Your Employment Matters: Job Search Advice and TIPS for Veterans (Part II)*

Networking (continued):  In the previous post, face-to-face networking
was addressed.  http://www.helpguide.org/life/job_networking_how_to_find_job.htm

Before I move on to social networking, there is more to say about networking generally.  Although you shouldn’t have to tell people how they can help you, they may not come up with ideas on their own.  It’s not that they don’t care or that they don’t want to help, they simply need suggestions. 

Ask people

• To identify others who  
  • May know of possible job
          opportunities; 
  • Know people in HR or
          management who will give you   
    • A courtesy interview; and  
    • Feedback and direction that
      will help you with your job search. 
  • Have any suggestions that may
          lead to employment for you.

Ask family members and friends

• To help you practice your marketing pitch; and
• Help prepare for interviews. 

The loved ones you ask should becapable of providing you with constructive, helpful feedback. 

TIP:  Use social media wisely.

Social media is a great tool. By all means, use Facebook, Twitter, texting and any other means of communication that connects you with people and allows you to tell them that you need their help to find a job. 

It’s no secret that some employers use social media to screen prospective employees. Friends and other contacts may look you up by searching Google or look you up on Facebook or LinkedIn before they refer you. Consequently, you want to make sure that you don’t have anything on social media sites that hampers your efforts to find a job. 

Perceptions: 

TIPS: Acknowledge perceptions about your strengths and weaknesses.

          By your conduct, refute negative perceptions.

A few things to think about, to keep in mind, and focus on in your oral and written communications and interactions are employers’ perceptions about veterans. 
Some of the common favorable perceptions are that you:

• Play by the rules because the military requires compliance, and there are consequences if rules are not followed.
• Respect and honor the chain of  command, and believe that superior officers are due respect and orders should be obeyed.
• Are a team player and loyal to your compatriots.
• Are mission-directed and therefore trained to be goal-oriented.   You stay the course (unless ordered to do otherwise) until the mission is achieved. 
• Have a neat, buttoned-up appearance.

Additional favorable perceptions maybe found at the following article and websites:

“Employing America’s Veterans Perspectives from Businesses 2012”[1] pages
15, 17-20.C. www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/CNAS   and

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

Although you should focus on the favorable perceptions, be aware that there are also less favorable perceptions.  Here are a few:

• Your reluctance to question authority may be problematic in civilian life.  Unsolicited feedback and input, are generally encouraged and expected in civilian workplaces.
• Promotional opportunities are more plentiful and are handled more systematically in the military. You’re not used to keen competition and the more competitive environment present in many workplaces.
• You may miss the camaraderie you enjoyed in the military.  Esprit de corps, e.g., the common spirit existing in the members of a group and inspiring enthusiasm, devotion, and strong regard for the honor of the group may look different from what you expect.

Additional less favorable perceptions can be found on pages 21-29 of “Employing America’s Veterans Perspectives from Businesses 2012.”  Now that you know
what some of the challenges are in terms of perception, do your best to present
yourself in a manner that highlights the favorable ones. 

[1]By Margaret C. Harrell and Nancy Berglass

*Martha Sloane, Principal, MARTHA SLOANE CONSULTANTS, LTD. contributed to this post.