Getting out, military retirement, military to civilian transition - Military Times

Career Resources

Job fairs and online resources

Chances are your local transition office sponsors one or two job fairs each year. This is an opportunity to talk with potential employers. Prepare a résumé and bring copies to the fair. Also bring a copy on disk so recruiters can download it. You might need several versions of your résumé if you’re looking for more than one type of job. Consult your transition program office about proper attire (military or business dress).

Recruiting firms that specialize in helping transitioning military members also host off-post career fairs. Clearancejobs.com, for example, holds career fairs each year on or near military installations that feature employers looking for potential workers who have active government security clearances. Other companies have online databases that can be used to search and apply for jobs.

The Defense Department’s Operation Transition Web site features a Transition Bulletin Board with job postings from companies that hire veterans and their spouses. On average, about 10,000 ads featuring 30,000 jobs are posted each day.

Check with the transition program office at your installation for more information about federal, state and local online job banks.

CONTACT: Operation Transition, www.dmdc.osd.mil/ot.

Transition classes and counseling.

Transition assistance programs help service members make the move from soldier, sailor, airman or Marine to civilian. The programs, available at most installations, usually offer a two- or three-day class in which service members learn the skills necessary to find a civilian job. At many installations, attendance is required when preparing for separation or retirement.

Résumé writing, networking, interviewing and job-hunting are covered during transition classes. Many classes incorporate job interview role-playing and identify appropriate attire for an interview. Some programs invite businesspeople to answer questions about the job market and the skills they look for in job candidates.

One of the most important things to remember about looking for a civilian job is that many civilians are not familiar with military jargon or acronyms. They also might not be aware of how military skills apply to their company. Transition counselors can help eliminate jargon from résumés and showcase your skills in a civilian-friendly way.

Contact: Career transition services: Air Force, www.afpc.randolph.af.mil; Army, www.acap.army.mil; Marine Corps, www.tampusmc.com; Navy, www.lifelines.navy.mil.