Category: Veterans Jobs

Job interviews are daunting when you have been out of the civilian workforce for any length of time. In most cases, Veterans are acutely aware that their “military-speak” may not translate well for hiring managers. This can add pressure and stress when facing a telephone or in-person interview. It isn’t that military experience doesn’t transfer well to civilian jobs; in fact, many hiring managers look for the very skills that are fundamental to military training. The challenge is to communicate effectively what skills you have in a language everyone can understand.

Here are 5 tips to prepare for your job interview.

Research the company, position, and industry

Become familiar with their corporate values by looking at their mission and vision statements. This information can usually be found on their website. Highlight words and phrases that seem important, what values do they hold, what are their goals and priorities. You may find out that customer service is their number one priority, or maybe it is being the best in the industry. By becoming familiar with their corporate culture, you can emphasize the parts of your experience that most closely match.

Look up practice interview questions

Get a list of potential interview questions online and begin practicing your answers. Many people skip this stage because they think it is a waste of time to prepare for questions that may or may not be asked. However, the goal is not to “anticipate” the exact interview questions. It is to start thinking like a hiring manager and begin organizing your thoughts. It also helps you recall your experiences faster during the interview, even for unrelated questions. Don’t just practice in your mind. Write out your answers to help build stronger memory pathways within the actual interview.

Practice speaking out loud and in front of people

Once you have a list of questions and answers written out, try answering them out loud and in front of people without looking at what you’ve written. By practicing out loud, you are training yourself to make small improvements and adjustments before the actual interview. Make sure to speak calmly and with confidence. It is ok to take a few seconds to think about a question before answering. It is also ok to ask for clarity if you don’t understand a question.

Have examples in mind

Hiring managers will want to hear examples of your experience, such as times you demonstrated leadership skills, industry experience, or team work. Sometimes, it is hard to think of examples on the spot if you haven’t prepared them in advance. It is also difficult sometimes to openly praise yourself in public. That’s why it is important to write out specific examples that back up your skills and then look them over before the interview. This can also help translate your military experience into civilian terms. A hiring manager may not understand what a power generation technician is, but they will understand leadership and team work skills if they hear brief and specific examples of the work you performed.

Calming your nerves

Even with all this preparation, the biggest barrier to a successful interview can be our own anxiety. There are several techniques that can help calm your nerves so that it is easier to think quickly and talk calmly when being interviewed. Mindful meditation, slow deep breathing, and stretching can help to calm nerves. You can also visualize the interview going well. Often we imagine the worst, which heightens our sense of anxiety. You can counter this tendency by imagining the best scenarios.

Give Your Job Search Wings: Top 10 to Follow on Twitter

So maybe you were limited to following the orders of a superior officer while in the military, but that’s not true now that you’re back at home. Your next career move is totally up to you.

5 Ways to Increase Your Job Search Online

Today the greatest employment gains can be made through using social networks to your advantage. Some experts suggest you spend up to 90% of your time networking when looking for a new job.

We have compiled the five best tools you can utilize now to tap into the latest online trends so you can elevate your job search to the next level.

1. Virtual Resumes.  While paper resumes still have an important place in the job search, virtual resumes provide a ‘command center’ for your online job search.  A link is an easy way for people to pass along your information, especially through their social networks.  Spend time polishing your virtual resume, before sending it out.

2. Facebook.Facebook is for more than connecting to old friends: use it to get job leads and make sure your virtual resume is circulating. First thing’s first, though—clean up your profile! The information you present needs to be professional, and this includes polite wall posts and decent images you wouldn’t mind your potential employer viewing. Don’t forget to send a link to your friends asking them to look over your virtual resume and send it to any employers who might be interested. Networking is one of the most powerful tools during the job search because employers respond to recommendations from people they already know and trust.

3. LinkedIn. LinkedIn is primed for business connections, so fill out a profile and link it back to your virtual resume on VeteranCentral.com.  LinkedIn lets you get endorsements from your network, join groups related to your experiences, and network with colleagues.  But don’t stop there.  It’s important all your connections know that you are looking for a great job, so show off that resume you spent so long putting together, and join discussion boards relevant to your job interests.

4. Job Ads.  It is easy to get overwhelmed by the number of job search engines online.  The truth is, not all job boards are created equal.  Some job boards don’t update their postings, so you waste time applying to jobs that have been filled already.  To avoid this, look for the application deadline.  If there isn’t one, call the company to ask if the position is still open.  While you have them on the phone, ask if there are other positions open in the same area.  The best job ads come from employer websites, career blogs, industry-specific job boards, and recommendations from within your social network.  Be sure to connect with any companies you want to work for on social media platforms like Facebook. 50% of businesses now use Facebook to find new hires, and recruiters often troll Twitter feeds looking for just the right fit.

5. Online Recon.  Doing a little footwork online can help you find job leads, identify key phrases to use in your resume, and discover companies that may be hiring.  Make a list of the top employers in your industry and study their websites, executive bios, and the wording in their current job openings.  Write down key phrases you find and use them in your cover letters, resumes, and interviews.  It helps to speak the industry’s language and by researching, it shows your potential employer you are serious about the company.  You may also want to explore any extra certifications or credentials that might help you succeed in this area.

Today’s job search is nothing like it was in the past, thanks to technology. But, when you learn how to harness its power, the Internet can also be one of your best strategic tools when job searching.

Given the expansive depth and breadth of available online job search tools, however, it can’t hurt to concentrate your efforts and heed some good advice. In fact, if you’re including Twitter in your multi-front attack, choosing carefully who you follow can actually help keep you in the lead when it comes to your career choices. Only, knowing which song to listen for can be difficult in a jungle full of noisy birds.

The trick with Twitter may be to limit your job hunt follows to just these veteran-friendly recommended tweeters:

Hero 2 Hired

@H2HJobs – This is Mission: Employment central. If their smartphone app is lacking, this company makes up for it with their Twitter presence. With unemployed veterans squarely in mind, they’ll hold your attention on everything from resume tips to upcoming job fairs to suggestions for enhancing your digital presence so that you stand out from the crowd.

Monster Careers

@MonsterCareers – With a constant stream of resume-building, interview-mastering, job-nailing tips, the Monster is on it. Plus, with recommendations on how to use your online presence to your advantage, it’s a career search experience tailor-made for social media.

Veterans Green Jobs

@greenjobs4vets – For veterans with vision. When not just any job will do, these folks can help you find work that helps build more sustainable communities. Stay informed on education and career development opportunities in the most lucrative and forward-thinking industries.

Veteran Owned

@VeteranOwned – Veteran job seekers would do well to find veteran employers. Who better to hire you than someone who already understands your unique qualifications and how to make use of them? Veteran Owned helps you locate them while keeping you informed of the latest news and other stories in the military community.

ClearanceJobs

@ClearanceJobs – Veterans with security clearance need look no further. When it comes to landing jobs in the defense industry to government agencies, you’ll find the advice and hiring news you need for a smooth transition into the private sector.

The Mission Continues

@missioncontinue – Learn more about a transition opportunity that makes sense. You could be one of the post-9/11 veterans all over the country who are putting their leadership skills to work for their neighbors and community. Get updates on how a fellowship program at a local nonprofit could earn you full-time employment.

Hire Heroes USA

@HireHeroesUSA – Move to the frontlines in your work search. Find out which veteran-friendly companies are hiring and where. Follow popular discussion points and trending topics in military news, support, and related issues.

George Bush

@UnemployedBush – Love him, or hate him. It’s all the same here… Who doesn’t enjoy making fun of an old boss? And as your faux former Commander in Chief, this version of the ex-President is ordering you to take a break from your work search and have a laugh at his expense. Remember, he’s unemployed now too!

Veterans Affairs

@DeptVetAffairs – Stay informed of the official word from your favorite government agency. Find out what’s on their agenda and how it may affect you.

Military Connection

@TheGoToSite – Keep current on what’s happening in military communities and news, while also gaining access to tips for finding employment and getting a higher education.

For additional news and resources, also consider:

Military.com @militarydotcom
IAVA Press Room @IAVAPressRoom
VeteransToday @veteranstoday
Veterans for Peace @VFPNational
Military OneSource @Military1Source
U.S. Chamber of Commerce @HireOurHeroes

Using LinkedIn to Link Into A New Job

No matter how much effort Veterans put into applying for jobs, sometimes getting into the desired company is based on who they know.  A recommendation from a colleague or membership affiliation can influence an employer’s hiring decision.

Networking is a valuable job-searching tool for anyone seeking employment.   While people can network at job fairs and social gatherings, others have turned to the Internet as a convenient alternative.  LinkedIn allows its members build a virtual network of colleagues, friends and potential members to help recommend job openings or employers within their industry.  LinkedIn has more than 120 million members and operates as the world’s largest virtual professional network.

Why Veterans Should Use LinkedIn

With a free, basic account, LinkedIn members create a resume-like profile where they can list work experience, education, virtual resumes (i.e. VeteranCentral.com) or any other information they want potential employers to view.  Along with posting a profile, other member benefits include:

1. Job Alerts and Online Job Board.
   The “Jobs You May Be Interested In” program alerts members of local or worldwide job openings in their industry.   If these jobs are not what the member wants, they also have access to an online job board.
2. Networking Building Tools.
   The “People You May Know” application generates potential members to connect to increase a member’s network.  Once members request and confirm their connection, they are officially “linked in” and the application generates connections to new potential members.  In addition, the program showcases a “degrees of separation” between the member’s established connections of colleagues, friends and their connections.
3. LinkedIn Group Membership.  Groups can be a specific cause or an association with either open or by request only admission.  LinkedIn has a variety of Veteran-oriented groups like “Veterans Hired” or “US Military Veterans Network” that encourage members to post job openings, inform about upcoming networking events and discuss specific Veteran job search issues and tips.

Tips on How to Use LinkedIn

Though having a LinkedIn account opens members to a vast network of people, it is important to remember it is an open network.  The LinkedIn application – “Who Viewed Your Profile” – shows the number of people who viewed the profile from the past 30 – 90 days.  To ensure a presentable profile, members must make sure it is:

1. Grammatically Correct.  Writing must be clean, consistent and concise.  Similar to creating a resume, members should double check the content and ask colleagues to provide professional feedback.
2. Full Work History.  Employers are skeptical to hire someone if they find large time gaps between jobs on a resume.  Listing relevant volunteer experience, temporary work assignments or school attendance during these gaps are great examples to show member activity during unemployment.
3. Professional.  LinkedIn is a business networking site and should not be used as other social-oriented networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter.  Posting questionable web links or frivolous status updates can result in an employer or a fellow connection to pass over a member’s profile.  Keep profile information and postings specific to the job search.

Overall, LinkedIn is a great tool for Veterans to use in their job search.  They could be one click away from unemployed to employed.

Requirements

• Reading
• Spelling or the ability to use spell check
• Grammar (or in some cases the ability to use a grammar check)
• Creativity and Curiosity
• Interest in Technology
• Passion for Marketing and Advertising
• Knowledge of current Social Media beat practices and trends

General Advice

Become intimately familiar with the following websites:

• https://www.facebook.com/
• http://www.youtube.com/
• https://twitter.com/
• http://pinterest.com/
• http://www.tumblr.com/
• http://www.reddit.com/

And more! Always keep reading and exploring new sites and new ways to market your product.

Read the following blogs to stay up to date on industry news, updates, best practices, innovative techniques and ideas and trends:

• http://techcrunch.com/
• http://mashable.com/
• http://gigaom.com/
• http://www.digitaltrends.com/
• http://scobleizer.com/

*Insider Tip! These sites will blow your mind. Investigate them:

• http://www.alexa.com/
• http://www.quantcast.com/

Start Your Job Search

Here are some of the best places for a veteran to start a job search:

1. Social Media Jobs: Posts a variety of gigs each day, mostly from the U.S, but also from around the world. – http://www.socialmediajobs.com/
2. Conferences: You’ll have to leave the house for this one! Conferences are a terrific way to network, put out feelers, talk up potential clients and employers and even land a job.
3. Craigslist: Craigslist has a bad reputation becauase it’s a haven for scammers and spammy types. However, if you take the time to dig a little deeper you’ll find some killer, well-paying opportunities. – http://www.craigslist.org
4. Indeed.com: A job search engine, yielding results from various job boards. – http://www.indeed.com
5. Simply Hired: Another job search engine, but I sometimes find different results from the Indeed job search. – http://www.simplyhired.com
6. ProBlogger: Features blogging jobs and the occasional social media job. – http://www.problogger.com
7. Jobs in Social Media: A social media talent marketplace. – http://www.jobsinsocialmedia.com/
8. Mashable Job Board: Features jobs in tech and social media. – http://jobs.mashable.com/a/all-jobs/list/q-social+media
9. Twitter: Follow your favorite businesses to learn when they’re hiring. Also, follow job listing sites and aggregators for updates. Use Twitter search to look for the jobs you’re most interested in.
10. Twitter Job Search: A search engine for jobs advertised on Twitter. – http://www.twitjobsearch.com/
11. Social Media Job Wire: Features listings from around the U.S. – http://smjobs.jobamatic.com/a/jbb/find-jobs
12. New Media Hire: Post a job, check out job listings, post resumes and receive job tips. – http://www.newmediasocial.com/
13. Web Strategy and Social Media Jobs: Jeremiah Owyang’s job board. – http://webstrategy.jobamatic.com/a/jbb/find-jobs
14. Local Networking Events: Many businesses and municipalities hold networking events.  See what’s happening in your area.
15. Social Media Biz: A bidding site, which means many clients are looking to low ball. – http://jobs.socialmedia.biz/
16. Monster.com – Lists all sorts of jobs, social media included.
17. Startuply – Lists startup jobs in tech, social media and marketing, mostly. – http://www.startuply.com/
18. Career Builder – Lists social media jobs, among others. – http://www.careerbuilder.com
19. Yahoo! Hot Jobs – Lists some social media jobs but is also attractive to spammers.
20. The Ladders: Features only jobs paying $100,000 or more, annually. Before you flock over though, keep in mind that this is a paying job board. You can sign up for the free trial, but expect to receive regular spam if you do. – http://www.theladders.com
21. Job Central: Search on social media and expect to receive a hodgepodge of results. http://www.jobcentral.com
22. Dice: Features mostly tech jobs but you’ll find a few social media jobs thrown in there as well. – http://www.dice.com
23. FlexJobs: Another pay to play job site, FlexJobs lists a variety of telecommuting opportunities including social media. – http://www.flexjobs.com
24. Beyond.com: A search on “social media” yields a variety of opportunities. – http://www.beyond.com
25. FlipDog: Search locally. – http://www.flipdog.com

3 Common Pitfalls of Online Job Boards

There are hundreds of job boards out there listing thousands of jobs.  If you are using these boards and sending out dozens of resumes, you’re wasting your time. In  ‘Headhunter’ Hiring Secrets, Skip Freeman reveals:

If you are applying for openings listed on job boards, there’s only a 2% chance of getting a response from companies

In fact, only 12% of these jobs will actually be filled by candidates who applied through job boards. Those are nearly impossible odds for the job seeker. You’ll have better luck in Vagas, Freeman says. HERE ARE THE THREE MOST COMMON PITFALLS TO AVOID:

1. Out-dated Job Listings. The first pitfall is that job ads often aren’t regularly updated or monitored. Some job boards are aggregators that re-list openings from other sites. Other job boards don’t take down their filled positions. It could be that you are sending your resume to jobs that have been closed for weeks or even months. There are two ways around this: check the company website to see if the position is still listed or, better yet, call their HR department and ask about current openings.

2. Entry-Level Scams. You’ve found the perfect job opening in the field of your dreams, it’s entry-level with no experience required, and comes with an incredible salary. Sound too good to be true? It probably is. Willy Franzen, over at One Day, One Job, warns readers of the entry-level and internship scams that are rife on some popular online job boards. Some warning signs include: over generous offers, interviews that don’t ask too many questions, and job descriptions lacking specific details. If you think you may be caught up in a scam, check Franzen’s list of common entry-level scams.

3. Spammers not Employers. Some job boards will allow any paying customer to create a job listing, even spammers. You can tell the quality of a job board by how many job ads come up selling cheap pharmaceuticals and promising low financing on your next home loan. If a company doesn’t care enough to keep their boards clean and useful, then they probably don’t care whether you get a legitimate job offer using their site. The best advice is to spend your time job searching elsewhere.

But don’t ditch the job boards all together—they have their uses. Scan a few in your area of interest to see what companies may have openings. Instead of looking for specific positions you would like to fill, look for companies or areas of industry that can be turned into job leads. Also, scan job ads to see what skills are on demand in your employment areas. Then, visit the employer’s site directly to see which openings might still be available.