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.

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.

Let’s face it, most of us spend the majority of our waking moments at work — and yet few of us are actually doing work that we’re passionate about. But who says it has to be that way?

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