How To Rewrite Your Military Resume for Civilian Jobs

How To Rewrite Your Military Resume for Civilian Jobs Making the transition from the military to civilian career track can be incredibly difficult. Whether you’ve left voluntarily or have been dismissed it’s time to earn a living the civilian way. Although the prospect may be daunting, they’re two entirely different worlds. There are however, many transferable skills you can use from your military career and apply them to your new civilian endeavour. If you’re new to the resume writing world and need a little guidance for constructing an effective CV tailored to a civilian career path then here are a few tips to build your confidence and get you started. Know Your Ultimate Career Goal Before you begin writing a resume you need to have a good idea of which industry or career path you’d like to enter. Writing a general CV can severely hinder your chances of getting a job in your preferred career track. Employers look for passion â€" what sets you apart as the ideal candidate for the role? Even if you don’t have the ideal qualification and experience within the field of the job you’ve applied for, your passion and dedication can really cause you to shine. If you have two different ideal career paths then it may be best to create two separate CVs targeting those industries. This gives you a better chance of impressing your employers and showing dedication without excluding either industry â€" just make sure you send the correct resume to the intended employer! To make it easier for editing purposes you could just change the first paragraph Career Goal Example First resume: My ultimate career goal would be to work as a carer for the elderly. I feel I’d be an excellent, sensitive carer due to my previous military experience, in which I had to deal with vulnerable civilians from some of the most deprived countries in the world. This has taught me to help people from all different backgrounds, be sensitive towards others and put their health and safety first. Second resume: In ten years’ time I can see myself being a retail manager. I believe I can strike the perfect balance between leading a team and being a team player myself. During my previous career in the military I had to head-up a team of soldiers; commanding respect, showing authority but also working with the team to achieve the desired results. Use Your Military Experience to Impress You can apply the skills you’ve acquired during your military career to demonstrate employable qualities. Military positions often involve many personal qualities, some of which aren’t all that different to skills asked for certain in civilian roles. The ability to lead is a particularly sought after skill for managerial and supervisor roles; if you’ve ever had to head up a team then include details of this. Similarly, being a team player is another personal quality which is often acquired in the military and well received by employers too. Most importantly, know what skills and qualifications are considered a basic requirement for your chosen industry and transfer those from your military career to your new CV. Experience Example During my career doing military nursing I had to provide the correct treatment accurately and effectively. I think this would be an excellent transferable skill to take to a nursing career with me, particularly in intensive care or high dependency units. Explain your Experience and Qualifications in Civilian Terms Every industry has its own jargon, and military positions are no exception. But showering your CV with niche terms can be really off-putting to readers who may not understand their meaning. Seeing as the intended audience of your CV are potential employers and recruiters the last thing you want to do is bore them by overloading them with overly complicated information. If you must use a niche term then fully explain what it means; if it helps imagine you’re explaining it to a child (without being patronising). Make sure you fully outline the duties of your previous role within the military as your job title alone won’t give employers a clear idea of exactly what you’ve been up to. Even slightly outlining the concept of your role rather than just listing your job title can help an employer understand your military career background. Explanation Example During my time in the military I worked within Field 25 Signals which is basically a division of the US army responsible for communications and data management between all the different divisions of the US army. Related: 5 Skills Taught in Armed Forces to Help You Secure a Job. Stephanie Staszko writes for military solicitors and legal specialists Gray and Co Solicitors.

Networking Strategically to Communicate Your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Networking Strategically to Communicate Your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career What is networking  strategically?   It is networking with a defined goal and a strategy to get to that goal. Let’s look at some examples: You are unemployed, and you are looking for a job  Your goal might be to get to know the recruiter who handles positions for a company or the hiring manager for current and future positions. You are employed but want out of your current company  You probably have the same goal as the unemployed job seeker. BUT you may have to use different tactics because you do not want your current employer to know. You are looking into a career change  You want to meet professionals in your new field of choice, with a goal to decide on a new career path. You want to move up or laterally in your current company  Your goal might be to meet people and build relationships outside of your current management chain. In each of these cases, you must communicate your personal brand, your skills, personality, and reputation to someone who can use that information to help you accomplish your goals. But instead of just spreading your personal brand around to anyone who might be able to help you, you’re focusing on building key and strategic relationships and communicating your personal brand to those people. Define the target First you need to define the company, organization or industry you want to penetrate. For example, maybe you want to learn more about the marketing function at  Jack Widget LLC.   Identify individuals who work in the marketing function at Jack Widget LLC Search on LinkedIn for people who currently work for Jack Widget LLC and use a variety of keywords like Marketing or Market Development or Business Development. Pick one or more individuals in the list with whom you share a LinkedIn connection Find someone you know who can provide an introduction. Call or e-mail your shared LinkedIn connection Ask the shared connection, how well do you know the target individual and would you be willing to make an introduction? What you are looking for is a warm lead. Ask the shared connection to send an e-mail or make a phone call to make the introduction. When I make these introductions I use the subject line of Virtual Introduction. E-mail the target individual to ask for some advice Advice is the magic word. Ask to set up a visit over the phone or in person to ask for some advice. When you ask for advice, it is a compliment! Meet the target individual with a prepared list of questions â€" Do not share your life story or even your career story beyond what’s needed to clarify why you need advice. Keep the meeting focused on the knowledge base of the target individual. You are there to listen and learn. They will have a much better impression of you if you stay focused on the goal of the meeting, which is to get advice, rather than “pitching” them on the idea of supporting you. Your goal is to get face time with individuals within the target organization. Ask open-ended questions about the other person. Show an interest in who they are and what they think. Find out whether this is an organization that you want to work for! Your goal is to establish a relationship which communicates something about your personal brand without hawking it like a used car salesman! Author: Marc Miller is the founder of Career Pivot which helps Baby Boomers design careers they can grow into for the next 30 years. Marc authored the book Repurpose Your Career: A Practical Guide for Baby Boomers, published in January 2013, which has been featured on Forbes.com, US News and World Report, CBS Money-Watch and PBS’ Next Avenue. Marc has made six career pivots himself, serving in several positions at IBM in addition to working at Austin, Texas startups, teaching math in an inner-city high school and working for a local non-profit. Learn more about Marc and Career Pivot by visiting the Career Pivot Blog or follow Marc on Twitter or Facebook.

Love Your Pet Here Are Some Summer Pet Care Tips

Love Your Pet Here Are Some Summer Pet Care Tips All the signs of spring are around us.   If youre not already enjoying the warmer weather, chances are you have plans for the months ahead.    Just remember that your furry friend requires consideration and planning just as any other member of the family.   Warmer days can be tough on them, too! Here are some summer pet care tips and reminders to assure their summer vacation is as enjoyable as yours. Pets And Heat Of course you know that its a very bad idea to leave your pets in the car.   In fact, in some states its illegal.   Even with a window cracked open, summer and even spring days can quickly elevate the temperature and cause heat stroke in as little as ten minutes. But its also important to remember that cats and dogs dont cool themselves like humans do.   Panting and drinking water are their primary cooling tools.   Less known is that their fur is also actually part of their cooling system. Follow these guidelines for summer pet care: Be sure to provide adequate water and shade, even on trips. If you shave your pet for summer, which isnt recommended, leave at least an inch of fur. Use caution when walking pets on hot or even warm days.   The pads on their feet burn as easily as your own feet. If youll be out for an extended period of time, apply sunscreen to pets noses, ears, and where ever their coat is thin and short. Parasites and Disease Warmer months means your pets, just like you, will be exposed to ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes.   Those pests may be small, but they carry tapeworms, heartworms, and various diseases. Use repellents on pets when ever you feel the need to use them on yourself.   And remember to use pet safe products. Bathe pets more often as appropriate for increased outdoor activity. If you notice any unusual signs or symptoms, consult a  veterinarian.   Diseases and parasites can be   deadly if not treated promptly. Because heartworms in particular are so deadly to dogs, consider using a heartworm preventative or multi-preventative addition to their feeding routine. Moreover, keep on eye on your dog, especially, and be sure they dont eat rotting or spoiled food theyve found in their outdoor wanderings.   That would be a good reason to buy pet insurance and make sure your pet stays healthy and safe. About Fireworks One of the highlights of summer is the inspiring fireworks display that is part of seasonal celebrations. Your pets, however, dont generally find the loud noise and flashes of light very enjoyable. While youre enjoying the festivities, provide a safe and secure place for them to hide out.   If possible, it should be free of the noise that pets find unsettling or frightening. Enjoy Summer With Your Best Furry Friend Having a great summer means making preparations for comfort and good health.   Remember your pet in those preparations, and itll be a great time for them, too!

Why Bad Onboarding Will Damage Your Business

Why Bad Onboarding Will Damage Your Business Amid the hype of attracting top talent and filling vacant positions, its easy for employers to  forget the importance of having a great onboarding program for new  starters.  If someone has signed up to work at your company, theyve obviously been impressed thus far by who theyve met and the reception theyve  been given. Hiring managers are happy to  go the extra mile to woo talent  and amend  their talent shortage. However, having a signed contract and a new  start date should  NOT be  where the candidate courting stops. Why? Without a solid and thorough introduction to the business, new employees can be overwhelmed by information  or  confused by a lack of it. Many report feeling  neglected in the early days, and a rocky start often leads to shaky employees. A bad onboarding process means employees are not properly integrated into the organisation nor embedded into their role, creating a sense of disengagement that can leave to early resignation. The folks over at  Onboardia  have compiled the infographic below showcasing the importance of laying a strong foundation for new hires, quoting fifty-six percent of disengaged employees say that when it came to their onboarding process, they received either ineffective or no training at all. As a result,  31% of people quit their job within six months or less. Helpless in HR Its concerning that  81% of HR administrators feel their company doesn’t do onboarding well at all. Perhaps its because of a lack of resources, a lack of time or simply not enough investment from the powers that be above.  Only 32% of organizations actually have formal onboarding programs. On-the-job training Majority rules: 76% of employees want on-the-job training during their first week. More than half of employees believe that actually, with a bit of extra training, they could do their job far better. Buddy up Safety in numbers is a saying for a reason. Its reported that  56% of employees would like to have a buddy during the on boarding process. Get it right! Getting the onboarding process right has massive positive flow on effects for employees. Three quarters of employees who were satisfied with the on boarding process reported feeling loyal to their current company. It all starts from day one Easing a new employees first day anxieties is hugely important to getting things off to the right start. Making sure that employees have someone to personally meet and greet them upon arrival can make or break their morning. Make sure the receptionist is aware that they will be coming in, and introduce the new person to the members of their team dont just sit them down and deal with the internal networking piece later. These might seem like little things, but they are instrumental in putting a nervous new starter at ease. Within their first few days, you want to cover all the basics about the organisation, the business and the products. Talking them through  the current marketplace and where the company sits in context with this will also help them to have a complete overview of their own and the companys position. ITs also important to provide the individual with contact point, names and numbers  of who they can call for help and emergencies. Simply put, keeping close tabs on new employees and making sure they are comfortable is a huge factor in retaining the top talent you attract! Top Image: Shutterstock

How to Keep Your IEP Goal Writing Simple

How to Keep Your IEP Goal Writing SimpleIt's fairly easy to build an IEP goal, but it's not as easy to get it exactly right. In fact, it's quite common for people to fail to meet their IEP goals. If you find yourself struggling to meet your IEP goals, read on to find out what you can do to ensure that you meet them.In the first place, it's vital that you don't think too much about how well you're doing in the goal itself. You need to remain in control of the situation. Don't think about the possibility of a failing score. Allow your focus to be on the development of skills you need to get the job rather than dwelling on failure.You also need to bear in mind that your performance will affect the way others perceive you, which means that your IEP goal is dependent on what you say and how you say it. Don't talk negatively or make negative statements; instead, talk about your positive attributes and skills, which are more likely to be taken seriously. For example, if you've got exception al writing skills, then tell potential employers that!The next element to ensure that you have your IEP goal is a clear idea of what it is you want to achieve. Think about how you want to make your life better and how you're going to achieve that. If you're not sure how to best achieve these, just ask yourself 'What would make me happy?' This will help you determine the outcomes you want.Also, it's important to have past successes in mind when you're setting up your IEP goal. While they can't guarantee that you'll succeed, they can point you in the right direction. The next step is to go out and find some of these success stories! Ask your friends and family members about achievements they've had in their life, or look through some of the magazines and newspapers in your local area.Before you head out to pursue these stories, it's a good idea to ask someone to look over the same material you will be using. This will give you a sense of whether you're making the right decisions with your goals.Once you've settled on your goals, then you're ready to begin laying the groundwork for meeting them. First of all, you need to sit down and write down all of the steps you need to take to reach the achievement you want. Don't try to think of solutions, but just look at the road ahead. The solution part will form the foundation of your IEP goal.By following this method, you will be able to create a detailed picture of the entire process. There is no shortage of resources that will provide you with information on writing an IEP goal, so do not be intimidated. As long as you use them wisely, it shouldn't be difficult to set up the road that will help you achieve your IEP goal.

The Way Forward Why Youll Never Regret Studying For a Degree

The Way Forward Why You’ll Never Regret Studying For a Degree 0 Flares 0 Flares Obtaining suitable employment is one of the most competitive tasks you’re likely to endure, so it makes sense to give yourself every fighting chance. Having the right educational qualifications can help you to steal the edge over competition on the jobs market and is also a way to increase your future marketability. Studying for a degree is a lot of work but the rewards are more than worth effort. Those rewards aren’t just financial, however, although graduates are more likely to have higher starting salaries than unqualified job hunters. Having a degree will also open up a lot of employment doors now and in the future. Another benefit is that those with qualifications will also find they’re more marketable in the employment sector, which means they’ll have a lot more control over how to steer their career. Take control of your career One of the major bonuses of holding a degree is that you have more control over you career path. Qualifications open doors. Once you have your foot in the door you’ll find that more opportunities are presented to you. A degree makes you more marketable to employers and this means you have the ability to pick and choose the right kind of employment. Qualifications are empowering and can help you to carve out your own career path in the present and over the long-term much easier. Hard work brings rewards You may even have gone as far as studying in another country to obtain that mechatronics engineering degree or that bachelor’s in computer science, but you’ll be glad you put in the effort. Employers understand the time, effort and commitment it takes to earn a degree and they know that the continual study involved is a tough easy task. Graduates are often looked on favorably by employers because they’ve shown that they’re not afraid of the responsibility and dedication required to achieve their qualifications. All of these character qualities plus the education and skills means graduates have a better chance of being offered a job by employers. Reaping the financial rewards Graduates often leave their college with the burden of student debt… usually a high level. However, the salaries offered to graduates should reflect the years of study and the starting salaries are usually reasonable, if not excellent. The wages offered will depend on the degree but most graduate jobs generally come with a much higher basic salary than jobs that do not require qualifications. You can be an inspiration to others This may not be listed on the course description but the fact that you’re someone who can steer the course of your employment life in the direction you want should be an inspiration to others. Not everyone has the power or opportunity to do this but a degree will increase your self-confidence, which can definitely help you handle life’s storms. These are all admirable and inspirational traits in a person. People will respect these qualities. In the future you’ll be able to guide others and, in view of your achievements, people will listen to you and respect your opinion. Obtaining a degree should be something that everyone considers. With part-time and night courses available it’s now something that’s open to everyone, even those in full-time employment. This qualification is something you’ll never regret and there’s no better time to make a start towards your future degree than now. Image by francisco_osorio,  

A Letter from a Baffled Hiring Manager-Part 2 - CareerEnlightenment.com

They show that you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses, you have seriously considered what is going to be required of you and that you are motivated to take action and do what it takes to move us all ahead, not just yourself. I am looking to see that we can be in a mutually beneficial relationship.After all, the Company will be trusting you with its assets and reputation. It is the hiring manager’s duty to protect those, so we are risk adverse and proactively reduce it.I Know Job Seeking is Hard ButI know you are working under a great deal of stress and pressure. Finding a job is exhausting and can deflate the strongest of us. It can make you begin to question your competencies and career choices.If you can set aside the doubts and focus on the task at hand, (to present yourself in the best possible light by submitting a thoughtful application) you have a better chance of convincing the hiring manager of your ability to do the exact same thing when you are faced with similar challenges on the job.Remember, “Past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior.”How you “behave” on paper (and in social media) is all the recruiter or hiring manager has to go on when considering your application.It is in your best interest to take the time and effort to do as best a job as you can on your application. A big part of that requires considering perspectives and concerns beyond your own individual ones.Put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager and the Company. That simple shift in awareness can, and will, make a big difference in the outcome.