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EXPERTS REVEAL 12 TIPS FOR JOB-HUNTING SUCCESS

By Jessica Lawson - Staff Writer Army Times
It's true that you never get a second chance to make a first impression — especially when you’re looking for a job.
Whether you’ve only casually pondered breaking away for the civilian work force or you’ve begun the transition process, chances are you’ve given at least some thought to the job hunt.
“The job-search process opens you up to a whole new type of scrutiny. This has changed even since I got out,” said Craig Griffin, principal and vice president of operations for recruiting firm Bradley-Morris Inc., who was a captain and aviator when he left the Army in 1997.
“We don’t want candidates causing themselves to be excluded because of something simple: The answering machine message is not appropriate, a silly e-mail address, some ... pictures from your bachelor’s party that were posted on your MySpace account,” Griffin said.
We consulted Griffin and three other military-to-civilian career transition experts in our search for the ultimate advice. RecruitMilitary president and CEO Drew Myers, MilitaryStars president Todd Hecht and VetJobs president and CEO Ted Daywalt were happy to oblige — and help jump start your job hunt.
Here’s their top 12 tip list.
1. Be the early bird.
Start preparing for your transition one year from separation or retirement. Hecht suggests researching the job market and the types of positions that are in demand. According to Myers, it’s imperative that you figure out what you want to do, where you want to live and how much you want to make. If you’ve done a lot of research and still don’t know what kind of job you want, Daywalt recommends taking a skills inventory test to help you get ideas.
2. Sell yourself.
Griffin suggests you take inventory of your strengths, weaknesses, military experience and whatever may make you a desirable candidate. Prepare for interviews by practicing the answers to common interview questions. Rehearse in front of trusted family, friends or advisers the replies to “Tell me about yourself,” “What was the best decision you ever made?” and “Tell me about a time you hade to deal with someone difficult. What was the problem and how was it resolved?” Interviewers want a 90-second answer, Daywalt said. “You need to be concise and answer the question directly and then be quiet and listen for the next question.”
3. Explore all of your options.
Post your résumé to every online job board, and work with every recruiter you can. As Myers points out, “The goal is to get as many offers as you can, so you have many choices.”
4. Don’t settle.
Real happiness comes from job satisfaction and recognition — not money, according to Griffin. Accepting an offer for a job you don’t really want is a surefire way to ensure you’ll be repeating the whole job-search process earlier than you would wish. Be confident you’ll be satisfied and that you’ll enjoy working with other people in the company. Myers’ advice: Figure out what you love doing and do it — the money will come after that.
5. Use every tool at your disposal.
Network — through friends, relatives, former military buddies, military associations and professional networking Web sites, such as LinkedIn.com. Attend job fairs. Read help books such as the popular “What Color is Your Parachute?” Take advantage of the Transition Assistance Program, Army Career and Alumni Program and other groups that offer free résumé and related job-search services. Rarely should you have to pay to have anyone assist you in your job search, Myers said.
6. Be flexible.
Hecht said to keep an open mind by not allowing yourself to eliminate a company, location or type of job before you educate yourself with all the information available. Be flexible on salary and job title. “Flexibility is the No. 1 thing I would recommend,” he said.
7. Prepare for the spotlight.
Must-dos, according to Griffin: Establish a straightforward, professional e-mail address and use it for your job-search and networking activities. Ditto for your answering-machine message. Make sure you’ve deleted any so-called “cyberskeletons,” inappropriate material posted to blogs or social networking sites — yours or your friends’. You will be Googled, and those photos of you doing a keg stand at your pal Jimmy’s bachelor party will not win you points from prospective employers.
8. Civilianize.
Strip military lingo from your résumé, and don’t talk that way during an interview. As Myers reminds us, in the civilian world, “Roger” is a name — not an acknowledgement. Translate your military experience into terms a civilian employer will understand.
9. Take your time on the résumé
Write a concise, easy-to-read résumé. To win attention from a would-be employer, yours should be specific, not general, so consider writing several versions, each designed to focus on the different jobs you would consider doing. The rule of thumb for length? One page for those with 10 years or less of experience, Myers said. No more than two pages for anyone.
10. Sing your own praises.
Don’t assume that a civilian interviewer can make the connection between your military experience and how that has prepared you for the job in question, Griffin said. Show him or her examples from your experience that directly relate to the job you’re applying for. If you’re a military pilot interviewing to manage a manufacturing shop, emphasize the managerial experience you received in the military.
11. Mind your manners.
After the interview, make a good first impression even better by sending a hand-written thank-you note. Want to up the “wow” factor? Myers suggests spending a few extra bucks and sending the note overnight.
12. Prepare to make a decision.
“A lot of candidates will get an offer and will try to sit on it for weeks, waiting for something else to come in,” Hecht said. “(But) offers of employment from companies are almost like marriage proposals” — wait too long to answer, and the other person may start to question your loyalties and affections. According to Myers: “It is perfectly acceptable to say, ‘I’m interviewing with four companies. I have made a commitment to X number of other companies, who have flown me in (for interviews). Can you give me 10 days?’” It’s a direct approach that’s fair to you and fair to the company.

5 RULES FOR RESUME SUCCESS
 
Randall Scasny, founder and director of MilitaryJobHunts.com and a former Navy Petty Officer First Class, offers the following resume advice:
 
You'll need more than one type of resume. Scasny said he creates three versions of client's resumes - one for traditional job hunts, another for networking, and a third for online job searches.
 
Keywords will make or break your effort.
 
A good resume can make you more competitive.
 
'Me -focused' resumes are out.  Avoid a narrative approach that clutters your resume by highlighting your experience in excrutiating details.  Instead think of ways to convey to employers how your skill and attributes are going to work for them.
 
Approach you job search with determination.  The outcome will reflect the effort you put in.

FLIGHT TIMES & LISCENCES

FLIGHT TIME:  Placing on Resume/CV
 
When putting your flight time on your resume/CV, you should place it towards the top so it is easily seen. when buiding your resume/CV first place your name, address and personal information.  Then your licenses, followed by your flight time.  Organize your flight time in bullet points or something similar.  Never a sentence.  i.e.
 
Total Time:   3,500 hrs
PIC:   3,000 hrs
 
Generally you should place your total time first, then break it down by PIC, night, cross-country, IFR etc.  If required post your flight time by aircraft.  This will depend on the job for which you are applying.  You may need to add NVG, twin engine time, or heavy lift time.  If applying for a utility flying position, you definitely want to put your long line experience.
 
The key is to have your qualifications immediately visible.  When an employer is hiring a pilot, flight time is the first item they peruse to see if you are qualified.  Insure that your flight time on your resume/CV is up to date with your logbook.  You can also add a date your flight time was current.  Employers are aware you are adding time on a daily basis.   This will eliminate any questions from the employer about the discrepancies in your flight time. 

GOVERNMENT JOBS

Drug Enforcement Agency http://www.dea.gov/resources/job_applicants.html

FAA http://www.faa.gov/jobs/

Canadian Forces http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/v3/engraph/home/home.aspx?bhcp=1

Japan Ministry of Defense http://www.mod.go.jp/e/index.html

Ministry of Defense Singapore http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/home.html

Royal Air Force http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/home.cfm

Royal Navy http://www.careers.royalnavy.mod.uk/

U.S. Air Force http://www.airforce.com/

U.S Army http://www.goarmy.com/flindex.jsp

U.S. Army National Guard http://www.1800goguard.com/

U.S. Coast Guard http://www.gocoastguard.com/

U.S. Navy http://www.navy.com/careers/

DESCRIPTION:
The workshop will cover military benefits and resources that include training, education, or other needed tools for a new career.  An introduction to the helicopter industry will consist of present and future growth in the field, job opportunities, and other information.  An overview of the commercial industry will be presented including regulations, licensing, and qualifications.  It will also reference the difference between military and civilian aviation.
The instructor will present and review resume/CV building and how to get hired.  This will include contacts, preparing for check rides and exams, qualifications, and resources available to get the position desired.
Safety is always a consideration for employers when considering a prospective candidate.  The workshop will finish with the importance of safety and how to stay safe in the world of commercial flying.   
 
INSTRUCTOR:
Ms. Irby has headed safety committees and conducted seminars in every aspect of aviation safety to include human factors, aviation security, mountain flying, emergency management, overwater emergency and survival.  She has designed and implemented training and safety courses for various types of aviation, but specializes in the helicopter industry.   Her education specialty is International Relations specializing in terrorism and security.  
 
II.                      Should I stay in the Military or get out?
III.                    Military Benefits
A.          GI Bill
B.          Loans
C.          Medical
D.          VA disability
E.           Training Assistance
IV.                    Introduction to Civilian Helicopter Industry
      A.     Types i.e. EMS, tours, offshore, instructing, government, etc.
V.                   Regulations
A.          Licensing
1.           Pilot
2.           Mechanic
3.           Misc.
4.           Medicals
B.          FARs Part 61, 91, 135, 121
C.          Type Ratings
1.           Pilot
2.           Mechanic
VI.                    Key Personnel
VII.                   Job Market
A.          How many flight hours do I need?
B.          How many years of experience do I need?
C.          The Helicopter Industry
D.          Job Resources
1.       Online
2.       Government
3.       Word of Mouth
4.       Peers
VIII.                Getting Hired
A.          Building a Resume/CV
B.          Researching Potential companies
C.          How to apply for a position
D.          Interview
IX.                    Check Ride / Testing  
X.                      Working for a Civilian Employer 
A.          What to expect/ environment
B.           Benefits
C.           Salary
D.           Moving Expenses
E.            Conduct / Responsibilities
XI.                    Managing Your Civilian Career
XII.                  Balancing Safety and Profit
A.          Safety brings profit
B.          Safety is everyone’s responsibility
XIII.                Questions / Discussion
XIV.                 Review / Conclusion   
 
COURSE MATERIALS:  
 Military to Civilian Workshop will include a printed manual and CD.  All participants will be able to access Copterjobs, LLC seminar webpage to access updates or complete manual.  Resources will also be available and published in the manual and on Copterjob’s website.
Outline:      
Debra Irby has been in aviation for over 28 years.  Trained in the U.S. Army as a mechanic and pilot, she has served on active duty, in the Reserves, and the National Guard.  In 2002 Ms. Irby was called back to active duty where she flew Chinooks with the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan.  Military trained in helicopters, and civilian trained in fixed-wing, she has worked in various sectors of aviation; from government, to commercial line pilot, management, and owning a business.  She is currently the CEO of Copterjobs, LLC and Director of Operations for Pacific Helicopters.
Active duty military, Reserve and Guard members, Veterans, and those thinking about joining the military to further their education and experience, should attend the workshop.    No matter what job, MOS, or field you have or are currently working, if you are interested in aviation as a career this seminar will be invaluable.  
 For those in the aviation field or considering it as a career, this workshop provides information to enable the service member to make career decisions and explore possibilities, making the transition to civilian life easier.  Transitioning from military back to civilian life is never simple.  Whether the individual is retiring or getting out after a first “hitch”, transitioning to an uncertain environment is daunting particularly in the field of aviation.  This workshop will also be valuable for those considering a military career.
The Military to Civilian Works is a transition assistance seminar for service members interested in the helicopter industry as a career.

SCHOLARCHIPS, GRANTS & GOVERNMENT BENEFITS