Your Employment Matters

Hooray and Happy New Year! My employment advice book for young adults is written and is being edited.   Now that I’ve finished writing it, I realize that I also want to provide a free supplement specifically for veterans.  My next few blog posts are excerpts from that supplement.  As always, feedback is considered a gift.

                  Job Search Advice and TIPS for Veterans (Part I)

First and foremost, thank you all for your service to our country.   One of
the biggest advantages you have as veterans in this very competitive job market
is that your countrymen and women are sincerely grateful to you for your personal sacrifice and your contribution to our national security. 

You are military proud as you should be, but your pride should not get in the way of the networking you will have to do to maximize your ability to find a job. Social networking is part of the networking dynamic, but you should never, never underestimate the value of face-to-face contact. 

As you begin to look for work, take a deep breath and prepare yourself for the task ahead.  You should level set expectations so you don’t become discouraged if you don’t find a job immediately because looking for a job in this economy is a marathon not a sprint. 

TIP:  Spend as much time looking for a job as you
would if you had one. 

A typical work day is 8 hours.  You should consider spending that much time
each day either drafting and revising emails, resumes, cover letters and thank
you letters, contacting people you know to ask them to help you and attending
events where you may meet someone you don’t know who may be able to help
you. 

You should also work at least a few hours over the weekend.  Until you
achieve your goal, you really can’t afford to take time off, but you don’t have
to stay home.  There are contacts to make at sports events, sports bars, gyms and parties.  Keep your resumes securely in your car.  You should never be without your resume and a  PDA or small pad and pen.

TIP: Tell everyone you know and everyone you meet that you’re looking for employment.

Tell everyone you know and anyone you meet but don’t know that you’re looking for a job.  

TIP:  Don’t forget or neglect to always ask permission to use a contact’s name as a reference or referral or for any reason.

Here is a tool to use as you prepare your personal marketing pitch which is a self-serving, self-focused 90-second commercial about you.  This is an opportunity to rehearse your “pitch” to your network to highlight attributes such as life experience, training and education, skills, poise, presence and personality. 

Your commercial should have the following key points: your experience, strengths, accomplishments, the type of work or position sought, why you are the interested in that type of work or industry, or why you are attending the event or what you are seeking.

1.  Brief statement about yourself including your education.  (10 seconds)

2.  Your work experience and key accomplishments.  (25 seconds)

3.  Your most recent experiences and key achievements. (25 seconds)

4.  Your future focus.  What you have
to offer (include soft skills http://www.ehow.com/how_8201058_teach-soft-skills.html).  (20 seconds or 30 seconds)     

Optional statement (The reason you are at the event or ask the person you are speaking with, why they chose to attend the event?  This will help you to
quickly assess if you should be spending time with this person) (10 seconds)
Add the 10 seconds to number 4 above if you don’t use it here.

Incorporate the reasons to hire veterans identified in the articles below in your introductory emails, cover letters, marketing pitch, resumes and thank you communications.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2010/01/25/10-top-reasons-to-hire-veterans/

http://www.hireheroesusa.org/hire-a-veteran/why-hire-a-veteran/

For example, in your marketing pitch begin by extending your hand and offering a firm handshake.  Smile, and then begin by saying:

Hello, I’m John Morris.  I’m returning to civilian life after  ___ years in the military (or identify the branch of the armed services). My demonstrated ability to learn new skills and concepts resulted in my selection to become an assistant instructor 18 months after I joined the service. 

Subsequently, I was also selected by my peers to lead our team’s community service initiative (or team effort) to…...my security clearances speak to my integrity and trustworthiness.  I’d welcome any guidance and input you can
give me about my future employment possibilities and opportunities. 

TIP:  Practice, practice and practice your marketing pitch.

Depending on your personality asking for help may be difficult for you, but it’s essential.  If you find that you aren’t comfortable promoting yourself, then you should practice your approach with your loved ones and friends to best present your case to the market. You should also practice in front of the mirror to make your presentation as seamless as possible.

Practice should become your friend.  Practice talking to people about the fact that you’re looking for work. Practice telling people about yourself and the type of work you’re looking for.  Your delivery should be fluid and you should become comfortable delivering it to all types of audiences.

TIP:  Always remember to smile.