This story is presented by our sponsor Chevron. "Our team has the technology to take on big challenges, the integrity to do it responsibly and the drive to keep moving the world forward. Join the Challenge." For more information, visit chevron.com.If you're transitioning from military service into the private sector, you're likely hitting that job search from multiple angles: online, job fairs, networking events, government resources and personal connections. Each of those resources has valuable information to help you prepare for a successful search. But ultimately, it's the person in the position of hiring authority whose opinion counts the most.
Michele Gorun is one of those people. As global recruitment programs supervisor for Chevron, Gorun knows what it takes to land a position with an oil and gas corporation that spans the globe. From her perspective, veterans are an excellent match for her employer.
"We know and appreciate the commitment to safety, the leadership skills," she said. "That's what we look for."
Chevron offers an internal network for veterans, Gorun said. Chevron also dedicates a section of their company website to helping veterans find employment and has an online military skills translator. This tool allows candidates to search specific military terms and job categories to find a similar civilian position. Job seekers can search based on branch of service, pay grade and job title to get an idea of what private sector positions may be a match for their skills.
The veterans' network sis a way to bring the organization together with one common goal around a passion for military talent," Gorun said.
With an employee base across the United States, there's a wide range of divisions and specialties within Chevron, she said. Finding the right job really comes down to understanding what those positions are and why it's right for you, she said.
"Our job descriptions really identify the skill set that's needed," she said. "I like to give people advice and encourage them to really review those descriptions. Make sure your background really correlates with what we're looking for."
Those descriptions will include required and preferred skills. Taking the time to craft a resume that clearly highlights how you meet all those criteria will catch a recruiter's attention. If you're applying for multiple jobs at Chevron, each resume you submit should be specific to that position, she said.
"Instead of having a resume that lists a (military) code and then some basic key points, really understand what the job is and talk to it in the resume," she said. "For the role you're looking at in Chevron, customize (the resume) to that role."
Pinpointing the right terms and phrases to best describe why your skills match those required and preferred skills is the foundation of a strong resume, she said.
Cull key words from the job description, as well as the company's website and other online platforms such as LinkedIn. These will be phrases and terms that are specific to the industry, the company and the job itself. You can also learn key words by attending military career fairs and discussing your background with military recruiters, Gorun said.
"You want to ensure you know key words that are a part of that description that you can identify and talk about in your last position," Gorun said. "It's a different mindset than looking at your resume. It's really learning the job, knowing what you did to match that description and highlighting that."
If you've honed your resume well enough to land an interview, Gorun recommends you research the person or people with whom you'll be meeting. LinkedIn is a great resource for that. Profiles will likely list military connections or other common ground you may share with your interviewer, she said.
"Doing your homework is so key," she said. "It's so important to know what the business is doing, what projects are being pushed out and what you could be involved in."
By learning more about the company, its culture and priorities, you may find that you're well positioned for a rewarding second career with a corporation that shares your values and makes the most of your talents.
Photo Credits: Digital Vision, Getty Images
This story is presented by our sponsor Chevron. For more information, visit chevron.com.
©2015 Chevron Corporation. No U.S. military endorsement is implied.
