OFFICERS: If you plan on attending college after the service, there are some things you need to look into.  Contact the school and get information on requirements for enrollment, residency, use of Veteran’s Education Benefits, etc.
If you are not a resident of the state and need to establish residency, complete a Change of State Residency DD FORM 2058 at your Personnel Support Office.
Get copies of your previous college transcripts and have them stamped “Certified to be True Copies” by administration personnel.

ENLISTED: If you plan on attending college after the service, there are several things you need to look into.  Contact the school and get information on requirements for enrollment, residency, acceptance of military schools or College Level Entry Program (CLEP) tests for credit, use of Veterans Education Benefits for tuition, etc.

If you are not a resident of the state in which the school is located, and need to establish residency, complete a Change of State Residency DD FORM 2058 at your Personnel Support Office.

Gather copies of required documentation for proof of military schools or experience and have them stamped “Certified to be True Copies” by administration personnel.

If you have taken any previous college classes, get copies of your transcripts from the school(s) and have them stamped “Certified to be True Copies” by administration personnel.

Check with your base college education office to see what the requirements are for taking CLEP tests.  These are free of charge while you’re in the service.  You’ll pay over a $100 per test once you get out!  Schedule yourself to take as many as you feel comfortable with in the next few months.  Be sure to keep copies of the results.

Navy and Marines: Request your Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART).

Obtain your Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET) DD FORM 2586 from your local Fleet and Family or Transition Support Office.

This is part of a complete step-by-step military retirement checklist. I’ll be posting weekly action steps here, so please subscribe over in the right-hand column so you’re sure to get each update.

How many years has it been since you first joined the military? Ten, twenty, more?

For a long time you’ve put aside your personal life. You’ve been there when your team and your country needed you. Now it’s time to move on and transition from military service to civilian life. As you prepare for this change, you may find the choices overwhelming.

Where do you start?

Historically, people who experience the greatest success transitioning out of the service are those who enlist the support of experts. The business world operates very differently today than it did ten years ago. Competition is fierce.

In today’s economy, you won’t get a second look if you fumble an interview or submit a business plan with unclear intentions. Get the support you need with a team of experts committed to helping you achieve your transition goals.

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) classes offer information on veteran’s benefits and basic job hunting skills. However, they don’t provide enough information for a thorough transition. Leaving the military involves much more than simply writing a resume and finding a job. To increase your chances for success, you will need more – more information, more resources, more help. You need a team.

A basic civilian transition team might consist of:

** A professional writer to help with resumes, cover letters or business plans. I know you’ve been told you don’t need to hire a writer. But why struggle? A professional can save you a lot of time and frustration.

** A headhunter or job placement expert to market you to companies looking for people with your skills and experience. They have inside information and access to jobs not advertised to the general public.

** A financial advisor or tax strategist to position you for what lies ahead. One of the biggest shocks during your transition will be your new tax bill.

** A business planning specialist to save you time and money if you plan to start your own business. They can help you avoid the mistakes and pitfalls that new business owners face.

** A Transition Coordinator to work with you to clarify your goals and co-create a strategy for achieving them. They will keep their eye on the big picture, coordinate your team’s efforts, and make sure nothing is overlooked during your transition.

At Front Line Transitions, we are experts at coordinating military transitions. Drawing from our extensive database of experts, we will help you put together a team that’s perfect for you. We have been through the “transition minefield” and mapped it out. We will guide you through and point out obstacles before you reach them.

You are navigating some dramatic changes in your life. You want assurance that you are making the right decisions. You know from the military that teamwork is essential to success. Let Front Line Transitions coordinate your team for you. Let’s work together to create your best life – Let’s start right now.

While doing research for headhunters to recommend, I discovered a great website that finds them for you!

SelectRecruiters identifies recruiters who place people with your expertise by function, industry, or other specialty. You can obtain the recruiter contact information you need for your job search – including physical address, phone number, email, fax number, and website – from the world’s most trusted source of information on recruiters – Kennedy Information.

Don’t wait for that job to fall in your lap. Tap into your customized recruiting network to uncover your next job! Visit SelectRecruiters Today!

Make a list of jobs or businesses you might be interested in or that you’ve always been interested in.  Commit to ‘try on’ these careers temporarily to see if you really like them.  Pick one at a time and focus on it for 1-2 weeks.  Go to the library, read books about it, and surf the internet for information.

Call several people who are working in these jobs and ask for an information interview by phone or in person.  Tell them you’re researching the industry and simply want to ask some general questions.  Ask them what the standard salary range is, type of work done, hours, travel requirements, skills required, or anything that’s important to you. Ask them what they like and don’t like about their job.  Maybe you could volunteer to actually work in the environment for a short time.

This exercise will give you valuable information whether you plan to look for a job or start your own business. Do this for each of the careers/ businesses you listed one at a time.  Be thorough and learn everything you can.  Keep notes on what you like and don’t like about each one.

Do NOT use this time for serious job hunting. This is research.  You do not need a resume, a portfolio or a blue suit.  All you need is sincere curiosity, some enthusiasm and enough courage to make that first phone call!  That said, be sure to add the names and numbers of people you speak with to your now-growing network.

This is part of a complete step-by-step military retirement checklist. I’ll be posting weekly action steps here, so please subscribe over in the right-hand column so you’re sure to get each update.

When you’re very clear on what you want, your chances of finding it are significantly increased…

Identify what is important to you in a job/ career.  Make 3 columns on a sheet of paper.  Label the first column ‘Things I Love’ and list all the things you love about your job.  Some things might be flexible hours, travel, no direct supervision, great boss, location, stable paycheck, etc.

Label the second column ‘Things I Hate’ and list everything you hate about your job.  These might include long hours, changing schedules, lack of rewards, lack of leadership, travel, location, etc.

When you have completed your lists, go back over them and circle the top 2-3 items on the ‘Things I Love’ list that are important to you to carry into your future.

On the ‘Things I Hate’ list circle the top 2-3 items you do not want to have to tolerate in the future and would just as soon leave behind forever.

In the third column, list all the things that are important to your choice of job/ career.  These are things like a certain salary level, location, health or dental insurance, profit sharing, 401K Plan, paid sick and personal leave, number of leave days per year, advancement opportunities, type of work, child care, professional association dues paid, relocation allowance, expense account, education tuition benefits, etc.

List everything that’s important to you, then go back and number them in order of importance, 1= most important.  For example, if salary is the most important thing to you, number it 1.  If location is the next most important thing to you, number it 2, and so on. Continue numbering everything on your list.  Finally, circle items numbered 1, 2 and 3.

Use this list of priorities to help you choose a job/ career/ or business to pursue.  Refer to it also when negotiating an offer!

This is part of a complete step-by-step military retirement checklist. I’ll be posting weekly action steps here, so please subscribe over in the right-hand column so you’re sure to get each update.

Develop a Personal Assessment Sheet.  This will contain your natural talents or gifts, your skills, and your interests.  List everything you can think of without judging if you like it or not.  We’ll break the list down later.

Make 3 columns on a sheet of paper.

Start with your natural talents or gifts. In the first column list everything that you are naturally good at.  Those things that come easily, that don’t require any thought.  These are usually things other people comment on by saying “you’re really good at that”.  Some of my talents or gifts are coaching, counseling, motivating, listening, reading, solving puzzles, and making people laugh.

In the second column, make a list of all your skills. Skills are those things that can be taught and learned.  They may be talents that have been enhanced by study or practice.  Some of my skills are writing, speaking to large groups, cooking, planning and scheduling projects, swimming, internet marketing and repairing small appliances.

Finally, make a list of things that interest you. You may or may not know anything about the subject, but something about it draws your interest.  For example, I’m interested in personal development, travel, all things Irish, sailing, gardening, island living, gourmet food and wine, and good mystery books.

When you have completed your lists, go back over them and circle the top 3-4 items in each column that you really enjoy. The ones that make you smile, that you would be happy doing or being involved with everyday.

Do you see any trends with the items you circled?

Do they, or can they, relate to each other in any way?

How might you integrate them into your life right now?

Do you see how they might be part of your next career?

This is part of a complete step-by-step military retirement checklist. I’ll be posting weekly action steps here, so please subscribe over in the right-hand column so you’re sure to get each update.

Make a list of jobs or businesses you might be interested in. Pick one at a time and focus on it for 1-2 weeks. Go to the library, read books about it, and surf the internet for information.

Call several people who are working in these jobs and ask for an information interview by phone or in person. Tell them you’re researching the industry and simply want to ask some general questions. Ask them what the standard salary range is, type of work done, hours, travel requirements, skills required, or anything that’s important to you. Ask them what they like and don’t like about their job. Maybe you could volunteer to actually work in the environment for a short time.

Do NOT use this time for serious job hunting. This is research. You do not need a resume, a portfolio or a blue suit. All you need is sincere curiosity, some enthusiasm and enough courage to make that first phone call!
(Be sure to add the names and numbers of people you speak with to your network. )

You just received that job offer and the salary isn’t exactly what you hoped for. But starting salaries depend on a number of factors including the size of the perspective employer and their current level of success, your professional level, your previous work experience, and the particular skills you bring to the job. Remember too that your salary represents only part of the overall compensation package. Employers may not be willing to make adjustments in base pay, but you may be able to negotiate some benefits to help make up the difference.

Before beginning a negotiation, you must:

Know the Market – Do some research on salaries for the job you are being hired to perform. An excellent source is the Salary Wizard®. Be careful to find a similar job in the same geographical area, industry and company size. This will give you a general idea of whether the salary amount offered is reasonable.

Show interest – If you appear interested in the position, company and industry, an employer is more likely to give you what you want.

Think beyond salary – If an employer cannot meet your salary request, think about negotiating for other items in your compensation package.

Some benefits are standard for all employees, but some are more open to negotiation. Rather than ask for more of everything, focus on what you might actually be able to get. Benefits that tend to be the easiest to negotiate include the following:

Hiring Bonus

This is a one time only cash payment made on the first day of employment. These types of awards are often given to attract candidates to positions that are hard to fill. If you can show a gap between market pay and what you are being offered, you may be able to convince your potential employer that an initial cash award is deserved.

Vacation time

Most companies offer two weeks of vacation time to start. Negotiating for an extra week off is not uncommon and is often likely to be granted. It is particularly helpful if you can show that you earned more than two weeks vacation at your previously employer. Additional time off could also help narrow the pay gap if you consider your base salary to be on the low side.

An Early Review

Most companies conduct annual reviews for their staff. If you negotiate an initial review in 6 months, your salary increase will start 6 months earlier than the norm. This is a reasonable compromise to settle a negotiation over a salary offer that is lower that you would like it to be. It also shows the employer that you are interested in proving yourself to be worthy of a higher rate of pay and are willing to prove it.

Relocation Costs

If a new position requires you to relocate, do some research on the actual costs associated with your move and present them to your potential employer. Salary.com’s Cost of Living Wizard® provides you with much of the additional information you need to illustrate these types of expenses.

Flexible Schedule

Often times, flexibility in work schedules are a reasonable trade off to higher pay. If flexibility in the hours you work is important to you, ask about coming in and leaving early in order to meet family obligations, request a schedule of 4 ten hour days, or ask if you can telecommute one or more days per week.

Extra Time Away (paid or unpaid)

You can always request extra paid or unpaid time off in the event of a pre-planned a trip, plans to participate in some volunteer work, or any reasonable personal issue requiring you take additional leave.

As you approach these negotiations, be aware that a prospective employer may withdraw an offer if it feels that your requests are excessive and not in line with what the company can offer. Any negotiation should be approached in a professional and reasonable manner. Equipping yourself with research done before hand ensures your requests will more likely be considered.

About Salary.com

Salary.com is the leading provider of detailed compensation information. Through continual analysis, Salary.com tracks up-to-date salary information for more than 3,700 job titles. This information is available online through the Salary Wizard®. Salary.com also tracks cost of living through the Cost of Living Wizard®.

Most of my clients call me while they’re still on active military duty. They’ve contacted me to help them find a job. Many times they’re hoping to find a job doing the same thing they were doing in the service. Our initial conversation usually goes something like this:

Client: I have a buddy who works for “XYZ” company and he said all I need to do is shoot him a resume and I’m as good as hired.
Coach: Does your buddy have hiring authority?
Client: No, but he’s good friends with the boss.
Coach: And has the boss asked your friend to solicit resumes for an open position?
Client: Well, no, but he says I’m a shoe-in.
Coach: What is the job he thinks you’re a shoe-in for?
Client: I don’t know exactly, but it would be doing the same thing I‘m doing now.

You get the idea…

Here’s the problem: My client is not clear about what they want to do, what qualifications they have, what jobs are available, and who has the power to hire them. In the military, we never had to search for or apply for a job. So it’s understandable why we don’t know how to do it. The good news is that it’s a skill that can be learned. Here are 5 basic tactics for Job Search success:

1. Treat your job search as a full time job.
Schedule time every day to work on your resume, make phone calls, set up interviews and visit companies that interest you. Your job search is an investment in you and your future; it deserves your best effort. It’s a job that can’t be delegated or procrastinated and be expected to succeed. If you’re on terminal leave, treat your job search as if it was your full-time job – work on it 8 hours a day!

2. Know exactly what your career objective is.
As with any goal you set in life, the clearer and more specific it is, the more likely it is you’ll achieve it. Have a specific answer to the question, “What type of job are you looking for?” People are usually eager to help you, but they need a clear picture of what you want to do. They can’t read your mind, so help them help you. Instead of responding with “Oh, I don’t know. I think I want to work with airplanes. I can do almost anything”, answer “I have 12 years of experience coordinating aircraft maintenance schedules. I plan to pursue a career as a Production Manager in the Aircraft Manufacturing industry.” See the difference?

3. Network, network, network!
Not just with military personnel or people in your office. Start adding civilians and other professionals to your address book. As your personal circle of contacts expands, your network increases exponentially. If you know 100 people and they each know 100 people, you have a network of 10,000 people! Some of your most powerful connections won’t be the people you communicate with regularly. Your most powerful connections will be with the people you know only as a brief acquaintance; Those folks who are on the fringes of your social and professional circle. The people you associate with regularly usually share the same experiences, beliefs and knowledge as you. They know what you know. People you barely know will tend to have new, different ideas and contacts. They will be the ones to provide access to the resources you need to expand and grow.

4. Practice interviewing before you go on one.
Interviews are similar to stage performances. They go a lot more smoothly if you’ve had a dress rehearsal before going in front of a “live audience”. You’ll be much more relaxed and confident during your actual interview if you practice! Ask a friend to role-play with you. Give them a list of questions that might be asked during an interview and have them play the role of the employer. Then you answer the questions as you would during an actual interview. This exercise is even more powerful if you schedule a specific time for it. Get dressed in the clothes you plan to wear to the actual interview. Then be on time for your mock appointment.

5. View rejection as a positive opportunity to learn.
When you’re rejected during your job search, understand that it’s not a personal rejection. It’s not that they don’t want you, they don’t even know you. Being passed on for a job opening simply means that your skills and talents didn’t match the position description. If you believe that you had the right skills for the job, then ask yourself why the employer didn’t think so. Could your resume be clearer? Did you confidently articulate your accomplishments during the interview? Is there anything you could do differently at the next interview to highlight your strengths? Maybe you truly weren’t a good match for the job or company. If that’s so, then you wouldn’t have wanted to get it anyway!

View rejections as opportunities to tweak your resume, polish interview skills and maybe even reevaluate what types of jobs you’re seeking.

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