If you have spent any time in the military, searching for and interviewing for a civilian job, can be a foreign experience. Utilize the tips to help make the transition easier and find the civilian job of your dreams.
- In the military, you probably received evaluations throughout your job tasks and time in the military. Bring the evaluations with you incase an employer would like to look at them.
- Have handy your honorable discharge certificate when interviewing. Interviewers might need to make a copy of the certificate and not having it may delay the hiring process.
- In addition to the above, always keep a copy of your DD214 on you when interviewing. The DD214 lists all of your military information and, as with the above, an employer may need a copy of it. Be sure you never give out the original.
- When interviewing for a civilian job, please be sure you don’t use military jargon. Interviewers could misunderstand what you are saying if you use words and terms that only other military personnel will know.
- Be honest, as a military professional you have skills you should be proud of. Don’t oversell yourself. Many employers will train you if you don’t know a skill. There is no reason to lie. Most employers hire on attitude and dedication. They can teach you the skill for the job.
- Don’t forget to network. In the civilian world finding a job is often done by who you know. Join industry organizations, attend local career fairs, and visit the local workforce center. This will get you interacting with individuals who are working for the companies you may be interested in.
- Check out military job boards. Several job boards exist for individuals transferring out of the military.
Good luck with your job search and most of all, find something you love to do!
Suzanne is a career coaching specialist and contributing writer to Computer Coach. She possesses more than 10 years career counseling and coaching experience. Helping more than 5000 IT Professionals, throughout the US and the Caribbean with their computer and administrative careers by earning valuable computer certifications, increasing general computer skills thorough affordable online computer training solutions and increasing job search skills., Suzanne prides herself with her knowledge, skill and dedication to her client's success. For more information about career success check back on www.computercoach.com/articlemain.php for other interesting career coaching articles and tips. Email Suzanne@computercoach.com for more information.
Coach - www.computercoach.com - offers online IT Certification training and software skills training to thousands of individuals and company's throughout the world. Providing flexible, interactive courses at affordable prices, Computer Coach exceeds its client's expectation by offering online computer training classes that help individuals get the skills they need to be successful in today's rigorous and changing workplaces. For more information about Online Computer Training Classes check out Computer Coach online.
