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The Essential Military-to-Civilian Transition Resource

SEP/OCT2012

Read this issue of Civilian Job News onl ine NOW: Online.Civi l ianJobNews.com

SpouseSeries:Embracing civilian life................ page 4

Ask theRecruiter:The GI Bill......................page 3

by Carolyn Heinze, Contributing Editor

When Ted Williams emerged from the Mekong Delta

after serving 18 months in the Vietnam War, transition assistance for veterans consisted of a few flights.

“I spent Christmas in three time zones,” Williams recounted. “I started the morning getting on a plane, first stopping in Guam and then Hawaii, and then Oakland, California.” It was Christmas, 1971. Williams, a newlywed prior to being drafted, hadn’t seen his wife in almost two years. Needless to say, he was in a hurry to get back to Illinois, where she was going to college.

In Oakland, however, no clerk knew how to process the appropriate paperwork. A minor delay, since in the military, Williams worked in personnel management. “I knew how to do it, so I ended up processing myself, and the guys I was with, out of the Army,” he said. “So when I told the guys in Oakland that I knew how to do that, what that meant is they didn’t have to work late. And, they let me do it. At the time, believe it or not, typing 65 words a minute was almost unheard of, particularly for a guy, but I was motivated.” Several hours later, Williams was in Illinois, shopping for the groceries for Christmas dinner with his wife.

While the grocery thing was a bit surreal - “Here I am, 36 hours ago, walking around with an M-16 all the time, and now I’m sitting here in jeans and a T-shirt – and remember, it’s cold in Illinois,

too!” – Williams, originally from Memphis, Tenn., admits that thanks to the support of family and friends, his transition was easier than it was for many of his fellow vets. He and his wife finished up college in Illinois and then moved to Berkeley (“…to see what the hippies were up to…”). There, the couple applied to several law schools around the country; it turned out that the one that accepted them both was in San Francisco. With the help of the GI Bill, Williams got his law degree.

“College for me, after that, and law school, from my perspective, was a piece of cake,” Williams reflected. “I was on full academic scholarship and the GI Bill, and I had this lovely woman who was my wife. I was like: It couldn’t get much better.”

Today, Williams heads up his own company, The Williams Group, a human resources management consulting firm based in Des Moines, Iowa. “I knew, deep down in my soul, that I was probably not going to be an employee after my experience in the military,” he said. “But I knew I needed to get the training to position myself so I wouldn’t have to be an employee. And I had a frame of reference to work from.”

Ajmer Singh entered the U.S.M.C. Reserves in 2009 after high school. He attended boot camp in Parris Island, S.C., then Motor Transportation School at Camp Johnson, N.C. From September 2010 to April 2011, Singh was in Afghanistan on a combat deployment. When he returned, the economy and unemployment were destined

to work against him when he searched for work.

”When we got back to the States, the Corps gave us a list of online job search firms to help with the search,” he said. “I signed up on so many sites.” One of the sites was Civilianjobs.com.

It was Pete Charest, Director of CivilianJobs.com, who called Singh and recruited him for a position at Star Leasing, a company that leases trailers to trucking firms. Singh was placed as an operations assistant. While the position is in the transportation field, he is not turning a wrench as he did in a combat zone. The position of operations assistant has him in the bigger picture of orchestrating the dispatch and return of leased trailers. According to Singh, “Star Leasing was very receptive to my military background. My supervisor, Mr. Rusty Swarts, said that he knew my experience in the Corps would bring responsibility and flexibility to a high-tempo operation.”

Singh also attends college at Augusta State University and is on schedule to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in 2015. He utilized his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to pay for tuition. [SEE “ASK THE RECRUITER, PAGE 3 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GI BILL].

For Troy Johnson, transitioning out of the military was more of a rocky ride. After 21 years serving as a combat engineer specializing in bridges, he decided, one day, to get out. “I retired in 2004 after the initial invasion into Iraq,” he explained. “I said, ‘I’m done.

I’ve got 20-plus years in.’ I made an emotional decision to get out instead of thinking it through.”

Originally from Indiana, Johnson and his wife moved to the Tampa area in Florida, where finding work was not easy. He took a job as an armored vehicle driver while still on terminal leave, with minimal pay for a lot of hours. Eventually, Johnson paid a visit to his veterans’ rep at the local OneStop Center, and he got lucky: it just so happened that several positions were open for Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPs). “(My rep) told me how to apply through the state website. He told me to use my transferable skills on the application to help market myself. I did that, and I got the job about two weeks right before I retired,” Johnson said.

Johnson remained a DVOP for about a year and a half, until he was relocated to the MacDill Airforce Base as a Department of Labor (DOL) TAP Workshop Facilitator. Again, he worked there for a little over a year until a term position opened up at the Army Family Readiness Center’s transition program. “I kind of took a bit of a risk there, but sometimes you’ve got to get your foot in the door with the federal government,” he explained. The risk paid off: the position became permanent, and today, Johnson is the transition program manager at MacDill.

Still, Johnson admits that he got lucky; if he did it all over again, he probably wouldn’t have made the spontaneous decision to retire right

Moving On... and UpVeterans tell their stories aboutrelocating back into civilian life

Career Coaches' CornerImprove your jobapp skills .....page 9

Job FairsPolish up your resume................... page 8

Getyourdream job!................... page 6

continues page 5

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S SPECIAL MOVING & RELOCATION ISSUE

Visit Career Advice at CivilianJobs.com to learn more about

these topics:

Assessment& Career CounselingTools to help you clarify your career choices and identify jobs that might suit you.

ResearchHow do you find information on the things you are interested in?

NetworkingLinks to other information sources related to careers,job searching, relocation, transition assistance and more.

InterviewingCommunicating who you are and why you can do the job.

Offer StageGetting the compensation package you want.

continued on page 5

2 September/OctOber 2012

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Publisher Pete CharestManaging Editor Kathy ScottArt Director Alec TrapheagenAssociate Editor Anthony MorrisContributing Editors Mike Carr Janet Farley Carolyn Heinze Heidi Russell Rafferty Tom WolfeDirector of Technology Don NowakExecutive Consultant Marla SmithAccount Representative Rhonda DavisAccount Representative Lauren FaughnanAccount Representative Leah PenlandAccount Representative Geoffrey Reabold

Civilian Job News is published by:CivilianJobs.com1825 Barrett Lakes Blvd., Suite 300Kennesaw, GA 301441-866-801-4418

Reproduction or use without permission of any editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. The inclusion of advertising is considered a service to our readers and is not an endorsement of products or advertising claims. Opinions expressed in articles are the opinions of the contributors and do not necessarily express the opinions of Civilian Job News or its staff.Subscription rate: $12 per year (6 issues). To subscribe, call 1-866-801-4418.

©2007-2012 Civilian Jobs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Civilian Job News and CivilianJobs.com are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI), the largest military-focused placement firm in the U.S.

Q: I will be transitioning out in the next nine months and I wanted to know a little more about the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Can I only use if for college and, if I don’t use it, can I transfer any of the benefits to my son?

A: Great question! Technology has added a whole new phase to job skills and in order to get the job you want, you might need some additional schooling. Fortunately, the Post 9/11 GI Bill offers many opportunities for our service members to advance their skills and build their experience. And, college is not the only option to further your career, either. The Post-9/11 GI Bill includes “graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on-the-job training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing programs, entrepreneurship training, and tutorial assistance. All training programs must be approved for GI Bill benefits.”

The Post-9/11 GI Bill can also be used while on active duty, but benefits vary based on time served. If you need some refresher courses, or want to learn how to use some software like Excel or PowerPoint, it might be worth looking into eligibility.

To begin with, it’s important to note that service members must have served “at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10,

2001 and received an honorable discharge.” Benefits are prorated based on time served with 90 days of service earning 40 percent support, up to full benefits for those who have served at least 36 months.

On August 1, 2009, a transferability option went into effect, but it requires reenlistment or longer lengths of service. Still, take a look at the DOD site to learn more - http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers numerous options with specific criteria so make sure you take some time to learn more and most of the benefits are available for up to 15 years after your release from active duty. CivilianJobs.com has created a link directly to the site to help with your research- http://www.gibill.va.gov/

Mike Arsenault is Director of Candidate Services at Bradley-Morris, Inc. He can be reached at (800) 330-4950 ext. 2105 or by email at marsenault@bradley-morris.com

Ask the Recruiter

12AUAM1135 • AC-0255

LETTERS

FROM HOME

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TO ARRIVE

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by Janet Farley Contributing Editor

“The Big Move.” It almost echoes off the page. You’ve finally done

it or you’re about to do it. In either case, you can count on the actual transition continuing well past the time the movers pull out of your driveway.

To help you and your family members adjust, this issue’s Mission Transition offers you these timely transition tips:

Household Transition Tips: Let there be light. And, while you’re at

it, arrange for telephone service, Internet connectivity, water, cable/DIRECTV, garbage pickup service and other necessary services. To identify providers in your area quickly, search online for utility providers, consult the yellow pages on- or off-line or ask your Realtor for local contacts.

Inspect the property. You might have already gone over the place with a fine-

toothed comb when you first said you would take it. Do it again if there has been any time lapse. Be sure you’re satisfied that everything is in acceptable working order. Consider hiring a home inspector. Ask your real estate or your insurance agent and friends for referrals. The cost varies from $500 to $700, but it’s essential for you to get an expert to look at important aspects of the house such as its foundation, roof, plumbing, windows, air conditioning, heat, etc. Find issues before you close so that these items that need repairs can be put into the closing contract.

Close out the business of moving as soon as possible. Inspect all those items the movers unpacked to be sure they are in working order. Consider filing a claim for those things that didn’t make it or were damaged. Update insurance policies to cover your new digs and items.

Handle the rest of the paperwork. You may have thought mountains of paperwork only existed in the military. You thought

wrong. You’ll need to civilianize all those things you used to do on the installation. Visit the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get a new driver’s license. Get new license plates and/or tags for your car. Register to vote. Make sure your change-of-address instructions are working, and update these as necessary. Sign up for local newspaper delivery, virtually or via your old-fashioned mailbox.

Line up your new service providers. Identify your nearest hospital and determine who your next doctor, dentist, banker, vet and hairstylist will be (not necessarily in that order). Transition any military medical benefits as necessary.

New Job Transition Tips:Transitioning out of the military and to

a new community seems like it would be stressful enough, but it’s just not. You may have to throw a new job into the mix as well. Take a deep breath, and consider these points:

Review your existing federal withholding and revise as necessary. If, for example, you find your post-uniform paycheck increased significantly, you will want to be sure to adjust your withholding so you are not hit with an unexpected tax bill on April 15. Consult with your tax advisor for details.

Take full advantage of employer-provided benefits. Know what these benefits are and be sure to apply for the ones you want within the period of eligibility.

Don’t change everything on Day One. You may know there is a better way to do things, but take the time to adjust to your new job, colleagues and work environment before you go stepping on toes unnecessarily.

Give it time. If you feel like you’ve made a big mistake, give it a respectable

amount of time. New jobs can be stressful until you get a feel for how things work. As a saving grace, remember you can always discreetly continue your job search on the side.

Family Transition Tips Moving and adjusting to a new location

is particularly hard on children, regardless of their age. The sooner they are involved in school, sports and other activities that make up a regular routine, the happier they will be. The happier they are, the happier you will be. It’s truly a circle-of-life thing.

Register the kids for school if you haven’t checked that box yet. Be sure you have a copy of their school records in hand before you leave point A for point B. To research specific schools and identify location-specific options, search for schools at GreatSchools.Org. Talk to your new neighbors for local knowledge.

Get busy exploring your new hometown. You might not have met your new neighbors yet or identified the location of the best local restaurants, but now is the time to start exploring. Theoretically, you researched your new home online before arrival, but nothing quite beats hitting the streets and getting lost in person. Even if you are returning to a place that you have called home, things change over time. Get reacquainted.

You’ve got your whole civilian life waiting for you. Go out and make it exceptional!

Janet Farley is the author of "The Military Spouse’s Guide to Employment: Smart Jobs for Mobile Lifestyles” (Impact Publications, 2012) and “Quick Military Transition Guide: Seven Steps to Landing a Civilian Job” (Jist Publishing, Inc., 2012). Follow her on Twitter @mil2civguide and @smartjobchoices for tips, news and inspiration.

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Mission Transition:

Spouse Series -Settling into civilian style

September/OctOber 2012 5

then and there. “One thing I think is critical is to really identify what you would do in a career before you transition out, and prepare yourself for that,” he said. “I had no idea what I wanted to do in another career. I just got my resume together and started shotgun-blasting it out to all of these poster board sites, which is not very effective, obviously.” The OneStop Center proved to be his salvation, he adds, thanks to his being in the right place at the right time. “If not, I don’t know where I would be, to be quite honest.”

Johnson also notes that part of this transition planning should include adequate research into where you want to move. “(If I did it over again), I probably would research a little more as far as the labor market and the housing market, and the overall crime rate,” he said. “I would do a better assessment of the area that I’m going to.”

The Price of RelocationBudgeting for a move is vital and should

include costs associated with leaving a current residence, which might need home upgrades, to costs for arriving in your new location.

“Once you get your budget done, increase it by about 25 percent,” counsels Chad Storlie, a former Special Forces Major now based in Nebraska, “especially if you are moving to an urban area. Groceries are going to be more expensive, services are going to be more expensive – especially if you are looking at things like daycare. That may be 200 percent more expensive than what you are dealing with today.” He adds that it’s wise to establish a network of people who can tell you what’s going on in the community that you are considering relocating to, and, if possible, visit once or twice to gain an idea of what it’s really like.

It’s also wise to make a list of all of the products and services you use on a daily, weekly and monthly basis – items such as groceries, utilities, healthcare, daycare, babysitters, and so on. “When you start making a list like this, you start to find that there’s not just 10 or 15 items. It’s more than turning on the phone. It’s probably more like 50 or 60 different items that you have to look at and plan for,” Storlie said, admitting that this is an exercise he and his wife didn’t apply at the beginning of his transition. “Luckily, it was just my wife and I, so we could adapt pretty easily. But if you have a family and children, or if you are a disabled veteran, now you have a big list that you need to coordinate.”

Storlie, who now holds a full-time post at Union Pacific Railroad, retired from the military to attend Georgetown Business School in Washington, D.C. He has authored two books, “Battlefield to Business Success: Applying Military Leadership and Skills in Your Career” and “Combat Leader to Corporate Leader: 20 Lessons to Advance Your Civilian Career.” He has taught marketing courses at Creighton University, and volunteers his time to help veterans with transition issues.

Attending Georgetown meant that Storlie and his wife (and an 80-pound Golden Lab) had to relocate from Colorado to D.C., which mandated a significant lifestyle change. “For us, it was a tremendous downsizing,” he relayed. “When we were in Colorado, we had a nice townhouse, a view of the mountains and lots of space. Then, we were

in an 800-square-foot apartment. It almost seemed like not just one step backwards, but almost like five steps backwards.” Before, both he and his wife were bringing in full-time paychecks; in D.C., it was only his wife who was working full-time. “There is a great deal of faith and confidence that you need to have. You need to say, ‘Yeah, we are stepping forward into the future.’”

While tallying up expenses and defining a strict budget is extremely important, Storlie is a firm believer in taking the time to develop what he terms ‘multiple revenue buckets’. “I got out and I was in the Guard. I also did about a 30- to 35-hour-a-week internship to bring money in, and my wife had a job,” he explained. He notes that vets should also look into all of the benefits that they are eligible for, such as VA Chapter 31 for retraining, or the new GI Bill. “That’s also a source of income. People will spend time on the cost side, but people need to spend even more time on the revenue side: What are all of the different benefits and different things that we can get to help us reduce our costs?”

For Johnson, despite his initial challenges, the best part of civilian life is the freedom to strike a more equal balance between his work and his personal life. “One of the reasons I decided to get out was family,” he explained. “At that point in time in 2004, I had a five year-old boy, and I wanted to be there more for him.” He notes that one of the things he teaches those he counsels is the importance of defining one’s own career values. “For me, it’s having a fixed schedule. I know at a certain time I can get off and I don’t have to worry about working on the weekends, for the most part. Now I have the time to take my kid to all of his football practices, I get to go to his games, and that’s probably the most significant reward for me.”

With this freedom, comes challenges, and Storlie likes to think that the main challenge of transitioning out of the military is all of the opportunity that awaits. Yet, in order to benefit from this opportunity, sometimes it’s necessary for vets to call upon others for help. “When you run into challenges, you have to be proactive and reach out,” Storlie said. “I think so many people think that transitioning is something that they do by themselves. You need to think of it as, ‘I own the experience, but if I need help, there are people that will help me. I just need to reach out to them.’”

To get the best out of what civilian life can offer, Williams underlines the importance of developing mentors who may not only assist with transitioning, but who can also help your career ambitions to take shape…in the form you want them to take. “Get someone who can give you a frame of reference that you might not have, who can listen to what you’re saying and what you’re not saying, and then offer up some suggestions as to what you may or may not do,” he advised. “I tell everybody that I work with: You are the CEO of you. I’m an advisory board member, but ultimately, you determine you.” A coach should be there to contribute the subject matter expertise that you may not have, but that may help you in making your ultimate decision.

But, in the end, Williams reminds us, it’s all about you. “You’ve got to be responsible and accountable for you,” he said. “This is a time when you do have to be ruthlessly selfish. You’ve already given to the country. So give to yourself.”

Carolyn Heinze is a freelance writer/editor.

“Moving On…and Up, Veterans tell their stories about relocating back into civilian life” continued from page 1

6 September/OctOber 2012

by Heidi l. russell, Contributing Editor

You hear of a perfect job. It fits your skill set and promises attractive career

advancement opportunities. The only problem is that you have to relocate. After a military career flush with multiple Permanent Change of Stations, are you willing to pull up stakes again? Should you be?

In this economic climate, you might think experts would advise you to grab whatever is available, wherever it is. But this decision isn’t that cut-and-dry and more often resembles the tip of a submerged iceberg of hidden ramifications. Here’s how to evaluate whether relocation is right for you.

Analyze your niche. Sometimes, relocation can’t be helped if nearly all of the jobs within your field are concentrated in a particular geographic region, says Steve Ziegler, co-founder of TriWorth, a nationwide talent acquisition firm with two headquarters in Chicago and Denver.

“If you’re graduating and want to be an investment banker, there are only a handful of cities that allow you to pursue the career: San Francisco or New York, for example,” Ziegler says. By contrast, there are up to 75,000 technical engineering jobs prevalent throughout the United States, so you can cherry-pick your location. “So with that type of field, if you wanted to be

in Birmingham, Ala., then focus your career on that location,” he adds.

Additionally, lower-level paying jobs will have a lot more availability in all markets than high-paying, executive level or niche positions, he says.

Analyze the company’s relocation support offerings. HR people should be the catalyst to make your move easier, whether your concerns are health-related or understanding the housing market, Ziegler says. Their response to your relocation needs will reflect the type of culture you can expect if you move, he says. He recruited someone for Microsoft-North Dakota, which has a lot of employees in Fargo. The person was concerned about leaving Los Angeles, because their son, who had cystic fibrosis, needed access to its great hospitals, Ziegler says.

“The HR person was great. There was another employee in that location whose daughter had the same condition, and they made a connection. It turns out there was a strong community and great hospitals in Minneapolis.”

That said, except for those largest companies that frequently relocate employees, it’s not that common to find similar resources among smaller entities, says Caroline Ceniza-Levine. She’s co-founder of SixFigureStart®, which helps people find fulfilling and financially rewarding careers. She’s also co-author of “Six Steps to Job Search Success” (2011, Flat World Knowledge) and the best-selling “How

the Fierce Handle Fear: Secrets to Succeeding in Challenging Times” (2010, Two Harbors Press).

If you interview at a company with that type of offering, it indicates a supportive culture, she says. And, you can also take the initiative, ask HR for assistance in getting to know the area.

“Even if there isn’t formal relocation assistance, they may be able to pair you up with local employees who can give you the inside scoop. Make sure you mention that you’re a military veteran and see if they can pair you up with another vet who might be able to give you help specific to your situation,” Ceniza-Levine says.

Analyze your quality-of-life goals. At the end of the day, your job is one aspect of your life, Ceniza-Levine says. “You will be on the job only some of the time, but you’ll be living in that geography 24/7 once you move. Obviously, if you get a great opportunity in a place you hadn’t considered, by all means, research it and remain open-minded. But there’s also something to be said for picking where you want to live and launching a job search targeted to that area,” she says.

Analyze your family’s needs, Ziegler says. “Especially if you’ve moved so much, do you really want to put the stress on your family? Where do you really want to be? Where is home? And if you’re a single guy, you may be adventurous. Then relocating is a different way to go. You can just take off to Chicago and start your career, even if

you’ve never been there.” Choosing between two similar jobs

in disparate geographies? Ceniza-Levine offers these tips:

· Try to visit both. No substitute exists for being on the ground, seeing neighborhoods block by block, actually visiting the school where you would send your kids, and attending a religious service or touring the community center, she says.

· Read the local news for each area. With hyperlocal online news sites, such as AOL’s Patch.com, it’s easier to get a feel for the neighborhood.

· Contact the local Chamber of Commerce and see if someone can send you a welcome packet of information about the area.

· Peruse the local classifieds to get a true sense of housing costs, grocery costs and area events.“Finally, in addition to choosing based

on the quality of life, compare both job prospects in light of what matters most to you,” she says. “Is it job security? Is it compensation? Is it possibility for advancement? Is it the type of work? Don’t only compare geographies, but compare job and long-term career prospects.”

Arming yourself with knowledge is key to any decision.

Freelancer Heidi Russell Rafferty is a reporter with 19 years of experience who writes about employment and business issues.

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In return, we offer you career opportunities in our Atlanta home office or in one of our local stores, with benefits that befit someone who has served our country: Sundays off, bonus programs, medical and dental coverage, life insurance, 401K plan, vacation, sick and holiday pay, ongoing training and career development.

When I served in the military during the Vietnam era, I remember veterans coming home to a divided nation and no real prospects for work and financial security. I vowed then to see that ‘no

man is left behind,’ who wants to live the American Dream. Today I’m a member of the International Franchise Association’s VetFran committee and use that platform to enlist other franchise organizations and lease-to-own companies to support our veterans in their journey to find civilian jobs. If I can offer any advice in your job search, take the positive things you learned in the military like discipline, self-motivation, and your never quit attitude to finding the job or business opportunity that is best for you and your family. Keep your head high and your feet moving forward. Visit us at Aarons.com or Aaronsfranchise.com.

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8 September/OctOber 2012

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Date: October 18, 2012 Location: Camp Lejeune, NC - Marston Pavilion 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sponsor: CivilianJobs.com, 866-801-4418

Date: October 18, 2012 Location: Fort Lee VA/ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Regimental Club and HideAway - 2609 C Avenue, Fort Lee, VA 23801 Sponsor: JobZone, Janet Giles 540-775-4199 www.jobzoneonline.com

Date: October 25, 2012 Location: Nellis AFB, NV - Nellis Officers’ Club 10 a.m. - 2 p.m Sponsor: CivilianJobs.com, 866-801-4418

Date: November 1, 2012 Location: Ft. Benning, GA - Benning Conference Center (formerly Benning Club) 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sponsor: CivilianJobs.com, 866-801-4418

Date: November 7, 2012 Location: Fredericksburg Expo Center and Conference Center 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Sponsor: JobZone, Janet Giles, 540-775-4199 www.jobzoneonline.com

Date: November 8, 2012 Location: Ft. Bragg, NC - Ft. Bragg Club 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sponsor: CivilianJobs.com, 866-801-4418

Date: November 9, 2012 Location: Belvoir-Springfield VA 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. American Legion Post 176 - 6520 Amherst Avenue, Springfield, VA 22151 Sponsor: JobZone, Janet Giles 540-775-4199 www.jobzoneonline.com

Date: November 28, 2012 Location: Ft. Hood, TX - Club Hood 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sponsor: CivilianJobs.com, 866-801-4418

Date: November 29, 2012 Location: Ft. Sam Houston, TX - The Sam Houston Club 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sponsor: CivilianJobs.com, 866-801-4418

For more job fair dates and locations, go to CivilianJobs.com

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September/OctOber 2012 9

by tom WolFe Career Coach and Contributing Editor

Even in our increasingly digital society, career transition and job hunting require

a tremendous amount of old-fashioned paperwork. Documents such as resumes, cover letters, thank-you letters, writing samples, and application forms continue to be both useful and expected. Like all mechanical preparations, paperwork only becomes an issue when done improperly or left undone. The subject of my column this month is the application form. Although many companies treat them as a formality, you would be ill-advised to do the same.

Proper completion of the application form ensures that it will not be a cause for rejection. There are nine issues to consider: making copies, paying attention to detail, using the correct materials, being thorough, achieving accuracy, mentioning your military service, making more copies, replying in a timely manner, and asking for assistance, if necessary.

Make copies. The first step is to make several copies of the blank form. Why? Well, it is nice to have a working copy to play around with before you complete the final draft. In addition, if an error occurs, you can redo the form. Clean copies provide a more favorable impression on potential employers.

Attention to detail. Read it! More specifically, read the application form cover-to-cover before any ink hits the page. Sometimes, instructions are embedded in the document may impact what you may have already written. The extreme example is the company that begins its application form with, “Before you complete this application form, please read it in its entirety” and later suppose the document randomly has the phrase, “After you have read this application form in its entirety, do not complete any part of it. Sign and date the final page, and return it in the envelope provided.” Did you follow instructions? Thank goodness for those copies!

The proper materials. Now you are ready to begin, maybe. Do you have the proper materials? Did the instructions specify black or blue ink? Number-two pencil? Do you have access to the information requested? Previous addresses? Contact information for references?

Be thorough. Unless instructed otherwise, you should leave nothing blank. You do not want to be interpreted as lazy or lacking attention to detail. Never use the phrase, “See resume.” That is interpreted as “I am too lazy to restate what is already on my

resume.” Be careful with phrases like “open” or “flexible” because some companies treat those responses the same way they would if the space was blank. Your goal is to appear flexible and keep open as many doors as possible. You can accomplish this goal and still fill in the blanks by being a little creative. For example, if the opening is in Atlanta, put “Southeast” in the geographic preference box. Rather than listing a specific salary, put down an acceptable salary range. Under objective, two things are important. First, make sure your responses indicate interest and also experience; second, verify that the position you are interested in is available.

Accuracy. There are two parts to this one. First, be sure that everything you put on the form is truthful, accurate, verified, and documented. No guessing! If you use estimates or approximations, make sure you qualify that information accordingly. Second, check for any typographical or spelling errors, poor grammar, or other mistakes, as these lapses would reflect badly on you.

Military service. Many application forms are not designed to take into account the number of different assignments typical service members have during their time in the military. Some application forms have a special section for military service and it is usually a relatively small space. What to do? Consider the space available and summarize your total military history in the space allotted—do not overflow to an attachment unless the instructions give you that option. Forget the “resume” temptation.

More copies. Assuming you have your final product in your hands, what now? Make copies, again as there are several reasons for this. One, potential employers have been known to lose them and your foresight will be rewarded. Two, once you have completed one company’s form, you probably have gathered together much of the information requested for another’s. And, three, you might need to recall exactly what you put on the form when you submitted it months or weeks ago.

Timeliness. Another issue to consider is timing. When will you receive the application form? For some companies, that is the very first step in the evaluation process. For others, you are only asked to complete one as the final step before receiving an offer. Still others wait until your first day in the new job to have you complete one. Regardless of when you receive it, treat it like a time bomb. You need to return it before it explodes. Unless the company representative specifically states that you are not to complete and return it immediately, then you should do so. Although timeliness is important, do not sacrifice accuracy, neatness, and completeness in your desire to return it promptly. Consider using an express delivery service. If there is a digital submission option or requirement, use it, but be sure to make a copy before you hit ‘send.’ This can both make up for lost time

and also send a strong “I am interested” signal.

Do you need assistance? If you are completing the application form at the very beginning of the process with a company, you are probably on your own. The exception would be the availability of a personal advocate in that company. Or, if a recruiting firm sponsored you to this company, then one of its counselors will have guidance for you. If you are filling out the forms at the end of the recruiting process and you either have the offer or one is highly likely, then take advantage of the fact that you now have allies in the

company—people who want you on the team.

Successful use of application forms should be no big deal. Just keep in mind accuracy, neatness, thoroughness, attention to detail, and a back-up plan—attributes you already have in place due to your military service.

Tom Wolfe is contributing editor & columnist for Civilian Job News and author of ‘Out Of Uniform: Your Guide to a Successful Military-to-Civilian Career Transition.’

career coach’s

corner

Apply directly by emailing resume and cover letter to: hr@alliedsystems.com or fax information to 503-625-7980.

Visit our website at www.alliedsystems.com.

Allied Systems Company, a manufacturer of heavy equipment, has the following career opportunities available:

• Final Assembly Mechanics• Industrial Painters• CNC and Manual Machinists• Material Handlers• Field Service Representative

Application forms

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10 September/OctOber 2012

Transitioning A to Z:BE BRAVE.

BE CONFIDENT.BE POSITIVE.

“The world is in a constant conspiracy against the

brave. It’s the age-old struggle: the roar of the crowd on the one side, and the voice of your conscience on the other.”-General Douglas MacArthur.

No pressure, but your whole life is about to change.

Of course, your whole life changed

when you joined the military; when you got married; when you had children; when you witnessed the frailty of human life. You are a soldier, and far more capable at meeting life’s challenges head on with a goal to win. As you begin your job search, BE CONFIDENT.

You have the experience needed to score a top job in any company you choose. BE POSITIVE in your thoughts. It will lead to the BRAVERY that you will need as you transition from like today. Nothing can stop you. Nothing can break your spirit. More importantly, you are about to embark on the first day of the rest of your life! Use it wisely. Good luck.

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September/OctOber 2012 11

HOT JOB OPENINGS

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Mississippi LiMe coMpany, netWork adMinistration For over a century Mississippi Lime Company has provided the nation’s industries with high calcium lime products. We have built our reputation on not only the quality of our lime, but also on our technical expertise, commitment to research and development, and our tradition of customer service. Mississippi Lime Company is seeking a Network Administration. This position is responsible for providing computer network, desktop and telephone system support. Network responsibilities include the installation and support of LAN software and hardware. This position requires strong communication skills with a variety of users. Must be experienced with Windows, Citrix and computer networks. Visit careers@mississippilime.com to apply.

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coMpass group, Marketing Manager - Charlotte-based Compass Group North America is the leader in foodservice management and support services. By combining fresh ideas with the industry’s greatest talent, we continue to set the standards for food and service excellence. Chartwells Higher Education is a division of Compass Group and the leading college and university foodservice partner in the industry, twice named to the Fastest Growing Brands List by Nations Restaurant News. The company is seeking a Marketing Manager in three locations. This position represents Chartwells on campus and works to increase student usage of Chartwells dining services. Responsibilities include developing campaigns to increase awareness and usage of the campus dining facilities; present Chartwells programs to students and parents; work with student organizations and university/college personnel to create joint marketing plans and coordinate campus publicity for Chartwells. A BS degree in Marketing is preferred with a minimum of three years marketing experience. To learn more, log onto the CivilianJobs.com’s job board.

TEXAS, San Antonio

schneider nationaL, driver - oiL FieLd truck driver - cLass a cdL - At Schneider National our drivers aren’t just a number. They are part of a team working to deliver each load safely. Our drivers enjoy a culture where their leadership is accessible and helps support their Driver’s career goals. We work hard to provide each driver with a positive work-life balance. Energy Transportation Services is one of the fastest growing divisions within the company, which mean many new, exciting driving opportunities will continuously become available to the drivers who work in this division. There are also opportunities for truck drivers who excel, to train

new drivers. As an Oil Field Truck Driver, you will transport non-hazardous and hazardous materials in and out of the oil fields. You may also move equipment around the work area. This position features earnings up to $55,000 per year based on experience with consistent weekly pay. We offer paid medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, and paid vacation. We also offer a Military Apprenticeship Program to U.S. military veterans, Guard members and Reservists. To apply, visit CivlianJobs.com’s Job Board or send an email to driverrec@schneider.com.

OVERSEAS

AUSTRALIA, Preston, Melbourne

schWeitzer engineering Laboratories (seL), QuaLity assurance engineer - Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) seeks a suitably qualified and experienced individual for our Quality Assurance Engineer position based in Preston, Melbourne. If you are looking for an opportunity with a rapidly growing company where you can develop, implement and maintain the quality assurance engineering processes, then this position is for you! Responsibilities include all activities involving quality assurance and compliance for SEL Australia including developing and maintaining: quality plans by collaborating with employees in each area; the Engineering Services Quality Management System as well as managing quality-owned processes, i.e. corrective action, audit processes; developing and maintain, and report on in-process and post-delivery quality measures to evaluate and improve the ES Quality System effectiveness. Qualifications include a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Business or Quality Systems. Previous experience working in a Quality role under ISO 9001 framework preferred. Visit Civilianjobs.com’s job board to learn more.

VETERANS!Here’s a great new mission:

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September/OctOber 2012 12

Renee Dercks had been at Humana just a year when her husband, Air Force 2nd Lt. Shane Schuelke, was reassigned to Arizona from the Air National Guard in Wisconsin.

Wanting to stay with Humana, Renee reached out to the company’s Veteran Hiring Initiative recruiter in her search for a new position. He forwarded her resume to people who might be interested, followed up with Renee on her progress, and kept in touch with those who could help.

“I’ve seen Humana walk the walk when it comes to its support of the military and the challenges that may bring,” Renee says. She’s continuing her career with RightSource, Humana’s mail-order pharmacy.

1,000 strong by 2014 Humana is proud of our long history of serving veterans.GNHHBZKHH 0712

“As a spouse of an active-duty member, your own professional growth can seem limited because of the uncertainty tomorrow often brings,” Renee says. “Fortunately, that’s not the case as a Humana employee. Humana has allowed me to be the parent, spouse, and professional I need to be for my personal well-being. When my life is balanced, my family’s life is balanced.”

She gets extra support from Humana’s Veterans Network Resource Group. “It has given me a place to feel like I’m not alone with my experiences.”

Be part of something special. Humana is looking for veterans and their spouses for positions across the country.

Go to www.jobs.net/jobs/Humana-Veterans to find out more and apply.

Renee Dercks – Learning Consultant, RightSource® – Glendale, Arizona

Humana’s Spotlight on Veterans

‘I’ve seen Humana walk the walk’

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