As military members prepare to leave combat for life after service, they are faced with the prospect of finding a civilian job. While this can be an intimidating process, military servicemembers are actually equipped with a variety of skills that give them the advantage in the career world. However, they must first understand networking and how to use it to their advantage. U.S. News & World Report stated that networking is the most important basis for job hunting, so AFBA has outlined some networking advice for veterans.
1. Define your personal and career goals
Before you begin your job search, you need to consider what you want for yourself and for your career. Do you want something temporary that will allow you the flexibility to move on whenever you want or are you looking to commit to a long-term career? How much work-life balance do you want? These are all important questions that will play a vital role in which job you choose to apply for. If you clearly define your goals, you may get much more satisfying results.
2. Identify your existing network
Your time in the military most likely earned you a number of important contacts. Compile this information along with any civilian career leaders you may know, and you have created the start of your network. Keep this information readily available during your job search, as one of the individuals in your network may be able to assist you or provide a reference.
3. Create a professional online presence
When your resume and cover letter are written, edited and polished, you should turn your attention to building a brand for yourself online. The easiest way to begin is to clean up all social media accounts. This means deleting unprofessional photos and posts and establishing high privacy settings. The next step is to consider creating a professional website that displays samples of your work and lists your contact information. In today's digital world, companies prefer candidates who have a strong online presence.
4. Expand your contacts
An important part of networking is adding diversity to your contact list. While military and government associations are useful, you will want to expand your network to include individuals from a variety of industries. You can do this by making connections to others in the circles of your existing contacts. You can also attend networking events in your area. These events are also great practice for interviews.
5. Utilize military resources
The military wants you to succeed in life after service. It offers a number of resources to help you with networking and career advice. These include mentor networks, job search assistance and career planning. Many of the resources can be found on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Preparing for a civilian career can be intimidating, especially for someone who is used to military life. However, if you utilize the skills you developed during service, you are already ahead of most other candidates. Additionally, you should keep in mind that networking is crucial to the job search. Use AFBA's advice to help make this step in the process easier and more effective.