between  Civilian Friends and Veteran Friends. 

Here’s my point of view on two of them.

1)      Civilian friends get upset if you’re too busy to talk to them for a week.  Veteran friends are glad to see you after years and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.   Few civilians have had the life-changing experiences that are an integral part of the military experience.  Their point of reference is different.  I remember how I would talk to anyone who “looked” like a round-eye when I lived in Korea. Why?  Because in 1966, there were only a few hundred Americans living in Seoul, Korea   and anyone who looked American was worth taking a chance on.  If I’d seen them in the U S - - probably walked right by them.  Translation? Civilian friends may come and go more easily than the friends you make in the military because the circumstances around that friendship are just different.  Many words can be used to describe it - - but the key word is “different”.  It isn’t better or worse, just different.

2)      Civilian friends have never seen you cry.  Veteran friends have cried with you.    Sad, but true in too many instances.  Again, it is because the experiences are so different.  When you see a buddy wounded; you are in combat with friends; you’re assigned to a remote location - - there aren’t too many points-of-reference in the civilian world.  The exceptions are the medical/EMT/Firefighter/Policeman.   Translation? The world where most people work is driven by profit.  It can be bad or good, but it is different and ever changing.  Only occasionally will you forge a deep friendship reminiscent of your days in the military. 

Career Opportunities for Vets

One of the challenges that face veterans is the very people who could/should hire them have had no military experience.  And, in some cases, their parents didn't either.  They have no understanding of the discipline, dedication and  loyalty a veteran brings to the job every day.  When I'm working with someone who has just left service, the first thing we talk about is the difference between "git 'er done" in the military and "git 'er done" in the civilian world. 

For most of us, we do not have jobs that directly rely on the safety, well being and life of someone in our company.  Therefore, that sense of urgency and dedication is not a part of the job.  We go home to our families at night (or for those who travel - - almost always on the weekends); we sleep in comfortable beds; and job assignments have deadlines - - but even those have been known to be flexible. 

Most importantly, there is no job security in today's market.  You are in charge of your career, not your supervisor or the CEO of the company.  For most veterans, that is a difficult concept to accept because they feel when the "sign on" for a career position it is similar to when they "signed on" in the military.  It isn't.  The company they work for today could be sold/merged within the next 6 months to a year; or their entire department could be outsourced tomorrow and the job search starts all over again.

If you have success stories - - please share them with me on this site.  To learn more, go to http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/LinkedinMilitaryVeteransEmployment/

Recruiters Standing By

I have read several emails on LinkedIn Military Veterans Employment that express frustration at finding a civilian job once you leave active military service.  The more advance preparation you can do before you are separated from the service, the less stressful it will be when you leave the military world for the civilian world.  You will hear alot about "networking" not only on my blog, but with Alison Doyle at www.about.com (http://jobsearch.about.com/mbiopage.htm), on Netshare's weekly conference call for professionals who are in career transition and in the many career books written about how to be successful in your career search. 

I feel your career search should be a three-pronged approach.  One is the referral/networking methodoloy; Second is actual job boards on the internet and in the newspaper; Third (and the one to try first) are the three firms dedicated to helping you find a career position in the civilian world once you've left military service.  They are:  www.bradley-morris.com;  www.orioninternational.com; www.lucasgroup.com  Each of them will have advantages, but I strongly suggest you apply online to all three, follow-up with a phone call or email (if they give you a contact person) and rewrite, reformat, redo your resume' in whatever style each of them suggests.

Do not take great ownership in your resume.  It is simply a piece of paper with accurate information about you, designed to catch someone's attention.  And one size will not fill all.  Thanks to computers, it is very easy to rewrite your resume to meet the criteria of a recruiter or hiring professional.  The most important part of a resume is no misspelled words.  That will quickly deep-six your career progress.

So, if you recently separated from the military, go online to each of the sites above today!!!  Follow the directions and get it started.  If you'll soon be separating from the military, same advice....do it today!!!

And, yes, it can be a little scary to enter the civilian world.  I recently worked with a Lt. Colonel who experienced a great deal of frustration at finding a career position.  The first position he accepted wasn't the right one for him.  Interestingly, the perfect position came about because of who he knew in a fraternal organization to which he belonged.  And, once they began considering him for a prominent position, the deal was done in a matter of two days. 

Get ready for a roller coaster ride.  But do not get discouraged.  You will find a position.