Military Transition Management Challenges…

1. Military Transition Management Challenges… You’ve got to be ready to make some serious changes. You’re going to have to adapt to culture shock. Finding work, and making the transition back to a civilian labor force, won’t be easy for you or your family, 3 Things You Need To Wrap Your Mind Around!

2. Military Transition Management Challenges 10Inevitable Changes Changes in how you think Changes in how you behave Changes in how you describe your job duties Changes in your lifestyles Changes in how you interact with others Changes in your self-images Changes in who manages your time Changes in your levels of power authority Changes in work environments Changes in your income and benefit levels

3. Military Transition Management Challenges Biggest Challenge …The Competition! • Job Market Realities… • 23,000,000 resumes floating through space / cyberspace daily • 25,000+ employment-related Websites • Over 50% of the labor force is currently looking for a new job either passively or actively • Odds of getting a job from the Internet are 4 – 15% • Hiring from within, and through referral, is the most desired methods of recruiting workers

4. Military Transition Management Challenges Biggest Challenge …The Competition! • Job Market Realities… • Manufacturing jobs will continue to decline • Farm, fish, agricultural, and mining jobs are in decline • The GOOD jobs require higher levels of education • Older workers will compete with younger workers for the good jobs of the future • It is who you know that counts Implication Veterans have some catching up to do. We have to make the same commitment to finding a job that we made in the military to doing a good job.

5. Military Transition Management Challenges Cultural Challenge Culture Shock Isn’t A Rock Group! • In the military… • Strategic decision-making came from the top. • Your job…get things done in a tactical manner. • People followed orders…mostly without question. • Excuses were not allowed • Quite often failure was not an option. • In many instances there were life and death consequences. • Everyone looked pretty much the same and acted the same. • Veterans had shared common experiences and a common language. • The culture was a known with specific rules and guidelines. Implication Most of these are not true in a civilian labor force. Showing employers you can adapt to a new culture is crucial to finding a new job.

6. Military Transition Management Challenges Discrimination Can Be A Problem! • Not everyone likes people with military experience. • Only 1% of the population has military experience. • Older vets have a double wammy…age. • Include race, ethnicity, and gender bias and the problem expands. • Career changing and lost time in the competitive labor forcemakes you the new kid on the block. Implication Don’t rely too heavily on employers to “support the troops” when you come home and begin looking for work and you might even be seen as a threat.

7. Military Transition Management Challenges The Problem With Networking! • Veterans have lost their civilian network… • It’s a people to people world…even in the IT world and online social media world. • Networking is the number one way that people find job leads. • 85% of recruiters and employment specialists say that there is more emphasis on hiring through networks. • Drake Beam Morin studies say 46% of all job seekers say that “networking” is the most effective way to find work. • A Haldane & Associates study shows that 61% of people found their next job by networking. Implication One of the most important things you can do to improve your odds of finding work is to expand your networks…outside of your military contacts.

8. Military Transition Management Challenges Why Networks Work… The Geometric Progressions Of A Network 1 person = 2 names 2 names = 4 names 4 names = 8 names 8 names = 16 names 16 names = 32 names 32 names = 64 names 64 names = 128 names 128 names = 256 names 256 names = 512 names 512 names = 1,024 names Anytime you talk with someone, always ask for the names of at least 2 other people who might be willing to talk with you.

9. Military Transition Management Challenges Vocabulary And Communication Challenges • Talk the talk and walk the walk… • Career decision-making classes • Keywords used in resumes • Skills identification exercises • Military crosswalks • Keyword development activities and books • Listing successes and achievements Use The Vocabulary Of Your New Job Implication All of these can help you build up a civilian career vocabulary.

10. Military Transition Management Challenges The Challenge Of Applying For Federal Employment • Ways you can get help preparing for federal and state jobs... • Classes for applicants • Support materials • Career coaches • Instructional Websites • Military associations Implication The more you learn about the federal and state hiring process the better your chances of getting hired by them.

11. Military Transition Management Challenges The Challenge Of Planning And Sequence • People in transition often suffer from anxiety because they don’t have a plan… • Plan your work and work your plan. • The problem is what to plan for and when to work the plan. • You’ll have to set goals and objectives. • You’ll have to manage time effectively. • You’ll have to learn the “process” of making career decisions and the sequence needed to perform a successful job search.

12. Military Transition Management Challenges The Challenge Of Planning And Sequence • You’ll still need to use tech or training manuals for planning your life and career. • They just won’t be as precise and detailed as what we used in the military and they’re called job search books. • Making a transition, and finding a new career, is as much art form as it is a technical skill. Implication If you don’t have a plan, find a career / job search specialist who can help you develop one.

13. Military Transition Management Challenges Unrealistic Financial Expectations Challenge • Money can be the root of many problems… • Too many military personnel walk away from the military thinking that higher pay is in the immediate future. • Because many people in today’s labor market are un- or under-employed • Because labor market wage scales are based on supply and demand • Civilian pay my be lower than what exiting military personnel expect.

14. Military Transition Management Challenges Unrealistic Financial Expectations Challenge • Frequently transitioning veterans will take a cut in pay and reduced status that’s equivalent to someone changing careers. • Always remember that everything costs more in the civilian world and there are very few subsidies (housing, food, clothing allowances, etc.). • The best way to avoid dollar shock is to formulate, and live within, a rigid budget and find out your true value in your local labor market. Implication Sit down with the family and come up with a survival budget and figure out where you can cut back. You need to know how long you can survive unemployment Click here to download the spreadsheet

15. Military Transition Management Challenges Credentials And Certifications Challenge • Military training may not be accepted… • Occupational credentials, such as a license or certification, have increasingly become a common requirement for many types of civilian jobs and almost every school and social support agency is pushing them. • Civilian credentialing requirements are typically based on traditional means of obtaining education, training, and experience in the civilian sector. • Many of your military certifications might not be valued, or accepted, in the civilian world because you might not have followed a traditional award process.

16. Military Transition Management Challenges Credentials And Certifications Challenge • Contact VMET and obtain a Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET; DD-2586) records at the Department of Defense. • Your VMET form, which lists your military job experience and training history, is useful in preparing a resume or filling out college or civilian vocational training applications, to getting life-long learning credits, and supporting your ability to do a job. Implication Don’t be surprised if you have to re-take, or test out, of some classes you’ve already taken in the military.

17. Military Transition Management Challenges The Stereotype Challenge • Common misconceptions of military personnel… • Military personnel do not know how to dress or socialize in the civilian community. • All military personnel are rigid and lack creativity. • You only get things done because of your rank. • The military is not bottom-line oriented, does not think with a profit or savings mentality. • Military life is easier than civilian life. • Military personnel are prone to depression. Implication You have to counter these inaccurate employer perceptions and assuage the employers’ fears that are associated with them.

18. Military Transition Management Challenges Family Challenges • Sometimes families can hurt more than help… • A spouse, partner, relative or child may not like your transition since it might affect a job, friends, school, etc. • This adds one more level of stress that everyone has to cope with in order to make a transition. • Add to that the fact that financial security is in question and the family challenges compound. Implication Everyone in the family must be pulling in the same direction to make a transition work smoothly.

19. Military Transition Management Challenges Stress-related Challenges • Stress is a byproduct of change… • Career transition is certainly a big change. • To minimize future stress… • See problems as challenges and opportunities for growth. • Have a plan to follow. • Don’t let little problems turn into big ones. • Manage your time effectively. • Keep the channels of communication open with important people in your life. • Learn how to have fun, enjoy life and relax. Implication Stress kills…people, relationships, motivation, willingness to take risk, rational thought, and much more.

20. Military Transition Management Challenges Career Choice Challenges • There’s no more difficult, and important decision, than trying to determine the type of work to pursue once you leave the military. • Just a few of the factors that must be considered when coping with this challenge include: • Location selection • Wage and benefits • Responsibility level • Short, mid- and long-term career goals • Types of people you want to work with • Types of supervision you’re willing to accept • Type of companies you want to work for • Type of industries you want to work in • Values you want met...and much more Implication Because you’re older, it’s critical that you make the right choice the first time. Get into a career decision-making class.

21. Dick Gaither Job Search Training Systems, Inc. workwizard@aol.com (800) 361-1613 Military Transition Management Challenges If you have questions, ideas, concerns, or just want to talk about job finding, E-mail or call me!