Lessons Learned for Vets
Supporting veterans to achieve career success as they navigate the challenges of transitioning out of the military. Each week we will bring you a new mentor who will teach you the lessons they have learned as they traveled the military transition path before you.Military Transition Q&A with Ryan Griffiths
For the first military transition Q&A of the season, Lori speaks with Ryan Griffiths, an Air Force leader 9 months from retirement, to translate a First Sergeant’s responsibilities that include pay issues, emergency leave, recognition and crisis calls, into relevant HR and employee relations skills that land interviews. We dig into how to rename military titles for the market, how to build keyword-rich resumes that pass ATS filters and how to lead with outcomes instead of military jargon.
Ryan’s path spans munitions, recruiting, first sergeant duty, and a first-of-its-kind candidate outreach team inside AF Special Operations Command. That outreach work becomes a blueprint for civilian talent acquisition: launching a program from zero, marketing the value proposition, sourcing in nontraditional places (think CrossFit competitions and large events), and converting interest into qualified pipelines. Lori explains the power of swapping terms, such as FMLA-equivalent instead of military leave or executive leadership instead of command, and shows how a few precise keywords can unlock the right searches without stretching the truth.
We also tackle a growing hazard for transitioning service members, job search scams. We go through some tell-tale signs such as LinkedIn DMs from “recruiters” who can’t name the role, push for phone numbers and use Gmail addresses while claiming big-brand employers. Learn a simple verification process of checking their profile activity, connections, company domains and public job links before you engage. Don't fall for high-pressure deadlines, pay-to-play promises and off-platform chats without clarity.
If you’re aiming at HR, talent acquisition, or operations, this conversation gives you a clear translation guide, a resume tuning checklist, and practical guardrails for vetting opportunities. Subscribe, share with a veteran who needs a boost, and leave a quick review to help more service members find their footing.
If you have an idea for an opportunity that matches Ryan's background, you can connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-griffiths1/
Learn more about Lori's resume and LinkedIn services, where she specializes in helping translate military terminology at www.getresultsresumes.com
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a 5-star review. Please share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
The Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast is sponsored by Seek Now and their Drive Academy. Seek Now is the property inspection industry's leading business and they created Drive Academy DoD SkillBridge and CSP internships to teach transitioning military service members and veterans skills that prepare them for lucrative and rewarding careers in the property inspection and insurance industries. You can learn more and apply today at www.internwithdrive.com.
Published on: October 1, 2025Mission Planning Your Military Transition with Lori Norris
Transitioning from military to civilian life is a complex journey that requires strategic planning well before your final out date. Starting 18-24 months ahead isn't excessive. It's necessary to build the infrastructure for a successful transition while still fulfilling your military obligations.
We start by discussing what do and plan for in the 12-24 months before your military transition. The foundation of any successful transition begins with determining your career focus. Unlike in the military where your path was often managed for you, civilian success requires taking charge of your own career development. Start by creating a comprehensive inventory of your skills, marking those you enjoy using and those you'd prefer to leave behind. Consider fundamental questions about your work preferences: inside or outside? With people or technology? What salary requirements will support your lifestyle? This self-assessment helps narrow your focus to careers that will truly satisfy you rather than just leveraging existing skills.
Once you've identified potential career paths, conduct thorough labor market research through resources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Understanding where opportunities exist geographically and what qualifications they require allows you to prepare accordingly. Connect with veterans in your target industries for informational interviews that provide real-world insights beyond what job descriptions reveal. These conversations are invaluable for understanding how military experience translates to specific civilian roles.
As you move into the 6–12-month window, develop your professional job search marketing materials including your resume and LinkedIn profile. Ensure that you learn how to effectively translate military skills into civilian terminology. Practice interview storytelling that demonstrates your relevant capabilities without military jargon.
In the final 3 months, execute your carefully crafted plan by targeting applications to organizations you've researched, understanding that hiring timelines typically extend one week for every $10,000 in salary you're seeking.
Remember that transition continues beyond securing that first position. The first 90 days in your new role are critical for establishing yourself in the civilian workforce. Focus on learning the organizational culture and building relationships rather than immediately implementing changes. Just as you wouldn't execute a military mission without thorough planning, approach your transition with the same strategic mindset—assessing risks, preparing for obstacles, and creating contingency plans for success in your post-military career.
Connect with your host Lori Norris at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris/
Learn more about Lori's resume and LinkedIn services, where she specializes in helping translate military terminology at www.getresultsresumes.com
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a 5-star review. Please share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
The Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast is sponsored by Seek Now and their Drive Academy. Seek Now is the property inspection industry's leading business and they created Drive Academy DoD SkillBridge and CSP internships to teach transitioning military service members and veterans skills that prepare them for lucrative and rewarding careers in the property inspection and insurance industries. You can learn more and apply today at www.internwithdrive.com.
Published on: September 10, 2025What Happens When You Can't Answer the "What Makes You Happy?" Question with Thomas McKenzie
What happens when the military career you've devoted your life to suddenly comes to an end? For Thomas McKenzie, a Marine who reached E9 before his 20-year mark, this question became painfully real when faced with undesirable relocation options. His powerful story reveals that military transition goes far beyond the job hunt. It's a profound journey of rediscovering who you are without the uniform.
McKenzie candidly shares how a chance encounter with the SkillBridge program became "the biggest blessing" during his transition, providing crucial time to process his service while weathering personal tragedies and relationship changes. Through working with thousands of veterans since, he's identified a dangerous "fallacy" that begins at recruitment, This is the misguided belief that military service automatically guarantees civilian success.
"I think transition out of the military is the single hardest thing that any human being that ever serves will do," McKenzie reflects. His analogy comparing transitioning service members to the Little Mermaid perfectly captures the challenge: observing humans from shore while taking advice from birds who've never walked on land.
The most moving moment comes when McKenzie reveals how a therapist's simple question, "What makes you happy outside of the military?," left him in tears, unable to answer. His breakthrough came through imagining his 90-year-old self on his deathbed, considering what he wanted to be remembered for.
Whether you're planning your military exit, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in veteran experiences, this episode provides profound insights into the emotional and psychological journey of military transition. McKenzie's message is clear: success comes with time, support, and the determination to discover your purpose beyond the uniform.
SeekNow and Drive Academy have chosen to sponsor this entire season of the Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast in order to increase awareness of the opportunities their company offers. You can learn more and apply at www.internwithdrive.com.
You can connect with Thomas McKenzie at https://www.linkedin.com/in/repurpose-mac/
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a 5-star review. Please share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Understanding VA Disability Appeals: A Veteran Attorney's Insider Guide with Chris McGhee
What happens when your VA disability claim gets denied? For many veterans, this rejection feels deeply personal. But as Chris McGhee explains, denial is often just the beginning of a journey toward proper recognition of service-connected conditions.
In this informative conversation, Chris McGhee, a retired Air Force veteran who transformed from aircraft maintainer to VA disability attorney, shares insights from both sides of the claims process. Having navigated his own disability claim with limited success initially, Chris now helps fellow veterans secure the benefits they've earned through his practice, Falcon Forward Law Group.
Chris demystifies the appeals process by addressing common misconceptions and explaining why claims get denied. From inexperienced examiners to simple bureaucratic errors, he reveals how the system sometimes fails veterans despite their legitimate conditions. Rather than accepting these denials, veterans should understand their appeal rights and the immense difference proper representation can make.
We cover the significant differences between disability rating levels. Beyond just monthly compensation, McGhee explains how crossing certain thresholds (especially 50% and 100%) unlocks life-changing benefits including concurrent receipt for retirees, healthcare for non-service-connected conditions, education benefits for family members and state-level tax exemptions. His breakdown of "VA math" helps veterans understand why their multiple ratings don't simply add up as expected.
Perhaps most valuable is Chris' advice about medical documentation while in service. Drawing from his own experience of rarely seeking treatment for migraines throughout his career, he emphasizes how even a single documented medical visit can establish that crucial in-service event needed for future claims. This perspective highlights the delicate balance service members face between protecting their careers and creating evidence for future disability claims.
If you're navigating the complex VA disability system, considering an appeal, or preparing to transition from military service, this episode provides essential guidance from someone who truly understands the journey. Subscribe to Lessons Learned for Vets for more insights that can help smooth your military transition journey.
You can connect with Chris McGhee on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmcghee358/
You can learn more about Chris McGhee's legal practice at https://www.fafo-law.com/
Published on: August 13, 2025Navigating an Unexpected Medical Retirement with Aaris Whitman
When Master Sergeant Aaris Whitman received her Type 1 diabetes diagnosis after 23 years in the Air Force, her carefully laid military career plans crumbled. Instead of serving 26-28 years as intended, she faced sudden medical retirement and an unexpected civilian transition that left her feeling lost and adrift.
"Change is the only thing you can really count on to be consistent," Aaris explains, sharing how she allowed herself to feel her emotions before getting to work on her transition. Recognizing the limited time available, she secured a Hiring Our Heroes fellowship at Allegiant Airlines to gain crucial corporate experience while still on active duty.
The podcast delves into the challenges veterans face when translating military skills for civilian employers. Aaris discovered that despite her extensive leadership experience as a First Sergeant, employers didn't automatically recognize her value. Through persistence, networking and learning to "speak corporate," she eventually landed positions at Amazon and later Credit One Bank.
Her five years as a First Sergeant proved invaluable in her current role as a Talent Management Partner. Aaris now teaches leadership principles that transcend both military and corporate worlds in subjects such as emotional intelligence, trust-building, effective feedback and above all, servant leadership. She shares the quote, "If serving is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you," emphasizing that true leadership centers on understanding people.
Perhaps most compelling is Aaris' work creating community for fellow veterans. Recognizing the isolation many veterans feel after transition, she founded "VET as One" (Value and Empower Together), a veteran and ally resource group at Credit One Bank. This initiative provides crucial connection points for veterans while educating allies about military experience.
For veterans struggling with transition, Aaris offers practical advice about seeking community intentionally through organizations like Merging Vets and Players. Her story demonstrates how military experiences, even difficult ones like unexpected retirement, can become powerful foundations for civilian success when paired with adaptability, community and compassionate leadership.
You can connect with Aaris Whitman on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaris-p-morris/
Published on: July 30, 2025What's The Catch? Exploring a Too-Good-To-Be-True Career with Mark Ardecki
Mark Ardecki's military transition story will resonate with anyone who's faced the uncertainty of post-service life. After nine years as a Marine with a special forces background, Mark found himself asking the same question most veterans do: "What's next?"
Following brief stints as a lineman and arborist, Mark discovered an unexpected career path with Seek Now as a field inspector. What makes his story remarkable isn't just the career change itself, but the dramatic improvement in his work-life balance and compensation. He went from grueling 14-hour workdays to earning comparable pay in just a couple of hours of inspection work.
The skills that propelled Mark's success aren't technical construction knowledge, which he freely admits he lacked. However, the core competencies most veterans already possess such as punctuality, accountability, integrity and human connection, were the key to his success. As a field inspector documenting property damage for insurance claims, Mark found himself uniquely positioned to help people during difficult times while maintaining the objectivity his role requires.
Now serving as the East Coast Lead Inspector, Mark has mentored over 20 transitioning service members through Seek Now's Drive Academy SkillBridge program. His pride in watching these veterans succeed mirrors the satisfaction he feels in his own career journey. Even more impressive, every one of his mentees has successfully placed into permanent roles with the company, with some now crossing the six-figure income threshold.
The comprehensive training program that combines classroom instruction, hands-on mentorship and certification provides veterans with everything they need to succeed, regardless of prior experience. In fact, Mark prefers training those with no construction background so they can "start with a clean slate."
For veterans considering their next move, Mark offers this perspective: "Everybody asks me what the catch is. I have yet to find it." With opportunities in 47 states and flexible work arrangements, Seek Now represents the kind of opportunity many transitioning service members are searching for but don't know exists.
Curious about starting your own post-military success story? Visit internwithdrive.com to explore how your military skills might translate into an unexpected and rewarding new career path.
How Training Service Dogs Helped a Marine Heal and Thrive with Ryan Woodruff
What happens when the skills that kept you alive in combat become the very things holding you back in civilian life? Former Marine Ryan Woodruff's powerful journey reveals how purpose can emerge from our darkest struggles.
After two deployments to Iraq and losing 14 fellow Marines, Ryan's transition to civilian life spiraled into PTS, alcoholism, and isolation. The brotherhood, mission, and structure that defined his military service vanished overnight. "I wasn't ready to acknowledge I was dealing with mental health issues," Ryan reveals. "My way of coping with all of this was alcohol."
Everything changed when Ryan found Clear Path for Veterans and was matched with a service dog. In an extraordinary insight, Ryan discovered his dog had begun mirroring his own anxiety and hypervigilance. This wake-up call became his catalyst for seeking help. He discovered that service dogs reflect the best and worst parts about our character, and he set out on a mission to improve himself and focus on his mental health.
Ryan takes us inside the remarkable world of service dogs for veterans, explaining how these animals are trained to respond to specific symptoms of PTS and TBI. From recognizing when a veteran is anxiously twisting their wedding band to providing grounding techniques during moments of distress, these canine companions offer both practical support and profound connection.
Most powerfully, Ryan challenges the "sliding scale" mentality that keeps many veterans from seeking help. "It's not a competition," he insists, urging listeners to reach out regardless of how they perceive their struggles compared to others. His journey from program recipient to CEO of Clear Path demonstrates how our darkest challenges can transform into our greatest purpose when we embrace connection and vulnerability.
Whether you're a transitioning service member, a veteran struggling with mental health issues or simply someone interested in the healing power of human-animal bonds, this episode offers both practical resources and the inspiration to take that first step toward healing.
If you're struggling with PTSD, alcoholism, or other mental health challenges, reach out to Clear Path for Veterans at 315-687-3300 or explore resources like the Crisis Line (988), Vet Centers (VetCenter.VA.gov), or Assistance Dogs International.
You can connect with Ryan Woodruff on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-woodruff-290514195/
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Tackling Veteran Underemployment through The Call of Duty Endowment with Dan Goldenberg
Struggling to translate your military experience into civilian success? Dan Goldenberg's journey from Naval officer to leading the Call of Duty Endowment offers a masterclass in veteran career transition done right.
When Dan took over the Call of Duty Endowment in 2013, he transformed it from a traditional "big check and handshake" foundation into a powerhouse of veteran employment support. By implementing accountability measures and focusing on quality outcomes, the Call of Duty Endowment has helped place over 150,000 veterans in meaningful jobs at just 1/15th the cost of government programs. "The fundamental thing that differentiates us from other approaches is accountability," Dan explains, describing their quarterly performance reviews and commitment to continuous improvement.
The conversation tackles a critical misconception head-on: veteran hiring isn't charity, it's simply smart business. Data from Fortune 500 executives shows veterans are 3% more productive and 3% more likely to stay with companies throughout their careers. Yet many companies miss this opportunity, while many veterans struggle with underemployment because they leap at the first job offer rather than finding the right fit.
Perhaps the most valuable advice comes when discussing job search strategy: "I'd rather invest in 100 conversations than sending 100 resumes." This networking-focused approach not only builds connections but provides critical self-discovery. Dan also highlights the current crisis facing veterans cut from federal positions, who receive none of the transition support offered to military members, underscoring the urgent need for specialized employment assistance. You can find the article here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7323717975612567554/
Whether you're a transitioning service member, a veteran seeking better employment, or an employer looking to build a stronger workforce, this episode delivers practical wisdom and proven strategies for success. Check out callofdutyendowment.org to connect with their grantees for free employment support or to support their mission financially.
You can connect with Dan Goldenberg on LinkedIn here: www.linkedin.com/in/dangoldenberg92/
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
The Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast is sponsored by Seek Now and their Drive Academy. Seek Now is the property inspection industry's leading business and they created Drive Academy DoD SkillBridge and CSP internships to teach transitioning military service members and veterans skills that prepare them for lucrative and rewarding careers in the property inspection and insurance industries. You can learn more and apply today at www.internwithdrive.com.
The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Separation Vs. Retirement with Michael Pett
Michael Pett defied conventional military career wisdom when he chose to leave active duty at the 15-year mark. His calculated decision, backed by a thorough cost-benefit analysis comparing potential civilian earnings against military retirement, launched him into remarkable opportunities at Accenture and Uber before his current leadership role at Vets in Tech.
What sets Michael's transition story apart is his foresight and preparation. While still in uniform, he co-founded a protein dispenser business with fellow veterans that earned them a spot on Shark Tank. This entrepreneurial venture expanded his network beyond military circles and developed skills that proved invaluable in corporate environments. Witnessing family members struggle with their own military transitions provided Michael with critical insights into potential pitfalls, reinforcing his commitment to meticulous preparation.
The emotional aspects of transition prove equally challenging. Michael compares the experience to stages of grief, describing the limbo between military and civilian identities where veterans can feel isolated from both communities. This insight led him to build diverse support networks including both veterans who successfully transitioned and civilians who could guide him through corporate culture. After his success building veteran programs at Accenture and Uber, Michael faced burnout and mental health challenges that forced him to prioritize his own wellbeing first before refocusing on his career achievement.
Today, as Director of Employment and Community Outreach at Vets in Tech, Michael supports veterans through the organization's three pillars: education, employment and entrepreneurship. From developing technical skills to connecting with employment opportunities at major tech companies to providing capital for veteran-founded startups, this comprehensive approach addresses the spectrum of transition needs. You can learn more about their programs at www.vetsintech.com.
His journey demonstrates that with strategic planning, openness to new experiences, and willingness to seek support, veterans can build fulfilling civilian careers that leverage their military experience in unexpected ways. You can connect with Michael on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpett1/
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Walking 500 Miles to Find a New Purpose with Randall Surles
What happens when a highly-decorated Green Beret with an MFA in Creative Writing decides to forge a completely different path after retirement? Randy Surles takes us on his remarkable journey from 32 years in Army Special Forces to becoming a sought-after editor and ghostwriter for military authors.
Randy's story begins with unexpected change when policy shifts forced an earlier retirement than planned. Facing this transition while going through a divorce, he embarked on a soul-searching 500-mile hike across northern Spain on the famous Camino de Santiago. The trek, intended to help process his military exit and prove his physical capabilities despite injuries, delivered far more than expected, including meeting his future wife on just the second day.
While hiking, Randy received an email about a specialized editing certification program. What began as a simple interest in improving his own writing transformed into the foundation of a thriving business. Within two years of focused effort, Randy built a six-figure editing and ghostwriting practice that now allows him to work just 20 hours weekly from his home in Spain.
The episode dives deep into the realities of military memoir writing, with Randy explaining the different approaches authors take, from legacy memoirs documenting entire careers to focused accounts of specific deployments. His experience collaborating on the New York Times bestseller "Operation Pineapple Express" and over 40 other books provides listeners with candid insights about publishing economics and what it really takes to succeed in the industry.
Most valuably, Randy shares how he's paying it forward through his SkillBridge program called "Story Ninjas," teaching transitioning service members the editing craft and business fundamentals they need to follow a similar path. You can learn more about this program at https://militaryeditor.com/ghostwriting/ and https://thestoryninjas.com/.
His newly-launched Military Writers Academy aims to connect veteran authors with editors who understand military culture and experiences.
If you want to explore how your military background might translate into a creative career, connect with Randy on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-surles-military-editor/
This conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for charting an unconventional but rewarding post-service path. Subscribe to Lessons Learned for Vets for more stories of successful military transitions.
Published on: May 21, 2025Dropping Military Transition Truth Bombs with Keith Cassant
What happens when your dream job becomes uncertain during a government reduction in force? Keith Cassant, a retired Army veteran and sought-after transition expert, returns to the podcast with powerful insights about navigating unexpected career changes.
Keith opens up about his journey since military retirement in 2019, sharing how he found his "dream job" as Veterans Program Manager at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Despite rating his role at an impressive 4.2 out of 5 on his famous "five factors" scale, Keith now faces uncertainty due to federal workforce reductions. His candid discussion reveals critical information about veterans preference protections that many federal employees misunderstand – particularly that veterans who retired based on years of service (rather than medical retirement) may not have the job security they believe. For more details, you can visit: https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/vets/vetpref/elig_rif.htm
The conversation shifts to practical networking strategies as Keith demonstrates what host Lori Norris calls "the poster child for announcing you're open to work." Rather than simply stating he's looking, Keith clearly articulates his expertise, provides specific examples of his accomplishments, and identifies exactly what roles he's seeking. His methodical approach to tagging connections demonstrates the importance of targeted networking rather than casting a wide net without direction.
One of the most valuable insights comes from Keith's "find 10 mentors" philosophy, encouraging transitioning service members to build a personal "board of advisors" rather than relying on a single mentor. This approach acknowledges that different mentors offer varied perspectives and expertise, creating a more robust support system during transition challenges. Keith also shares his "one rule" for resumes – that every action must have a measurable result tied to it – explaining that "your experiences don't get you the job; the results of those experiences do."
Keith closes with what might be his most honest truth bomb: expect to fail during transition. Like knowing you'll get cut in a knife fight, anticipating setbacks prevents them from derailing your progress. Even with his experience and expertise, Keith still feels the sting of rejection – but he refuses to let it stop him from moving forward with resilience and purpose.
Whether you're facing unexpected career changes or preparing for military transition, this episode delivers actionable strategies from someone who's living through the challenges right alongside you. Connect with Keith on LinkedIn to follow his journey and access his wealth of transition wisdom at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithcassant/
You can hear Keith as the cohost of the Vet S.O.S. Podcast here: https://vetsospodcast.com
Published on: May 7, 2025Embracing Life's Post-Military Adventures with Gennaro Mazzeo
Gennaro "Pirate" Mazzeo turned his military transition into an adventure – and it changed everything. After retiring from the Marine Corps during COVID after 22 years of service, he embarked on an unexpected journey that led him from ROTC instructor to bartender to federal employee with Naval Criminal Investigative Services.
What makes Gennaro's story so compelling is his refreshingly positive mindset about military transition. Rather than viewing this major life change as an inherently difficult struggle (as many do), he approached it with the same openness and sense of discovery that characterized his military deployments. "Every time I got on a plane to go on a training expedition, I didn't know where it was going to take me," he explains. "I wanted to approach the next part of my life with that same kind of openness."
His perspective challenges conventional wisdom about veteran career paths in several important ways. First, he deliberately chose not to pursue leadership roles despite retiring as a First Sergeant. "Leadership comes with a cost," he shares, whether human, physical, or monetary. Instead, he prioritized being present for his family – something he missed during years of deployments and field training.
Perhaps most thought-provoking is his view that jobs don't need to fulfill a higher purpose or passion. "Having a job is just okay," Gennaro insists. "It's okay just to go to work and come home. It's okay just to provide for your family." This perspective freed him from the pressure many veterans feel to find work that matches their previous status.
A recent heart attack at age 44 further crystallized these priorities. In those critical moments, he wasn't thinking about career advancement or financial obligations – only his faith, family, and relationships mattered. This powerful wake-up call reinforced that our professional identities should not define our entire existence.
Are you approaching your military transition with dread or anticipation? Listen to this episode to discover how changing your mindset might be the most important preparation you can make. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation about creating a post-military life aligned with your true priorities.
You can connect with Gennaro Mazzeo on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gennaromazzeo8999/
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a 5-star review. Please share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
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Adapting through Career Changes from Government to Tech with Melinda Beyer
Former Marine Corps officer Mindy Beyer takes us on a remarkable journey through her diverse career path that has spanned military service, government work, tech startups, and now leadership at gaming giant Roblox as Director of Cybercrime and Strategic Intelligence. With refreshing candor and practical wisdom, Mindy reveals the strategies she's developed while navigating frequent career transitions as both a veteran and military spouse.
The conversation tackles one of the most challenging aspects of military transition—salary negotiation—with Mindy sharing an eye-opening moment when she "asked for the moon" and was shocked when a tech startup immediately agreed to her highest number. Her advice on researching compensation, leveraging networks, and confidently articulating value provides veterans with practical tools to maximize their earning potential.
Beyond compensation, Mindy explores the profound cultural differences between government and tech environments. She contrasts the mission-focused, hierarchical structure of government work with the profit-driven, fluid nature of tech companies—noting how veterans can leverage their systematic thinking and experience with large organizations to provide unique value, especially to growing companies. Her counterintuitive advice about certifications (they might actually hurt your chances in some tech roles) and practical guidance on overcoming imposter syndrome offers veterans a roadmap for successful transitions.
What makes this episode particularly valuable is Mindy's authenticity about balancing career ambitions with military family life. As she prepares for yet another move supporting her husband's upcoming overseas command, she demonstrates the resilience and adaptability that defines successful military-connected professionals. Whether you're contemplating a career in technology, preparing for your military transition, or simply seeking inspiration from someone who's masterfully navigated multiple professional reinventions, Mindy's journey offers powerful lessons for veterans at any stage.
You can connect with Mindy via LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-beyer-28208646/
Published on: April 16, 2025Revamping the Military Transition Framework with Jason Anderson
When Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jason Anderson retired after 20 years of service, his transition looked perfect on paper. He landed a defense industry job with just one resume and two interviews, quickly rising to an executive position managing operations across Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. But behind this apparent success lurked a troubling reality: "I was not ready to perform in these roles at all," Anderson reveals.
This startling admission forms the foundation of our eye-opening conversation about the fundamental disconnect in military transition preparation. Anderson, now founder and CEO of PreVeteran, argues persuasively that the military and private sector are vastly different environments requiring entirely different mindsets and approaches – a reality the current transition system fails to acknowledge.
"We don't have a resume problem," Anderson explains, challenging conventional wisdom. "We have an 'I don't know what I want to do' problem." This insight cuts to the heart of why so many veterans struggle despite possessing extraordinary skills and experience. Through his pioneering work applying cognitive neuroscience to transition preparation, Anderson has developed a framework that helps service members understand how their military-shaped thinking patterns influence their decision-making, and provides tools to create new anchors in the private sector.
The conversation delves into controversial but important topics, including the debate over free versus paid transition services and why starting transition preparation 18 months to 3 years before separation creates optimal results. Whether you're years from separation or already navigating civilian life, this episode offers a transformative perspective on military transition that could fundamentally change how you approach your post-military career journey.
Exceeding Your Own Expectations with Christopher Coffey
What happens when your therapist asks you to practice rejection by applying for jobs you think are out of reach? For Air Force Tech Sergeant Christopher Coffey, it led to three six-figure job offers and a complete rethinking of his value in the civilian workforce.
This eye-opening conversation challenges the most persistent myths about military transition, especially for non-senior enlisted personnel. Chris shares how he landed a management position with a six-figure salary without using LinkedIn or networking – simply by having a professional resume and thorough interview preparation. His story directly contradicts what many hear in Transition Assistance Programs about "starting at the bottom" after military service.
The journey wasn't without challenges. Chris candidly describes his process of "demilitarizing" himself – adjusting to civilian workplace culture where not everyone follows regulations to the letter, learning to call his boss by first name instead of "sir," and adapting to a workplace that values gradual improvement over immediate action. These adjustments, while sometimes frustrating, were key to his successful integration into his new role.
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from Chris's experience is his mantra: "Don't tell yourself no." By refusing to disqualify himself from opportunities and letting employers make the decision instead, he opened doors that many veterans assume are closed to them. His advice to fellow transitioning service members is refreshingly straightforward – get help with your resume, prepare thoroughly for interviews, and most importantly, recognize the true value of your military experience in the civilian marketplace.
Whether you're years away from transition or actively job hunting, this conversation offers practical insights that could dramatically change your approach to finding meaningful civilian employment. What opportunities might be waiting if you stop telling yourself no?
Connect with Chris Coffey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-m-coffey/
Published on: April 2, 2025Keeping Good Records for Career Succes with Lori Norris
Maintaining meticulous records might not seem like the most exciting aspect of career management, but as veterans know, proper documentation can make all the difference between mission success and failure. In this tactical solo episode, Lori Norris shares a comprehensive system for organizing your job search and ongoing career documentation that leverages military precision while adapting to civilian workplace realities.
Drawing from years of experience helping thousands of transitioning service members, Lori explains why getting caught unprepared when employers call about positions you applied for weeks earlier can derail opportunities before they begin. She outlines a practical digital folder system organized by company and position that ensures you'll never be scrambling for information during that critical employer callback. From saving job descriptions that disappear from websites to conducting and documenting SWOT analyses of potential employers, this approach transforms reactive job searching into strategic career advancement.
The most valuable insight extends beyond the transition phase into long-term career management. Unlike the military's structured evaluation systems, civilian workplaces often lack comparable documentation processes. Veterans who implement their own accomplishment tracking systems—recording metrics, project outcomes, and quantifiable wins—gain a significant advantage when seeking promotions, requesting raises, or facing unexpected career disruptions. This documentation also serves as powerful evidence against imposter syndrome, providing concrete proof of your contributions when self-doubt creeps in.
Connect with Lori Norris and provide feedback on if you like solo episodes and what subjects you'd like her to cover at: www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris
Your military experience has already equipped you with exceptional attention to detail and documentation skills. By applying these strengths to civilian career management, you create a strategic advantage that will serve you throughout your professional journey. Whether you're actively transitioning now or building your civilian career, this episode provides the blueprint for career documentation mastery that puts you in control of your professional narrative.
Demystifying the ATS: How to Get Your Resume Past the "Robot" with Marisol Maloney
Ever felt like your carefully crafted resume disappeared into the void of an applicant tracking system? You're not alone. In this myth-busting conversation, Navy veteran, defense industry recruiter and resume writer Marisol Maloney pulls back the curtain on what really happens when you hit "submit" on that job application.
"The ATS bot that's rejecting you is me and the other human bots doing it," Marisol reveals, immediately dispelling the common misconception that faceless algorithms are solely responsible for application rejections. Throughout our conversation, she provides a refreshingly transparent look at how recruiters actually use these systems. They use them not to eliminate candidates, but to organize and track them through the hiring process.
For transitioning military members, timing is everything. Applying too early (6-8 months before separation) almost guarantees rejection, as most employers need to fill positions within 30 days. Marisol shares the perfect application timeline: use your first year to determine what you want to do next, the following six months to network heavily, and only start actively applying 2-3 months before your availability date.
We dive deep into resume strategy, debunking the concept of "keyword stuffing" and exploring what effective tailoring actually means. "If you're spending over an hour tailoring your resume," Marisol explains, "you're either not understanding the assignment or you're not qualified for that role." Her practical advice includes limiting yourself to five targeted applications weekly rather than "papering the world" with hundreds of generic resumes.
Perhaps most valuable is Marisol's perspective on translating military experience for civilian employers. The imposter syndrome that plagues many veterans often stems from difficulty articulating their value, not from any lack of skills. "Just because you can't translate your skills doesn't mean you don't have them," she emphasizes, encouraging veterans to think beyond their military responsibilities and focus on transferable capabilities.
Listen now to transform your job search strategy with insider knowledge from someone who reviews military resumes daily, and discover why the most important person to write your resume for isn't an ATS system—it's the human on the other side.
You can connect with Marisol Maloney at https://https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisol-maloney//
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Adapting to Corporate Culture with Nick Perez
For many veterans, like Nick Perez, transitioning from the military can feel like stepping into a new world filled with unfamiliar rules and social cues. In the latest episode of our podcast, Nick shares his experiences since retiring from the United States Air Force. Having spent decades in military service, the shift to corporate culture has brought both challenges and unexpected joys. In this episode, he gets honest while sharing stories of his job search and his experience adapting to corporate culture.
Nick’s transition began with a SkillBridge program that he engaged in just before his official retirement. This program aimed to bridge the gap between military skills and civilian job requirements. By having established connections through Allegiant Vets, he was able to hone his skills, particularly in project management, before making the leap into his new role at Dish Network as an instructional designer.
However, transitioning isn't always seamless. During his job search, Nick attended several different job fairs. He recounts frustrations faced while navigating these events, particularly the disappointment in realizing that many were more geared toward certain jobs, often unrelated to his career goals. This experience brings home the larger message about being strategic rather than unfocused in a job search.
Nick also discusses the challenges faced in interviews, from giving extensive presentations to encountering unexpected situations that felt unprofessional. The key takeaway here is the importance of valuing one's time and recognizing that an interview goes both ways. After all, it’s not simply about convincing a company to hire you; it’s equally important to assess whether their culture and values align with your own.
As Nick reflects on feeling isolated in a new workplace, he highlights the importance of finding community. He shares how joining a veteran resource group transformed his experience, offering both connection and support in navigating corporate culture. The camaraderie he found there is a reminder of the family similar to the bonds often felt in the military, and how important it is to recreate that sense of belonging.
Nick's journey emphasizes that adaptability is crucial. While he holds a somewhat cynical view on the concept of the “perfect job,” he encourages listeners to understand that career paths can be fluid. As expectations evolve, veterans can adjust their list of “non-negotiables” when evaluating potential jobs.
Nick leaves our audience with an empowering message: perseverance. No matter how challenging the transition might seem, the determination to keep moving forward is key. He reminds us that every veteran's journey is unique and should be navigated with the understanding that both good and bad days are part of the process.
You can connect with Nick Perez at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-r-perez1/
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
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Military Transition Insights from Human Resources with Gary Steensgard
This episode features insights from Gary Steensgaard, a veteran who transitioned from military service to a civilian HR role. We explore strategies for translating military skills for civilian job markets and how to navigate the realities of the hiring process.
A few key highlights covered in this episode:
• Honest reflections on the transition process
• Importance of setting realistic expectations for civilian employment
• Strategies to refine resumes and highlight relevant skills
• Understanding the performance management systems in civilian HR
• Insights on translating military terminology to workplace language
• Deep dive into the hidden costs of employment and their implications
• Identifying the right moments for career moves
• The value of professional networking for continuing growth and support
• Importance of maintaining passion and happiness in career choices
You can connect with Gary Steensgard on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garysteensgard/
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a 5-star review. Please share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
If you learned something valuable today, share it. Leave us a review and write a post on social media about the lessons that helped you today from this episode.
Highlighting Mentorship and Entrepreneur Education with Leslie Coffey
Leslie Coffey, Vice President of Military Engagement for American Corporate Partners (ACP), joins us to shed light on the importance of a mentor in the military transition process, whether you intend to join the corporate world or open your business. As a military spouse herself, Leslie brings firsthand knowledge and empathy to the discussion, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for veterans and their families. ACP is not just tackling underemployment but offering a path where skills and experience can truly shine, breaking away from the notion of entry-level setbacks.
Imagine boosting your salary by 67% just by connecting with the right mentor. With the ACP program, that's not just a dream but a reality for many veterans and their spouses. We share personal stories and insights into how mentorship has propelled careers in various fields, from corporate desks to entrepreneurial ventures. ACP has recently launched ACP Ventures, a program that offers one-on-one mentorship to aspiring veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs as well as the ACP Village, where military connected entrepreneurs can find free resources, support and community.
ACP can link veteran entrepreneurs and job seekers with top industry experts across a diverse array of specialties. Whether you're charting a path in marketing or aiming for academia, ACP proves that the right guidance can unlock incredible potential.
Leslie shares many stories of success in the episode, from an inspiring spouse caregiver who, through ACP's support, transformed her rural life story into a viral sensation to astronauts and zoologists.
No matter what your post-military goals may be, ACP knows that tailored mentorship can be a powerful catalyst for success. With ACP Ventures, veterans are equipped to navigate the business world with savvy and confidence, reducing the risks of entrepreneurial pitfalls. From strategic networking to leveraging one's unique experiences, this episode is a testament to how military transitions can indeed be launchpads for future success.
You can learn more about all the programs that ACP offers at: www.acp-usa.org
Connect with Leslie Coffey on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-coffey/
Published on: February 19, 2025From Aviation Leadership to Franchising Success with Michael Athanasakis
Michael Athanasakis, a veteran with an impressive military career, shares his story of transitioning from active duty Army service to owning a Chick-fil-A franchise. Discover how leading helicopter attack platoons and teaching military science equipped him for the entrepreneurial world. Michael also discusses his initial steps into franchising with Great Clips, inspired by his stepdad's success, and how these experiences laid the foundation for his business acumen while he was still in service. This episode offers a unique glimpse into the opportunities and hurdles faced by veterans eyeing the franchising or business ownership route.
Transitioning from military to civilian life is no small feat, and Michael's journey underscores the critical role of mentorship and networking. We discuss the often-overlooked emotional and relational aspects of this transition, while also discussing the importance of building genuine connections slowly rather than overwhelming potential mentors. The conversation highlights the power of strategic guidance over mere opinions and explores how veterans navigate social media interactions, emphasizing the value of their experiences. Michael and I delve into the misconceptions around job titles and compensation, shedding light on the importance of understanding individual roles and the growth - and earnings potential - they offer.
We conclude with practical advice on reframing military skills for civilian roles, drawing from Michael’s experience and the Night Stalkers' perseverance motto. By emphasizing the relevance of military-acquired systems, processes and emotional intelligence, we guide veterans on how to market these skills in the private sector effectively. While the transition can be daunting, Michael reassures listeners that with adaptability and perseverance, success is within reach. This episode not only offers encouragement, it provides actionable strategies to aid veterans in their professional journey.
You can connect with Mike at https://www.linkedin.com/in/athanasakis/
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a 5-star review. Please share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Empowering Veterans with New Career Opportunities with Mark Adams
Mark Adams, a former active duty and reserve Air Force service member, shares his journey from military service to finding his place and an operational excellence leader in the private sector.
Mark thought about retiring in 2012, but after recognizing gaps in his experience and education, he reenlisted and focused on closing those gaps. After completing his bachelor's degree and learning to better translate and market his military skills, he was much better prepared for post-military success. Mark's story focuses on the importance of strategic planning, networking, mentorship and self-advocacy. All of these are important for you as you take on a career shift.
Navigating the civilian workforce without a clear map can be daunting, but Mark emphasizes the power of finding what you want to do, not just where you want to work. By utilizing platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, you can uncover hidden opportunities based on job functions rather than titles. With the right preparation, starting 18 to 24 months ahead and leveraging military experience, Mark illustrates how to climb the career ladder through practical strategies focused on planning, networking, and self-advocacy.
Self-advocacy takes center stage as Mark discusses the importance of prioritizing key tasks and communicating effectively with leadership. By focusing on the vital few projects, one can create opportunities for growth and advancement.
Alongside personal anecdotes, we explore how sponsors within organizations can play a crucial role in career development, helping turn professional relationships into valuable support systems.
Finally, discover Mark's current employer, Seek Now, asked him to create and launch Drive Academy, a SkillBridge and training initiative dedicated to supporting veterans by offering hands-on training and career opportunities in the property inspection, roofing and insurance adjusting industry.
SeekNow and Drive Academy have chosen to sponsor this entire season of the Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast in order to increase awareness of the opportunities their company offers. You can learn more and apply at www.internwithdrive.com.
You can connect with Mark Adams at www.linkedin.com/in/mrmarkadamsmba/
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a 5-star review. Please share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Season 4 Episode 167: Military Transition Q&A with Marc Lopez
Marc Lopez joined the Army 20 years ago and started his career in the intelligence field as a linguist. He transitioned over to become a warrant officer and is now a cyber warfare operator who is preparing to begin a SkillBridge program before he retires. When two of Marc’s closest friends retired three years ago, he was inspired to begin preparing for his own retirement to ensure a successful transition.
Using his background in intelligence, Marc decided his first step was to create notes. He uses Microsoft OneNote to organize his notes and has created tabs for every facet of his transition including his family, LinkedIn and informational interviews. With so many job opportunities in the cyber field using very different titles than the military, Marc knew he needed to better understand civilian terms. He leveraged LinkedIn to find veterans in the cyber field and then set up calls to learn about the various roles and the day-to-day responsibilities. He began to build a glossary of terms that helped him understand the civilian equivalent of cyber roles in the military. From his informational interviews, Marc found several mentors that helped him answer important questions to narrow his focus.
With retirement right around the corner and over 2+ years of transition preparation, Marc has taken advantage of several resources such as the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, Veterati, ACP, FourBlock and TAP to ensure a smooth transition. He took nuggets of information from each resource and began to find common threads. Resources like this podcast don’t change the fact that the transition journey is full of curves and unexpected challenges, but they do help service members prepare for the unexpected.
The genuine connection and relationships that Marc has built with other people continues to enrich his life. Marc has conducted over 50 informational interviews in 3 years. He learned quickly that a customized note through LinkedIn got better results than a generic, template introduction. Before sending a connection request, he took the time to study the person’s profile and included any commonalities in his customized note. Marc prepared for each informational interview by having questions prepped and staying within the allotted time frame.
Knowing your worth in your chosen industry is important. One of the best ways to assess your worth is through informational interviews. Once you’ve built rapport in the interview, share your experience and any education or certifications you’ve completed. Ask the person what level they think you are at and what salary range you can expect. Salary.com, Glassdoor.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics are excellent resources as well. Remember that salary isn’t just about the pay. Benefits can play a significant role when deciding to accept or pass on a job opportunity.
The average adult changes careers 7-9 times in their life. It’s okay to make a change or pivot completely. Companies have come to expect applicants to have many prior job experiences. If you find that you’ve made a wrong decision on a job, figure out how you can gain value from the experience and make a plan on how to find a better fit.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Marc at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyber-marc/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4
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Published on: June 26, 2024Season 4 Episode 166: Seeking Alternative Methods of Healing with Eric Infanti
We are excited to host Marine Corps veteran, Eric Infanti. By all accounts, Eric had a smooth transition into the corporate world, where he worked for 5 years. When his health began declining, Eric began a healing journey that included 2000 hours of yoga teacher and meditation training. He earned a dual master’s degree in Buddhist psychology and Ayurvedic medicine and is now a PhD candidate with the study on the role of extreme peak flow states on resilience and professional outcomes.
When Eric first transitioned from the military, he was able to use his experience and the education he received while serving in the Marine Corps to land a role in IT. After taking time off to heal, Eric knew he needed to upskill and learn current IT best practices. He sought out low cost or free programs to gain new certifications. He utilized the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP), ACT Now Education and Boots to Books.
Eric went from running marathons to not being able to move in a short amount of time. After visiting close to a dozen doctors without getting a diagnosis, he went to a naturopathic physician who diagnosed him with late-stage Lyme disease. Eric dove into the world of alternative health and found that yoga relieved his symptoms. From yoga, he dove deeper into Ayurvedic medicine, ancient texts and meditation. It was on the plane coming back from a 2008 trip to India where he started writing his first book, Marine on the Mat. Eric continued a career in alternative health until the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic had a negative impact on his healing business, and Eric knew he needed to shift back into IT. He relied on his network and found mentors that helped him find a role within the IT community that fit his personality. Today he is the UX/UI Design Manager for Combined Arms, a nonprofit dedicated to veterans’ well-being. Eric uses both his healing background and IT knowledge in his design work. He manages his stress through spiritual practices and finds his creativity from the still space of his meditations. He has written 12 books on subjects relating to alternative health and UX design.
One of the core values to every veteran is their resiliency – the ability to handle whatever comes their way. Eric encourages veterans to not give up. You can choose how you manage the stresses of life. Some choose alcohol, rage or video games to cope with their stress. Eric chose athleticism and taking care of his inner self through breathing and meditation. For people who haven’t been practicing self-care and find themselves in an acute situation, Eric advises them to stop and take a break, start a healing practice and seek medical and psychological help if needed. Breath work meditation is simple, effective and can be done anywhere.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Eric at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericinfanti/
Explore Eric’s books at https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001KHHN4S
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Published on: June 19, 2024Season 4 Episode 165: Five Things Your Resume Should Contain with Lori Norris
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we get back to the basics with best practices for crafting a resume. Certified resume writer and career coach, Lori Norris, shares 5 elements that a resume must contain as well as the role that AI can play during the job search process.
1. Focus. Every resume, from the very first line, must clearly present a focus. There is no such thing as an effective generic resume. A resume that tries to appeal to everyone appeals to no one. Many transitioning veterans mistakenly believe the first thing they should do is write their resume. Finding your focus is the priority. If you start your transition 18-24 months out, then take the first 6 months to research and conduct informational interviews to determine your focus. Informational interviews are invaluable as they will help you start to translate your military skills into civilian terms. After you’ve gathered intel and feel confident with the skills that you need to showcase for your career field, then start crafting a tailored resume. Remember, the focus of your career drives everything in your military transition job search efforts. A targeted resume will set you apart from the crowd, especially in a tough job market. The resume is about where you’re going, not where you’ve been.
2. Your Unique Value. Employers want to know how you are going to make them money or save them money. How are you going to earn the salary that they are going to pay you? Translate your skills to show the employer how you are going to make them money and/or save them money. It’s impossible to showcase your unique value without having a focus. Your resume is not about you. It’s about what you can do for the organization.
3. Measurable Accomplishments. Use metrics and numbers to give the reader scope. Numbers also help to break up words and help the reader to continue absorbing the information on your resume. Numbers help to keep the eye engaged.
4. Translated Terminology. Most people reading your resume will not speak military. Even if the recruiter works with veterans, they may not understand the nuances of terminology in all the different military branches. Make the effort to explain what you do. Translating military terminology also shows the company you are willing and ready to change and adapt to the civilian sector. Help the reader see the value of your military experience by translating military terminology.
5. Examples and Stories. A resume is not a job description or a list of all the things you have ever done. It’s a narrative that explains your accomplishments and the improvements that you made for your previous employer. Give examples of your skills and abilities. Thinking through stories also helps you prepare for the interview process.
AI should be used as a tool. It is not a replacement for writing a tailored resume in your voice. AI’s content was first created by scanning the internet. As we all know, information found on the internet is not always factual. Use AI as an assistant when conducting research.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Lori at https://getresultsresumes.com/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
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Published on: June 12, 2024Season 4 Episode 164: Changing Perspective over Time with Ray Jokie
If you are a transitioning service member, it’s always helpful to hear the role that time has in the transition process. The transition process doesn’t end when you land your first job as a civilian. There is so much wisdom to gain from listening to other veterans’ journeys as they progress through various jobs and companies. On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome back Ray Jokie. Ray first appeared as a guest on Season 1, Episode 38 and shared his struggle with finding a new identity after retiring from the US Air Force. He is currently working as Lockheed Martin’s Military Relations Lead and Talent Acquisition Program Manager. This episode contains content related to suicide.
Ray struggled deeply after retiring from the military and had suicidal ideations. While wrestling with his emotions, he gained perspective and was able to grow as a human and view his situation through a different lens. For Ray, not having the guidance and structure of the military sent him into a tailspin. After finding a new purpose to live, his depression subsided. Finding purpose doesn’t have to be tied to a job. Work to live, not live to work.
Ray has found that by focusing on the positive in every situation and by finding a new purpose, he has been able to successfully navigate his way out of his depression. If you are struggling right now, it doesn’t mean that something is wrong with you. There will be days that focusing on the positive will not come naturally. You are not alone.
Ray has built his program at Lockheed Martin from the ground up. He hired a contractor and engaged recruiters who had previously gone through the SkillBridge program at Lockheed. He continues to develop his team and revolutionize the way the veteran community is valued.
As a recruiting professional, Ray talks with thousands of people every year, reviews resumes and conducts interviews. Ray encourages people to make sure their resume reflects the value they can bring to a company. Don’t bring uninvited bias by including college graduation dates or a home address.
On the resume, don’t just say what you did, frame it to show your value to a company. Consider highlighting how you reduced process time, saved costs or generated revenue.
Ray suggests using a targeted approach to networking. Find people in the roles that you want and network with them first. When engaging with recruiters on LinkedIn, keep your message brief and state how you can bring value to their company. Don’t be afraid to follow up with someone if you haven’t received a response in a reasonable amount of time. Know that recruiters talk to one another and share candidates and information.
Ray endorses the STAR method during interviews. Over the years, Ray has noticed that veterans don’t typically lack confidence. It’s important to show your qualifications without being overly confident. Be able to read the room and adjust your delivery if needed. Use stories to showcase your value. A confident person knows their value while an arrogant person believes they are better than everyone else.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Ray at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjokie/
Veteran Crisis Line at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Season 4 Episode 163: Navigating the Ups and Downs of Military Transition with Chris Dreisbach
We are excited to welcome back Chris Dreisbach for his fifth appearance on the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. Chris retired in 2020 as a Senior Master Sergeant for the United States Air Force. Now in his sixth role since his retirement, Chris continues to share the lessons he’s learned along his path.
Chris reflects on his previous roles and discusses the challenges he experienced. In his first role as a maintenance manager, Chris assumed the job would be similar to his military experience in aircraft maintenance. In reality, the job required long hours to fulfill the production goals of a 24/7 facility. Chris lasted 3 months before moving into a remote, entry-level data analyst role. While in this position, Chris took his time to find a better fit in the warehouse industry. Utilizing his experience in quality assurance and interest in safety programs, Chris found a role that better suited his background. While working as a Safety and Training Manager, Chris took on more responsibilities hoping to get promoted but instead his company took advantage of his work ethic and continued to stretch him thin without additional compensation. Chris realized that he needed to shift his military mentality if he was going to find success in the civilian sector.
Chris remarks that this is the longest he’s ever lived in one place, and he finds himself getting antsy – almost like he’s ready for new orders. The military transition is a process, and it may take years to feel settled into a new rhythm.
After applying the lessons that he learned in his previous jobs, Chris is finding success in his current role working remotely for a tech company. His scheduled hours work well for his desired work-life balance, and he no longer tries to take on additional responsibilities. Like many other veterans, Chris’ networking skills led him to this role. He reminds others that networking doesn’t have to be deliberate – for him, his opportunity came organically from a conversation that occurred months prior. In the 4 years since his retirement, Chris has learned to find ways to authentically connect with others.
As an avid listener to the podcast, Chris credits the information he learned from the episodes with Misty Moreno, Keith Cassant and Sarah Bumgardner to help him change his mindset to better function in the civilian sector. Keith says he was fully prepared to be unprepared for retirement. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Chris was unprepared to leave the military when he did. Thankfully by the time he retired, he and his wife had learned how to be financially responsible and had been living within their means. Looking back, he realizes that he had a solid foundation to retire even if at the time, he perceived himself as being unprepared. It’s important to take an honest look at finances and expectations with your family before separation or retirement. It’s also equally important to make wise financial decisions before exiting the military.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Chris at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-dreisbach/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
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Published on: May 29, 2024Season 4 Episode 162: Rate My SkillBridge with Ethan Shipp
We welcome Ethan Shipp. Ethan began his career in the United States Air Force as an EMT but has since retrained as an information systems technician. Although he is still serving, he used his tech skills to create a resource designed to empower and inform service members about the many different SkillBridge programs. Ethan started Rate My SkillBridge after doing research for his own SkillBridge program and identifying an opportunity to help others make informed decisions during their career transition.
About two years prior to his separation date, Ethan began researching SkillBridge programs. He joined The SkillBridge Network on Facebook and was intrigued by a post written by a service member who had flown back to the US from overseas to intern for a company that used them for free labor. Ethan realized the need for a rating system to protect service members. He went to work creating a website using WordPress and released it one month later. The site gained an enormous amount of traction in a short time and Ethan knew he needed to rebuild the platform and advance the website. Service members can now create accounts and personalize their dashboards. Ethan is not charging service members for this resource. He is currently funding the website by himself.
Ethan's website is offering service members an invaluable resource as they move toward career transition. Some service members rely on their SkillBridge company to offer them a job after the internship phase is completed. While the goal of the program is just that, there are some instances where that may not happen. Ethan encourages service members to apply for multiple jobs and not rely solely on SkillBridge. Ethan also encourages people to have multiple opportunities lined up. It is possible that a company will cancel the program if a job opportunity is no longer available. This may happen due to the economy or company restructuring.
Ethan has noticed a recent trend of people working more hours than allotted by the program. Working long hours is unfortunately not just an issue with the SkillBridge program. As a salaried employee, it’s important to assess the employer’s expectations versus your own expectations. For many veterans, working extra hours may not be expected but they feel a sense of responsibility to keep giving. Companies will take advantage of that work ethic.
For SkillBridge companies who are operating against SkillBridge policies and parameters, Ethan believes that the DoD is beginning to take action to protect service members. For service members, it’s important to make your issues heard through resources like Rate My SkillBridge.
Ethan is currently stationed in Italy and wants to continue living overseas after his separation. The job search process outside of the US can be very different. One example is the curriculum vitae (CV). The CV is typically only used in the US for doctors, lawyers and professors. However, it is the standard for most every profession outside of the US. While the typical resume in the US is no longer than 2 pages, the CV is a comprehensive document that may be several pages long. LinkedIn is used by overseas companies, so plan to have an updated profile.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Ethan at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethans00/
Explore Rate my SKB at https://www.ratemyskb.com/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
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Published on: May 22, 2024Season 4 Episode 161: Knowing When to Take a Break with Lori Norris
On this solo episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, Lori shares the challenges that she and her family have been going through over the past few months. During this time, Lori has struggled with burnout, a feeling that most everyone has experienced at one time or another. Feelings of burnout are especially prevalent among job seekers. Lori shares her thoughts on when and how to take a break from the job search process.
Your body communicates with you. If you are consistently waking up in the middle of night and your mind is racing because of your stressors, it may be time to make some changes. For transitioning service members on terminal leave and new veterans, finding a job is one of the biggest stressors of the military transition. There will be a time when finding a job is your full-time job. It can absolutely consume you. Lori recommends creating a schedule that allows you the freedom to still enjoy life while methodically pursuing job opportunities. Schedule a block of time for networking, another for researching companies and another for targeting your resume. Take a break and get out of your house. Interact with people and schedule down time.
Your eating habits may be affected by your stress. While some people may skip meals entirely, others overeat or choose to eat foods that are full of empty calories. Healthy food will fuel your mind and body and keep you from experiencing sugar highs and lows. Even with healthy eating and sleeping habits, you may still notice that your body feels zapped of energy. Without truly working through your stress and anxiety, your mind is still working 24 hours a day, even when you are sleeping. Again, your body communicates with you and may be telling you to hit the pause button.
Burnout can cause negative feelings such as cynicism. Step back and evaluate what you’re doing, how you’re doing it and if you need to change direction. If the job search process is making you feel withdrawn and isolated, Lori recommends reaching out and connecting with people. Let people help and support you. Don’t take a vacation from the people that you love and don’t take a vacation from the things you love to do.
We all need a break from time to time. It’s impossible to give 100% all the time, without stopping. Take time to connect with your family and the people that love you. Give yourself time to recover, refresh and rejuvenate.
We want to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts on the show. We want to know what content is meaningful and ways we can improve. Drop a message to Lori – her contact information is below.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Lori at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Published on: May 15, 2024Season 4 Episode 160: Military Spouse and Family Transition with Sarah Bumgardner
In celebration of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we are pleased to host Sarah Bumgardner. Sarah is a military spouse and a certified financial education instructor who has worked with AAFMAA since 2010. She is currently the Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement and supports both AAFMAA members and the entire military community.
Sarah became a military spouse when her first husband became an officer in the US Marine Corps. For 10 years, Sarah lived the mil spouse lifestyle of raising kids, traveling and moving. When her husband transitioned out of the military, their marriage didn’t survive. Several years later, Sarah remarried an army retiree.
Sarah reflects on the transition her family experienced when her husband separated from the military after 10 years of service. While there was excitement for the next chapter, she and her husband experienced a sense of loss in their identities and the loss of the military community. Many times, spouses have different ideas about what life looks like after the military. It’s important to communicate during the transition process and take time to reconnect and reestablish roles in the home. For those that serve less than 20 years and who don’t have the buffer of a pension, finding the next job is a huge stressor. As a mil spouse and in her current role, Sarah has learned that finding the next job doesn’t mean the transition is over. It's a long process that involves finding a new purpose, for both the veteran and mil spouse.
Sarah encourages active-duty service members to acknowledge that their military spouses are also going through a transition. Although it looks different, they are also losing their identity, community and sense of purpose as well. Children will feel a change in the new daily routines that occur after leaving the military.
AAFMAA is dedicated to both service members and their families. We are grateful to have them sponsor the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. In addition to offering the military community financial and insurance solutions, AAFMAA partners with several nonprofit organizations to help veterans and spouses find mentors to help them navigate the transition including finding a new purpose and getting a job. Military spouses can sometimes feel disconnected from the transition process. Sarah encourages every mil spouse to attend the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) with their service member.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Sarah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-bumgardner-cfei%C2%AE-1114aa94/
Explore AAFMAA at https://www.aafmaa.com/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Published on: May 8, 2024Season 4 Episode 159: Job Interview Success with Brenda Mariah - Part 2
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we continue our discussion on interview best practices with career strategist, Brenda Mariah. We encourage you to listen to Part 1, episode 158 before continuing with this episode. During Part 1, Brenda explained the purpose of an interview, what every employer is looking for during an interview and how to stay in control during the interview process. On this episode, we dive into the anatomy of an interview.
The interview process can be divided into 5 stages. During Part 1, we discussed Stage 1: Making an Entrance. We continue with Stage 2: Questions They Ask You. Most likely, every interview will begin with the “Tell me about yourself” question. Brenda advises candidates to use this question to highlight their qualifications, skills and character. Her formula is 1. I love… 2. I’m proud of… 3. I’m excited to…. First, tell the employer what you love about the role. Second, list some of your accomplishments. Third, let the employer know how you plan to use your skills to improve the organization. This question is meant to be an icebreaker and to give the employer insights about your professional qualifications and skills and how they can benefit their company. Make the answers relevant to their needs. Another popular question is “What are your weaknesses?” Brenda has 3 tips for responding to this question. 1. It should be an actual weakness that you possess. 2. It should not be critical to the job. 3. Explain how you are overcoming the weakness.
Stage 3: Question You Ask. At the end of the interview, always be prepared to ask the employer questions. If you are prompted to ask questions, and you decline the opportunity, the employer will assume you do not want the job. Prepare 10 questions for the employer knowing that some of them may have already been answered during the interview and assume that you will have the opportunity to ask 2 or 3 of your prepared questions. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with the employer and show them that you’ve done your research and are interested in the job.
Stage 4: Closing. Make sure they know you want the job. Thank them for their time and express to them once again why you would make a great fit.
Stage 5: Post-interview follow-up. Did you know that only 1 in 200 candidates will send any kind of follow-up message after an interview? Sending a handwritten thank you, a thank you email or a LinkedIn connection request with a thank you message will help you stand out from the crowd. It also serves as an additional opportunity for you to showcase how your skills can benefit their organization. Don’t be afraid to include a plan to follow up on a specified date.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Brenda at https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbrendamariah/
Explore Push Management Career’s Interview Training Program at https://www.pushcareermanagement.com/interview-coaching
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Published on: May 1, 2024Season 4 Episode 158: Job Interview Success with Brenda Mariah - Part 1
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome Brenda Mariah. If you are having trouble getting others to see your value or recognizing your own value, this is where Brenda shines. Brenda Mariah, of Push Career Management, is a career-focused speaker, wordsmith, storyteller, encourager, author and strategist. She is the president of the National Resume Writers Association, the past president of the Resume Writers and Career Coaches Association and is certified in interview coaching, compensation negotiation, job search strategy, resume writing, career management, LinkedIn profile development and employment law. Major brands rely on Brenda to provide corporate outplacement services during layoffs and her prior engineering and project management background qualifies her to help even the most technical professionals.
While a resume’s job is to help you land an interview, the interview is an opportunity for both you and the employer to find out if your skills and personality are a good fit for the organization. During the interview, the employer is looking for the most cost-effective employee, the person who is going to add the most value and bring the most return on investment. This doesn’t necessarily mean the employer will always look for the person they can hire for the least amount of money. Employers are asking themselves questions like “Can you do the job?”, “Will you do the job?”, “Are you a good fit?”
It's important to bring your personality to the interview. While an interview should be taken seriously, don’t forget to smile, make eye contact and engage with the employer. While the resume is fact-based, an interview is more emotion-based. Be confident with who you are and don’t pretend to be something you’re not.
As the interviewee, you have more control over the situation than you might think. According to data, about 40% of your interview success is based on your packaging such as nonverbal communication and appearance. Another 40% is your responsiveness to the questions. 10% of your success is based on your qualifications.
Brenda breaks down the interview process into 5 stages. Stage 1 is Making an Entrance. When you enter an interview with confidence, you appear competent. If your interview is virtual, make sure you understand the platform being used. If you are not familiar with certain software, like Teams or Webex, find a demo video online and learn how to navigate the platform. Make sure the position of your camera highlights your face and be aware of what is in your background. Experiment with lighting to ensure shadows are not covering your face.
Stage 2 is Questions They Ask You. During your interview preparation, be able to answer why you want to work for them and why they should pick you. Research the company by looking at their website and social media channels. Review your resume and begin to formulate stories to back up your accomplishments. Use the STAR method to ensure you are giving the backstory, the actions you took and what you achieved.
Connect with Brenda at https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbrendamariah/
Explore Push Management Career’s Interview Training Program at https://www.pushcareermanagement.com/interview-coaching
Season 4 Episode 157: The Emotions of the Military Transition with Mary Polanco - Part 2
We continue our discussion with Mary Polanco on Part 2 of this 2-part series. On the previous episode, Mary discusses the importance of taking time for yourself during the military transition process and the reality that separating from the military may cause grief. During this episode, we dissect content from her newly published book, Your Final Debrief, and dive deeper into healthy ways to deal with complex emotions that may arise before, during and after the military transition.
Mary believes that questioning your feelings is an important step to understanding the root cause. If you find yourself feeling a certain way, ask yourself where the feeling is coming from and consider the meaning behind the feeling. This type of analytical thinking will help you acknowledge and accept the feeling and move on.
Life is full of transitions - whether it’s relational or job related. It’s important to constantly reflect on where you are, where you’ve been and how you envision your future. Reflection will bring up feelings, and for many people it’s easier to suppress those feelings instead of working through them. As we work through feelings, it’s hard to know in the beginning what is really underneath the emotions. Mary attributes therapy, reading, journaling and meditating to helping her work through suppressed feelings from her Air Force career. These healthy actions create space for things to come up, so you can address them and move forward.
Leaving the military is a choice for some, but for others it’s forced. Some service members get med boarded while others may fail to get promoted. Either way, the last day in uniform can be emotionally charged. For Mary, she was unprepared for the feelings that occurred on her first full day of retirement. She realized she was alone in her decisions. She no longer had someone telling her where to be and what to do. It’s okay to be both sad about your military career being over and excited about your future.
Mary encourages service members to separate their identity with their service. If you are struggling with this, pull out a piece of paper and write down the question, “Who am I?” For you to separate your service from your identity, you have to have an identity to fall back on – which is the real you! For those serving in the military, it’s too easy to put “you” on the back burner. You need to dedicate time to the discovery process of finding out what has been dormant for so long. In her book, Mary suggests 9 questions that could help you rediscover yourself including What brings you peace? What would you do with your time if you had no worries? What is your legacy?
Your Final Debrief is a guide that shows you how to invest in yourself. The military will roll on without you. So start preparing for your next chapter.
Connect with Mary at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-polanco-mssl-32a1a5176/
Explore Your Final Debrief at https://www.amazon.com/Your-Final-Debrief-Military-Post-Service/dp/B0CN69TVWZ
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
Season 4 Episode 156: Dealing with the Grief of Leaving the Military with Mary Polanco - Part 1
After serving 23 years in the US Air Force, Mary Polanco retired from the Air Force. She is the founder and CEO of Live and Lead Well and the author of Your Final Debrief, which she describes as a must-read guide to learning how to break free from the military mindset and craft the post service life you truly desire. During Season 3, episode 128, we talked with Mary about her transition. This episode focuses on content from her newly published book.
Mary retired earlier than planned, at the peak of her military career. To those on the outside, it came as a shock. However, Mary had prepared for her transition and done the hard work of self-discovery before submitting her retirement papers. Her hope is Your Final Debrief will resonate with transitioning service members and validate the complex emotions that often accompany military separation or retirement.
The first chapter is titled Thank You for Your Service. If you’ve served in the military, you know that this sentiment can often be uncomfortable. Mary believes it’s important for service members to acknowledge their service and the sacrifices they made while wearing the uniform. One of the sacrifices that Mary focuses on is the idea that military service may hinder a person’s identity.
Have you ever heard someone refer to someone else as ROAD? It stands for retired on active duty. It’s a term used to describe someone that is choosing to focus on themself rather than working 24/7 until their last day for the military. This term has a negative connotation in the military. Mary addresses this and why it’s so important to take time for yourself before separating or retiring from the military. For those serving in leadership roles, the military has convinced you that the mission will fail without you, right? The truth is the military will go on without you. You are replaceable. It can feel wrong to put yourself before the needs of others, especially if you have a servitude attitude. Know that you will never be able to convince those still in uniform the magnitude of transitioning. It’s not your job – your job is to prepare yourself for the next chapter of your life.
In Mary’s book, she compares her service to a marriage and her retirement to a divorce. She experienced the 5 stages of grief during her transition. Mary believes the first enlistment is the courtship phase. During this time, you are questioning whether to leave or stay for the long haul. For those that choose to reenlist, a commitment is made and there are expectations of your service. The 5 stages of grief are Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Grief occurs over a loss – whether it’s a person, pet or job. Mary experienced all of these as she grappled with the idea of retirement.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Mary at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-polanco-mssl-32a1a5176/
Explore Your Final Debrief at https://www.amazon.com/Your-Final-Debrief-Military-Post-Service/dp/B0CN69TVWZ
Season 4 Episode 155: Learning How to Market Yourself with Clarissa Merced
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome retired US Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, Clarissa Merced. Clarissa used the SkillBridge program to upskill and land a role with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). During her 2.5 years at the VBA, Clarissa realized she needed a job that was more stimulating and rewarding. She got serious about her job search and learned how to translate her military skills and effectively market herself. Her hard work paid off, and she received an offer for a new role that exceeded her previous salary by more than $30K.
Clarissa admits she did not utilize her transition period wisely. She relied on her 24 years of military service, education and SkillBridge to carry her into the next chapter. When she finished her SkillBridge internship with the VBA, she went straight into a full-time position working from home assigning disability ratings to veterans. After spending 24 years in the military and being on call all the time, Clarissa realized the demanding environment at the VBA was not a good fit.
When Clarissa accepted a new position in the civilian sector, she noticed right away that the environment was better suited to her. She feels heard and valued in her new role and believes her compensation is fair given her experience, education and background. Clarissa is grateful for her role at the VBA and encourages veterans to explore working for the federal government if they are looking for an environment that is similar in nature to the military as far as promotions and paygrades.
As Clarissa reflects on her transition, she wished she would have taken time to decompress and detach herself from the military before starting her post-military career. She went straight from the military to SkillBridge to a full-time role. She would have taken the time to do career and personality type assessments and really put thought into the kind of work environment that she wanted to be in. If Clarissa had the opportunity to transition again, she would have put a greater emphasis on earning the certifications and degrees that would benefit her once she retired instead of prioritizing education that contributed to her success while she was serving.
Working from home has been an adjustment for Clarissa. Many people seek remote roles, especially in the post-pandemic world. While there are many positives to working from home, there can be challenges as well. If you are a people person, you must find ways to interact and connect with your team. Remote workers often need to remind their family members that they are at work and need to stay on task.
Clarissa recommends people seek professional assistance if they need help writing a resume or prepping for an interview. Career coaching is a small investment when you consider the impact it can have on the rest of your career. Invest in yourself. Take advantage of free resources and then make an informed decision if you know you need more help marketing yourself.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Clarissa at https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-merced/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Published on: March 20, 2024Season 4 Episode 154: Exploring SkillBridge with Dave Schantz - Part 2
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we continue our conversation with Dave Schantz, SkillBridge expert. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, we encourage you to download Episode 153 and learn more about what the SkillBridge program is and what it isn’t. This episode focuses on the employment part of the SkillBridge program.
Dave encourages service members to run weekly keyword searches on the SkillBridge locations page to learn what companies are offering opportunities that fit their needs. During this discovery period, service members should be reaching out to the point of contact listed on the SkillBridge location page to learn more about the organization and their program. Google companies and learn about their successes, failures and cultures. When a service member sits down for a SkillBridge interview, it should not be the first time they are learning about the organization. Prepare for the interview like it’s a paid opportunity because it is a fully funded fellowship opportunity. During the interview, it would be appropriate to inquire about the opportunity at the end of the SkillBridge internship. The SkillBridge program is not a free labor program. It is by design a train to hire program. If the company cannot answer the question, it is a red flag. Service members should apply to multiple SkillBridge opportunities.
Because the SkillBridge program is a popular way to secure employment after the military, many service members have begun to view it as an opportunity to get out of the military 6 months early. Remember that your commanding officer can recall you if needed. Another unhealthy mindset is chasing the SkillBridge opportunity with the longest internship period. Go for the opportunity that is right for both you and the organization to support the level of training that you need in order to get the job that you want. The purpose of SkillBridge is to upskill or retrain service members, whether that takes 6 months or 2 months.
Dave encourages service members to start thinking about their military transition as early as possible. Learn about the Air Force COOL program, tuition assistance, credentialing assistance, the GI Bill and the SkillBridge program. For any position that requires a Secret security clearance or less, most recruiters don’t look any further than 90 days in advance. 90 days before a service member is eligible to start a SkillBridge opportunity would be an ideal time to start applying to organizations. For positions that require a Top Security clearance or above, start applications 4-6 months in advance.
Start preparing for your transition early. Network with companies that offer SkillBridge opportunities. Make a plan that includes applying for multiple SkillBridge opportunities.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Dave at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-schantz-skillbridge-champion/
Explore SkillBridge at https://skillbridge.osd.mil/
Join the DoD SkillBridge Community of Practice LinkedIn group at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12257076/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Published on: March 13, 2024Season 4 Episode 153: Exploring SkillBridge with Dave Schantz - Part 1
We are excited to welcome Dave Schantz to the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. After retiring from the US Navy in 2019, Dave built a SkillBridge opportunity at General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT). Once he learned how to navigate the SkillBridge approval process for GDIT, he took over the program to attract more transitioning service members to the organization. As the administrator for the DoD SkillBridge Community of Practice LinkedIn group for several years, he shares his knowledge of the program for service members, transition counselors and approved companies. Dave has been consulting with companies since 2021 and is now consulting full-time. As one of the premier experts on SkillBridge, he assists companies through the approval process and advises them on how to successfully build out their program.
During Dave’s last year in service, he reached out to the hiring manager at GDIT to inquire if they had a SkillBridge program in place. Not only did they not have the program in place, but they also had very little knowledge of the benefits of SkillBridge. Dave sold them on the program, and he was selected to start working for them as a training advisor through their new SkillBridge program. After spending 6 months in the role, Dave was hired. Dave volunteered to be the administrator of the DoD SkillBridge Community of Practice LinkedIn group. From 9/2019 to present, Dave has grown the group from 85 members to 37K. Many service members are following Dave’s lead on creating SkillBridge opportunities. There are currently 4,400+ SkillBridge approved organizations.
The DoD SkillBridge program allows service members to participate in unpaid internships or apprenticeships with an approved organization during the last 6 months of service time. The organization can specify the duration of work from 1 month to the full 6 months with the expectation that at the end of the agreed upon period, there will be an opportunity for a full-time position. The program is designed as a train to hire program. It is not meant to be a free labor program.
If a service member wants to participate in a SkillBridge opportunity with an organization that is not DoD approved, the program allows every approved organization to act as a middleman. This scenario could happen for a variety of reasons such as the organization doesn’t have time to get approved or the organization lacks the personnel to follow through on the intensive paperwork process.
For service members who are interested in SkillBridge, having a translated resume and LinkedIn profile is very important. Because a company is not supposed to be offering SkillBridge opportunities unless there is a high likelihood of a job offer at the end, the hiring manager will most likely be reviewing a service member’s resume and LinkedIn profile and conducting an interview.
The DoD is making strides toward streamlining the approval process for organizations. With 200K service members transitioning each year and just 4,400+ approved organizations, there is still a lack of opportunity for some who want to participate in the program.
Connect with Dave at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-schantz-skillbridge-champion/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Season 4 Episode 152: Bouncing Back from Underemployment with Dr. Derek Moore
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome back Dr. Derek Moore. Derek was originally a guest in Season 1 for a Q&A episode. Since retiring in 2021 from the US Marine Corps, Derek’s journey has had highs and lows, including a period of unemployment and underemployment. Today, Derek is the Director of the Joint Military Leadership Center at the University of South Florida.
One of Derek’s challenges during his military transition was relocating from North Carolina to Florida. Derek chose Florida for its climate but was unprepared for the lack of opportunities in his desired field. After experiencing unemployment for 8 months and unable to find leadership roles working with student veterans at area colleges and universities, Derek settled on a position in admissions and recruiting for a local private university. Within 3 months, Derek knew his job was not a good fit for him. It took him almost a year to find his current role.
When Derek was unemployed and underemployed, he made an intentional effort to stay in touch with his connections on LinkedIn. He encourages others facing the same reality to remain calm and patient. Consider expanding your job search range to increase the number of job opportunities.
In his director role, Derek oversees the ROTC program that includes Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Air Force. He serves as the conduit between the university and the military branches, ensuring that students are successful with both their military and university commitments. Derek uses his military leadership skills and experience in his current role to serve students. Underemployment is one of the biggest issues that veterans face in their post military career. Whether a person is underutilized, undervalued or underpaid, underemployment can be discouraging and frustrating. Keep looking for opportunities that make you feel valued and useful.
Sometimes the first job a veteran is offered after leaving the military is a dream job. Other times, that first job is nothing more than a paycheck. There is nothing wrong with accepting a job and continuing to look for a better fit. For Derek, he took his first job without having done the work of translating his military skills on his resume. After seeking professional help on his resume to help him translate his skills, he noticed more employers reaching out to him. If you choose to write your own resume, you must convey the value of what you did in the military to the employer.
Derek credits LinkedIn for his large network. Once he got over the initial discomfort of reaching out to strangers to ask for informational interviews, Derek learned how to lean into his network to learn more about careers in higher education. In addition, he created content and commented on posts to share his knowledge and skills.
Derek encourages service members to make their education plan while they are still serving. Take advantage of tuition assistance and credentialing assistance. Research the field you want to enter and learn what education you need to be competitive in the job search process.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Derek at https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-moore-/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
Published on: February 28, 2024Season 4 Episode 151: Navigating the Financial Decisions of Transition with Todd Nelson
On this episode of the Lesson Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome Todd Nelson. Although not a veteran himself, he has dedicated his career to helping service members navigate their finances as a financial advisor for Edward Jones. There are often unique financial challenges that accompany transitioning service members into their next career. Todd is the host of Transition 30, a network that uses quarterly Zoom calls to connect service members to resources and organizations that support the military transition process.
Todd lays out 3 considerations every service member must make as they exit the military. 1) How much money do I need to replace? 2) How much money do I want and how much money do I need? 3) How am I going to get from what I need to what I want? Having mentors and talking to subject matter experts in taxation can become a valuable piece of establishing your financial foundation.
The first consideration when thinking about SGLI to VGLI is knowing what your needs are when it comes to insurance. Speak to your spouse, significant other and family members before you start the VA disability process. During the VA process, everything is documented. If you start your insurance research after you have already started the VA process, there may be some exclusions to your policy because of the VA documentation. The second consideration is realizing that VGLI is there for a reason. Sometimes private life insurance companies won’t cover you because of your service-related injuries.
When it comes to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), it’s important to realize that it’s a personal decision that should be based off several factors. Research the SBP at militarypay.defense.gov prior to out-processing. During out-processing, you will be asked if you want to opt out of SBP because by default, you are opted into the plan. An alternative to SBP is life insurance.
Another priority when transitioning from the military is knowing how your tax bracket will be influenced. Your pension and new job will affect your tax bracket. Start setting money aside for this reality.
VA disability payments are tax free. It is a benefit that you have earned and can be viewed as a lifetime annuity. You are guaranteed that income with a cost-of-living adjustment each year. With just a 10% disability rating, you are eligible for a VA home loan. Service members who are separating and plan to file for disability compensation can file their claim before separation through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. The BDD program allows service members to apply for VA disability compensation benefits between 180 to 90 days prior to separation. If your disability rating is 30% or higher, you will have preference when it comes to jobs in the federal government.
There are many considerations when it comes to accepting a job offer. Look at the total compensation package, not just the salary. Benefits might include a 401K or a 403b and stock options. You will want to consider starting a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA. Do your research and seek assistance and advice to help you navigate your financial situation.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Todd at https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-nelson-edward-jones/
Transition 30 LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transition-30/
Explore the Transition 30 channel at https://www.youtube.com/@transition30
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
Published on: February 21, 2024Season 4 Episode 150: Taking the Focus off You for Job Search Success with Lori Norris
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, host Lori Norris shares the best ways to help candidates stand out from the crowd during the job search process. It may seem counterintuitive at first, but a candidate who can shift their focus from themself to the needs of an employer will rise above the applicant pool.
Whether it’s your resume, LinkedIn profile, a networking event, an interview or a job fair, you must have a strategy. A strategic marketing plan begins with knowing the customer. Find out what the customer wants – in the job search process, the customer is the employer. Learn to articulate what skills you have that will meet the employer’s needs.
Consider some of the most effective marketing slogans on social media and television. Nike’s slogan is “Just Do It” – yet at no point do they ever tell you outright to buy their shoes and clothing. The company makes it all about you – the consumer. Try applying this approach to your marketing and make it all about the employer. Avoid writing objective statements in your resume that tell the employer you need a job or using your LinkedIn headline as an opportunity to state you are a transitioning service member looking for employment.
Companies hire for one of two reasons: they have a need to fill or a problem to solve. Do your research and figure out what the organization’s needs and problems are and then craft your marketing to be the solution to their problem. Put more focus on putting together tailored, quality applications instead of sending out a large quantity of generic applications. Convey your ROI to the company. To define an employer’s needs and problems, first conduct a S.W.O.T. analysis. Learn their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats and then target your marketing to the customer. Second, conduct research using a company’s website, google, corporateinformation.com and glassdoor.com. Use social media to learn about a company's current events.
Determine your unique skills and market the benefits that they will bring to the employer. Employers will believe what you can prove through stories, examples and statistics. To help get you thinking about how your skills can be the solution to an employer’s problems, try this exercise – Make a list of at least 25 of your skills. Next to each skill, make a statement of its value. In the third column, write an example or story that highlights the skill. This exercise will help you craft quality bullets for your resume and effective talking points for an interview.
Download your free skills worksheet at www.nextforvets.com
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Lori at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Published on: February 14, 2024Season 4 Episode 149: Military Transition Q&A with Taylor Lau
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we bring you the first Q&A session of Season 4. Taylor Lau currently serves in the US Army and is scheduled to separate in October of 2024 with terminal leave beginning in July. She is currently pursuing Salesforce certifications but is also open to working for a defense contractor.
What are the biggest pitfalls that plague transitioning service members as they make their move to the civilian workforce?
One of the biggest issues plaguing veterans is believing that people are going to be clamoring to hire you simply because you are a veteran. The fact that you are a veteran is valuable and so are the military training and skills you bring an employer. It is your responsibility to translate your value – your skills – to your employer. They want to know how you can help them and add value to their team. You must translate your skills on your resume, while you are networking and building your LinkedIn profile. Your marketing should be all about where you are going, not where you have been.
If a TSM only has enough time to focus on one thing, what would you say that one thing should be?
Every transition is unique. With that said, having a focus is key to building a network. Tailoring your resume and creating an optimized LinkedIn profile are equally important. If you find yourself short on time, your first and most important step is to figure out what is next for you - not what is forever. Ask yourself what makes the most sense to target next so that you can leave the military and continue to provide for yourself and your family. Sit down and write a resume and fill out your LinkedIn profile that translates your military skills and showcases why you are qualified for that next role and start applying.
Once you land that first job and have an offer in hand, keep networking. Continue to look and apply for jobs and explore any certifications that can set yourself up for the next step.
What traits or strengths would you say the civilian world looks for that maybe the military tends to find less desirable?
The value of soft skills is often overlooked in the military. There are skills that service members develop such as communication, empathy or getting a team to buy in that are valued in the civilian world. Veterans will often notice the value that civilian coworkers place on a work life balance.
As Taylor approaches the end of her career in the military, she is reflecting on her various roles and asking herself what value and worth she can highlight to a future employer. It is the responsibility of the service member to articulate the importance of each military job.
Taylor recently made a post where she compared the military transition to walking on a lightly frozen lake. With the reality of a new chapter ahead of her, Taylor realizes that she must confidently keep moving forward. She understands that the uniform she wore gave her extra confidence and that it is now up to her to make a decision on how she is going to portray herself without the uniform. One of the biggest realizations that veterans have after leaving the military is the idea that they have the freedom to change and to pivot. Unlike the military, you have the freedom to change jobs or move locations when you want. The military transition can feel isolating and lonely. While no one else can go through the process for you, there are plenty of resources and veterans who will walk alongside you.
Connect with Taylor Lau at https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-lau-81b39895/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
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Published on: February 7, 2024Season 4 Episode 148: Removing the Mental Health Treatment Stigma with Major General Gregg Martin
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we host Major General Gregg Martin. During his 36-year career, MG Martin commanded the Corps of Engineers Northwest Division and served as Commandant of the Army Engineer School, President of the National Defense University and Special Assistant to the Chief of Engineers. He is also the author of Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness.
By 2014, MG Martin had been unknowingly living with bipolar disorder. After several anonymous reports of his behavior, General Dempsey ordered a series of assessments and ultimately relieved Martin of duty. When Martin reported to Walter Reed, he was diagnosed with bipolarism. In 2015, Martin medically retired with no continuity of care plan. Today, the military is not allowing that same scenario to happen for service members being medically retired with mental health issues. The military is making an intentional effort to normalize the conversation regarding mental health and providing education through workshops, training and forums. The military is looking for ways to accommodate and keep service members in the force.
After retiring from the military, MG Martin fell into such deep depression that he was checked into an inpatient VA psych ward. After two weeks of intensive care provided by a multidisciplinary team, Martin spent the following four weeks living in a dorm inside of the hospital. Once he began taking a new prescription of Lithium, his symptoms subsided, and he began to regain control of his life. In addition to relocating to Florida, Martin reconnected with his family and maintains regular therapy sessions and daily medication. He prioritizes a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and sleep.
MG Martin anchors his life using the five P’s – Purpose, People, Place, Perseverance, Presence. For Martin, his new purpose is destigmatizing mental issues and promoting recovery. He surrounds himself with positive and energetic people and chose to relocate to sunny Florida for its health benefits. He perseveres through his challenges and has the presence of mind to get outside of his own thinking and think objectively about his thought patterns.
As an advocate for mental health awareness, MG Martin has written over 20 articles that have appeared in publications including Psychology Today, Psychiatric Times, Boston Globe and Soldier Magazine. In addition, he has spoken to over a hundred audiences about mental health. His book, Bipolar General, includes medical research that is woven into his own personal journey with bipolarism.
Gregg Martin urges anyone who feels like they may have a mental health condition to seek help immediately. Untreated mental illness can ruin a marriage, career and finances. It can lead to homelessness, addiction, incarceration and even death.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with MG Martin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-f-martin-222735aa/
Explore Bipolar General at https://www.generalgreggmartin.com/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
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Published on: January 31, 2024Season 4 Episode 147: Seeking Stability with Travis Pearce
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome Army veteran Travis Pearce. Travis separated in 2009 with very little notice and without a defined plan. He stepped off an airplane with a cell phone, a duffle bag and his Army training. When Travis joined the Army, he started in EOD and was then reclassed as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. With his GI Bill benefit, he went to college to study engineering. His first job after the military was as a monorail mechanic at the Tampa airport. Today, he works as an engineer for that same company.
In 2009, Travis had just returned from a Joint Special Operations in the Pacific when he learned his unit was already prepping for another deployment to Iraq. His commander gave him the option of redeploying or ETSing with an honorable discharge – meaning released from active duty. Because Travis chose to ETS, he did not have the runway to prepare for his transition. Stationed in Hawaii at the time, his belongings were put on a ship, sent to California and then transferred to a truck headed for Tampa Bay, Florida – his hometown.
Travis relied on the skills he learned in the Army as a mechanic to help him find a job. Because there is no school for monorail maintenance or repair, Travis played up his ability to adapt to change, learn quickly and be flexible – all skills he learned in the Army. After Travis was offered the position at Alstom, the hiring manager disclosed that his background working on multiple pieces of equipment and managing the accountability of equipment valued in the millions helped him get the job. Alstom is actively seeking talent in a variety of fields.
One of the biggest hurdles Travis faced after he separated from the military was defining his goals. Once he began his college studies and shifted his focus to engineering, he determined his focus and the steps he needed to take to accomplish his goals. Travis has been employed with Alstom for almost 14 years. The stability, teamwork environment and benefits play a key role in his loyalty to the company. Alstom gave him flexibility when he was going to school full-time and working full-time to support his growing family.
As Travis reflects on his career with Alstom, he attributes his success and longevity to his management’s flexibility and support and his willingness to be honest and candid about his goals. Building trusting relationships is key to taking advantage of internal opportunities. Now that Travis has been out of the Army for 14+ years, he encourages all service members to learn about and understand their benefits. Find resources and organizations that can help you navigate the process of applying for benefits.
Connect with Travis Pearce on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-pearce-99a377274/
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Explore careers at Alstom at https://www.alstom.com/careers/join-alstom
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
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Published on: January 24, 2024Season 4 Episode 146: Getting 1000 Veterans Hired with Jai Salters
While serving as an active-duty US Navy officer, Jai Salters is also the founder and executive director of ACT Now Education and founder and CEO of his own consulting firm. He has a mission to get 1000 military service members and their spouses employed by the time he retires from the Navy in 2027. He has already helped hundreds of people successfully navigate their transition.
When Jai hit the 10-year mark in the military, he made the decision to continue until retirement. Without a college degree or any certifications, he knew his options would be limited if he separated at 10 years. Determined to make the most of his next 10+ years, Jai began researching different education programs and opportunities. He was amazed at the plethora of information and shared his new knowledge with colleagues. ACT Now Education started as a brief that focused on the resources that Jai had discovered. From there, Jai went on to earn 17 certifications, an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree.
Today, ACT Now Education focuses on upskill and reskill resources. Most resources are free with a handful costing very little. ACT Now serves as an advocate for organizations offering free certifications and partners with organizations like Coursera and Project Management Institute (PMI). ACT Now has developed several cohort-style training programs that provide business suits, resume services, interview prep and access to Fortune 500 mentors. Every Saturday, Jai hosts a virtual meeting that is open to all service members and their families. He brings on guest speakers to help service members, veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. Attendees will leave with a 21-page resource guide and a transition checklist.
Last year alone, Jai helped over 150 people get jobs. Many of these people utilized ACT Now Education or learned about different opportunities through Jai’s LinkedIn posts. In 2021, ACT Now went online and has grown substantially in the past 3 years. As a nonprofit, the organization relies on the support of companies like Microsoft. Through his networking skills and the success of ACT Now, Jai regularly has employers and federal agencies reach out to him to help fill open positions.
Jai’s ultimate goal is to revise the TAP program. He envisions modernizing the class and streamlining initiatives like SkillBridge to maximize positive outcomes. He credits organizations like Veterati, The COMMIT foundation and American Corporate Partners (ACP) for providing additional resources beyond those found through TAP.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Jai at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jai-salters/
Explore ACT Now Education at https://actnoweducation.org/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
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Published on: January 17, 2024Season 4 Episode 145: Going from Officer to Dependent with Charlene Wilde
This episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast kicks off our 4th Season! We are excited to host Charlene Wilde who served as a US Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Officer for six years. As a veteran and military spouse, Charlene is now the Senior Vice President of Operations at American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA). This podcast focuses on how she transitioned back into the civilian workforce after an 11-year break and the strategies she used to expand her opportunities at AAFMAA. We are grateful to AAFMAA for sponsoring this episode.
Charlene made the decision to separate from the military after she had her first child. With her husband recently deployed to Iraq and a short 6-week maternity leave over, Charlene persevered as a CBRN officer for awhile before realizing she wanted to prioritize her new role as a mother. Unfortunately, her command and unit were not supportive of military women who wanted to continue serving after becoming a mom. After Charlene separated, she found the support she needed through the military spouse community.
As a veteran and military spouse, Charlene spent a significant amount of time overseas with her husband. At the time, remote work was not as prevalent as it is today. Charlene had the desire to continue learning and serving, so she volunteered as much as she could through military organizations and spouse groups. Volunteering was an opportunity for Charlene to gain new skills - skills that helped her gain future employment. Charlene encourages mil spouses to take a strategic approach to volunteering in order to build a resume. Taking classes or pursuing certifications are also great ways to fill gaps on a resume.
When Charlene began applying for roles after an 11-year break, she tailored her resume to focus on her organizational and leadership skills. She took advantage of Fort Belvoir’s military spouse employment office and began networking. AAFMAA hired her as a team leader in 2015. Charlene admits that when she first reentered the workforce, she viewed her role as just a job. A year later, she shifted her mindset from job to career. With this mental shift, Charlene began to look for new opportunities to grow within the company.
AAFMAA has a long and solid history of serving the military community. It is the longest standing not for profit association to provide military families with affordable financial solutions, including life insurance, investment management, residential mortgages and Survivor Assistance Services. In addition, almost 40% of AAFMAA’s workforce is either a veteran or a military spouse.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Charlene at https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlene-wilde/
Explore AAFMAA services at https://www.aafmaa.com/
Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v
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Published on: January 10, 2024Season 3 Episode 144: Winning the Military Transition Game with Shawn Welsh
Shawn Welsh recently retired from the US Army after serving in the intelligence field, but he started his transition years prior. Using his intel skills, Shawn took advantage of 26 military transition programs and obtained 7 different certifications. He currently works in business continuity and is the host of the VET S.O.S. podcast, which he launched in May of 2022.
Shawn teamed up with a fellow transitioning service member, and together they explored different events and programs in the months leading up to his retirement. One of the most beneficial events for Shawn was experiencing a Who Ya Know Show Career Summit. This event allowed Shawn to understand what civilians are looking for in a new hire. The Who Ya Know Show encouraged Shawn to start his own podcast. As a result, the VET S.O.S. podcast launched with their support and sponsorship. Through LinkedIn, Shawn connected with others who recommended programs like FourBlock, Vets2Industry and Veterati.
The tagline for the VET S.O.S. podcast is Don’t drown in the sea of transition; grab the S.O.S. lifeline. With thousands of transition resources available, the amount of information can be overwhelming to navigate, not to mention time consuming to research. To help service members organize their military transition, Shawn hosts different organizations each week on his podcast and allows them 30 minutes to showcase their services.
Shawn recently presented at the VET Summit and shared his tactic for organizing the 40,000 VSOs to a more manageable number. He narrowed down his top 3 VSOs to Vets2Industry, The KEY Community and 50strong. Vets2Industry hosts virtual events that bring in 200 attendees and dozens of vetted recruiters and organizations. After the event, a summary is emailed to all the attendees for their reference. The KEY Community and 50strong also offer virtual events and networking opportunities.
Of the 26 military transition programs that Shawn participated in, Veterati ranks in his top 5. The informational interviews with the mentors at Veterati helped him figure out what he didn’t want to do. Another organization that Shawn used was American Corporate Partners (ACP). The mentor he was given was such a good match that they continue to regularly talk. FourBlock hosts companies and recruiters that are interested in hiring veterans. The COMMIT Foundation and Leader Transition Institute round out his top 5.
Shawn was methodical in his transition preparation. He and his wife had many conversations about finances, moving and career paths. After settling on a location, he networked and conducted informational interviews to help him find his focus. From there he used Hire Our Heroes to find an internship in business consulting. The internship became his current full-time job.
You may be wondering how Shawn was able to use so many resources during his transition and still fulfill his military duties. It’s not that he had leadership that just let him stop coming to work. Instead, he planned ahead and started 2 years prior to his retirement. Little by little, he slowly went through the programs and earned certifications. He fit in informational interviews when he could and took advantage of virtual opportunities.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Shawn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnwelsh00/
Listen to the VET S.O.S. podcast at https://vetsospodcast.com/
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Published on: November 8, 2023Season 3 Episode 143: Strategic Career Changes with Sean Oliva
After 17 years of service, Sean Oliva was medically retired from the US Army. Because he had spent 10 years in a recruiting role, Sean thought he could easily slide into a similar role on the civilian side. His job searching proved to be extremely challenging and competitive. After accepting a role with a nonprofit, he transitioned into a talent acquisition role with Boston Scientific. Recently, Sean made an internal move into a project management position.
When Sean medically retired in 2021, he soon realized how competitive the job market was. During his transition, Sean was working with a nonprofit to gain public access for his service dog. At the time, the current and first responder program coordinator was retiring, so Sean applied and was offered the position. Sean found his new role extremely rewarding, but the challenge of living other people’s PTSD triggered his own PTSD. Weighing the pros and cons of working for a nonprofit, Sean decided to look for roles in talent acquisition. While he was submitting applications, he sought coaching and mentorship through Warriors to Work – a veteran employment program within Wounded Warrior Project. They helped him with his interview skills and learning how to effectively translate his military skills. Ultimately, they helped him find the confidence to sell himself in the interview. There is a balance of being humble as a person and confident in your value.
For someone who is considering a career that is different than their military background, Sean encourages them to expand their search and include jobs that are relatable. From there, start to network. Conducting informational interviews with people already in the industry will reveal other avenues of opportunity. Boston Scientific hired Sean, in part, because of his soft skills. When Sean served in talent acquisition with Boston Scientific, he also found that veterans possess a set of soft skills which can be hard to find in other applicants.
When Sean decided he wanted a new role within Boston Scientific, he reached out to colleagues and set up time to learn about their roles. To gain visibility within the organization, he got involved with the Veterans Employee Resource Group. He made the right connections and proved his value with his organizational and communication skills. When a new project management position opened, he was immediately contacted and encouraged to apply. His networking and visibility within the organization paid off. He got the job!
Sean shares some advice on how to stand out from the applicant pool. On his resume, Sean highlights his strengths in a short paragraph under the title of the role that he’s applying for. From there, his professional experience showcases achievements with metrics that indicate how he saved the company money, made money or brought solutions to solve a problem. He encourages every person to translate their military job titles to a civilian equivalent. Integrate your soft skills into the resume. Show how you used both hard skills – technical skills – and soft skills to achieve your accomplishments. Don’t limit your job search to companies that advertise specifically to veterans. Just because an organization doesn’t have a “military friendly” slogan on their career page doesn’t mean they are not interested in hiring veterans.
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Connect with Sean at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-oliva/
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Published on: November 1, 2023Season 3 Episode 142: Standing Up for What You Believe with Mary Kate Soliva
We welcome back Mary Kate Soliva to update us on her life since transitioning 2 years ago. Mary Kate served more than 11 years in the US Army, with much of her service dedicated to Special Operations Forces. In 2021, Mary Kate separated and transitioned into the Army Reserve. She worked as a program manager for the Project Management Institute and is now supporting Special Operations at Motive International. As the host of the Veteran Voices podcast, Mary Kate brings to light insights, perspectives and stories from those that have served or who are currently serving. She is the co-founder of the Guam Human Rights Initiative and volunteers with a host of organizations.
Mary Kate started her transition early. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the in-person transition services were not available, so she leaned heavily into building her network and scheduling virtual coffees with people through LinkedIn. Like many veterans, Mary Kate had moments of panic and questioned whether she was making the right choice by leaving. Through her networking and LinkedIn involvement, she was approached by the Project Management Institute for a role that they were looking to fill. Some of the connections that she made virtually on LinkedIn have since become some of her closest friends and mentors. It is possible to build quality relationships virtually.
Since Mary Kate has shifted her service from active duty to reserve, she has become very aware of the unique challenges that reservists face. Many of these soldiers live hours away from their unit’s base. In addition, many of the resources we commonly think about are only for active-duty service members or there are caveats attached to the resource. Mary Kate hopes to find solutions to common issues surrounding the reservist service member.
In 2022, Mary Kate co-founded the Guam Human Rights Initiative. Because she graduated from the University of Guam, the US territory holds a special place in her heart. As a current doctoral student, she is researching human rights issues impacting Guam and Micronesia. In addition, she collaborates with other scholars and students in other parts of the country and world to find solutions for the issues plaguing Guam. Although human trafficking - specifically sex trafficking - is a priority, there are other human rights issues such as family violence and food insecurity that she is also researching.
The Hoover Institution Veteran Fellowship Program started in 2021 and is a nonresident year-long program based out of Stanford University and under the direction of Dr. Condoleezza Rice. Each fellow focuses on a bipartisan topic that is impacting the American people. Mary Kate gained the support of Dr. Rice along with the Governor of Guam and other high-profile people and entities for her research into human rights issues in Guam.
Mary Kate has never been paid for her advocacy or volunteering work, but the opportunity to really make an impact on the lives of others keeps her motivated and inspired. Both of her employers since leaving the military have been supportive of her and have given her the flexibility to pursue her other interests.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Connect with Mary Kate at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marykatesoliva/
Explore the Guam Human Rights Initiative at https://www.guamhri.org/
Listen to the Veteran Voices podcast at https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices/
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Published on: October 25, 2023Season 3 Episode 141: Military Transition Q&A with Nicholas Perez
On this episode, we bring you a Q&A session with Air Force transitioning service member, Nicholas Perez. Like most service members, Nicholas has held a variety of positions in the Air Force. In his current role as Director of Technical Training, Nick equips 1,300+ maintenance technicians with the most current knowledge and skills to meet their customer needs. With plans to retire from the Air Force in less than a year, Nick has found his focus and chosen to pursue roles in learning and development. He is actively researching SkillBridge opportunities and is available to start an internship as early as March of 2024. After researching job postings and contemplating his future, Nick is seeking answers to a couple of questions regarding the transition process.
1) How much of me should I be in an interview? Should I treat an interview like I’m dating? In other words, hide my true self until the 2nd or 3rd date?
It’s generally not advisable to change who you are for an interview. Embrace your unique value while being professional. Bring your personality to the interview and know that it won’t be a good fit for every organization. You are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. It’s important to find that balance of professionalism and personality.
2) What are some unique or awesome perks/benefits I should look for in a company when being hired?
After receiving the compensation package offer, don’t just negotiate salary. Be open to negotiating other things, like paid time off. If the role requires you to drive your own vehicle, inquire about a car allowance. If you have to travel, ask if you can keep the airline miles and hotel points. Ask what professional development opportunities exist. Is there a gym onsite or do they offer gym membership discounts? Glassdoor.com is a great resource to learn what current employees are experiencing.
Nick recently made a comment on a LinkedIn post. He wrote about the importance of creating positive mental and physical health habits before retiring or separating. A few months ago, Nick realized he had conflicting thoughts about leaving the military. He was beginning to question if he had made a mistake by putting in his retirement papers. Realizing that he was burdening his spouse with his roller coaster of emotions, he sought professional counseling. His counselor made a profound statement to him, “It’s time for you to move on. You’ve served your country well, loyally and faithfully. You’ve outgrown it and are ready to grow into something new.” Through his transition process, he feels like he’s grown more self-aware. He constantly asks himself questions like, “Why do I react the way that I do?” or “Why am I thinking these things?” or “Why do I have these stressors?” or “How is my anxiety and stress affecting my spouse and kids?” Making time for physical fitness has also been important for Nick’s well-being.
When asked what his biggest challenge has been so far in his military transition, Nick admits it was finding his focus. Although he no longer finds fulfillment in the way the military approaches training and development, Nick knows that he is an instructor at heart. Many times, positions in the military are not approached in the same way as in the civilian sector. When finding your focus, it’s critical to research positions, conduct informational interviews and maybe even find a way to experience that role for a day.
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Connect with Nicholas at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-r-perez1/
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Published on: October 18, 2023Season 3 Episode 140: Eating that Frog with Lori Norris
Mark Twain said, “If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that it’s probably the worst thing that’s going to happen to you all day long.” You might be wondering what that quote has to do with the military transition. On this episode, we dive into the “Eat the Frog” concept.
Your “frog” is a task or challenge that you have been avoiding and procrastinating because it is daunting. Maybe it’s writing your resume, building your network through informational interviews, practicing your interview skills or figuring out what it is that you want to do next. The military transition is a series of important decisions. You have likely heard that it’s important to start your transition early. One of the reasons is because decision fatigue is real. Your willpower and decision-making skills are finite and can become depleted as the day goes on. Research shows that accomplishing tasks early in the day boosts your confidence, motivates you and sets the stage for more productivity.
Someone once told me that overwhelm and action can’t live in the same space. When you’re moving forward, working toward a goal – even if you are taking small steps – it’s harder to feel that sense of anxiety or dread. So how do we go about tackling a daunting project or task?
1. Prioritize Your Tasks. Not all tasks are equally important. Identify your “frog.” During the military transition, your “frog” may be finding your focus.
2. Set Clear Goals. Consider making them SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reaching/Realistic and Timely. Identify your “frogs” for each day. Do not waste your time on tasks that aren’t meaningful.
3. Block Your Time. Allocate specific time slots for specific tasks. For example, if you are looking for a job, set time each day to network, conduct informational interviews and research job postings. Set a production schedule for yourself each day. Be realistic about what you can accomplish during your time block.
4. Create a Morning Routine. We have a limited amount of willpower and decision-making abilities. By the end of the day, it’s all too easy to procrastinate tackling the “frog.”
5. Set Up Accountability. Find ways to track your progress. Share your goals with a friend or use a productivity app. Your accountability partner should be asking for updates, cheering you on and celebrating your victories. “Eat your frog” first thing each morning.
6. Adjust and Adapt. Life will happen and pull you away from “eating your frog.” Unexpected challenges will arise, and you will need to shift your priorities. Adapt but maintain your focus. Address the important tasks early on. Consistently take action.
For 6-7 years, I have put off my “frog” – until now. Last month, I faced my “frog” and am proud to say that I have achieved more in the last 30 days than the last 6-7 years combined. My “frog” is building a resume writing course that will teach military service members how to effectively market themselves. My comprehensive course will start with helping you find your focus and finish with the salary negotiation process. It will be self-paced with live Q&A sessions that will be recorded for maximum flexibility. When the course is completed, there will be 1-on-1 support. My course will not only give you the tools to write an effective resume, but you will learn to think about yourself in a new way.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Join the Resumes for What’s Next waitlist at https://www.nextforvets.com/resume
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Published on: October 11, 2023Season 3 Episode 139: Advocating for Veteran Rights and Wellness with Chris McGhee
We welcome back Chris McGhee to give us an update on his career and advocacy work. After retiring from the United States Air Force in 2018, Chris moved to Maine and enrolled in law school. After earning his Juris Doctor in 2022, Chris began working as an attorney for Jackson & MacNicol. He is on track to earn his Master of Law degree by the end of the year. Chris is the host of the 20 Years Done podcast that focuses on organizational culture. This episode is dedicated to his advocacy work and his findings regarding the Air Force maintainers, their culture and their high rates of suicide.
While Chris was working toward his degree, he was spending dozens of hours a week on his advocacy work for veterans. He was submitting requests, producing podcasts, writing blogs and contacting people. Chris realized he had the opportunity to marry his love for the law and passion for veteran advocacy as a VA disability attorney.
When Chris left the military in 2018, he was very concerned at the new operational expectations being placed on personnel. He believed the effects of the 2014 sequestration played a role in the heightened suicide rates among the ranks. Between 2010-2014, the Air Force cut 10-15% of jobs in the maintenance career fields and consequently did not meet standards. Remaining personnel, including Chris, experienced major burnout. He used his podcast and blog to talk about the issue and caught the attention of Senator Angus King. When Senator King asked Chris to draft legislation, he put his schoolwork on hold and focused his attention on drafting federal legislation. Thanks to his perseverance, the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act now requires all the military services components to report to the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee all suicides by job code for all branches and components from 9/22/2001 until present. This data will illuminate issues within the services.
As an attorney fighting on behalf of veterans for disability compensation, Chris’s job is to review claims for clients, ensure they meet appeal timelines and represent the clients in hearings for the Board of Veterans Appeals. Because Chris is a veteran, he is able to build an instant rapport with his clients and enjoys educating them in the appeal process.
Without the uniform, Chris has the ability through his podcast and blog to express his views on issues in the military. He recognizes that the best advocating often occurs when someone has recently left the military. As more time passes since his retirement, Chris is cognizant that he has less information about the current culture and experience and works hard to have recently separated and retired veterans share their experiences through his podcast and blog.
Preliminary data suggests that the top 3 career fields in the Air Force that experience more suicides per capita per year than other jobs are aircraft maintenance, security forces and intel. Although his advocacy window is closing with each passing year, Chris is grateful that his current position allows him to help veterans through the disability appeals process. It’s important to remember that Chris has volunteered his time and knowledge for veteran advocacy. While he has received no compensation for his part in the 2022 legislation, he recognizes that his volunteerism has made him a better attorney.
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Connect with Chris at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmcghee358/
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Published on: October 4, 2023Season 3 Episode 138: Doing Things that Scare You with Matthew Langseth
After serving 21 years as a soldier in the Army, Army National Guard and Active Guard Reserve, Matthew Langseth retired in 2019. His first post-military role was working for 3 years as a Knowledge Manager for an organization that supports the Army. He is currently the Military Veteran Programs Coordinator for the City of Tucson and is the Marketing and Events Director for Vets2Industry.
After working 3 years for the DoD, Matt decided to go in a completely new direction. After landing a role as the Marketing and Events Director for Vets2Industry, Matt took advantage of Coursera’s educational resources and earned several applicable certifications. Matt encourages people to research their passions and figure out what really drives them. Find mentors in the field you want to pursue and set up informational interviews. Research job postings and make a plan to upskill or reskill. Consider finding mentors through Veterati, American Corporate Partners (ACP) or LinkedIn. People want to help, but you need to ask. Leverage your free year of LinkedIn Premium and take advantage of free courses through LinkedIn Learning. Even though you may stumble in the beginning, your hard work will produce results.
Matt credits networking for his career success. LinkedIn is a platform that has allowed him to stay connected to the military community while providing an opportunity to meet new connections who have become lifelong friends. In addition, LinkedIn has given him educational tools and resources and provided him with job opportunities. Matt uses his network to help others reach their goals. While staying humble, hungry and genuine, Matt believes LinkedIn is the best platform for career transformation.
As a volunteer for Vets2Industry, Matt interacts with many service members each month. Most transitioning service members have similar struggles with the biggest one being figuring out what they want to do next. Finding your focus is the first step in your military transition. It will dictate what resources you decide to use, who you choose to network with and how you craft your resume. Starting the transition process early will allow you the time to research career fields and conduct informational interviews. Matt admits that it took him the 3 years he worked for the DoD to find his focus. Realize that your focus may change over time. Be open to new opportunities. The second biggest struggle transitioning service members face is learning how to translate their skills.
If Matt were to transition again today, he would find out what he really wanted to do and then use the appropriate resources. In 2019, Matt was using the trendy resources of the time and checking the boxes instead of putting in the hard work of finding his focus. He likens it to fishing with no bait or the wrong bait. Matt encourages transitioning services members to find a focus, make a specific goal and then use applicable resources to achieve the goal. Use volunteer work to gain experience in the civilian sector.
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Connect with Matt at https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewplangseth/
Check out Vets2Industry at https://vets2industry.org/
Join the waitlist for the resume writing course Lori is building here: https://www.nextforvets.com/resume
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Published on: September 27, 2023Season 3 Episode 137: Advice from a Dual Military Married Couple with Curtis and Oneika Brown
On this episode, we welcome a dual military married couple that have both retired from the Air Force. Oneika Brown retired first, after working in aviation maintenance and intel. Since leaving the military in 2018, she has been working for a government contractor using her administrative skills. In addition, she uses her creative skills in sewing and launched an alterations and custom fashion design business. Curtis Brown had a diverse career in the Air Force where he served as an aircraft mechanic, healthcare program manager and military training instructor. Since his retirement in 2019, Curtis has been working in program and project management. He is also the Director of Military Affairs for the Alamo Chapter of the Project Management Institute.
Oneika’s transition was smooth from the perspective of securing a job. Before she retired, she was using her administrative skills to manage personnel security clearances. She was able to land a similar position as a government contractor after she retired. Her challenge in the military transition was learning how to find her identity once she took off the uniform.
While Oneika was in the process of transitioning, Curtis received new orders and was given the option of relocating to New Mexico or North Dakota. After weighing his options and considering the needs of his family, Curtis decided to retire and pursued his PMP certification.
When Oneika began her new role as a government contractor, she essentially had the same responsibilities as her previous role while serving in the military. In fact, she remained in the same office and had the same work colleagues. Although her job description is similar to her previous military role, she has tighter restrictions when it comes to executing her job. She realized that her rank and position in the military often helped her to meet deadlines. Without her rank, Oneika has had to learn how to function within the office hierarchy.
Oneika reflects on her military career and admits there are times she would like to erase the memories of those 20 years. As a young 17-year-old joining the Air Force, Oneika started off as an aviation mechanic even though she is a creative at heart. As a person of color and a female in a male-dominated field, Oneika experienced loneliness at times. Through journaling and counseling, she has come to embrace her military service for shaping her character. Learning to recognize the positive aspects of her military service has helped her to understand her identity without the uniform.
As a married couple, Oneika and Curtis believe their open communication allowed them to each have a successful transition. They realigned their goals as individuals and as a couple during their military transitions. Although their transitions were not similar and both are still navigating life without the uniform, they credit honest communication for their strong marriage. They operate as a team.
Oneika and Curtis advise service members to look at the pros and cons of the survivor benefit plan. After weighing their options, they chose to instead increase their life insurance plans and decline the survivor benefit plan. Research your options well in advance of your transition and before you receive a disability rating. Be prepared for your tax bracket to change and research ways to decrease your taxable income. Stay physically and mentally healthy.
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Connect with Oneika at https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneikabrown/
Connect with Curtis at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-jbl-brown/
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Published on: September 20, 2023Season 3 Episode 136: Focusing on the Next Step with Kim Campbell
After a 24-year career serving as a fighter pilot and senior military leader, Kim “KC” Campbell retired from the United States Air Force and is now the Managing Director of Victory Strategies, a leadership development firm, and serves on the board for Special Operators Transition Foundation. While serving in the military, Kim flew more than 100 combat missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan. She is the author of the best-selling book Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage.
Many fighter pilots choose to fly commercially once they leave the military. As Kim reflected on the reasons she wanted to retire, she realized that a career in commercial piloting would not give her the stability she was seeking. With a husband and two young children, Kim wanted to spend more time with her family. Kim’s final job in the military was Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development. In this role, she helped mold and develop the next generation of leaders at the Air Force Academy. Because Kim had tried to retire previously, she had the time to reflect and build her network before leaving the military. Kim encourages transitioning service members to be open to new opportunities and have confidence in their ability to figure new things out.
Kim addresses the civilian perception of a military leader – a reserved, credible, strong, powerful and closed-minded individual. Kim argues that many of the best leaders she encountered while serving were credible, humble, approachable and willing to ask questions. The military is known for challenging its leaders to find solutions in dynamic situations. Military leaders tend to be adaptable, flexible and creative problem-solvers in the civilian workforce.
Kim outlines several leadership strategies in her book. After studying data and reflecting on her own career, Kim believes the best way to influence and lead is pairing credibility with warmth. By warmth, she means the ability to authentically interact with people and listen to new ideas. This strategy creates trustworthiness and approachability. Another strategy comes directly from her experience as a fighter pilot: Aviate, Navigate and Communicate. Aviate is the ability to focus on the most important issue at hand. Navigate is figuring out where you are going and what you need to do once you have control of the situation. Communicating with others not only lets them know about the issue but provides them with an opportunity to assist.
A lesson Kim continues to learn and relearn is the ability to ask for help or accept assistance when it is offered. In the times that she has accepted help from others, she has been a better leader, mom and spouse. She encourages others to accept help during the transition process.
Kim reflects on her dual-military marriage. She and her husband learned very early on that they needed to communicate openly about their needs and wants before they became larger issues. They realized that each of them would need to make personal and professional sacrifices for the marriage to work.
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Connect with Kim at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell/
Explore Flying in the Face of Fear at
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Published on: September 13, 2023Season 3 Episode 135: From the Navy to the NFL with Chris Bailey
After serving as a commanding officer, aviator and leader at the US Naval Academy, Chris Bailey retired from the US Navy. Even with the added challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris was able to utilize several transition programs that helped him to articulate what he wanted for his next career. When a role opened up with the Washington Commanders NFL team to lead their SALUTE veteran and military outreach and engagement program, it was like a dream come true. Chris speaks on his difficult transition as well as working in the professional sports industry.
In hindsight, Chris realized he coasted into retirement. Even with all the advice to start early, he did not listen. Chris had always dreamed of working in the sports industry, although during his transition he was not able to articulate what that might look like or how to make his dream a reality. Chris and his family had made the decision to stay in the Baltimore/DC area, so when the right opportunities weren’t coming up, he settled on looking for roles as a project manager or business development manager.
His first role in the private sector came after weeks of surfing job boards and LinkedIn job postings. Looking back, Chris realized he didn’t network, take the time to conduct informational interviews or find a real focus. Luckily, he fell into a role that a family friend offered. Chris admits that while he did take advantage of TAP, The COMMIT Foundation and FourBlock, he just went through the motions without putting in the real work of finding his focus and articulating his values.
After a year of working for his friend, Chris was ready to put in the hard work of networking and finding a role that better suited him. Chris conducted informational interviews and grew his network. Through his connections, he learned about a role that was a perfect intersection of his passion for sports and his passion for the military. Leading their SALUTE program, Chris’ job encompasses anything military related that touches the Washington Commander’s team. If you are interested in pursuing a job in the sports industry, most NFL teams participate in the SkillBridge program, including the Commanders.
Chris reflects on the perks of working for a professional sports team. His office overlooks the field, and his meetings often include giants in the football industry. Recognizing that he works with an outstanding community relations team, Chris does struggle with being an individual contributor in his current role. He misses the opportunity to provide leadership. As an officer in the Navy for 25 years, Chris was used to leading and mentoring teams while developing culture.
Chris advises transitioning service members to understand their financial situation. If you are retiring or receiving disability, calculate the numbers and know what level of compensation you require in your next career for your standard of living. Start preparing for your transition at least 1 year prior. Conduct informational interviews, find your focus, research companies and their culture and be able to articulate the value that you will bring to an organization.
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Connect with Chris at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbailey4660/.
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Published on: September 6, 2023Season 3 Episode 134: The Journey from Infantry to Education with Mike Brown
Michael Brown joined the Army right out of high school because he knew he wasn’t ready for college. After serving 4 years as an infantryman, Michael separated and used his GI Bill to attend Northern Michigan University. Earning a degree in political science and applied ethics, he went on to work for then Congressman-elect, Patrick Murphy, the first Iraq War Veteran ever elected to Congress. Michael served as his Military and Veterans Affairs Director where he supported projects such as the revision and updates of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. He then went on to serve as the Director of Veterans Services for Montgomery County Community College before accepting a role at Villanova University as the first Director of the Office of Veterans and Military Service Members. Since 2018, Michael has been growing the programs, opportunities and community at the university for students and alumni.
Choosing to attend college in person, Michael was often the oldest student in his classes. However, he did not allow that to deter him from continuing his degree program. He appreciated learning different perspectives from other students and professors. College helped Michael learn what he liked, didn’t like and how he fit into the world. It provided him with a longer landing strip to transition.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill offers a maximum benefit of 36 months of education and housing allowance. Michael encourages service members to start taking college courses while they are serving. Not only can they utilize Tuition Assistance without tapping into their GI Bill, but they will also earn credits toward a degree and lessen the amount of benefit they need from their GI Bill once they separate or retire from the military.
In Michael’s current role, he collaborates with career services and learning support services as well as working with the alumni network and college fundraising arm to ensure student veterans have the resources they need to be successful. Student veterans attend college because they need to upskill or reskill for a meaningful career after military service. By giving student veterans the opportunity to provide feedback about college services, Michael is able to find out what they want and need to be successful in the classroom and in the workforce. Michael focuses on finding quality internship opportunities and creates networking opportunities to help student veterans build a solid network.
Over the years, Mike has identified challenges that many student veterans face. First, many college campuses are more aligned with meeting the needs of the traditional 18–22-year-old student. In addition, it can be challenging for a veteran to develop an academic mindset. If you are a current student veteran or a prospective student, reach out to the college and inquire if a veteran office exists on campus.
A college education can teach a person about who they are and how they fit into society. Earning a degree involves learning and mastering new skills which should give the student confidence. Interacting with other students and professors will help the student build their professional network.
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Connect with Michael at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-brown-vu/
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Season 3 Episode 133: The Transformation in the Transition with Misty Moreno
We are excited to welcome back Misty Moreno. On Season 1, Misty talked about how to leverage LinkedIn to build a solid network. Today, she shares new perspectives on the military transition. In 2020, Misty retired from the USAF and landed a role in HR with Continental. After 2 years, she transitioned from HR to a Lean Manufacturing Coach. Misty created and teaches the Associate Professional in Human Resources Certification Course for Vets2PM and is the author of Get Your $hit Together.
Recently, Misty created a LinkedIn post about the 21 things military service members should do before they even think about starting their transition. While having a 5- or 10-year plan is important, it’s often easier to process life into 1-year segments. Taking life 1 year at a time allows you to be open to new opportunities. Next, define what success means. This will be different for every person. Third, find a hobby and establish a friend circle outside of the military or your job. Realize that your job may not fulfill your passion, but it can help to fund your passion.
Misty’s book, Get Your $hit Together, is a short book filled with journal prompts meant to help you define what areas you want to see change. Give yourself 1 year to make changes and then go back to what your definition of success is to determine if you are on the right track. Society often influences people on what “success” looks like in terms of financial independence, family, friends and health. Instead of caving to social media’s definition of “success,” define it for yourself and live your own life, free of comparison.
Some lessons are learned the hard way. Misty has realized after 3 years in the civilian sector that she is still the same person she was while in the military. While she no longer wears the uniform, the personal challenges she experienced while serving remain areas of opportunity today. Don’t forget the reason why you decided to separate or retire from the military. Most people voluntarily leave before mandatory retirement for various reasons. Remember these reasons, and when you start working in the civilian sector, don’t try and recreate the military in your work environment. Have a growth mindset. Resist imposter syndrome. Find a veteran mentor within the company that can help you navigate the civilian work environment.
Misty separates the military transition into 2 parts. The first part is the logistics of transition; out-processing, submitting VA claims, going through TAP, deciding where you are going to live and what salary you need to make. The second part is the transformation. You no longer have the immediate credibility of your rank on a uniform. You must be mentally ready to adapt to life without the security of the military.
To close the show, Misty challenges people to let go of their past. Whatever baggage you may have from past experiences that were outside of your control, make the decision to no longer be a victim. Military members are taught how to be flexible and agile. As a veteran, you have the choice to be flexible and agile. Choose to be a better version of yourself each day.
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Connect with Misty at https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-moreno/
Explore Get Your $hit Together at: https://tinyurl.com/GYSTBook
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Published on: August 23, 2023Season 3 Episode 132: What Does Warren Buffett Know about Military Transition with Ioannis Kiriazis
On this episode, we welcome transitioning service member Ioannis Kiriazis, who goes by John to make pronouncing his name easier. John is a US Army Lieutenant Colonel who is retiring in March of 2024 and recently started his transition leave. During his service, John served in many roles including Professor of Military Science at Marquette University. He is scheduled to begin a SkillBridge internship with the Junior ROTC program and is also interested in exploring roles in the international relations field.
A few weeks ago, John went to Jimmy John’s to grab a quick lunch and noticed a plaque on the wall outlining Warren Buffett’s Top 10 Rules. With transition on his brain, he read through the list with his transition lenses and made a LinkedIn post shortly thereafter. All 10 rules parallel the military transition!
Rule 1: Reinvest Your Profits. Sometimes your first career path isn’t the final path, and that’s okay. When you look at profits as your experiences and skills, then it’s natural to want to take your profits to the next level.
Rule 2: Be willing to be different. Reflect and figure out what you want from your next chapter. It’s okay to change career fields or decide you’d rather be an individual contributor rather than continue to lead people.
Rule 3: Never Suck Your Thumb. Don’t sit back and assume the transition will work out without effort.
Rule 4: Spell Out the Deal Before Your Start. Be prepared for job negotiation.
Rule 5: Watch for Small Expenses. Work to reduce or eliminate debt before you transition.
Rule 6: Limit What You Borrow. Have a safety net of 3-6 months of living expenses saved.
Rule 7: Be Persistent. Work multiple courses of action for employment.
Rule 8 & 9: Know When to Quit and Assess the Risks. Be prepared to pivot.
Rule 10: Know What Success Really Means. What will satisfy you and bring you happiness?
To end the episode, John asks 3 questions about his own military transition.
Question #1: Do you find through your experience in working with transitioning veterans that those who extend their retirement past the 20-year mark have other unique challenges?
The longer you serve, the more likely you will face age discrimination. Never disclose to a future employer that you served 20+ years in the military. Instead, focus on how you can leverage your skills and experience into a new role.
Question #2: Is there one good resource, or page, that consolidates the multitude of certifications that could be associated with the full spectrum of civilian industry?
While there is not one comprehensive resource, taking advantage of informational interviews, researching job postings and consulting with organizations such as ACT NOW Education, Boots to Books, The Warrior Scholar Project and Service to School can help you focus your certification strategy.
Question #3: What are some techniques or factors I can take into consideration when I balance my next career on what my passion is versus the required fact that I likely need to make a certain salary to take care of my family?
In episode 112, Keith Cassant shared 5 factors to consider when making career decisions: Money, Hours, People, Location and Type of Work. Prioritize these values and constantly reevaluate them.
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Connect with Ioannis “John” Kiriazis at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioannis-john-kiriazis/
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Published on: August 16, 2023Season 3 Episode 131: Lessons Learned for Military Transition with Marina Rabinek and Kasie Valenti
We continue with Part 2 of our miniseries sharing previously LIVE LinkedIn events that showcase trusted advisors and their top lessons for the military transition. On this episode we feature Marina Rabinek, who is the Founder and President of the Military Women’s Collective while serving as the West Coast Regional Director for Four Block. The Military Women’s Collective not only provides resources for homeless and food-insecure veterans, but it also gives mentorship opportunities to women transitioning out of the military. Kasie Valenti is an Army veteran and military spouse. Transitioning in 2016 and pivoting to marketing and communications, Kasie recently founded Sigma Forces, a career advancement organization. This organization offers education and certifications for the military community to upskill and become more employable.
Lesson 1: Find Your Focus. Figuring out what you would like to do in your next career will dictate how you approach your transition and what resources you choose to utilize. You must know where you are going in order to find your way there. There are many resources available to help you find your purpose.
Lesson 2: You Don’t Have to Go through the Transition Process Alone. While there are times in the military that you are expected to be resourceful and figure something out on your own, that mindset will not serve you well during your transition. Utilize resources and find mentors to help you reach your goals.
Lesson 3: Build Your Network before You Need It. Create a diverse network that includes people outside of the military community. Engage with your network even after you land your first position and give back to others. While a quality network is more important than quantity, it is possible to have both. It’s never too late or too early to build your network, starting with LinkedIn.
Lesson 4: Strengthen Your Mindset. Normalize that the transition is challenging. You will experience a roller coaster of emotions. As Ken Davenport states in The Stoic Transition, “You own the reaction and consequences of your choices.” You can choose how you approach transition. Will you be fearful of the unknown or excited about the possibility of future opportunities?
Lesson 5: Stay Connected to the Military Community in Some Way. Leaving the military can bring about feelings of loneliness and isolation. There are plenty of organizations that will help you feel that camaraderie again while serving others. Your local community has nonprofits that need your time and experience.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
Connect with Marina Rabinek at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-rabinek/
Connect with Kasie Valenti at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasie-valenti/
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Published on: August 9, 2023Season 3 Episode 130: Lessons Learned for Military Transition with Charlie Martinez and Donald Thompson
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we are sharing a LIVE LinkedIn event we did a few months ago. Over the past 3 seasons, our podcasts have helped thousands of transitioning service members successfully navigate the unknown. During this event, we spoke with Charlie Martinez and Donald Thompson. Charlie’s career in the Air Force included human resources and operations management. Working in talent acquisition and recruiting for both large and small companies, Charlie currently works for Siemens. Donald retired from the Air Force after a career that focused on human resources and recruiting. He currently works for Intel in the talent acquisition department. This military transition roundtable focuses on the Top Lessons Learned for the Military Transition.
Lesson 1: You must have a focus. Without a focus, writing a resume, optimizing your LinkedIn profile and networking becomes very difficult. Think of 4 concentric circles. In the first circle, write down your values and preferences. What do you want to do? What do you like to do? The next circle is your marketability. Does the world need this? Another circle is your salary needs. How much do you need to make? The last circle is for your transferable skills. Do you have the critical skills you need? Where the circles meet is your starting point. Begin this process 12-24 months out and take advantage of any certifications that fit your areas of interest.
Lesson 2: Explore your options. Do this early because you don’t know what you don’t know. Conduct informational interviews and research industries. Identify your strong skill sets, hard and soft, and narrow down your research to a few areas that you can see yourself as a good fit for a company, whether it be as an individual contributor, helping other employees or focusing on the company’s bottom line. Look at job postings and find out what the qualifications are for your next career. Once you are settled into your next career, continue to focus on your goals and make sure your situation aligns with them. It’s okay to reassess and pivot if necessary. The average adult will change careers between 7-9 times in their lifetime.
Lesson 3: Be financially prepared. Have 6 months of savings and be ready to take that next step. This will mean different things to different people. You must know how much money you will need to make in your next career to sustain the lifestyle you want. Having a financial cushion will take desperation out of the job search process and allow you to make smart choices.
Lesson 4: Be proactive and get prepared. Realize that the military will roll on without you. Be a little bit selfish and be willing to step away from your duties and focus on yourself. Start offloading some of your responsibilities to make time for your exploration and networking. Attend TAP early and take advantage of resources. Build your LinkedIn profile and network on the platform well before you transition. Remember, the transition is more than just getting a job.
Lesson 5: Don’t do the transition alone. You don’t have to. The veteran community is the largest alumni group, and people want to help. Take advantage of learning from those who have gone before you.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
Connect with Charlie on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliemartinez30/
Connect with Donald on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-s-thompson/
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Published on: August 2, 2023Season 3 Episode 129: Sharing Wisdom from the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army Jack Tilley
Serving as the 12th Sergeant Major of the US Army from 2000 until his retirement in 2004, Jack Tilley shares wisdom gained from a 36-year Army career and the successful career he’s had since hanging up the uniform. While in the US Army, he held a variety of leadership roles including tank commander, drill sergeant and Command Sergeant Major. After his retirement, he founded the American Freedom Foundation, a 501(c)3 that supports veterans and their families. He is also a management consultant to Fortune 500 companies, President and CEO of J. Tilley, Inc., author, public speaker and host of the Your Next Mission podcast.
Jack Tilley credits his career success to his willingness to try new things and meet new people. Jack is a people person and believes success begins with relationships. Learning how to listen and communicate while showing people the respect you want to receive will help you become a valued leader. Take the time to look people in the eye, talk to them and listen.
Jack Tilley encourages people to start thinking about their life after the military as soon as they join. Learn how to optimize your time in service and mold your military career with your next career. When you are 2 years away from retirement or separation, Jack advises you to take stock of your financial situation and pay off bills. Make a list of all your military accomplishments and craft a resume that translates those achievements into civilian terms. Find at least 3 mentors that are already out of the service and can assist you with the process. Finish your education. Your degree will open more doors and will better prepare you to enter the civilian world. Get a thorough physical done. Document your medical issues. Learn about your benefits.
Know your worth when you leave the military. Know the value that you will bring to an organization. If you know what company you want to work for after your service, research the culture and start networking. Involve your partner and children in your decision-making. Their lives will also change when you separate or retire.
The most important step in the military transition is figuring out what you want to do next. Do not work until your last day of service. Take time to explore your options. Know that you will most likely experience culture shock. For people that spend years in the military, it will take time to acclimate to the civilian world. Jack believes it took him 2 years to feel comfortable after leaving the service. Just 1% of the country has served in the military. Understand that most people know nothing about the military and are not interested in talking about it.
Build and maintain relationships. Communicate with as many people as you can. Jack advises people to float their resume to people that they have met and lean into their mentors to help guide them through the job search process. It’s common for people to feel depressed after leaving the military. Reach out and check on your buddy. You don’t have to go through the transition process alone.
Many people don’t know about the different benefits they have earned from their service. Out of 17M veterans, only 9M use the VA for benefits. Let a veteran service organization assist you with the paperwork, at no charge. Don’t wait until the last minute to start your military transition. Life is all about attitude. Decide today that you can do anything you set your mind to.
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Follow Jack Tilley on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/12thsma-jack-tilley/
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Season 3 Episode 128: Changing Your Inner Voice with Mary Polanco
Mary Polanco served 23 years in the United States Air Force in multiple high-level leadership roles. As her final assignment, Mary was the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Air Force Resilience Directorate at the Pentagon. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Live and Lead Well, LLC, an author, leadership trainer, transformational speaker and curriculum developer. Her focus is helping people prioritize self-health, well-being and resilience.
When Mary was promoted to E-9, she had no plans to retire from the military. Reaching this rank was a career goal and Mary planned for several more years of service. However, during the next 3 years, Mary experienced a lack of fulfillment which turned into anxiety and depression. While she contemplated retiring, many questioned her decision. She began journaling, reading and reflecting to better understand her emotions. Mary was so focused on the goal of E-9, that she had not considered alternate paths for her life. She views the anxiety and depression as a gift that caused her to slow down and reassess her situation.
During her self-reflection, Mary discovered that she had been using a suppression technique for 20 years. Instead of dealing with workplace issues or personal issues, Mary compartmentalized the problems and told herself she would deal with them later. Because of her leadership roles in the military, Mary felt like too many people depended on her and that focusing on herself would compromise her position. Because Mary took the time and energy to finally focus on herself, she was able to form a clear vision for what her ideal day would be after the military; working for herself and in control of her creativity and own schedule appealed to her.
Mindset is what fuels us toward the things that we want instead of staying afraid and stuck where we are. Learning how to recognize limiting beliefs is the first step in changing a mindset. You must be kind to yourself and extend grace to yourself in the same way you do for others. Mary doesn’t believe in failure because in every situation, there is a 100% chance that learning will occur.
Mary is currently in the editing process on a book that will take the transitioning service member through the potential ups and downs that they will feel throughout the transition. She provides actionable steps for the reader to do, learn and practice to ensure a fulfilling life after the military.
Mary encourages people to think about who they are at their core; traits that may have been suppressed during their time of service. Take time to rediscover yourself. Approach your next career in the civilian sector with humility. Allow yourself to be teachable. You’re not starting over completely – you’re starting from experience – but realize that civilians have so much to share with you as well.
Start changing your inner narrative today. It doesn’t cost you time or money. Be mindful of what you say to yourself when you first wake up and when you go to bed. Make those statements positive and encouraging. Set aside 5 minutes a day and sit in silence. In just a couple of weeks, you will notice your mind slowing down. The To Do lists will fade in the background, and you’ll have the space to process the questions and hear the answers.
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You can connect with Mary on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-polanco-mssl-32a1a5176/
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Published on: July 19, 2023Season 3 Episode 127: Navigating Veteran Benefits with Dr. Paul Lawrence
Knowing how to effectively use your veteran benefits is a key part of post-military success. On this episode, we uncover how to navigate your benefits with help from Dr. Paul Lawrence. As a businessman, author and passionate veteran advocate, Dr. Lawrence served as the Under Secretary for Benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs where he was in charge of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and led a team of 25,000 people with an operating budget of $4 billion. Each year, he administered $120 billion in benefits to veterans. Dr. Lawrence wrote Veterans Benefits for You: Get What You Deserve, an easy-to-read, how-to guide, that was released on July 4, 2023. Paul served in the U.S. Army, having completed his ROTC requirement as an Airborne-qualified Captain.
You can learn about the different benefits to which you are entitled by visiting https://www.va.gov, attending the Transition Assistance Program, utilizing veteran service organizations or by reading Dr. Lawrence’s new book. The only way to initiate any veteran benefit is to apply for that benefit. While some applications are easy to navigate, others can be complicated.
Dr. Lawrence advises veterans who think they don’t deserve additional benefits to understand that benefits are not an entitlement, they are earned through one’s service. For those seeking disability compensation, remember that as you age, conditions will get worse. It’s easier to start the disability compensation process earlier, rather than later, because you often don’t have the documentation you need, or the conditions can get more problematic. Even if a person applies for a benefit and is denied, there will still be a record on file. This is helpful when science advances and conditions can be attributed to exposure to certain chemicals for example. As a person ages, they can file a claim for increase. Dr. Paul encourages people to review their conditions every 3-5 years.
One of the most utilized benefits is the GI Bill, a benefit that is not just for college. It can also be used for technical training and certifications. In addition, it is a benefit that can be transferred, while on duty, to a dependent. Many states have additional education benefits for veterans and their dependents. The home loan guarantee is another popular benefit. Veterans can purchase a home with no money down.
A benefit that is often underutilized is a safety net benefit called pension. If a veteran’s assets and income fall below a certain level, and the veteran served during periods of war, then that person may qualify for a small pension. The veteran does not need to have served 20 years. It’s not a lot of money, but it may be enough for someone on the cusp of homelessness. Another benefit that could be useful is life insurance. For those that are service disabled, it may be difficult to obtain life insurance for certain amounts. The VA has an insurance portfolio that should be considered.
If someone is having issues accessing their benefits, reach out to a VSO. Many organizations will help you find a VSO, including Wounded Warrior, DAV, VFW or American Legion. Each state also funds VSOs.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpaullawrence/
Order Veterans Benefits for You: Get What You Deserve at: https://www.amazon.com/Veterans-Benefits-You-What-Deserve-ebook/dp/B0BGYD2B3K
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Season 3 Episode 126: Letting Go of Your Ego with Eric Brew
After serving 24 years in the Marine Corps and the Army, Eric Brew started his post-military career working for Still Serving Veterans. His most recent role has been Manager of Military Engagement at American Corporate Partners. He continues to serve and honor the military community by assisting them in building meaningful lives through connections to fulfilling careers and proactively strengthening the veteran community through example, leadership and collaboration.
Retiring as a senior NCO, Eric figured he had the knowledge and skills to be in operations management. What Eric failed to do was seek out mentorship, ask for help and research his options. Four months before he went on terminal leave, Eric went into a tailspin. He realized he didn’t have the answer because he didn’t know the question. After a successful career in the military, Eric couldn’t understand how he could fail so epically at the end. Contemplating suicide, he reached out to an emergency counselor with Military OneSource. The counselor reassured him that he wasn’t alone in his struggle to navigate the transition process. The impact of that phone call with Military OneSource was the catalyst for Eric choosing to work with transitioning service members as his next career.
Ego is prominent in the military community. Ribbons, badges and rank are displayed on the uniform, and they become a walking advertisement for what you’ve achieved. 93% of people have never served, and they don’t understand the meanings behind the titles and medals. Your military service and achievements are worth celebrating, as they shaped your life and values. When you transition from the military, you will need to find a way to translate those achievements into relatable language for hiring managers. Use stories from your service to highlight your skills during the job search process.
Reaching out to a local organization, Still Serving Veterans, Eric received the assistance he needed to translate his skills and craft a resume. The organization created an internship for Eric which led to full-time employment. His contributions to the military community didn’t go unnoticed, and he received an offer from American Corporate Partners to become the Manager of Military Engagement. In all of Eric’s interactions, he strives to show people that they are not alone. Eric has recently begun co-hosting for VET S.O.S., a podcast dedicated to providing a lifeline for veterans, transitioning military members and military spouses through the sharing of information and resources about veteran support organizations and key personnel in the veteran support community who are helping the community succeed.
Eric continues to learn how to shift his mindset. When Eric wonders if his best days are behind him, he reminds himself that just because he is no longer in the military doesn’t mean he has nothing to contribute. Learning how to use past experiences to leverage future success is a daily goal for Eric. It’s not about letting go of everything you’ve learned; it’s about learning how to be successful outside of the uniform.
Eric encourages everyone to be the CEO of their transition. Build a team of people and organizations that will lift you up and move you forward. The key is to make sure you are 100% invested. Afterall, nobody cares more about a company than its founder, the CEO.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Eric on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbrew/
Check out Vet S.O.S. at: https://www.youtube.com/@vets.o.s.podcast
Published on: July 5, 2023Season 3 Episode 125: Changing the Way We View Failure with A.J. Yawn
From a Division 1 college athlete to a US Army officer to cybersecurity company founder to now a partner at a Top 20 CPA firm, AJ Yawn has experienced as many setbacks as successes. AJ has been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in regard to mental health and is joining us today to talk about taking care of your mental health, lessons he’s learned from founding a start-up company and how he landed a role as a partner in an accounting and business consulting firm despite not having either in his background.
When AJ decided he wanted to separate from the military, the first person he called was his dad. His father had built a career in the US Marine Corps and gave some great advice to his son. He told him he needed an exit plan and at least 18 months to transition effectively. With both a master’s degree and the rank of captain, AJ was confident he could get a job right away. His dad challenged him to apply for a few jobs and test the waters. No one emailed or called him back. He knew that his dad was right and spent 2016 focused on earning certifications, networking and translating his military skills to the civilian sector.
His hard work paid off, and he landed a great job coming out of the military. In addition to overhauling his resume, AJ believes the certifications he earned helped him gain legitimacy with hiring managers.
With so many certification options, AJ researched job postings to learn which credentials were critical to land a role in his chosen field. Looking at job postings 18-24 months before leaving the military can have a huge impact on the way you prepare for your transition.
While a senior in high school, AJ was recruited to play Division 1 basketball for Florida State University. After breaking both of his ankles and losing his D1 scholarship, AJ was still determined to earn a degree from FSU. Looking for a new identity, AJ made the decision to become an officer through ROTC. AJ has no regrets about joining the US Army and credits his service to his ability to lead. Even during trials, AJ holds a firm belief that all of the good and bad experiences of life are for the benefit of his growth.
It was only after starting his own business that AJ began to focus on his mental health. He regularly meditates, reads and takes time for himself. Sharing his knowledge and experiences on LinkedIn, he has empowered other people to make positive lifestyle changes. In the same way that someone trains physically for a marathon, AJ believes mental health should be worked on daily.
AJ started his own cybersecurity company, ByteChek, and credits the lessons learned from that experience to helping him land a partner role in a Top 20 CPA firm. AJ is not a CPA and did not major in business. People often think starting their own business will alleviate the pressures of working for someone. As a business owner, you work for your employees, customers and investors. AJ championed the SkillBridge program and brought on several interns to gain experience in the industry. He encourages other companies to offer the SkillBridge internship. In this unique program, the company does not have to pay the service member and is essentially able to try out a potential employee for up to 6 months. On the flip side, the service member gains valuable experience.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with AJ on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajyawn/.
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Published on: June 28, 2023Season 3 Episode 124: Transformation Instead of Transactions with Kevin Greene
Retiring from the Army in 2021, Kevin Greene started his transition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Kevin spent the first 8 years of his military career as an infantryman, the bulk of his career was spent as a recruiter. Thanks to a mentor who taught him how to translate his army recruiting skills and experience, he was able to pivot from a business development role to a career in technical recruiting and talent acquisition, first for Amazon and now for iCIMS. Kevin is active on LinkedIn; sharing job search tips from a recruiter perspective and looking for great candidates to fill his roles.
Kevin thinks of his military transition in 2 parts. In part 1, he was a year from retirement and secured his first role in business development. During this time, he received a cancer diagnosis that was the catalyst for the healthy lifestyle he now prioritizes. Part 2 started with his unemployment period that led him to seek mentorship and ultimately land a position in the recruiting space.
Like many transitioning service members, Kevin had a LinkedIn profile but wasn’t active on the platform. In the same way that Kevin made changes to his health, he decided to overhaul his approach to LinkedIn. Instead of approaching the platform transactionally, he put effort into genuinely engaging with people and passing down the knowledge that he had acquired through his own transition. When he started seeing the return on investment, Kevin began to view LinkedIn as a tool for transformation. Kevin encourages people to be authentic in their messages and posted content.
When it comes to using LinkedIn to job search, Kevin breaks it down into 3 categories. First, optimize your profile by using keywords so that recruiters and talent sourcers can find you easily. Use your headline as a space to showcase your qualifications and what kind of job you’re seeking. Translate your military job title and your work experience in the military. If you are struggling with translating your experience, seek a mentor in your chosen field and ask for help. Second, network and start this early. Third, apply to jobs that you are qualified for. By diversifying your job search strategy, you will be more successful.
Kevin encourages people to network and build relationships before asking for a referral. Ideally, service members should start this process 1-2 years before leaving the military. As a talent sourcer, Kevin appreciates authentic messages through LinkedIn. From a recruiter perspective, Kevin encourages people to keep their resume simple. Do not include a picture or a zip code, as that information can invite bias. Keep the resume to 2 pages or less and ensure the information you present is relevant to the job you are applying for.
As a recruiter, Kevin is advocating for his candidates. If you are a candidate that received an invitation for an interview and have questions about the process, don’t hesitate to ask your recruiter. It is in everyone’s best interest to have a positive and timely interview process.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Kevin on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-greene-bco/.
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Published on: June 21, 2023Season 3 Episode 123: Resume Writing Tips and Tricks, Part 2 with Marisol Maloney
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we continue our conversation with Marisol Maloney. On the previous episode, Marisol discussed her transition and her insights as a recruiter. While working with veterans and transitioning service members during the recruiting process, Marisol realized the military community could benefit from her wisdom as a recruiter. She is the founder of Secret Squirrel Consulting, which provides resume services and military-to-transition coaching. During this episode, Marisol and Lori dive into resume best practices.
As a recruiter, Marisol has seen hundreds of resumes from transitioning service members. One of the most common mistakes she comes across during resume reviews is the use of rank. Many hiring managers and recruiters do not have a military background, so rank does not translate. Another mistake is using acronyms and military jargon. Remember, civilians are not responsible for knowing military language or translating your resume. You must translate your job title. For example, instead of using non-commissioned officer or its abbreviation, consider translating it to a manager position. Never assume a hiring manager understands military language.
A resume should be targeted for the position to which you are applying. A resume is not a document that describes everything you have ever done. Focus on what is relevant to the role. You do not want to come across as a jack of all trades. When it comes to awards, focus on the metrics and accomplishments behind those awards. Listing awards and metals at the bottom of the resume takes up valuable real estate. Instead, take advantage of every inch of paper and showcase your value through accomplishments and metrics.
Whenever possible use numbers, dollar amounts and percentages on a resume. You must be able to back these up during an interview. A resume is a strategic marketing document, and its purpose is to entice a hiring manager to invite you for an interview. Whether you wrote the resume yourself or had a free service or paid service do it for you, you must know it inside and out and make sure it has been translated to what is required in the job description.
There are common misconceptions about resume writing. Here we debunk a few of them. Misconception #1: You must write an Objective Section. Writing an Objective Section is obsolete. Instead, craft a Summary Section. Treat it like a mini cover letter because not every employer requires a cover letter. Misconception #2: You must keep the resume to 1 page. A civilian resume can be up to 2, or even 3 pages in some cases, as long as it’s relevant to the job. Misconception #3: You don’t need to fill out each section of work experience on an electronic application if you’ve already uploaded your resume. ATS does not always parse information correctly. The application itself is the legal document, not the resume.
Know the difference between a federal and civilian resume. They are not interchangeable. Applying to jobs is a long process. You will get more traction from applying to less roles with a targeted resume and application than using a generic resume.
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You can connect with Marisol on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisol-maloney/
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Published on: June 14, 2023Season 3 Episode 122: Charting a Career Path Full of Pivots with Marisol Maloney
Marisol Maloney is a retired Navy veteran, military spouse, recruiter for a defense contracting company and an entrepreneur. During her military career, Marisol experienced many pivots. Starting as an enlisted sailor in the logistics field, she transitioned to become an officer and nurse. After 10 years in nursing, she became an intel officer before retiring in 2019. She is the founder of Secret Squirrel Consulting, a company that provides resume services and military-to-civilian transition coaching.
Marisol has been blazing her own trails since she joined the military. After Marisol enlisted, she made it her goal to become an officer and nurse through the ROTC program. She attended college, received her commission and specialized in emergency nursing. After 10 years as an ER nurse, she wanted to experience something new. She is the first Navy nurse to successfully transition into the intelligence community. After retiring from the Navy, Marisol was offered an intel analyst position with Firebird. When her military husband received his orders for a new duty station, she had to leave the analyst position. However, Firebird suggested she stay with the company and work remotely as a recruiter.
Many veterans must learn how to slow down once they retire from their service. During their military career, service members are often tasked with several collateral duties at any given time. They are used to wearing multiple hats and juggling responsibilities. When Marisol began her position as an intel analyst, she quickly learned that not all tasks need to be handled with a sense of urgency. In the private sector, if someone takes on more and more responsibilities, the organization will gladly let that person carry the extra load without additional compensation. Before taking on additional responsibilities, look at your job description and identify your core tasks. Ask yourself, “Is this new task temporary or permanent?” If it’s a new task that’s being added to your regular duties, ask that it to be added to your job description and negotiate for additional compensation.
Reflecting on her transition, Marisol regrets not seeking mental health therapy. Like all transitioning service members, she experienced tremendous stress along with physical health issues. She admits she neglected her medical conditions while serving which compounded the severity of her issues. The military notifies its people 6-12 months in advance of new orders. As a result, military members are often used to a longer planning process. Once a person retires, they learn that the civilian sector fills roles within 30-90 days of being posted. It can be challenging and stressful to not have a plan in place until that first role is secured. It’s hard to be effective in your personal life, work life and the job search process if you haven’t taken care of your mental health.
As a recruiter, Marisol has had the opportunity to gain knowledge of Applicant Tracking Software (ATS). Humans set parameters within the software to categorize applicants based on the chosen parameters.
Marisol noticed that many veterans and transitioning service members struggle with translating their skills onto a resume. As a result, she founded her own business, Secret Squirrel Consulting, to coach the military community on the job search process.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Marisol on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisol-maloney/
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Published on: June 7, 2023Season 3 Episode 121: Embracing the Inevitable Changes in Military Transition with Bruce Thompson
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with Bruce Thompson. In the military transition space, Bruce is one of the most prolific veteran advocates and volunteers. Retiring from the Marine Corps 7 years ago, Bruce is now the Executive Director of The ASCEND Collective, the nonprofit arm of Talents ASCEND. This organization not only works with underserved communities to help them become employment ready, but it also partners with employers to educate them on the benefits of hiring these individuals. As an advocate for mental health awareness, he is open with his own struggles. Tune in to hear how Bruce has found success in an unconventional post military career.
Bruce Thompson’s retirement came earlier than he had expected due to medical challenges. Having his identity wrapped up in the uniform and his physical fitness, the transition did not come easy. He was no longer an active duty marine or the stellar athlete that he once was. Bruce left his first job after just 4 weeks because he wasn’t mentally prepared for life outside of the military. For the next 6 weeks, Bruce did not leave the house and fell into a depression. With the help and support of his wife, he applied for 3 positions in the transition space and sought help for his PTSD, depression and anxiety. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a teaching position as an employment workshop facilitator for the Department of Labor.
Volunteerism has been a very important part of Bruce’s career path and personal growth. He believes that strategic volunteering can be a segue to employment opportunities. Volunteering strengthens your ties to the community and is a way to give back. It also has a positive impact on your emotional well-being.
Most of Bruce’s employment opportunities post military came about through networking. He credits LinkedIn for his networking success and encourages people to learn how to strategically build a profile to meet their goals. The first question a person needs to ask themself is, “What story do I want to tell through LinkedIn?” Next, a person needs to think through what kind of posted content is best to support their story. Networking events, whether in-person or virtual, should support one’s goals. People need to understand who they are, where they are and where they would like to be to make the best decisions.
Bruce Thompson is open about his battle with PTSD, anxiety and depression. After working with three or four counselors through the VA, he found one that he feels comfortable sharing his struggles. Bruce wants to blow the door off the stigma surrounding mental health. There are resources on top of resources, but they are only effective if the person is willing to ask for help. People want to be heard and people want to know that someone cares.
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You can connect with Bruce on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucethompsonmba/
Explore The ASCEND Collective at: https://theascendcollective.org/
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Published on: May 31, 2023Season 3 Episode 120: Backwards Planning Your Military Transition, Part 2 with Ken Davenport
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we conclude our 2-part series with Ken Davenport. Author of The Stoic Transition, a Guide to How Veterans can Thrive in their Next Adventure, Ken brings a fresh, civilian perspective to the military transition process.
Ken encourages transitioning service members to start the process at least 18 months out. While this is common advice, Ken further explains why. There is a massive amount of information that is passed to service members as they exit the military. By starting early, a person has a runway in which to process and think through the information. It’s important to allow yourself the time to decompress, assess and review what it is that you want after the military. Set realistic expectations. In some cases, a person may have to take a couple of steps back to move forward. An O5 or O6 may have expectations of running a private business. Although they are equipped to lead, working in the private sector requires learning a new language, a new system and a new environment.
Learning to recognize what is within or out of one’s control is helpful in the transition process. It’s impossible for a person to completely control how they will fit into an opportunity given to them. Know that what you bring to the right environment will be utilized and rewarded. If it’s not the right environment, it will be made clear. In such a situation, it will be necessary to pivot to something new.
The culture of an organization is paramount to having a successful next career. There are certain indicators on the surface such as how people dress and present themselves, but there is a foundation of intangibles that can make or break a culture. For instance, does the company reward risk or value individual opinions? How do you begin to research culture? The best way to understand culture is to network. Find other veterans on LinkedIn who work at the company and ask questions. Be true to yourself and know that there is a culture for everyone.
Ken talks through the idea of backward planning. In this process, a person plans for different eventualities and makes course corrections based on the feedback they’re getting as they move toward their goal. In general, civilians tend to be reactive. Instead of thinking about how they want to reach their goal, they react to what’s right in front of them and make plans for only the next step. Backward planning is important for achieving the lifestyle that you are looking for while you are still active and productive.
Fear is prevalent when facing the unknown. If you are facing fear, try getting out of your head and freeing yourself from overanalyzing the situation. Take a break and a step back. Reach out to a mentor to gain new perspective. Ken encourages people to create their own board of advisors. Find people who know you and support you. Find people who will give you unfiltered advice in the area that you are seeking. Find a person who may be able to open doors for you in your chosen industry.
Ken talks about the concept of memento mori. Don’t put off for tomorrow what you could do today. Realize that nothing is guaranteed in life other than this very moment that you are living right now.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kgdavenport/.
Explore The Stoic Transition at: https://www.amazon.com/Stoic-Transition-Veterans-Thrive-Adventure/dp/B0BLM7CCV1.
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Published on: May 24, 2023Season 3 Episode 119: Applying Stoicism to Your Military Transition with Ken Davenport
We are pleased to welcome Ken Davenport to the microphone on this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. For more than a decade, Ken has provided mentorship to military veterans in their transition to the civilian world as a board member for the Travis Manion Foundation, instructor for Boots to Business at the Institute of Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University and FourBlock. As an entrepreneur, he is the founder and CEO of Mission Edge, a social impact organization in San Diego that provides operational and strategy support to nonprofits and small businesses. Ken is the author of The Stoic Transition, a Guide to How Veterans can Thrive in their Next Adventure, which is the focus of today’s session.
As a long-time entrepreneur, Ken was looking for new opportunities to serve people in meaningful ways. In 2010, he began volunteering at the armed services YMCA at Camp Pendleton. He soon found the purpose he was looking for through mentoring young marines. For over 10 years, Ken has been teaching the transition process from a civilian perspective. Ken believes civilians bring wisdom to the military transition and can help service members understand what employment is like in the private sector.
Ken challenges each transitioning service member to ask themselves what they want to do and the why behind it. While nothing can replace one’s service in the military, it’s important to find a position that brings satisfaction. Ask yourself: Who am I? What do I want? What kind of thing do I want to accomplish in this next story telling period of my life? You have choices in this next chapter. If you choose something that is not the right choice, that’s okay. You can choose again. Take the time to reflect and think about what makes you happy.
Your career will be made up of many transitions. The military transition is the first of many throughout the rest of your life. In The Stoic Transition, Ken lays out tools that will empower you to make thoughtful choices during all your future transitions. Stoicism refers to an ancient philosophy that is still relevant today. Practiced daily, this philosophy builds resilience and self-empowerment. At its core, the focus is primarily on positive emotions and how to frame the challenges and obstacles that a person encounters.
The 4 main stoic virtues are Wisdom, Courage, Temperance and Justice. The goal is to react to everything in life with one of the 4 virtues. Each virtue dovetails together to form a roadmap on how to address the world. Interwoven with these four virtues are 3 stoic disciplines. These disciplines of desire, action and ascent are the foundations to living as a stoic. In The Stoic Transition, Ken divides up the book by the 3 disciplines. The first question asked is what do you desire? From there, the book dives into discovering the why behind your desires, learning how to think about your transition as an individual and focusing on what you can control.
Over the years, Ken has noticed that many veterans are introverts. For these people, networking can be a challenge. Ken believes that networking is about making real connections, even friendships. His mindset is quality over quantity. Remember that you are more than your MOS and the military.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kgdavenport/
Explore The Stoic Transition at: https://www.amazon.com/Stoic-Transition-Veterans-Thrive-Adventure/dp/B0BLM7CCV1.
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Published on: May 17, 2023Season 3 Episode 118: Navigating Nonverbal Communication with Lori Norris
On this week’s episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we are pausing our traditional format to bring you an episode focused solely on nonverbal communication. Did you know that only 7% of how you communicate with the world is from the words that come out of your mouth? This means that 93% of how you engage with the world is through nonverbal communication. This term includes your grooming and how you’re dressed, your body language and your tone of voice.
People make impressions of you quickly. Your professional image is so much more than what you wear. It’s a head-to-toe consideration, and it can be powerful. Consider that you make a first impression in the first 7 seconds of meeting someone. It will take 7 more meetings to erase a bad first impression. Whether you think that statement is fair or unfair, right or wrong – it’s just true. Managing your image is an art form, and it takes planning how you look and act to get the desired reaction. This applies to in-person and video interviews, networking situations, social media videos you share of yourself and even phone interviews. If the only factor in landing a job was your qualifications, people would be hired based on resume alone. The resume gets you an interview. The interview itself is based on how the interviewer feels about you. There are 5 key factors to your image: Impression, Movement, Attitude, Grooming, Etiquette. Your image – the way you present yourself to the world – is always within your control.
Let’s unpack the differences between verbal and nonverbal cues that influence how you are perceived. Verbal cues include language and your tone of voice. It’s the attitude you project when you speak. It’s your rate of speech and your enunciation. Your nonverbal cues are your overall appearance, your posture, your facial expressions, your clothing and your hair. Studies show that people notice a person’s shoes and their fingernails right away. A positive image is the result of careful planning, preparation and an honest assessment of your image. Remember that 93% of how you engage with the world is through nonverbal communication. 55% of this is through body language and 38% is through tone of voice.
The way you dress communicates volumes. What people see on the outside reflects how they perceive you on the inside. Your dress is an indicator of your confidence, your organizational skills, your soundness of judgement and your reliability. Dress for the position for which you are interviewing and dress one step above how you would go to work every day. If you have no idea how people dress at the organization for which you are interviewing, do some reconnaissance. Learn about the company culture, do some informational interviews internally or even park outside when people get off work to see how they are dressed. Dress conservatively for the interview. At the end of the day, you don’t want them to remember what you wore. You want them to remember you as a candidate.
To go from wanting something to having something, you must do something. You have complete control over your nonverbal communication.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Lori on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris/
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Published on: May 10, 2023Season 3 Episode 117: Focusing on the Next Chapter with Jesse Gemberling-Johnson
Having served in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry officer, Jesse Gemberling-Johnson uses skills he developed in the military as the Director of Talent Recruitment and Development for MCFA, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business and consulting firm. With 15 years of project leadership and human capital strategy experience, he works with both public and private sector clients in the architecture, engineering and construction industries. He recently published a thesis, “An Organizational Guide to Leveraging Military Veteran Human Capital,” that highlights how nontechnical skills developed in the military translate into the civilian workforce.
When Jesse left the military, he decided to stay in Southern California. With no family obligation or mortgage, Jesse lived day-to-day and enjoyed his unstructured life. Within 2 months, Jesse realized he needed a plan and moved back to Philadelphia to rely on his network of family and friends. Jesse believes that if you are adaptive and willing to take opportunities that are presented to you, then you will find your way. While his first job out of the military was not a good fit, Jesse learned from the experience and moved on to a sequence of better opportunities. He encourages other service members to focus on the next chapter of their life, not necessarily the next 20 years. Research, gather data and make a decision that will serve you and your family for the foreseeable future. You can always pivot and change directions.
The transition is more than checking the J-O-B box. For many people, the military is an integral part of their identity. It’s important for veterans to figure out what their connection and affiliation with their military service is going to be when they leave the military. Although it took Jesse many years to identify what is important to him and what drives him, he encourages every transitioning service member to take time for introspection. Since leaving the military, Jesse has noticed that people are motivated in the workforce by one of three things: the mission of the organization, the technical skills they utilize or the relationships they build while at work.
Jesse recently wrote a graduate thesis that focused on utilizing veterans and their skills in the workplace. After interviewing 106 working veterans from all branches, ranks and 9 industries, Jesse was able to identify 5 nontechnical skills that veterans bring to the workplace: Creativity & Collaboration, Adaptability & Resilience, Servant Leadership, Effectiveness under Pressure, Visibility into Diverse Work Teams. Jesse encourages veterans to market these skills to potential employers. On the flip side, employers should make it a goal to focus on the unique abilities of their employees, especially veterans.
Through his research, Jesse has identified 4 common mindsets that veterans approach the transition with. Each of them has its own challenges.
Ø The Overestimator: The civilian workforce owes me for my service.
Ø The Underestimator: I don’t think I’ll succeed outside of the military.
Ø The Student Veteran: I will seek out education after my service ends.
Ø Searcher: I have no idea what to do next.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Jesse on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessegj-leveraginghumancapital/.
Explore Jesse’s thesis at: https://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1137&context=od_theses_msod.
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Published on: May 3, 2023Season 3 Episode 116: Military Transition Q&A with Jennifer Jones
Jennifer Jones is wrapping up her 20-year career in the US Air Force as a paralegal manager who trains and develops 350 other legal professionals. Jennifer is in the process of transitioning and is contemplating roles in the human resources, data analytics or financial fields. On this episode, Jennifer asks questions to help clarify the actions she needs to take for a successful transition.
I have heard it said many times that superintendents are "jack of all trades, master of none.” How do we market ourselves to show our expansive experience?
You should not market all your skills unless they are relevant to the position that you are applying for. If you list all your skills, you risk watering down and diluting the value of the relevant skills. If you are changing career fields, relate and translate your military skills to your next career field. Your goal is to help the employer understand the value you can bring to their organization.
I have many interests and am struggling with how to proceed in the job search process. Do you have recommendations to help me clarify my future?
There are 3 key steps that will help you find your focus.
> Self-Reflection: Focus on your values and preferences. What makes you marketable? What are your salary needs? What transferable skills do you have?
> Research: Use resources like O*NET and labor market research to gather data on the industry you are targeting. Take note of any requirements or certifications you may need.
> Informational Interviews: Ask people, veterans and non-veterans, about a day in the life of the career. When talking with veterans, ask them what skills did they bring from the military that are most important.
Remember your post-military career is not permanent. You can always shift, pivot or change gears entirely. Research shows that adults change careers 7-9 times.
What are the most desirable skills to showcase on a resume and in an interview?
According to an article released by Indeed.com in 2/2023, the top 11 skills employers value most are: Communication, Leadership, Teamwork, Interpersonal, Learning/Adaptability, Self-Management, Organizational, Computer, Problem-Solving, Open-Mindedness and Work Ethic.
In 3/2023, Indeed.com also released a list of the top 10 core competencies that employers value. These are the attributes and inherent aspects of personality that you either naturally possess or have built over the course of your career. They are: Accountability, Ambition, Communication, Conflict-Resolution, Decisiveness, Delegation, Flexibility, Initiative, Stress Management and Teamwork.
Note that all these skills are learned effectively in the military.
What are key factors to consider in an interview?
Your qualifications are only 10% of your success in an interview. Your responsiveness to questions is 40%. Your nonverbal communication is another 40%. That last 10% is the elusive factor – for example, maybe you were invited to an interview because you know someone in the organization. Knowing that your qualifications are what they are, consider that 80% of your success is within your control.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-jones-mba-hr-501a68239/
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Published on: April 26, 2023Season 3 Episode 115: Taking a Step Back to Move Forward with Leon Thomas
Leon Thomas wrapped up his Air Force career as the Airman Leadership School Commandant. Retiring in 2022, Leon is now in a learning and development role with Allstate, a Fortune 100 company. Though he landed a great role that provides well for his family, he has experienced some challenges along the way.
As a veteran with an impressive career in the military, Leon believed he would have multiple job offers when he retired. Over the course of 3 months, Leon applied to 30 jobs and was fortunate to receive 11 interview invitations. However, none of the interviews turned into a job offer. Leon was feeling pressure to find a job quickly. When Allstate expressed interest, he jumped at the opportunity. Accepting the position as a learning facilitator, Leon went straight from retirement to his first position – something he does not encourage others to do.
A few months into his new role with Allstate, Leon began to feel frustrated that his role did not offer him the ability to make strategic decisions for the company. As a senior NCO, Leon had the freedom to make decisions that impacted his organization. As an individual contributor with Allstate and not in a managerial position, Leon has had to shift his mindset. He enjoys the culture, the work is stable, the salary meets his needs and he appreciates his boss. Reflecting on his job search, Leon realizes he could have done more to market himself, particularly on LinkedIn. While he is teaching leadership skills at Allstate, Leon knows that he can also lead. Leon is looking forward to leveraging his military experience and the skills he is acquiring in his current position to land a leadership role in the future.
Leon ultimately left the military because he had been passed over for promotion and knew his skills would be better appreciated in the civilian sector. Experiencing a series of misfortunes in the military that prevented him from being a strong competitor for promotion, Leon still struggles with the feeling that he did not achieve his goals in the military. He strives to continue working on his mindset and encourages people to look at the job for what it is, as opposed to what you wish it was. Leon has taken the approach to viewing his life in terms of winning and losing. Winning means different things to different people. Winning might be having work-life balance or financial security. For Leon, he knows he is winning in life right now.
Working remotely for Allstate, Leon has experienced the challenges of working from home. He misses the camaraderie that came from working in the military. As a social person, Leon struggles with the silence of his home office and the lack of opportunity to engage with coworkers. Focusing on the positives, he does not have a commute, is more rested and is able to wear pajama bottoms while working!
Leon realizes that regardless of what type of role a person chooses after the military, there is a strong likelihood that the person will feel isolated. Find ways to connect with fellow veterans, like volunteering. Find people with common interests and know that you may have to step out of your comfort zone to meet new people.
Leaving the military will require a shift in your mindset. Leon has learned and is still learning how to change his perspective to be the best version of himself.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Leon on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lk-thomas/.
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Season 3 Episode 114: Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable with William Wunschel
William Wunschel is currently in the process of retiring from the United States Air Force as a senior maintenance officer. Over the course of his 20 years in the military, Bill has held leadership positions at the tactical, strategic and headquarters levels. He began his terminal leave in early February, with an official retirement date of June 2023. Over the past several weeks, Bill has narrowed his search to program management positions and tailored his resume accordingly. In addition, he is an active contributor on LinkedIn and continues to build his network.
Until recently, Bill has always had a small, close network of people that he relies on and trusts. His close relationships worked for him prior to joining the military and while he was serving in the military. Bill assumed that the same, small network would work for him after the military and help him land a new career. He believed that jobs would come to him based on his military leadership skills. During TAP, Bill completed his LinkedIn profile and let it collect dust. It wasn’t until former bosses reached out did Bill take their advice and start leveraging LinkedIn for his career search. In a short amount of time, Bill has interviewed for several jobs and received multiple job offers.
Bill recounts his first interview experience and shares his lessons learned. Assuming his military experience would be enough to carry him through the interview, Bill failed to prepare. He did not research the company or have examples ready to back up his skills. When the panel asked him, “Tell us about yourself,” he had not taken the time to craft a statement that showcased his value. Since this experience, Bill has learned to prepare for the unexpected and has talking points and examples ready.
Having gone through the negotiating process, Bill encourages everyone to always counteroffer. Research the company and use resources like salary.com to educate yourself. Think beyond the salary and consider extra PTO or fringe benefits. Know your worth and know what you need. Consider the cost of living for the location you are targeting. When you leave the military, it is up to you to manage your next career path.
To end the episode, Bill asks Lori 3 questions to help him smooth his own transition.
When it comes to applying for jobs, what percentage of qualifications should someone be aiming for?
If you meet 80% of the basic requirements, you should apply. Think about a job posting like a recruiter’s wish list. They know that it’s highly unlikely that someone will meet every qualification.
What are some common pitfalls that veterans experience during the interview process?
Lack of preparation. Remember the interview is not about you – it’s how you can help the organization.
The more information you can learn from informational interviews and research, the more targeted you can make your presentation.
How can someone prepare for a transition into the civilian sector after living a certain culture?
All servicemembers are taught to adapt to new cultures and environments. Know that it will be different. Approach your new workplace with an open mind. You are not expected to know everything, and there will be a learning curve. Have patience with yourself as you adapt to a new culture. If your company has a Veterans Resource Group, consider joining or starting one if there is not one already in place.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Bill on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-wunschel/
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Published on: April 12, 2023Season 3 Episode 113: Getting Intentional with Shirley Baez
Retiring from the Army in 2021, Shirley Baez went directly from the military to her first job. Like many veterans, Shirley left her first role for a better fit within a year after retiring. Learning from her own transition, Shirley encourages servicemembers to take time for introspection and learn how to shift from a military mindset to one that focuses on the future. She is passionate about advocating for veteran entrepreneurship and volunteers with Action Zone, an organization that is dedicated to helping veterans, military spouses and dependents build their own businesses.
Shirley was intentional about her transition. She leveraged the resources available to her, including networking with other veterans. From her conversations, she was able to predict future roadblocks and plan accordingly. She admits that networking was a challenge at first but recognized the importance of networking to her transition success. As an introvert, Shirley knew she needed to step out of her comfort zone and put herself first when it came time to managing her next career. The more informational interviews she conducted, the more natural it became.
One of the programs that kick-started her transition was the Leader Transition Institute. Their 3-day intensive program helped Shirley transition her mindset from “we” to “me.” Shirley also utilized Four Block, The COMMIT Foundation and The Honor Foundation for transition guidance and mentorship.
For many servicemembers, the focus of the military transition is the J-O-B, and rightfully so. However, the changes that need to occur within your own mindset to transition successfully is an equally important focus. Take time for reflection. Shirley journaled, listened to podcasts and created a vision board. The introspective journey is a path that a person must walk alone – no one else will have your same needs or goals. However, there are other parts of the transition that will be much more difficult if you walk them alone. She reached out to mentors, both veterans and civilians, and used them for advice and sounding boards.
Shirley admits that it was out of fear that she took the first job that was offered to her. The job wasn’t a good fit, and she fell into a depression. Watching out for her best career interests, Shirley left the position. Only after leaving did she realize the importance of taking the time to decompress after leaving the military lifestyle. By leveraging the network that she had deliberately built, she quickly found a better role that played into her strengths.
As a volunteer for Action Zone, Shirley assists veterans who are interested in taking the business ownership path. As she considers starting her own future business, Shirley is also going through the program. For anyone considering entrepreneurship, seek outside perspectives and coaching. The transition is all about mindset. You can choose to be fearful or look at it as an opportunity or challenge.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
You can connect with Shirley at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirley-baez/
Need to kick-start your transition? Explore these programs:
Action Zone: https://www.actionzonetampa.com/
Leader Transition Institute: https://www.leadertransitioninstitute.org/
Four Block: https://fourblock.org/
The COMMIT Foundation: https://www.commitfoundation.org/
Honor Foundation: https://www.honor.org/
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Published on: April 5, 2023Season 3 Episode 112: Sharing Hard Truths with Keith Cassant
When Keith Cassant retired from the U.S. Army in 2019, his intention was to transition straight into a role in law enforcement. After learning he was physically ineligible, Keith had to find a new focus. Since retiring, Keith has held four different roles. His current position with Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is a great fit, and Keith shares the lessons he learned along the way.
Like many veterans, Keith made the initial mistake of putting all his eggs in one basket. After being denied the opportunity to serve in law enforcement, Keith was faced with an unknown future. Keith leveraged every available resource, including Onward to Opportunity (O2O). Thinking he would pursue his Project Management Professional certification, he changed his mind after hearing an O2O briefing about the field of Human Resources. Realizing that he wanted to be in the “people business,” Keith successfully landed his first role with Fleet and Family Support. Within a year, Keith began a new position with Wells Fargo as a branch manager. Having a desire to work again for the federal government, Keith leveraged his connections and accepted a role with the U.S. Coast Guard. Using his network once again and clearly communicating what types of roles he was interested in, Keith found a job with CISA.
With an extensive employment history in just under 4 years, Keith encourages people to think about the following 5 things when considering a job: Money-Hours-People-Location-Type of Work. From this list of 5, prioritize your top 3 considerations. Initially, Keith assumed that the type of work he pursued wouldn’t be a factor in his overall satisfaction but through his job experiences, he realized it was indeed very important to him.
Another lesson learned is the idea that casting a wide net will yield many options. The truth is, applying to different industries and different roles within those industries decreases your chances of landing a job. Take the sniper’s approach instead; study and focus your target and then take calculated shots. Tailor your resume to each industry and role. It’s okay to have a couple of different focuses but understand that they will need different approaches. Remember companies are hiring for a specific need with a specific role that needs to be filled.
Failure is part of the process. Your first resume may be ineffective at showcasing your skills. You may not advance beyond the application process. That interview you land may not lead to a job offer. Be mentally prepared for rejection and have a resilient mindset. Find healthy outlets to recharge yourself.
Network. 3 out of the 4 jobs that Keith has held began with his network. The veteran community is a large network, so reach out and schedule conversations with your connections. Know that, in some cases, you may need to take a step back to gain knowledge and expertise in a new career field. Remember that your ability to adapt and learn will propel you forward in your next career.
You are not alone in this transition. Leverage every resource that’s available to you. Find at least one mentor. And don’t give up!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Keith on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithcassant/
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Published on: March 29, 2023Season 3 Episode 111: The Quality over Quantity Debate with Josh Mason
After serving as a military cargo pilot, Josh Mason transitioned his career focus in the US Air Force to cybersecurity. Leaving the military in 2019, Josh has had an exciting and diverse employment history. He has taught at the US Air Force Special Operations School, the DoD Cyber Crime Center’s Cyber Training Academy and the veteran training organization, WithYouWithMe. Today, Josh builds curriculum and teaches cybersecurity tactics and techniques as a Senior Instructor at Neuvik Solutions. Josh was also a sales engineer for SimSpace, leading their partner enablement program. With a passion for cybersecurity, Josh has founded several non-profit organizations that help individuals start a new career in cyber.
Because Josh had transitioned from aviation to cybersecurity, he was not selected for promotion. Faced with involuntary separation, Josh had 6 months to find a new job. As Josh reflected on his career, he realized he had always wanted to teach. As a pilot, it was his goal to become an instructor. Josh successfully translated his skills through the lens of civilian employers and leveraged his connections to find a job teaching cybersecurity.
Josh first began using LinkedIn in 2018, right after he received notification that he was not selected for promotion. With a skeleton of a profile already in place, a mentor reached out to Josh and taught him how to better use LinkedIn to connect with people in the cyber industry. Josh’s first job teaching cyber was because of him reaching out to a blind connection through a LinkedIn message. Six messages later, Josh had the job. When it comes to LinkedIn, Josh encourages people to send messages and connect to those unknown contacts. Afterall, if you never ask, you will never get a yes.
In fact, Josh has found 4 jobs through LinkedIn. In some cases, he wasn’t even looking for a new job.
After landing his first role, Josh stayed active on LinkedIn. He leveraged his connections, was open to meeting and learning from other industry professionals and created content showcasing his teaching style.
Josh approaches new LinkedIn connections like a fisherman using a wide net. He understands that it can be difficult to discern what is a quality connection just by scrolling through a profile. For example, some influencers don’t respond to DMS and some professionals don’t engage on LinkedIn often enough to respond to a message in a timely manner. Josh understands that those who are new to LinkedIn or to the cybersecurity field may not know what to write in a personalized connection request note. Josh’s openness and willingness to connect on LinkedIn to just about anyone, regardless of a personalized note, has resulted in many connections reaching out to him to inquire about a career in cybersecurity.
Josh encourages people to have courage on LinkedIn when making connections. Realize that many people want to help you get connected to the right people. If you are struggling with how to craft a customized note, start with, “I’d like to be a part of your network.” Be kind and kindness will be returned.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Josh on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacmason/
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Published on: March 22, 2023Season 3 Episode 110: Bouncing Back from Being Laid Off with Jonathan Fisher
US Army veteran Jonathan Fisher spent his military career in aviation maintenance. When he decided to retire, he also made the decision to start his next career in the IT industry. Using SkillBridge as a launching pad to land his first role with start-up company, ByteChek, Jonathan worked as an Auditor and GRC Engineer. With financial trouble looming due to economic uncertainty, Jonathan and his coworkers unfortunately lost their jobs. However, using the power of LinkedIn and relying on his network, Jonathan was hired into a new role within a week.
Jonathan is no stranger to the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. In fact, this is his third appearance. On this episode, he brings fresh perspectives on the military transition and a realization that it continues long after retirement. Jonathan started networking and connecting with people years before he retired from the military. He reached out to organizations like Veterans2Industry, Hire Our Heroes, FourBlock and Veterati and took ownership of his transition.
After making the decision to dive into the IT field, Jonathan practiced the basics through CompTIA A+ and Security+ to gain a foundational knowledge of the industry. It was only after talking with mentors that he realized his military skills gave him an edge that could help him bypass an entry-level position. His previous career in aviation maintenance had given him significant experience with risk assessment, documentation management, quality assurance auditing and problem solving – skills that lined up with Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) roles in IT.
Accepting his first role with start-up, ByteChek, Jonathan reflects on the experiences that allowed him to grow professionally. Being the 7th hire for the company, Jonathan influenced the work culture and had the opportunity to influence future hires as a member of the interview panel. He enjoyed the diversity in his new workplace and learned how to become more inclusive. Jonathan played a pivotal role in the standardization and building of processes at the organization.
When he lost his job due to company financial problems, Jonathan leaned into his network on LinkedIn. Within 6 days of posting his availability for a new position on LinkedIn, Jonathan interviewed and was hired into a new role. While at ByteChek, Jonathan continued to build his network with people in the IT industry. Keep your connections fresh on LinkedIn and start to build your network beyond the veteran community, even when you are happily employed.
To end this episode, Jonathan urges servicemembers to make time for their families. Start building good relationships with family members and don’t be afraid to reach out and seek professional help on how to be a better spouse and parent. After taking a more active role in the lives of his children, Jonathan has seen improvement in these relationships. Remember, the military transition is much more than finding a job, and it involves the whole family.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonfisher11/
To learn more about how to navigate the military transition with your family, click here for Season 1 , Episode 8 with Ben Killoy.
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Published on: March 15, 2023Season 3 Episode 109: Figuring Out Who You Are with Bob Newlin
We welcome back to the microphone, Bob Newlin, who joins us on this episode to reflect on his transition after hanging up the uniform 18 months ago. Bob’s diverse career in the United States Air Force included time in the USAF band and as a defense attaché, most recently to Ukraine. His transition wasn’t smooth, especially with the added challenge of transitioning from overseas. However, his transition has been successful. Today, Bob works in quality assurance at Bristol Myers Squibb. For those of you who may be wondering how a former musician and defense attaché successfully landed a role in a different career field, you’ll want to download this podcast!
Bob started his transition planning about 8 months from his retirement date, although he took TAP for the first time 2 years prior. When stationed in Ukraine, Bob took advantage of taking TAP again, this time online, during the COVID-19 pandemic. While overseas, he began his PMP certification. Although that’s not the direction he pursued, learning the language of project management has helped him in his current position. Bob created a profile on Recruit Military and was contacted by Bristol Myers Squibb for a position at a new facility in Massachusetts. After tailoring his resume for the position and researching the company to verify the culture fit his values, he applied and was hired 48 hours after the interview.
His position at Bristol Myers Squibb is centered around a brand-new technology, cell therapy. After reflecting on his time in the military, he understands that his new job provides him the same sense of fulfillment and service to others. He encourages others to take the time and understand what matters to them in a job after the military. If you are looking to pivot in your career, Bob highly recommends setting up profiles on Recruit Military, Bradley-Morris, Hiring Heroes and Hire Military. Seek out veteran hiring events, research attending companies and come prepared to market your transferable skills.
Bob took the initiative to find his authentic self after he left the military. Asking himself the following questions helped to guide him into the next chapter. How do I want to present myself? How do I want to appear as a veteran? How do I want to participate in the veteran community? The average age of military entry is 18-25. Bob states, “You were shaped by the military and now you have the opportunity to explore your persona, beyond the uniform.”
Bob used the model of three concentric circles to guide him toward a new career path. He reflected on what he is good at, what he is passionate about and what he can get paid for. Where these intersect was the starting point for his journey into quality assurance. Herb Thompson said, “You have to own your own journey.” For Bob, being successful doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges or bumps in the road. Success is finding a fulfilling role.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Bob on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-newlin/
Listen to Bob Newlin on Season 1, Episode 27 by clicking here.
Explore Recruit Military at https://recruitmilitary.com/
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Published on: March 8, 2023Season 3 Episode 108: Finding Your Purpose with Jorgana Megonigal
We are excited to introduce Jordana Megonigal on this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. Although Jordana is neither a veteran nor a military spouse, she is a military daughter and has centered her life around serving those who have served through her organization, The RECON Network. This organization provides purpose-based career planning and resources for veterans, transitioning service members and their spouses. Today, she is focusing on the HUMAN side of transition.
With a background in media publishing, Jordana ran a business magazine in South Carolina. In 2014, she decided to research how the military drawdown, under President Obama, could potentially impact the workforce in South Carolina. While doing research, her grandfather – an Iwo Jima Marine – began reverting back to Japan in his mind. She started to uncover some of the challenges her grandfather faced while transitioning back to civilian life after his service. It was during this time she decided to host a one-time event connecting South Carolina veterans with local resources. The success of the event verified the need for an organization that focuses on the human side of the transition and puts the individual at the center of it all to help them not just find a J-O-B, but a meaningful and productive life.
We are bombarded with the idea of finding purpose, but there are very few resources that actually help people find that purpose. There are many studies that indicate that people who are living with high degrees of meaning or who are living in their purpose tend to learn faster, retain information longer, experience less cognitive decline and have less anxiety and depression. Jordana believes connecting people with their purpose can reduce the statistics on veteran depression and suicide.
Aaron Hurst says it best in his book, The Purpose Economy, “Purpose is not a destination, it’s about finding direction.” Your purpose is a constant direction - regardless of job, location, family status or your environment. Purpose and meaning come from moving in a chosen direction. Consider that what made you happy and content 10 years ago may not be the same things that make you content and fulfilled today. Many times, being in the military provides a brotherhood or sisterhood that can feel like a purpose. But when the service comes to an end, many feel like they are isolated with no clear focus or direction to pursue. At RECON, the process of finding purpose is individualized. People are provided tools that will help them continue to figure out their purpose even as their life situation changes.
The RECON Network hosts an annual conference that focuses on all aspects of the military transition. People learn how to set goals, stay motivated and build a network. In addition, RECON hosts a workshop each quarter that focuses on a certain life skill or soft skill, like time management. Each Monday, RECON releases a new 5-minutes podcast to help listeners shape their week in a positive way. And if you need advice from a neutral perspective, RECON offers free sessions with a Certified Life Purpose coach.
“Failure only holds power over you when it’s accompanied by fear. The FEAR is what will hold you back—not the failure. So don’t give up the failure; use it. Give up the FEAR that it means anything more than a next step toward progress.”
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Jordana on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanam/
Explore RECON Network at https://recon.vet/
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Published on: March 1, 2023Season 3 Episode 107: The Balance of Optimism and Reality with Dr. Vaughn Eason
After serving a successful career in the medical field for the US Navy, Dr. Vaughn Eason recently started a new chapter as the Director of Imaging and Cardiopulmonary Services at Madison Hospital in Alabama. From the outside, Dr. Eason’s transition looks seamless and effortless, after all, he started his new position before he officially retired. However, some struggles are less obvious than others. Vaughn not only discusses how he landed a great role but the invisible challenges beyond the J-O-B that he has encountered.
Despite the challenges of transitioning while stationed overseas, Vaughn landed a position early during his transition. The organization was so impressed with the skills he would bring to the workplace that they held the position for him for 8 months. After the interview, he was told that he was being hired for his soft skills and his proven ability to build teams and communicate effectively. Today, you will find Vaughn leading by example just like he did while serving in the US Navy. He makes an effort to be seen and available. Each Friday, he sends out a snapshot of the week’s accomplishments and provides communication on the next week’s plan.
Vaughn believes soft skills can set a candidate apart from the rest. Most everyone applying for a position will meet the basic requirements. The soft skills developed in the military are what organizations need. While hard skills are important, it’s crucial to integrate the soft skills into a resume, interview and LinkedIn profile.
Before Vaughn accepted his current position, he had received other offers for employment. He admits that he faced choice paralysis. He began to experience anxiety because he had options and froze for fear of making the wrong decision. Emails and phone calls went unanswered. Ultimately, he burned bridges with other organizations for his failure to act. When you are faced with choices, assess your situation and values. Remember you are making a decision for you and your family and that choice needs to work for all involved. One of the best perks of being in the civilian world is the ability to reset. If you make a choice and it’s not right, you can pivot and try something else. You are not locked in.
Recently, Vaughn wrote a LinkedIn post about how he felt like he’d walked off a cliff the day he left active duty. There is more to transitioning than landing a job. Once you start the separation or retirement process, you are on your own. That teamwork that once existed, it goes away. That feeling that you belong, disappears. The military will move on without you. They have to move forward with the people who are invested in making their mission happen and that doesn’t include you anymore because you’re going in a different direction. It’s important to find a mentor to guide you through this process.
To end the episode, Vaughn shares a realization that will help others in their own transition. While he was applying for positions, he noticed it was only after he tailored his resume and made it less about him and more about the employer when he started receiving interview requests. Remember the resume isn’t about you or for you. It’s about the needs of the potential employer.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Dr. Vaughn Eason on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaughn-c-eason/
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Published on: February 22, 2023Season 3 Episode 106: How to Effectively Use LinkedIn as a Tool with Adam Braatz - Part 2
On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we continue our 2-part series unpacking content from Adam Braatz’s newly released book, LinkedIn Mastery for Veterans and Transitioning Service Members. We highly encourage our listeners to listen and digest Part 1 before continuing with this episode.
Now that we’ve walked through the different sections of a LinkedIn profile, it’s important to remember that your profile is a work in-progress; it’s a living and breathing marketing tool. It does not have to be perfect for it to start working for you. Build your profile for the task and job at hand. Once your profile is complete, it’s time to start leveraging the database and that means connecting to the right people.
Adam encourages people to start building a network with those who are already close. For example, your first connections might be with high school or college classmates, people you are currently serving with or those that you have previously served alongside. Next, begin to diversify your network by finding common threads. Common threads could be other people who work in your industry, live in your city, have a similar volunteer history or attended your alma mater. People with common threads have the potential to be fruitful connections. If you are a transitioning service member, it’s also effective to search for veterans who are in your industry. Always network outside the veteran bubble.
Be thoughtful, deliberate and intentional about how you are building your network. If there are no common threads, you are most likely not providing that connection with value and they are not providing you value. That connection is only adding to your vanity metric number of connections. Not only are you wasting your time but your news feed content will be filled with irrelevant information. Take the time to write a personalized note for every single connection request and mention the common thread. Quality connections are more important that the quantity of connections. Ideally, you will have a large quantity of quality connections. Have patience growing your network!
There is a theory that it takes 7 touch points between you and an ask. In many ways, that theory is correct. If you want to make a sale, establish a business partnership, solicit donations or find the next steps in your career, create and share content consistently. There are 2 sides to the content coin. The first side is sharing information about your journey that’s narrative and engaging and asking for advice or mentorship. The other side is sharing your subject matter expertise. Not only does it establish your credibility, but it also helps others learn. Content does not need to be lengthy to be effective. Adam suggests spending 15 minutes a day building your network and 15 minutes a day engaging with your network.
Once you land your first role after the military, don’t disappear from LinkedIn. Keep engaging with your network by sharing your expertise. Statistically, most veterans do not stay in their first role long-term, and you may need your network to find another job in the future. Your transition is not over once you start your first position.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Adam on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraatz/
Order LinkedIn Mastery for Veterans and Transitioning Service Members at https://a.co/d/2Hd88Ap
Explore Thriving Veteran at https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrivingvet/about/
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Published on: February 15, 2023Season 3 Episode 105: Top to Bottom LinkedIn Creation with Adam Braatz - Part 1
Adam Braatz served in the USAF for 8 years before separating in 2015. In addition to holding several communications and marketing roles, Adam has become an influential voice in the veteran advocacy ecosystem. Adam’s book, LinkedIn Mastery for Veterans and Transitioning Service Members, was recently released and contains actionable strategies to improve your LinkedIn profile. Although there are many LinkedIn how-to guides, Adam specifically wrote this book with content focused on the veteran and transitioning service member.
When Adam initially left the military for his first role in the non-profit space, he was using Facebook to make professional contacts. It wasn’t until a few mentors suggested he become more active on LinkedIn and use the platform for career growth. With over 900 million users, LinkedIn is the largest professional business and educational database in the world. Adam suggests becoming active on LinkedIn well in advance of the military transition to establish a network. Afterall, this network may be able to help you find a job.
The background image should never be left blank. Adam likens a profile without a background image to walking into a store with empty shelves. Consider using an image of the city you are hoping to live and work in. Adam encourages people to think about hiring a professional for the portrait. However, a well-planned iPhone photo will also work. Use a plain background and keep the focus on your smiling face. The photo should be well-lit with no obstructing shadows. Never use your military photo or dress in your uniform. Your LinkedIn profile is not about where you’ve been, but where you are going.
Avoid fluff words such as “experienced” or “seasoned” when filling out the headline. If you are a transitioning service member or veteran, consider abstaining from using these descriptors in the headline. Once again, the profile is about where you are going, not where you’ve been. When you lead with “transitioning service member,” you are telling the reader you’re currently in a state of flux without definable skills.
As you continue with the top third of your profile, always capitalize the first letter of your first and last name. Avoid using non-characters, like emojis, before your name. While it’s important to not create barriers between you and someone trying to get in touch with you, consider your security. For example, it’s often advised to not disclose your personal cell number. Don’t put anything on LinkedIn that you would not be comfortable at least having a conversation about in a professional environment.
The ABOUT section of your profile should contain keywords for the industry you are targeting. Writing this portion in the first-person will help showcase your communication style and personality. Answer the following questions to help you write the ABOUT section: What do you want to do? Why do you want to do it? Why does it matter to you? This section should give your connections and potential employers a little more insight into you in addition to the work experience section.
Start filling in your work experience by using your resume bullet points. Consider rewording them and using the first-person narrative to create more of a story. Make sure the language is palatable to civilians and not militaristic.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Adam on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraatz/
Order LinkedIn Mastery for Veterans and Transitioning Service Members at https://a.co/d/2Hd88Ap
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Published on: February 8, 2023Season 3 Episode 104: Military Transition Q&A with Cody Bowman
On this week’s episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we are excited to bring you our first Q&A session of Season 3. After serving 6 years on active duty, Cody Bowman transitioned to the South Dakota Air National Guard. He encountered many challenges during the transition and is determined to better prepare for his future retirement transition. Although still 9 years away, Cody is already taking steps to smooth his next transition and prepare for a fulfilling future career that will provide for his family.
The biggest challenge Cody faced was securing a job. While he was stationed in South Korea, he was under the impression that he had landed a well-paying position and was told to contact the company once he relocated back to the US. With nothing in writing, Cody was powerless when the company never returned his calls. With no other prospects, Cody was back to the job search process and realized he had lost his focus. Thankfully he landed a full-time ANG job, which afforded him time to find his focus. Even though Cody’s background is in aircraft maintenance, he has chosen to focus his future career in emergency management.
Question 1: Being an aircraft mechanic, from the outside looking in, what are some similarities between aircraft maintenance and emergency management? It’s important to find the skills that correlate to both fields and focus on those key traits when you optimize your LinkedIn profile, write your resume and interview with potential employers. Look for opportunities while you are still serving that will help your marketability after the military.
Question 2: With so many different certification options, what is the best way to pick the most effective certification for any given career path? Conduct informational interviews with industry professionals and ask them what certifications and education are valuable. Be strategic about your pursuit of education and research organizations like Boots to Books or Sigma Forces that offer free resources.
Question 3: What recommendations do you have for someone who wants to expand their LinkedIn network? A QUALITY network is more important than the quantity of connections. However, more connections mean you are more likely to show up higher in LinkedIn searches by recruiters. Focus on connecting with people who can serve as a reference, can refer you to jobs, can educate and mentor you and who you want to work with or for.
Question 4: How can I make my accomplishments and job descriptions on LinkedIn more appealing? An optimized LinkedIn profile is just as important as your resume. It serves as a job search agent while you are asleep and at work. In some cases, your LI profile is the first impression you give a recruiter. A resume is a focused, targeted marketing document. Your LI profile is like having a conversation about your experiences with the person who is viewing it. It should have personality and showcase your communication style.
Question 5: Any tips or tricks on writing the Summary Section of LinkedIn? The summary section is a chance to write about yourself in a way that appeals to a potential employer. ☑ Be brief ☑ Be engaging ☑ Target your audience ☑ Showcase your value ☑ Be clear.
Remember that people want to help you, but they first need to know how they can best assist you. Whether you're looking for a new job, contacts to expand your network or just to make connections with industry professionals and expand your knowledge, be sure to tell your listener what you need.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Cody on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/codyabowman/
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Published on: February 1, 2023Season 3 Episode 103: The Power of Humility in the Military Transition with Bernard Toney
To launch the 3rd season of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome Dr. Bernard Toney. Dr. Toney’s impressive US Army career includes serving 3+ years as a White House Medical Officer, where he provided medical care to the Vice President and First Lady. A month after his retirement, he began a role as an Advanced Practice Provider / Associate Investigator for the National Institutes of Health. He is also Board Vice Chair for Stepping Stones for Global Development, an organization that provides health and education resources in resource-scarce communities.
Dr. Toney grew up in Atlanta, Georgia in a socio-disadvantaged household. He was surrounded by violence, substance abuse and crime. With no clear prospects for his future, it was by default that he answered the call of a US Army recruiter. At age 17, before he left for bootcamp, Dr. Toney was a victim of a drive-by shooting. His best friend was riding passenger in the car he was driving and died in his arms. This life-changing event was the catalyst for his career in the medical field.
With his impeccable career and solid credentials, you may not believe that Dr. Toney needed to be proactive about his transition and next career after the military. During his military service, he recognized that many servicemembers didn’t know when and how to get off the train, so to speak. He and his wife started planning his retirement and transition three years prior. He believes that time was critical in not only taking advantage of the various resources the military and other organizations provided but also to mentally prepare for life after the military. To quote one of our previous podcast guests, Herb Thompson, “God willing, every one who joins the military will transition someday.”
Dr. Toney attributes his success in the military and beyond to humility with an open mind. He reflects on the steep learning curve he experienced to eventually become a medical officer in the White House. As a young soldier, his insecurities hindered his initial growth, but he expresses gratitude to the many leaders who made him do things he found uncomfortable to help him gain confidence. He consistently had leaders who invested in his career. Dr. Toney recognized from an early age that he would need to rely on other people to help him learn, grow and become a more well-rounded person.
As Dr. Toney thought about his next career after the military, the most logical path would have been executive medicine – providing care to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. During his time working for 2 administrations, he traveled the world and noticed the inequity when evaluating health systems. Realizing it was time to give back in new ways, he made the decision to retire. Today, Dr. Toney provides medical guidance for Stepping Stones for Global Development and works with other professionals across different disciplines and geographic boundaries to make positive impacts in the lives of others around the world through health and education endeavors.
Dr. Toney believes we can all be a testimony to other people. Sharing our struggles and our resilience normalizes hardship and provides strength for others.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.
You can connect with Dr. Toney on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/btoneyjr/
Learn more about Stepping Stones for Global Development at https://www.steppingstonesglobal.org/
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Published on: January 25, 2023Season 2 Episode 102: Key Strategies for Bouncing Back from Setbacks
Sometimes life hands you the unexpected. For the last episode of Season 2, I had a plan but then had to pivot. My life was hacked last week, and if you’ve ever experienced someone gaining access to your bank account, then you know that the nightmare keeps going, compounding itself with each new day. My planned guest also had life hand him the unexpected, so I decided to record a solo episode. My week inspired me to touch on a subject that is universal – the dreaded bad day or in my case, days.
Even the hardest days contain lessons that can help you become a better person. While you are living that bad day, it can feel like things will never improve. However, tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to improve your life or someone else’s life. If you are in a season of challenging circumstances, consider the following to help you continue moving forward.
☑ Life Doesn’t Need to be Perfect. Our culture has conditioned us to strive for perfection through results-driven performance, meeting expectations and reaching goals. Instead of striving for perfection, strive for progress. You will stumble as you move toward reaching your goal, and that’s okay.
☑ Success Doesn’t Happen Overnight. Our social media feeds only show highlight reels. People spend a lot of time and energy presenting their best moments to the world. You are not alone in your struggles and challenges. Take time to slow your mind and focus on the present. Find an activity that brings you back to the “now” like exercise, meditation, journaling or hiking.
☑ There Is a Lesson in Every Struggle. Next time you stumble, reframe your mindset from failing to learning. Instead of focusing on the negative, look for the lesson in your struggle. This will help you make positive changes and prevent similar situations in the future.
☑ Hard times Help You Appreciate the Good. Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”
☑ It’s Okay to Cry, Freak-Out, Go to Bed – Just Get Back Up Tomorrow. Having emotion is not a sign of weakness. Look for positive ways to release your negative feelings whenever possible and then move forward.
☑ Worry Makes You Suffer Twice. Ask yourself why you are worrying. It is our nature to prepare for things that might go wrong or eventualities. Recognize what you can and can’t control.
☑ No One’s Life is as Picturesque as It Looks. Do not compare your life to someone else’s social media posts. If you find that social media is negatively impacting your self-esteem and happiness, then walk away from it. Consider only using LinkedIn to network and communicate – bypass the news feed.
☑ It Takes Courage to Ask for Help. You have a community of people willing and wanting to help you. You are not a burden.
☑ There’s Always Something to Be Grateful for. My challenge for you is to focus on 1 thing that you are thankful for when you wake up in the morning and when you go to sleep at night. It’s hard to feel a lack of hope when you feel gratitude in your heart.
As we conclude Season 2 of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we want to hear from you! Please give us your feedback and input for our next season by completing a short survey at http://tinyurl.com/ll4vsurvey
Support this podcast for as little as $5. Find out more at www.buymeacoffee.com/ll4v
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Published on: November 23, 2022Season 2 Episode 101: From Zero to Hired Using LinkedIn with Deon Myers
After serving 21 years in the US Army, Deon Myers retired and landed a supervisory role shortly thereafter at Raytheon. Within a year at his new company, he learned the facility was closing, and he would be transferred to a new location. Not willing to add a significant amount of time to his commute, Deon leaned back into LinkedIn and accepted a new position that better fit the needs of his family. Deon is a great example of someone who went from no prior LinkedIn knowledge or usage to someone who has become a master on the platform and used it to land 2 fantastic positions.
In 2015, Deon sat down with his family to decide where they would like to live once he retired. His primary focus was accommodating his wife’s career, living in an area that would provide him job opportunity with competitive pay and finding job satisfaction. For a few years before retirement, Deon had the mindset that he would just land a job by having a “veteran” status. A lightbulb went off during a networking event for him, and he realized he needed a real plan with a specific focus. Thankfully he started his planning process early and still had plenty of time to research and explore options. During this time, he participated in TAP and began to learn about the various resources available to transitioning service members. He gained certifications, attended webinars, conducted informational interviews and started learning about LinkedIn.
Having no previous social media experience and a background in security, Deon approached LinkedIn with caution. After he learned that LinkedIn is a professional platform that is designed to promote the user through strategic networking and help users grow in their career or find new job opportunities, Deon knew he needed to take advantage of the platform. He researched no less than 10 approaches to mastering LinkedIn and took the best information from each to start building his profile.
Deon credits his success on LinkedIn to creating content and tagging people in his posts. He takes the approach of strategically tagging individuals that will find his content relevant. Using his posts to demonstrate his knowledge, Deon has grown his network to 1000+ connections – many of whom are recruiters and hiring managers. Although Deon is happily employed, he continues to stay active on LinkedIn to grow his network and help other transitioning service members find success after the military. Deon offers a list of his most influential connections and how their knowledge or organizations propelled him forward. Like many veterans, Deon admits that the transition is a journey that doesn’t end with a job acceptance. LinkedIn continues to be a platform where Deon learns information on how to be successful in the civilian sector.
Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear Deon speak on additional lessons learned during his transition.
As we approach the end of Season 2 of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we want to hear from you! Please give us your feedback and input for our next season by completing a short survey at tinyurl.com/ll4vsurvey
You can connect with Deon on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/deonmyers/
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Published on: November 16, 2022Episode 100: Celebrating 100 Episodes and the 2nd Anniversary of the Show!
On this week’s podcast, we celebrate our 100th episode by recapping some of the most common and important military transition lessons that our guest speakers have shared over the past 99 episodes. We welcome 7 previous guests on this episode to speak on a key issue they either talked about in their episode or have since focused on as their career has progressed.
✩ Gregory Austin: Season 1, Episode 11. As USAF retiree, Greg planned over 10 years for his transition. His methodical approach gave him the confidence and skills he needed for his next career. One approach Greg used for his transition was conducting his own SWOT analysis. Whether you plan 10 years or 10 months for your transition, Greg’s methodologies can help you.
✩ Don Gleason: Season 1, Episode 52. Don retired from the USAF and is now a certified John Maxwell coach, business owner and co-founder of the Military Transition Roundtable. Don reflects on his interactions with service members through the Military Transition Roundtable and encourages every service member to find a mentor or coach to help identify their focus.
✩ Matthew Langseth: Season 1, Episode 7. After serving in both the Army and Army National Guard, Matt retired and has learned the art of networking. Finding mentors through American Corporate Partners and networking through Vets2Industry, Matt has become a positive voice in the transition space.
✩ Adam Braatz: Season 1, Episode 19. After serving a diverse military career in music, public affairs and as a military training instructor, Adam recently published a book on how to leverage LinkedIn for the military transition. Adam encourages everyone to ☑ Optimize your LI profile. ☑ Organically develop your network. ☑ Create content.
✩ Peter Cline: Season 1, Episode 44. Co-founder of Boots to Books, Peter uses his experience in the US Army to help others research education and certification opportunities before leaving the military. Boots to Books offers a wealth of resources for transitioning service members, veterans and their families to gain competitive education and employment opportunities.
✩ Chris Dreisbach: Season 1, Episode 25. After retiring from the US Air Force, Chris had multiple job offers. Accepting what he thought was a dream job quickly turned into a nightmare. Chris shares his lessons learned on how money can’t buy happiness, not getting hung up on loyalty and being unafraid to walk away from a job that is not working.
✩ Ray Jokie: Season 1, Episode 38. Ray opens up on his struggles with depression, suicidal thoughts and extended unemployment after retiring from a career in the US Air Force. Many transitioning service members and veterans have similar experiences and Ray shares resources of support.
As your host, I have had the privilege of sharing in your victories and struggles. One lesson I want to reemphasize is YOUR job to make sure your target audience – your potential employer – understands how you can add value to their organization. You must translate the skills you learned in the military on your resume, LinkedIn profile and in your interview.
Need a mentor or want to grow your network? Explore:
✔ American Corporate Partners: https://www.acp-usa.org/
✔ Military Transition Roundtable: https://www.militarytransitionroundtable.com/
✔ K.E.Y Mentor Group: https://thekeymentors.com/
✔ Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/
Check out Boots to Books at: https://www.boots2books.com/
Order your copy of LinkedIn Mastery for Veterans and Transitioning Service Members at:
Published on: November 9, 2022Season 2 Episode 99: Networking Your Way to a Brand New Career with Brian Arrington
After serving a career in security forces, Brian Arrington retired from the United States Air Force ready for a new challenge. Landing a role with Wells Fargo as a business consultant right after retirement, Brian’s successful transition is a testament to his hard work and determination. In 2019, Brian launched Vets2Industry, a non-profit dedicated to serving service members and their families. Today, Brian is the Director of Military Programs and Recruiting for Military Hiring Accelerator.
The far-reaching impact of Vets2Industry is a product of Brian’s own transition. Rewind back to March of 2018 when Brian stumbled upon a website called LinkedIn. His first connection led him to Centurion Military Alliance. From there, he connected with mentors who helped him navigate the transition beyond the TAP curriculum. Like many veterans who have transitioned before him, Brian thought his veteran status and leadership experience would be enough to land a role as a marketing manager – a position that required a background in marketing which Brian didn’t possess. Through informational interviews, Brian realized that the skills he developed in the military would translate well to a consultant role. Intentional, consistent networking led him to a recruiter from Wells Fargo who was eager to hire a veteran for a business consultant role.
When asked what his biggest challenge has been since leaving the military, Brian is quick to reply that an obstacle he faces now and faced while transitioning is not having a vast knowledge of companies. He tells a story about attending his first career fair and only going to the Amazon table because it was the one company he had heard of before. Recounting this story to others, he says lots of transitioning service members approach job fairs this way. He encourages everyone to visit all the tables, engage with the recruiters, learn about opportunities and build connections. Every organization has infrastructure, projects, operations and facilities.
The idea for Vets2Industry began early in Brian’s transition. Realizing that TAP wasn’t enough and learning independently that there are over 40K VSOs, Brian wondered how many airmen he had failed as an NCO with his lack of awareness for the free resources beyond TAP. Over 100,000+ military-affiliated people have been served through resources offered by Vets2Industry. Their monthly networking events attract recruiters from all industries, and the webinars cover topics like salary negotiation, resume writing, TSP rollover, life insurance and budgeting. Every VSO featured on the website has been vetted. For those who would like to gain valuable skills, increase their marketability and strengthen their resumes, Vets2Industry needs volunteers.
As the Director of Military Programs and Recruiting at Military Hiring Accelerator, Brian Arrington focuses his attention on finding great paying positions across the country for the military community. Brian oversees sourcing and runs the organization’s SkillBridge program.
Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip from Brian on how to rock your next networking event with Vets2Industry.
You can connect with Brian on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianarrington933/
Explore Vets2Industry resources at https://vets2industry.org/
Browse the jobs board at Military Hiring Accelerator at https://www.militaryaccelerator.com/
Connect with Brian about SkillBridge, internships and open positions by emailing him at [email protected]. Don’t forget to mention that you learned about Military Hiring Accelerator on this podcast!
Published on: October 26, 2022Season 2 Episode 98: Learning Transition is More Than Landing a Job with Dr. Destinee Prete
After serving 4 years in the US Army as an officer in the medical service corps, Dr. Destinee Prete transitioned to earn a doctorate in industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology, a field dedicated to finding data-backed solutions to human problems in work and other organizational settings. She has held various positions that have helped transitioning service members and veterans. Not only is she the co-founder of We2AreVets, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to honoring and recognizing women veterans, but she is also a full-time I/O psychology practitioner and the CEO of PG Strategies Group.
Although Dr. Prete’s transition from the military was several years ago, her experiences during that time launched her toward a career path dedicated to supporting the military community with special focus on women veterans. After giving birth to twins and juggling a dual-military family dynamic, Dr. Prete decided to separate to focus on advancing her education and caring for her twins. Her first job post-military was serving as a career counselor for TAP, a role she credits to fueling her passion for serving beyond the uniform. During this time, she made the decision to dedicate the research for her degree’s required dissertation to the field of transitioning.
While still pursuing her education and working in various roles, Dr. Prete had the opportunity to interact with thousands of service members. Although the transition journey is unique for each person, one commonality that Dr. Prete observed was how much pressure people put on the first job out of uniform. This is still true today. People want the job to do everything for them; provide financially, be a resume builder, have an impressive title, serve as a built-in family and satisfy their passion. Instead of focusing only on the job, Dr. Prete encourages transitioning service members to explore various opportunities and network. The transition is much more than finding a job.
When Dr. Prete started her research, she found that there was no usable data on the veteran transition experience. Pulling demographic data as a foundation, she observed that women are emerging as the fastest growing group of veterans. She conducted a multiple case study with particular attention given to the post-9/11 women veteran experience. 4 themes emerged from the data:
☑Many women veterans took a non-traditional transition route, meaning they did not pursue education, entrepreneurship, or a job right away.
☑Many women felt a loss in identity once they hung up the uniform.
☑Many women did not feel recognized while serving and experience the same as a veteran. As a result, some women do not self-identify as a veteran.
☑The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) needs a revision that is more inclusive to females.
Her research led her to launch We2AreVets, an organization dedicated to honoring, empowering and recognizing women veterans. Additionally, she seeks to educate and inform organizations, institutions and other entities working with women vets to better support them.
Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip from Dr. Prete.
You can connect with Dr. Prete at https://www.linkedin.com/in/destinee-prete/
Explore We2AreVets by visiting https://www.we2arevets.org/
Review Dr. Prete’s research at https://www.proquest.com/openview/988ed18ab444c5340817cee196438b39/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
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Published on: October 19, 2022Season 2 Episode 97: Landing a Federal Job with Jason Heering
After a career in the US Coast Guard, Jason Heering retired from an overseas location which added an extra layer of complexity to his transition. Throughout his military career, he served in several positions related to facility and construction project management. As he weighed his options closer to retirement, Jason made the decision to accept a role with the federal government. Hired as the Deputy Director of Facility Maintenance for the US Space Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Jason reflects on navigating the federal job application process.
Jason’s last duty station was in El Salvador, and it was there that he and his family lived during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason began teleworking during the pandemic and took advantage of virtual networking and informational interviews while working from home. Learning about Vets2Industry during the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), Jason connected with various mentors who gave him career advice. While Jason categorizes himself as an introvert, he successfully built new relationships through networking and always followed up with a personalized thank-you note as a token of his appreciation.
Two questions that often get mentioned on this podcast are “What do I want to do after the military?” and “What is my why?” While the two are related, they are separate questions. Reflecting on his transition, Jason admits he wasn’t ready to answer, “What is my why?” After taking a few personality tests and reflecting on the results, Jason decided it wasn’t the right time to change career paths and fell back on the skills he had developed during his service.
Transitioning is a process that should start months, if not years, in advance and needs to include asking and answering those two questions. With enough time, it’s possible to take advantage of education benefits while serving to reskill or upskill. Additionally, it’s important to look at all the factors when considering your next career. For many service members, family plays an important role in determining salary needs and job location.
Jason applied to 20 jobs both in the private sector and in the federal government. He successfully navigated the federal job process and landed several interviews. With each federal resume he created, he pulled bullets that matched the job description from a master list that included all his positions and accomplishments. Jason was ultimately hired for a role under a Direct Hire Authority (DHA). In this scenario, Jason was selected through a resume review without an interview. As a first-time federal government employee, Jason took the opportunity to negotiate his salary and annual leave hours.
Jason encourages people interested in a federal job to take advantage of the HR representative information located at the bottom of each job announcement. Search for people on LinkedIn with federal jobs and start networking.
Recently, Jason joined the Air Force’s Civilian Leadership Development School’s book club. The program is still relatively new but has already inspired Jason with its first three books. He encourages everyone to continue learning and gaining new perspectives through reading. His recommendation list includes:
What Color is Your Parachute by Richard Bolles
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Crucial Conversations by multiple authors
Make Your Bed by Admiral William McRaven
Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip from Jason.
You can connect with Jason at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-m-heering/
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Published on: October 12, 2022Season 2 Episode 96: The Importance of Career Research with Saquonna Duncan
With a US Navy career spanning 21 years, including 9 years serving active duty and 12 years in the US Navy Reserve, Saquonna Duncan shares her transition story and lessons learned along the way. Saquonna served in different roles during her military career, and it was her position as a career counselor that inspired her to start Advancing by Bounds, an organization dedicated to supporting transitioning service members as well as educating employers on how to target and recruit military and veteran candidates. Her path hasn’t been straightforward or easy, and she candidly shares mistakes she made along the way in hopes of helping others.
Saquonna earned her bachelor’s degree in criminology using Tuition Assistance. Toward the end of her degree, she completed an internship with the California Juvenile Justice Department with a dream of being a juvenile detention officer in New Orleans. Leaving active duty, she moved her family to Louisiana to start her next chapter. Saquonna failed to research the labor market and was shocked by how little her dream job paid compared to what she was earning in the military. Leaving the military can have serious financial implications for some, and a person must do a thorough financial analysis of their situation before leaving to better understand what they need to make at their next position.
Networking her way to a new role in HR with a law firm, she was set to begin her first day on the day Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Evacuating to Atlanta, she used a temp agency to land a role at Cox Communications in their legal department. Looking back, Saquonna regrets not negotiating a higher salary when her role became permanent.
While working at Cox, Saquonna served as a reservist and deployed to various locations worldwide. On one deployment, she learned project management skills and was excited at the thought of pursuing project management in the civilian sector. Saquonna admits she didn’t pursue her passion and returned to the safety and routine of her previous position. During her 14 years at Cox, Saquonna continued learning new skills. In fact, she used her GI Bill to earn an MBA and was disappointed that her newly acquired degree did nothing to help her get promoted.
Her realization that a degree alone wasn’t enough to land a better role led her to start her organization, Advancing by Bounds. She counsels transitioning service members that a degree should be paired with actionable experience. Whether a person learns skills through volunteer work, an internship or programs like SkillBridge, employers want to see experience to back up the book knowledge.
At Advancing by Bounds, military veterans and recently separated reservists and guardsmen can access career counseling. Saquonna gives each client personalized service to include Career Mapping. Her goal is to help people do the hard work to find out what they like and what might be a good job to showcase their skills. While it’s unreasonable to expect every person to love their job, she believes that a person should look for work that has likeable tasks. Career Mapping is a starting point, and at Advancing by Bounds, a person can also receive support in other areas like interviewing and learning how to upskill or reskill.
Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip from Saquonna.
You can connect with Saquonna at https://www.linkedin.com/in/saquonnaduncan/
Explore Advancing by Bounds at www.advancingbybounds.com
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Published on: October 5, 2022Season 2 Episode 95: Embracing the Transformation in the Transition with James Felts
On this episode, James Felts shares his struggles and victories finding purpose, meaning and fulfilling work post-military. His career in the US Army encompassed time served as a national guardsman, reservist and active-duty officer. Having gone through 4 transitions, James shares his wisdom and lessons learned through the valleys and peaks of his post-military career path.
James started his career in the US Army as a commissioned officer. Separating after his initial enlistment, he became a state trooper and learned quickly that law enforcement was not a good fit. Working in roles that were far below his capabilities, he rejoined the US Army and served as a national guardsman and reservist. Today, he is a real estate agent and the Co-Founder of JTF–214, where he co-hosts the Lounge with Legends show on YouTube and helps businesses market themselves through the power of storytelling.
Transition is going to happen for everyone. James believes it’s the transformation that so many service members find challenging. Just like many veterans, James has also come to the realization that transformation is a long journey – one that he is still excited to be on.
James urges everyone to carefully consider their options after the military and to ask yourself the hard questions of what you want to do and who you want to be. Looking back on his transitions, he admits he didn’t always make changes for the right reasons. In some cases, he took the path of least resistance. In other situations, he didn’t come up with a plan until he was already in the moment.
Reading books and learning from other perspectives has helped James along his life journey. In this episode, he mentions several authors, including Ryan Holiday. James has found the words of these influential authors to resonate with him and help him organize his path forward.
Although some may want to carry their line of work in the military to the civilian sector, others may want a fresh start. James encourages everyone to take advantage of SkillBridge, internships and volunteer work as avenues to new career fields.
Although not every job is going to be a passion project, it should be fulfilling in some way and showcase your skillset. You can always pivot and change course. James has found satisfaction as a co-owner of JTF–214 with Marty Martinez. Together, they use the Donald Miller concept of the power of storytelling to market businesses effectively.
James discusses the similarities of his method of marketing to a jobseeker marketing themselves to an employer. With just 3-4 seconds to make a positive impression, it’s critical to have a clear message. Whether it’s a company using social media to advertise or a transitioning service member using LinkedIn to network, the content must be concise, clear and solution driven. Focus on how you can add value to a company. How can you solve their problem? How can you save them money? How can you make them money? Position yourself as the solution.
Hope is not a plan. Relying on fate is not a plan. Take time to ask yourself what you want to do and develop goals that align with your dream. Take action and results will follow. And remember you can always pivot and change.
Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on how James persevered through his struggles to get back on track.
You can connect with James at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesfelts/
Catch the latest Lounge with Legends podcast at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOson3sHtsIqNgHCZ_a7_gw
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Published on: September 28, 2022Season 2 - Episode 94: Determining Your Value and Strategically Networking with Adam Getz
When Adam Getz first joined the military, his plan was to finish his initial enlistment as an Army musician and separate. As his roles changed within the military, Adam decided to serve for 20 years with the goal of having a second career in the private sector. Adam earned an MBA, PMP and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certifications to prepare him for his next career in project management. When Adam left the military4/2021, he spent a year as a Senior Project Manager in pharmaceutical contract manufacturing. Today, he is a Senior Project Manager in Supply Chain Operations at Indiana University Health.
Adam finished his MBA earlier in his Army career. Once he focused on becoming a project manager, he completed his PMP and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt closer to retirement. Adam used a full 24 months to prepare for his transition by attending TAP classes, leveraging LinkedIn and networking .
After using The 20-Minute Networking Meeting book as a guide on how to conduct an informational interview, Adam conducted close to 100 interviews. With each conversation, Adam learned more about project management in the private sector, gained new mentors and ultimately confirmed that he did want to pursue project management. His interactions helped him to translate his Army skills to industry standard terminology. As an introvert, networking did not come naturally to Adam. At first, he felt like he was imposing on people but then realized after a few informational interviews that people are eager to help.
Adam reflects on the differences of project management between the military and the private sector. Because rank is not a factor in his current position, it’s not always obvious how to get something accomplished. The job of a project manager is to lead cross-functional teams as an individual contributor and yet influence people to meet deadlines and finish projects. Building relationships and having expert knowledge are keys to being a successful project manager.
Adam discusses how asking questions has earned him respect with coworkers and supervisors in his post-military roles. He learned that people are eager to help and asking questions builds teamwork, relationships and rapport. Adam encourages veterans to check their ego and stay humble. While some people will show appreciation toward a veteran, others are indifferent.
When job searching, many roles do not post a salary range. Adam discusses how his informational interviews and mentors gained through LinkedIn helped him uncover a desired salary range based on his background and skills.
Adam and Lori end the podcast discussing leaving jobs in the private sector, sometimes even in the first year. While Adam acknowledges that finding a job that you are passionate about is ideal, it’s not realistic for everybody. He instead encourages people to find jobs that match their skillsets and ones they enjoy in some capacity. When a job isn’t right for you, it’s okay to find something that is a better fit. Sometimes you have to make a change to move forward.
Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on struggles and surprises Adam has encountered during his first 18 months out of uniform.
You can connect with Adam at https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcgetz/
Explore The 20-Minute Networking Meeting book by clicking here.
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Published on: September 21, 2022Season 2 Episode 93: Test Driving Your New Career as a Volunteer with David Nava
After spending 20 years as a US Navy Flight Officer, David Nava was ready for a new challenge. He started preparing for his transition four years in advance with a goal of landing a role in project management. After earning his MBA, PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Scrum Master certification, David realized he did not want to be a project manager. A mentor introduced Salesforce (SF) to him, and he immediately began utilizing their free resources. After gaining hands-on experience through volunteering and using the DoD SkillBridge program, he landed an internship which led to a full-time role as a Solutions Architect. Even if you have no interest in the tech industry, keep listening. Dave shares his wisdom on how to define your military skills, translate them to an employer and find career fulfillment.
Dave discusses how volunteering not only helped him test-drive different roles within Salesforce but also gave him work experience to leverage with his soft skills, education and training. While informational interviews hold immeasurable value, volunteering is a way to determine what role best fits your goals and personality. Just three months into a year-long free SF program for transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses, Dave volunteered for FourBlock using his skills as a Salesforce Systems Administrator. Wanting to learn faster, he also reached out to Merivis and began volunteering for them as a SF Consultant.
The SF Military program provides free certification, courses and training vouchers to the military community. To get started a person signs up for a free profile and chooses one of 18 learning paths. After completing the guided learning path through Trailhead, a course voucher and eventually a certification voucher are issued. To date, Dave has earned 14 Salesforce certifications and has paid $0. He believes his certifications were more than enough to establish him in the SF ecosystem and be successful in his roles. Providing not only certifications, SF has also built a community of 40,000 like-minded individuals from the military that form a powerful support network.
The Salesforce Hiring Alliance is a partnership that includes 300+ companies that guarantee a first-round interview for military trailblazers that have earned at least 1 certification. This opportunity is a great way to get your foot in the door and provides instant relationships.
When David was preparing to leave the military and the field of aviation, he knew he would need to leverage his soft skills while he was learning new hard skills. He believes the military community can be successful in any environment given their ability to learn quickly, adapt to various situations and pivot when necessary. He challenges people to not overlook their work ethic, flexibility and critical thinking skills when writing their resume and during the interview process.
Each week, David offers Trailblazer office hours for the military community. Current SF employees, in a variety of roles, are interviewed by David with a goal of providing collaborative mentoring to a large audience. It’s a great place to start researching SF and the positions available. Plus, the office hours are recorded and housed on David’s YouTube channel.
Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on personal branding.
You can connect with Dave at https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-nava-awesome-engineer/
Explore Salesforce military certification programs at https://veterans.force.com/s/
Follow Dave on his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVNoZ2zfPdwFEXSbNQ47WV
Published on: September 14, 2022Season 2 - Episode 92: Career Fair and Networking Event Success Strategies with Lori Norris
This week, I will be leading you through a solo episode focused on career fair and networking event success strategies. Preparation before the event will give you confidence during the event and increase your chances of success after the event. Whether events are in person or virtual, my tips and tricks will set you up for success.
Before the Event
Ø Prepare a results-focused resume that showcases your unique value. Your resume should be targeted to a specific industry.
Ø Find out what companies are attending the event.
Ø Research the companies and their openings. Do an analysis of each company’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
Ø Focus on 5 companies. You may need to adjust your resume for each company.
Ø Pre-register online if offered.
Ø Prepare questions you will ask employers. Think through how you will start conversations.
Day of Event
Ø Bring plenty of copies of your resume. Remember you may have different resumes for each targeted company.
Ø Dress to impress. Do not wear your military uniform. You want the employer to see you as a potential employee, not a service member. Dress as though you are interviewing. For some roles, a 3-piece suit is expected. In other positions, a collared shirt and a pair of slacks are appropriate. A good rule is to dress a notch above what you would wear every day on the job.
Ø If you are attending a virtual event, consider your background. The area visible in the camera should be free of clutter. Choose a quiet area.
Ø Meet the recruiter for each of your targeted companies. Get their name, business card and connect with them on LinkedIn at the event or shortly after. Ask your prepared questions and let them know your unique value proposition. Be respectful of their time.
Ø Even though you are targeting certain organizations, network with all recruiters and be open to new possibilities.
Ø You should leave the event with contact information, notes and details about your new contacts, company information, a better sense of your options and confidence.
Ø Remember it’s unlikely you will be offered an interview or a job at a career fair. In most cases, the recruiter may look at your resume and ask you to apply online.
After the Event
Ø Follow up with all recruiters through LinkedIn, voice mail or email. Thank them for their time and sharing information with you about the organization.
Ø Create a focused resume for each role and apply. Follow up again with the recruiter and let them know you applied.
Ø Take time to ask yourself what went well and what areas need improvement for the next event.
The purpose of creating your networking value proposition is to start a conversation with a potential employer. It’s an opportunity to explain to someone who you are and how you can add value to their organization. Keep your proposition relevant to the company you are targeting. Focus on where you are going, not where you have been. For example, you will want to avoid introducing yourself with your title in the military. Only talk about where you have been with how it relates to where you are going. Remember to smile and make eye contact.
Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on mistakes made at career fairs and networking events and questions you NEVER want to ask at an event.
Download a FREE worksheet at https://www.nextforvets.com/.
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Published on: September 7, 2022Season 2 Episode 91: Blazing a Non-traditional Transition Trail with Amber Kulesza
Amber Kulesza served 12 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves. Her transition was unexpected, and she wasn’t given much time to plan. Despite these challenges, she navigated through the transition with the help of a robust network and leveraging certifications to upskill. After working in human resources for the State of Florida, she took a year to travel, decompress, explore career possibilities and position herself for her next chapter. The transition process is just that, a process. It doesn’t happen overnight and isn’t complete once you land your first role. Most veterans will tell you they are still transitioning in some way or another.
When Amber made the decision to continue her service in the reserves, she was given the opportunity to attend the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Like so many service members, she created her LinkedIn profile and let it sit, untouched. Six years later, Amber began the process of separating from the reserves and was not able to attend TAP again. She took it upon herself to begin aggressively connecting with people on LinkedIn and having intentional conversations. Her transition occurred pre-COVID and certain technology, like Zoom, was not commonplace. Living in California with a goal of relocating to Florida, it became apparent Amber needed to move to Florida to continue the job search process in person.
Amber earned her B.S. in Social and Criminal Justice with the intent of pursuing law enforcement. Injuries prevented her from continuing that path, so she made the decision to learn about human resources in the civilian sector. Having worked in HR for the Air Force, Amber thought it would be a smooth transition. After conducing informational interviews, she realized HR in the military versus HR in the civilian world were very different. Amber connected with Onward to Opportunity to learn more about the industry and earned her PHR certification.
After 16 months in an HR position and realizing the industry wasn’t right for her, Amber made the decision to take one year and travel across the country with the intent to decompress and plan her next chapter. She engaged her network once again and met many connections in person during her travels. Although she didn’t necessarily know the job title she wanted, she identified the skill sets she wanted to use and relied on her network to help her plan next steps.
Amber reflects on the mental shift of leaving the military. She felt the loss of her military family and their support. After Amber was separated and building her network through LinkedIn, she found a new support system in programs like Veterati and American Corporate Partners. These groups offered her a safe environment to ask questions, learn about careers and focus on her unique value. She checked her ego and opened herself up to listening and learning. Amber discusses the importance of learning how to ask for assistance during the transition process.
Many people are afraid to take big risks and make big changes. Amber acknowledges that she was fortunate to have the opportunity to take a year to travel and explore. Having a space of time between your next career and the military is important – even if it’s just 2 weeks. Give yourself time to decompress and recalibrate. Amber stresses the importance of having a solid network to lean into and reminds people that your job, whether in the military or after, does not define you. You did not do the military alone, neither should you do your transition alone.
Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip of lessons learned from Amber’s transition.
You can connect with Amber at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-kulesza/
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Published on: August 31, 2022Season 2 - Episode 90: Don't Do Military Transition Alone with Jeremy "Monte" Montgomery
After serving 10 years as active duty Air Force, Jeremy Montgomery, who goes by Monte, served an additional 12 years in the Air National Guard. When he retired in 2020, he used LinkedIn to grow his network and ultimately land a role with Fusion Cell as their business development manager. Although hired right away, Jeremy reflects on his transition and shares his mistakes and offers advice to ensure a smoother transition for others. Monte is a visible presence on LinkedIn and a fierce advocate for the veteran, transitioning military and spouse community.
When Monte made the decision to retire, he was unaware of the resources available to him. Although the Transitioning Assistance Program (TAP) was valuable, it also lacked the depth he needed to fully navigate his transition. He admits he believed he would be able to transition without the aid of others. Looking back, he realizes his decision to isolate himself led to mistakes which could have been avoided and prevented had he reached out for assistance. How do you overcome not knowing what you don’t know? You network. Using LinkedIn to network exposes you to an environment that will teach you what you don’t know.
Monte’s experience with going through it alone isn’t unique. In his current position as Director of Business Development at Fusion Cell, he has mentored hundreds of people through the transition and job search process. His biggest advice – do not go at this alone. While you may have valuable experience from the military, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be translated in job applications without you networking alongside.
Monte discusses the different seasons of LinkedIn. In the inaugural season, people build their network and form relationships to assist them with getting a job. Once hired, many people abandon LinkedIn only to resurface when they are looking for another job. Monte encourages people to stay active on LinkedIn when happily employed. During Season 2, network with people who have similar roles with different companies and expose yourself to new and different ideas. Become a subject matter expert in your industry and start researching your company’s competitors. In Season 3, reach out to others and help them through the transition process. As a subject matter expert, you have a lot to offer.
Be Genuine. Be Deliberate. Be Consistent. When posting on LinkedIn, follow this formula to build organic content. Post something that is meaningful to you and don’t get caught up in the approval ratings. At Fusion Cell, Jeremy has found his own voice and style on LinkedIn after regularly posting and engaging on LinkedIn.
Fusion Cell seeks to pair military veterans and spouses with meaningful careers with companies who support the military community. Companies are vetted before they become partners to ensure their dedication to hiring and retaining veterans and military spouses. One of the programs near and dear to Monte is Mil/Vet Spouse Mondays. After reviewing the data for underemployed and unemployed military spouses, Monte created this virtual opportunity to highlight this community and share resources and opportunities. Monte challenges all military service members to acknowledge the sacrifices their spouses have made in support of their service.
Head over to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on how to reverse engineer your job description.
Check out Fusion Cell at https://www.fusioncell.com/
Follow Fusion Cell on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/fusioncell/
You can connect with Jeremy “Monte” Montgomery on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/monte101/
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Published on: August 24, 2022Season 2 - Episode 89: Applying Your Same Military Skills in a New Industry with Sarah Ostrowski
Having served 7 years as a US Army intelligence officer, Sarah Ostrowski decided she was ready for a new challenge. Her transition plan included going back to school, however, when the acceptance letters started to arrive, her gut was telling her to go in a different direction. Today she is the Manager of Global Intelligence and Threat Analysis for the Walt Disney Company. Her job search was full of mistakes and blunders, but she used informational interviewing, networking and an engaging, open and honest communication style to ultimately land her role at Disney. Sarah discusses how she showcased her military skills in her interview and as an employee, who was promoted during her first year.
For the first four years of her military career, Sarah served as a field artillery officer before moving into the intelligence field. During her service, Sarah noticed the need for better access to quality mental health services. Her interest in pursuing a PhD in the psychology field spurred her toward military separation. During her last deployment with Special Forces, she applied to schools. When the acceptance letters came in, she realized she wasn’t 100% sure this was the right path. She made the decision to defer school and seek out other opportunities in the private sector. Her first stop was LinkedIn.
As an intelligence officer, Sarah used her intelligence skills to gather intel on LinkedIn. However, you don’t have to have a background in intelligence to utilize all the functions of LinkedIn for your job search! She relied heavily on the algorithms already built into the platform during her searches. For example, she searched military intel officer and analyzed the profiles to learn what military intel veterans are doing. If a person continued to work in the intelligence community, she poured over the profile to learn the civilian intelligence language. Her next step was reaching out to individuals for informational interviews.
During a late-night job search session on LinkedIn, Sarah came across an intelligence analyst role at Disney. At this point, she didn’t have a civilian resume but also knew job postings don’t stay live for long. She pulled together a resume that was far from perfect. Knowing her resume was not going to be enough to capture the hiring manager’s attention, she did a search on LinkedIn for Disney global team members. She cold messaged every single one of them and was pleasantly surprised at the 50% response rate, including one from the hiring manager himself. Through her conversations, she learned the job posting was intended for an internal candidate but that didn’t stop her from asking questions and learning and understanding the company’s needs. Not long after, she received a phone call for an interview.
Sarah highlights the importance of asking questions, listening and learning how to be a solution for an organization’s problems. Through her informational interviews, Sarah formed relationships which overcame her weak resume full of military jargon, acronyms and even a misspelling.
Sarah discusses how she identified transferable skills and pitched them in her interview. Skills she cultivated in the military such as building teams and understanding systems and processes felt like soft skills when she applied and wrote her resume. After progressing in her career at Disney, she now realizes the value of those skills and mentors others to showcase them on the resume and in the interview.
Please head to the LL4V YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on Sarah’s career progression and lessons learned during her first year at Walt Disney Company.
You can connect with Sarah on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahostrowski/
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Season 2 - Episode 88: Two Sides of the Military Transition Story with Nathan Wallace and Kelsey Wolf-Wallace
Husband and wife team Nathan Wallace and Kelsey Wolf-Wallace share the microphone on this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. After serving 5 years in the US Army as a junior enlisted soldier, Nathan decided to separate in 2019. Not prepared for his separation, he shares his struggles and the resources that helped him get back on track.
While Kelsey was supporting Nathan through his service, she was pursuing her own education in counseling. Around the same time as Nathan’s separation, Kelsey Wolf-Wallace was searching for opportunities to serve the military community. Leveraging her connections on LinkedIn, she landed an interview with Hire Heroes USA and was offered a position as a transition specialist and career coach. Today, they share their two different sides of the transition story.
When Nathan decided to separate from the military, he assumed his 5-year military service would be enough to land a job. The two-week TAP classes flew by and felt more like an exercise in checking all the boxes. He drafted a resume, requested his medical documents and even created a LinkedIn profile. However, very little explanation was given to him on how to create an effective resume, network or prepare for an interview. After receiving his DD214, he found himself with 0 income and 0 benefits.
Kelsey encouraged Nathan to register and take advantage of the free resources through the 100% completely virtual Hire Heroes USA organization. Hire Heroes USA is a non-profit with a mission to empower transitioning service members, spouses and vets in the job search until meaningful employment is secured in the civilian workforce. Clients receive a draft resume as well as coaching on networking, interviewing and leveraging LinkedIn.
The Junior Enlisted Program was recently created to address current data on the junior enlisted servicemember who is separating. The program offers specialized services and addresses specific needs for this population. Junior enlisted servicemembers
🔹 Face financial instability
🔹 Earn lower salaries
🔹 Experience greater underemployment issues
🔹 Possess less formal education
🔹 Face career uncertainty
Many people utilize Hire Heroes USA for their resume writing services. The resume is produced from a template and usually targeted to a specific industry. Kelsey discusses the importance of using the provided resume as a draft – meaning it should be tailored for each job application. It is a stepping-stone and a foundation to build upon. Tailoring a resume includes researching the company and conducting informational interviews.
Nathan used Hire Heroes USA to define his career goals and choose the best education path. He admits he slipped through the cracks while separating from the military. The military failed to provide information on additional available resources. Prior to leaving the military, Nathan had never heard of the SkillBridge program. As unfortunate as this may be, Nathan’s transition isn’t unique in this way. At some point, a separatee or retiree must take ownership of their transition. Part of this means seeking out additional resources.
Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on transition advice from both Kelsey and Nathan.
You can connect with Kelsey on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseywolfwallace/
You can connect with Nathan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanwallace22/
Register for services at hireheroesusa.org
If you are junior enlisted, join a special LinkedIn Group at https://lnkd.in/dzmG2gmB
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Published on: August 10, 2022Season 2 - Episode 87: Exploring Sales as a Career with Mark Rothschild
After serving 10 years as a pilot in the US Navy, Mark Rothschild was ready for something new. Knowing his strong work ethic, his need to connect with people and desire for a career where pay was connected to effort, he decided on a career in tech sales. After completing a training program to gain a base foundation on the tech world and a framework for how to be successful in sales work, he was hired at a vet-friendly company. On this episode, Mark shares his transition story, programs he used to build his skills and insights into why veterans make successful salespeople.
After researching tech training programs, Mark chose Tech Qualled – a program designed for transitioning service members looking to make a career change into sales. Mark experienced challenges and recognized his identity was still tied to his military services during the first few months in his new role. Overcoming his setbacks and reframing his mindset, Mark is now enjoying a lucrative sales career.
The first piece of advice Mark offers to anyone transitioning, regardless of industry, is to ask questions in your new role. In the military, he acknowledged that he often sat in the back and did not ask questions with the goal of blending in. When asking questions realize that people generally want to help but also come prepared when seeking help from a coworker or manager. Do your own research and share your insights. People are more likely to want to build on your own findings than do your work for you. Find a veteran mentor or buddy at your workplace or in your industry that you can bounce ideas and questions. Veterans need to have a safe avenue to ask questions and a productive area to level up on industry knowledge.
The second piece of advice Mark shares is finding a way to build systems in both the transition process and in your new role. Every veteran knows how to mission plan. Why should the transition, job search and first 90 days in a new role be any different?
Mark discusses how to leverage sales programs to gain training. While Mark utilized Tech Qualled when he transitioned, there are many options now including the SkillBridge program. Research all of your options, find a program that partners with the company you want to work for and then start networking.
Sales often gets a bad rap. Most of us instantly go to a place in our mind of a sleazy used car salesman. However, a career in sales offers the opportunity to be compensated for your efforts and help people and companies solve problems. Mark discusses how he views his role in sales as both a guide and an instructor. He shares how his product or service will address a problem and walk the customer through what a partnership would entail. For people who may be nervous about how to make money while they are building their sales skills, Mark encourages looking for positions that offer a base salary.
Veterans have several skills that transfer into a career in sales. Those who have worn the uniform learn and adapt quickly and are able to instruct and teach others. Good salespeople teach their customers about their problem, tailor their message to the people they are interacting with and take control of the situation. Any veteran has encountered this methodology in the military.
Mark is a mentor with Veterati and often talks with mentees about the importance of networking. Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus clip on Mark’s networking recommendations.
You can connect with Mark on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjrothschild/
Explore Tech Qualled by clicking here.
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Published on: August 3, 2022Season 2 Episode 86: Clearing Up Resume Myths with Lori Norris
You know me, Lori Norris, as the host of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, but did you know I have been providing education resources to the military community since 2005? I have owned my own resume writing business since 2004 and I've written close to 5,000 resumes.
There are lots of great resources out there on LinkedIn, networking and job searching, but there are only a few voices talking resumes. On this solo episode, I am here to clear up some resume myths.
Myth #1: The resume is the most important thing to focus on in your transition. Contrary to popular belief, the resume is not the most important thing to think about in your transition. Your first step is to find your FOCUS.
Myth #2: Your resume is a storage area for everything you’ve ever done. Your resume should not be a storage area for everything you’ve ever done. During the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), you are taught to create a master resume. While I agree that creating a document of all your jobs and achievements is helpful, it should not be called a resume and it should not be shared with anyone.
Instead, think of the resume as a strategic marketing document and YOU are the product. You should be showcasing your unique skills and the value of them to your employer.
Myth #3: The resume is about you. The resume should not be about your needs. It should be targeted toward the employer. They are going to invest time, their reputation, other employees, customers, money and effort into you as an employee. They want to know what your ROI is going to be. How are you going to earn the money they are going to pay you?
Myth #4: Writing one generic resume will appeal to everyone. There is no such thing as an effective generic resume. Appealing to Everyone = Appealing to No One. If you are consistently meeting the majority of job qualifications on job postings and not getting interest, it’s very likely you are not effectively marketing your value and conducting a targeted job search.
Myth #5: The employer wants to hear about your team’s accomplishments. The employer only cares about the part you played in your team’s accomplishments. While acknowledging your role on the team is important, you need to showcase your unique contributions.
Myth #6: Hiring you is their first priority. While getting a job is your first priority, the reality is many hiring managers are looking for reasons to not hire you. You need to give them reasons to hire you. Focus on your unique value proposition. Companies want to make money or save money. Help the hiring manager understand how you can do that for them.
Myth #7: The employer will translate and understand your military skills. It is NOT the employer’s job to translate your military skills. YOU must adapt to THEM.
Myth #8: The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is an evil robot waiting to say NO to your resume. The ATS is not an evil robot just waiting to say no to you and your resume. Yes, there is an ATS, and yes you need to write resumes that can easily be read by the ATS. However, the ATS is just the initial screener of the resume. The ATS looks for keyword matches and will rank applicants in order of highest to lowest match, so that a HUMAN can read the resume.
Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear a bonus tip on how to rewrite bullets to make them more impactful.
You can connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris/
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Published on: July 27, 2022Season 2 Episode 85: Learning from Military Transition Data with Brian Niswander
After spending 27 years in the USAF on active duty and in the reserves as an intel officer, Brian Niswander continues using his background in data and analytics as the founder of Military-Transition.org, an organization that uses data analytics and visualizations to assist with the transition process
For 21 years, Brian worked in both the public and private sector in market research and supply chain management within the consumer goods industry. During this time, he noticed trends among transitioning service members. With a passion for ground truth and a quest to dispel rumors and myths, he created Military-Transition.org. as a resource for the transitioning service member and military spouse.
Brian discusses the 5 key takeaways from 2 decades of working with TSMs, veterans and spouses.
1) Transitioning will be difficult and challenging because you are transitioning into the unknown. There are ways to reduce the confusion and uncertainty before, during and after the transition process.
2) Education and awareness are critical. Vets tend to make the same mistakes as those who have gone before them. Using data, we can study the past to avoid those mistakes. We can learn how to replicate success.
3) Transition is personal. Although there are many one-size-fits-all solutions offered across various resources, individual plans tend to be most effective. You must take personal responsibility for your transition.
4) Utilize the full range of options and services available to you such as TAP and VSOs.
5) Your past does not define your future both in terms of rank and position. Don’t feel constrained by your job in the military. Start early to get the education you need to be successful in a new role in the civilian workplace. Do not feel entitled in the civilian sector based on your rank in the military.
Data from Military-Transition.org shows 5 actions that veterans say are important for transition success.
1) Start early.
2) Have a transition plan. The process starts with self-reflection. Ask yourself, “What do I want to do? Where does my family want to live?”
3) Build your network through LinkedIn, informational interviews and organizations like Veterati and ACP.
4) Learn how to translate your hard and soft skills both on your resume and during an interview.
5) Be patient. Your transition will not happen overnight.
Brian has published several FREE books that can be found on Military-Transition.org. The transition guidebooks are 20-24 pages in length and are meant to offer information backed by data. A goal of his organization is to be the first point of contact for a transitioning service member.
To close out this session, Brian shares a significant analysis of veterans and his discovery of 3 groups of members that transition. No matter what category you fall into, Military-Transition.org has resources to aid in your transition.
Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear more from Brian about the importance of self-reflection before starting your transition.
You can connect with Brian Niswander on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bniswander/
You can learn more about Military-Transition.org and access the FREE guidebooks at https://military-transition.org/ebooks.html.
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Connect with me on LinkedIn and check out our website at www.llforv
Published on: July 20, 2022Season 2 - Episode 84: Common Military Transition Lessons Learned with Lucas Connolly
When Lucas Connolly retired after a 20-year career in the US Army as a Field Artillery Officer, he accepted a position at a Fortune 500 company. After reevaluating his career goals and values, Lucas made the decision to rejoin the military community working first as a TAP counselor and then TAP Program Manager at Fort Drum, NY. Today he continues serving the needs of transitioning service members working for RecruitMilitary as their DOD SkillBridge Program Manager.
Lucas quickly realized the Fortune 500 job he accepted not only came with a sizeable paycheck, but also a sizeable work and time commitment. The late nights and early mornings turned into consistent 60–70-hour work weeks with little time for family.
This week’s podcast focuses on the most common lessons we have learned through the last 80+ episodes of the show with added insights from Lucas.
Start Early. Consider at least 18-24 months out if you are retiring and 12 months out if you are separating. Lucas discusses the importance of establishing a goal and then working backward. When a service member joins the military, they should always be asking themselves what they are doing to set themselves up for success after the military. As your end date draws near, it is crucial to communicate to leadership your transition needs. There are times you will need to say “I can’t” or “I won’t” in order to focus on your transition. Take the time you need to execute your plan.
Write your resume only after you have a focus.
Sending out a stock resume to 100 employers is a recipe for failure. Instead, Lucas encourages a person to focus on 3-4 companies they want to work for and then find 5-10 jobs within these companies. Target and tailor your resume for each job after researching the company and networking with current employees. Generic resumes that try to appeal to everyone appeal to no one.
Build your network BEFORE you need it.
There are many ways to build your network, but LinkedIn is the best for online networking. Start building your network long before you transition. Consider a spider starting its web. It starts small, in the center, and then gradually spins its web out. First, connect with people you already know such as family, friends, work colleagues, those who are willing to write you a recommendation, TAP counselors and job fair connections.
Get on LinkedIn NOW.
LinkedIn is a professional network that allows people to search you and learn about your skills. Include keywords in your profile and be strategic with your connection requests. Think about LinkedIn as a tool in your toolkit. Just like a hammer isn’t useful unless it’s picked up and used, LinkedIn is only as useful as the content you provide and the network you build.
Transition is more than finding a job.
Transition isn’t just accepting a job and checking the transition box. It’s all encompassing. You are going from one life to another, one culture to another. And it’s not just about you - your family is also transitioning with you.
Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets brand new YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear Lucas give a BONUS piece of advice to those transitioning.
You can connect with Lucas Connolly on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-connolly/
You can learn more about RecruitMilitary by clicking here.
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Published on: July 13, 2022Season 2 Episode 83: Backwards Planning Your Military Transition with Jason Shockey
After serving 20 years in the United States Marine Corps conducting cybersecurity operations, Jason Shockey has successfully held 3 different chief information security officer roles in the private sector. While his transition may sound “easy”, a lot of hard work, careful planning and deliberate action has placed him at the top of the cyber industry. His methodical approach to his own transition and his desire to help others led him to create My Cyber Path, a resource designed to help students, veterans and HR departments successfully navigate a career in cybersecurity. Jason’s advice on mastering your mindset is relevant to anyone, regardless of career field.
About halfway into his military career, Jason began to focus on what he wanted for a career in the civilian sector once he retired. After researching job titles, he began to craft his own education pathway to prepare him for the qualifications he knew he needed. While he pursued his education, he was deliberate to apply the concepts he was learning to his duties in the military.
Jason believes luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Find a way to apply what you are learning for the future to your day job. By assimilating new knowledge and practicing repetition, real learning and practical application occurs. This is applicable to anyone, whether they plan to continue their military role in the private sector or plan to enter a new career field.
Jason discusses how his fear of not finding employment after the military motivated him to seek ways to stay positive and confident. First, you must believe in yourself. Figure out where you want to go and then work backward to craft a plan on how to get there. For 8 years, Jason listened to motivational speakers and practiced visualization to keep his mind in the right place.
Reflecting on his roles in the military versus civilian sector, Jason believes the main difference is the way he interacts with people. In the military, rank dictates what a person knows, where they’ve been and how they are going to respond to you. That’s not the case in the civilian world. It’s important to be attuned to the people around you and know how you fit into the organization. You should be doing everything in your control to better yourself and the company. Although it may sound harsh, if you are not contributing to the organization and its mission, you are easily replaced.
For those considering a career in cyber, My Cyber Path matches interests and personality traits with cyber work roles and shows the pathway to get to that role through certifications, experience, training and education. It’s also a tool for the cyber professional who is ready to progress and grow into a more complex role. Jason has generously offered to give 10 people a complimentary lifetime access to My Cyber Path on the day this podcast is released. Please visit the Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast page on LinkedIn to learn how to take advantage of this offer!
Jason attributes his continued success and consistent growth in the cyber industry to his focus on personal excellence and the outcomes and outputs he produces for his employers. He also focuses on details and establishing small habits to increase his productivity. Jason discusses how what you eat, watch and listen to can all influence your success. Choose what you consume both in mind and body.
Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets brand new YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear Jason's bonus question that will leave you motivated.
You can connect with Jason on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shockey/
Learn more about My Cyber Path by visiting https://www
Published on: July 6, 2022Season 2 - Episode 82: Making Sure Your Message is Understood with Julie Sanders
Julie Sanders served 4 years in the US Army as an Arabic Linguist and Intelligence Analyst. With a high-level security clearance, impressive military job and veteran status, she assumed the companies she would get hired right away. However, the only place she found that valued her skills was as a contract employee with the FBI. When she decided that was not the career route she wanted, she took a job in retail and started pursuing her education.
Although her transition was many years ago, her story is not unlike so many transitioning today. Going to school full-time and working full-time presented many obstacles, but she persevered knowing a college degree would open more doors for her. While she was confident in her writing, her math skills were lacking. A decade out of high school, she knew she needed extra help. After joining a study group, Julie not only passed but did well in her math courses. Her response to service members who are nervous to get back into the classroom is to jump in with both feet and go for it!
Earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, she successfully climbed the corporate ladder in B2B sales. Julie now works for Veterans Upward Bound where she advocates for veterans who want to pursue postsecondary education.
Veterans Upward Bound is designed to motivate and assist veterans in developing academic and other skills necessary for acceptance and success in postsecondary education. The program provides assessment and enhancement of basic skills through counseling, mentoring, tutoring and academic instruction in the core subject areas. The program provides short-term remedial or refresher courses for veterans who are high school graduates but have delayed pursuing postsecondary education.
While a degree will help to open doors of opportunity, learning how to translate your military experience to a future employer is equally important. Julie discusses the need to talk about your military experience in civilian terms. You cannot expect your audience to understand military lingo and what it implies. The responsibility that the message is received and understood is the responsibility of the sender.
Julie also discusses her role with Bold Vets, a networking group for veterans. Bold Vets hosts free, monthly virtual networking events for active duty military and veterans to expand their referral networks. These events are a safe environment for service members to practice networking and learn to leverage their best selves. In addition, vets receive coaching.
To wrap up, Julie gives 4 pieces of advice for anyone transitioning out of the service.
- Network. Start now and never stop.
- Don't assume that back home is the only place you can go when you get out.
Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear Julie finish discussing her advice for anyone transitioning.
You can connect with Julie Sanders on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-sanders-mba-148b1913/
Learn more about how Veterans Upward Bound can help you reach your education goals by visiting https://www.navub.org/
Register for the next round of speed networking with Bold Vets at https://boldnetworking.com/events/us-bold-vets-speed-networking/
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Published on: June 29, 2022Season 2 Episode 81: Military Transition Q&A with Tyler Burkholder
Tyler Burkholder recently began a SkillBridge program after his service in the Navy. As a loyal follower of the Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast, Tyler has used previous podcast discussions to his advantage while building a strong network on LinkedIn. In this Military Q&A session, Tyler reflects on his transition process and looks ahead to learn how to best serve those who will transition after him.
How can vets do a better job supporting each other?
This very question is why I started the Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast. I wanted to provide a platform for veterans to share their stories. While each veteran has a unique transition journey, the feelings of struggle and victory are universal.
Your story is worth telling and someone will benefit from it. Get involved and give back through service organizations.
With TAP just 5 days long, what is the best way to get information to those transitioning since not every person sees the value in social media?
Though many veterans are against social media, LinkedIn is different than other platforms. Creating a LI profile is as important as creating your resume and the information you provide is as important as the answers you give during a job interview.
You often use the term focus: For those who lack a focus on what they want to do next, what are options that people could use to assist them in finding that focus?
Two books I recommend are Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type and Now, Discover Your Strengths.
Paint a picture of four concentric circles in your head.
1 – Values and Preferences. Focus on what you love to do.
2 – Marketability. Does the world need what you have? Is there a market for what you do?
3 – Salary Needs. Can you get paid for what you love?
4 – Transferable skills. Are you good at it? Do you have the required qualifications?
At the center of these four circles – where they overlap – is your career focus.
> There is an overlap between Values/Preferences and Marketability. This overlap is your company research where you see if your values align with the market research of the industry to identify the best companies to target.
> The overlap between Marketability and Salary Needs is where you conduct career and industry research. Does your target role pay what you need, and is it located where you want to live?
> Between Salary Needs and Transferable Skills, this overlap is where we start to learn to market ourselves, translate our military skills and showcase the value we bring an organization.
> Lastly, overlap between Transferable Skills and Values/Preferences help ensure you love what you do.
What are some ways for people to regain, or relearn, their worth after being told or shown, or both, that their life means nothing?
First, your life has meaning. You were put on this earth for a purpose. Although you may not understand your purpose yet, you will figure it out. In terms of finding your value in the workplace, I suggest doing an assessment of your transferable skills. Write out a list of all the things you CAN DO. Put a star next to the things you WANT or LIKE to do. Then write a story that showcases a situation where you used that skill to benefit or add value to the Navy.
Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets brand new YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
You can connect with Tyler Burkholder on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-burkholder-mba/
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Published on: June 22, 2022Season 2 - Episode 80: Transforming from Victim to Victor with Robert Washington
Robert Washington joined the Navy after 9/11 and served for 9 years before separating to pursue a full-time career as a professional MMA fighter. After retiring from professional fighting, he found himself underemployed when he reentered the traditional workforce. By tapping into the very qualities that made him successful in the cage and in uniform, Robert reframed his mindset to launch him into a successful career at Microsoft. In his book, No one owes you a F*ing thing: It’s your responsibility to fight for the life you want, Robert explores how mental toughness can transform your personal and professional life.
Robert attributes his resilience to the adversities he faced beginning as a young child growing up in poverty and dysfunction. He has learned to become a victor, not a victim, of his past. We discuss how character is often built from challenges and how rising from victimhood is a choice.
During his transitions from both the military and MMA fighting, Robert kept his core priorities as his focal point. His goal to keep every decision he made in line with his core priorities has kept him fulfilled both personally and professionally. As a motivational speaker, Robert has noticed that it is the “how” that paralyzes people from taking action toward their goals. Robert discusses the ways in which he keeps moving forward to overcome his tendency to overthink.
When Robert retired from his professional MMA career, he had to find ways to leverage the skills he learned both in the military and in the cage to find meaningful employment. He soon learned that having a degree and a veteran status on a resume wasn’t enough to set himself apart during the job search process. He came to the realization no one owed him anything for his prior service. After experiencing 200 job rejections during a 2-year period, Robert knew he needed a new approach.
Robert talks about how to leverage the skills learned in the military to a future employer. We discuss connecting your story to the organization’s needs and how your prior service is of value to an employer.
Silence the voice in your head that says your story is not worth telling.
Robert uses LinkedIn to highlight not only who he is as a career professional but also to showcase his other interests. By contributing content on a regular basis, he hopes to be a resource for transitioning service members navigating the job search process.
Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets brand new YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear Robert answer a BONUS QUESTION about ways he is helping veterans get into the tech career field.
You can connect with Robert Washington on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertwashington83/
You can learn more about his book at https://www.amazon.com/one-owes-cking-thing-responsibility/dp/0999863207
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Connect with me on Facebook and LinkedIn! Or check out our website at www.llforvets.com and listen to the previous episodes here!
Published on: June 15, 2022Season 2 Episode 79: Taking an Active Approach to Your Transition with Joshua Atkinson
Joshua Atkinson served 11 years active duty in the US Marine Corps and 2 years in the reserves. He now works as a logistics SME and consultant for Whitney Bradley and Brown and as a Business Development Director for PM-ProLearn, a veteran founded project management training company.
Josh was not expecting to leave the USMC after 11 years. It was an unexpected process that was full of regret and bitter feelings. As a result, his transition was pretty rough. He wishes that he had started preparing for his post-military career very early in his military service, so that he would have been better prepared.
Josh discusses hunting versus fishing, or an active versus passive military transition. When you blindly send out your resume and have no idea the type of fish you are trying to catch, this is a very passive approach where you are hoping to just “catch” any job. In the hunting analogy, you are very strategic in your approach of figuring out the “what and why” so you can create a targeted plan. This requires you to figure out your strengths and determine what best fits your personality and your own personal “why” behind what you want to do in your career.
Josh compares your resume to using the right ammunition when you are hunting. You have to create a resume that is focused on the target or you won’t have the desired outcome. This will increase your likelihood of success.
Josh compares being a veteran to being a “foreign orphan.” The military shapes your personality and builds commonality among all of its service member starting with boot camp. If you don’t learn to speak the language of the private sector, you may find yourself as an outsider. It is very important to learn how to effectively communicate with employers in a language that they will understand.
Josh is the co-founder of PM-ProLearn and he discusses the importance of certifications. Certifications can help you improve your marketability against your civilian competitors in the job market. Taking the training for a certification in a new career field can also help you assess whether you enjoy the industry or not. However, it is important that you not become a “certification collector” and you remain targeted in your approach to completing certifications. Gaining certifications helped Josh regain his confidence after his rocky military transition. He sees a certification like a well-fitted suit, they both give you the confidence that you look the part when you go into the job search process.
Josh advocates for doing your military transition YOUR way. It will be unique to you and you have to take your own approach, feel your own emotions and travel your own path. He advocates treating LinkedIn like a “bar” and advocates for starting your LinkedIn networking by seeking out the people you have things in common with first. Be willing to reach out and take initiative to ask for information or assistance.
Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets brand new YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear Josh answers a BONUS QUESTION about what he'd do differently if he had to do his military transition over again.
You can connect with Joshua Atkinson on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajatkinson/
You can learn more about PM-ProLearn on their website at: https://www.pm-prolearn.com
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Connect with me on Facebook and LinkedIn! Or check out our website at www.llforvets.com and listen to the previous episode
Published on: June 8, 2022Season 2 Episode 78: Fighting Imposter Syndrome with Hayden Barnes
Hayden Barnes served 4 years in the Utah National Guard and 7 years as an Army Infantryman. After participating in the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA) in 2021, he landed a great job with an impressive salary at a tech firm in software development management.
Hayden was told by senior military leaders that he’d never make it as a civilian and should stay in the military. He is very passionate about being a voice of what is possible for junior enlisted servicemembers, especially in the face of the many programs out there that are specifically targeted to senior enlisted, retirees or officers.
Throughout both his military career and private sector career in tech, he had to make several unplanned pivots and career changes due to many different factors. Part of why he struggled was due, in part, to “imposter syndrome.” Hayden experienced these doubts about whether he was up to par with his peers, many of whom he thought had a better background, more training or intelligence in his comparison with them. He learned that he had to stop looking at others and comparing himself and simply focus on his own journey and situation.
Fear is often a tool that is used my more senior military leaders and veterans. Instead of arguing or getting upset at those “scare tactics,” focus on achieving success for yourself. Instead of proving them wrong, simply focus on proving yourself right. Consider the fact that those who are often using this fear-based tactic on you are often coming from a place of their own fear, a lack of knowledge or perhaps they are trying to gain or sell something. Before reacting to these fear tactics, stop to consider their motivation.
Hayden discusses some of the transferable skills that he gained in the Army as an infantryman that helped him achieve success in the tech career field. He leveraged his transferable skills, that were not really tech related, as well as what he learned in the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA) program.
We discuss some of Hayden’s biggest challenges in adapting to the private sector such as dealing with a more casual and less structured environment. It has been more of an adaptation than a struggle. Be open to the process of adapting to new cultures and new environments, much like you’ve done throughout your career.
After starting as a small project manager, Hayden has progressed through the company into higher level, more strategic roles. He sees his military skills as his foundation, his education and training are the reinforcements of that foundation and he built his career from that. You have to believe in those skills as your foundation and it will help you achieve success after the military.
Hayden goes over what skills he highlighted on his resume. It was not focused on his infantry experience, instead he highlighted his achievements translated into his target industry key words and pain points. Do your research and change the story from military language to corporate terms that your new employers can understand.
Please head to the Lessons Learned for Vets brand new YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 to hear Hayden answer a BONUS QUESTION about his key to success after his military service.
You can connect with Hayden Barnes on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-barnes/
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Published on: June 1, 2022Season 2 Episode 77: Dealing with the Emotional Challenges of the Military Transition with Olivia Nunn
Olivia Nunn retired from the US Army in 2021 as a Lieutenant Colonel. You may recognize her as the host of the US Army’s Soldier for Life Podcast. Olivia gets honest with us in the podcast about some of the challenges and struggles that she went through during her transition out of the military, many of which have driven her to be a passionate advocate for mental health.
On the surface her transition was seamless, she landed a great role in marketing that aligned with her background in public affairs and communication. Although Olivia had access to all the best resources available to support her in her military transition, the emotional and mental process of the transition caught her off guard.
It is important to know that there are tools and education available to service members to support them with dealing with the emotional and mental health struggles that they may face during this process.
In her transition, Olivia practiced what she preached. She started early and began planning at 24 months before her retirement. She created a LinkedIn presence early on and began to post authentic, branded content. She attended events and built a solid network. When she made her announcement that she was preparing to wrap up her Army career, within a short time she started getting leads on opportunities because of the work she had done to prepare.
The early parts of the 24-month preparation period need to be spent on research, determining what you want to do in your career after the military, where you want to live and figuring out your personal brand. Once you decide what you want to do in your career, you may find you will need additional training, certification or skills. This extended prep period will give you time to get ready for what is next!
Olivia found herself struggling with mental health issues during her transition. She felt very much alone and was not willing to ask for help and support. She found that the resources available to her during her struggles, especially during the COVID crisis, were seriously lacking and that the system was overtaxed.
Once you get past the shame and guilt of asking for help, or even needing help, and share how you are feeling, you will find that there are so many people willing to help and just listen to you. Olivia shares her personal story of how she came back from her struggles. She leaned on her faith, prayer, therapy and a handful of friends who she talked through her issues with.
You may be used to being the strong one who supports people, but you have to be willing to reach out your hand and ask for help so that it does not weigh you down.
Olivia talks about she is constantly figuring out who she is as a person outside of the military. She has been trying new things and has launched her own business.
Though the Soldier for Life Podcast lives on without Olivia as a host, she is now hosting the Never Stop Serving Podcast for the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). You can find that new podcast series here: https://tinyurl.com/cymjs3w6
You can connect with Olivia Nunn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-j-nunn/
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Published on: May 25, 2022Season 2 Episode 76: Getting Inside the Mind of the Recruiter with John Axtell
John Axtell retired from the Marine Corps in 2014 where he was a military police officer, infantryman and a recruiter. He and I met many years ago when he went through my TAP class and I helped him see the value of his skills and experience in recruiting to land a role in talent acquisition with an airline. He went to Wells Fargo as a recruiter and is now on the Military Talent Programs team.
John went into TAP with the fear that he was only qualified to go into security or law enforcement. He and I spent some time one-on-one to help him understand how to translate his military skills and leverage his experience into a talent acquisition role.
John has been in talent acquisition in the private sector for 8 years. He shares “insider” knowledge to get inside the mind of a recruiter. He shares best practices on things like resumes, networking, LinkedIn, the Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) “bots” and interview prep.
Some highlights:
RESUMES:
- Think about human nature when you are laying out your resume. They naturally read from top to bottom and left to right. Organize and prioritize your resume layout with this in mind.
- The human eye is drawn to numbers and companies like to see measurables.
- Resume writing is a science and a skill.
- Focus on “Return on Investment” statements that show how you can add value.
BEATING THE ATS:
- Even a large company like Wells Fargo has humans that read the resume.
- The best way to “beat” the ATS, you need to network and create connections on the inside of the company. Networking can help you understand the company where you are applying and focus on their priorities.
NETWORKING:
- Networking helps you get a leg up on the competition and get past the ATS in the job search.
- Networking is all about making connections and having conversations with people who can give you inside information on their company.
JOB POSTINGS:
- Required qualifications you must have, this is where you can match and mirror the key words in your resume. Desired qualifications are a bonus and you don’t HAVE to have them. When trying to determine if you meet the qualifications, these desired qualifications don’t count against you.
- At Wells Fargo, if you see “other desired qualifications,” pay special attention to these skills and focus on showcasing them on your resume.
- Think of the job posting as a “cheat sheet” that you can use to focus and target your resume to the company and the specific role.
INTERVIEW PREPARATION:
- Know your resume and be able to speak to everything on it. Prepare your STAR statements (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in advance and be prepared to answer behavioral questions with stories and examples.
- Do your research, both on the company and the people who are interviewing you.
- Be comfortable and be confident! If they invited you to an interview, they've already expressed that they like you as qualified candidate.
USING LINKEDIN:
- Be strategic with your connections. Focus on quality over quantity. Build a network of people that are engaged and willing to assist you with your search.
You can connect with John Axtell on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/john-axtell-ii-77887093/
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Published on: May 18, 2022Season 2 - Episode 75: Military Transition Q&A with Andro Infante
Andro Infante is wrapping up a successful 20-year career in the U.S. Army. With just a year until his retirement date, Andro is taking an active role in his own transition to ensure success.
In this Military Q&A session of the podcast, Andro comes to the show with some questions for Lori.
Since recruiters are only spending a few seconds on each resume, what are your thoughts on the summary section, Should I keep it or dump it to use the valuable space?
While the answer may be yes, there are ways to make your resume stand out from the crowd.
Listen in as Lori highlights a few strategies to optimize the time that recruiters spend scanning your resume. Learn from Lori how to build a Headline and Tagline to grab the recruiter’s attention and why the content supporting the Headline is so vital.
Most are attracted to big name companies. How do you combat being stuck behind a name brand for a potential employer? Are we setting ourselves for failure focusing on the name? What about start-ups?
Often it’s the industry giants that garner the most attention for being military-friendly for transitioning service members and veterans. During the job search process, don’t discount smaller companies or startups.
What are some questions to ask recruiters and hiring managers to decipher what kind of culture their organization has?
We discuss how to assess what environment and culture is best and discuss the positive and negative of both small and large companies.
If you are someone who doesn’t know what work environment is the best option for you, start doing research on yourself! Take advantage of self-assessments and books such as Do What You Are and websites such as www.16personalities.com. Keep all your options open during your job search.
When you’ve landed the interview, come prepared with 6-8 questions. Listen to Lori as she speaks into how to research a company before interview day. She’ll guide you with questions to ask during the interview that will help you decide if the culture is a good fit.
Why do the majority of veterans leave their first job after the military within 6-12 months?
While the answer is complex, Lori dives into several reasons as well as the mindset of so many transitioning service members, especially retirees. Learn how to weigh staying versus leaving a job and more importantly learn the value of choosing a job wisely and strategically and not accepting one out of fear.
What is a good time frame to stay in a position before looking into applying within or outside the organization without it damaging your “resume” and making it seem like you are a “job hopper?”
Make strategic decisions about your career. While you CAN leave when you want to, it is important to make careful decisions – both about accepting a role and leaving a role.
Andro ends this podcast on how to make real impact with your networking using LinkedIn to announce your job search. Andro used a great video that clearly communicated what he was seeking. We go through some steps on how to do this effectively. Check out the LinkedIn post and connect with Andro here: https://tinyurl.com/2p9xbufd
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Published on: May 11, 2022Season 2 Episode 74: Leaning on Mentors with Richard Comitz
Rich Comitz retired as a LTC from the US Army in 2019 and wrapped up his career as a Professor at the US Military Academy at West Point. After working in higher education for just over 2 years, Rich took on the role of Senior Vice President of American Corporate Partners, or ACP, at the end of 2021.
It is believed that officers, especially those like Rich with advanced degrees, slide right into new roles in their post-military career with no issues. That is not always the case. No matter your rank, no matter your education level and experience, every veteran faces struggles and has some level of anxiety about the transition.
Rich is here to talk about his process and share the importance of mentorship as you face the uncertainty of the post-military phase of your career.
Rich struggled early in his transition, he believes that one the biggest issues was his ability to translate his experience and a lack of understanding of the industry he was targeting were key reasons for his struggles in the job search. He took a step back in his career, but he was quickly promoted after landing a role in higher education.
He also failed to network during his transition planning process. He has learned, especially through his work at ACP, just how important networking is to the job search process. Networking, mentorship and informational interviews can help you practice how to talk about your military experience and how to translate it so that anyone can understand.
Rich used the “spray and pray” method – a particularly ineffective job search method that can quickly burn you out on the job search. He applied to at least 200 jobs during his transition. He was unfocused in his search and was using the same approach to each position without much tailoring of his resume. He applied without knowing the level of compensation. Though he had a few interviews, many of them offered a salary far below what he was seeking.
If you are truly taking the most effective targeted and focused approach to the job search, which Lori details in the episode, then you really should only have time to apply to 5-10 jobs per week. However, you will get much better results from sending out fewer high-quality replies to a targeted job search.
Rich gives us an overview of American Corporate Partners (ACP), a national non-profit organization that provides one-on-one customized mentorship partnering for a full year. The mentee can dictate what industry and what level at which they’d like to receive a mentor. They meet for a minimum of an hour each month for a full year. Start with the ACP program within the last year of your service to help you prepare for the transition, but also to prepare for your first few months on the job once you land a role.
Go to ACP’s website to take advantage of this amazing FREE service and all that their mentors can help you with.
You can connect with Rich Comitz on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/richard-comitz
You can follow American Corporate Partners on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/american-corporate-partners/
Learn more about ACP on their website at www.acp-usa.org
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Published on: May 4, 2022Season 2 Episode 73: Flipping the Script on Transition and Finances with Scott Tucker and Jen Amos
This episode features husband and wife duo Scott Tucker and Jen Amos. Scott served 10 years in the US Army as an officer. Scott founded US VetWealth in January of 2012, offering financial services for career military families. Jen joined the business in 2016 as the Director of Community Relations. She's also the host of the award-winning podcast, Holding Down the Fort.
Scott had always been interested in finance and he took a role in private wealth management right out of the military. The industry wasn’t what he thought it would be, and he started looking into entrepreneurship. He set out to redefine the industry and help people capitalize on their finances to live the life they’ve always wanted.
Jen is a Gold Star daughter. She has seen the ramifications of losing her father when she was 10 years old when her family was not financially prepared. Her father served in the US Navy and was on the USS Kitty Hawk and in October of 1988 he was missing at sea. Though no one know what happened and suicide was suspected, his death was listed as unknown so that her family could still receive benefits.
She never discussed finances with her mother growing up. However, her mother was struggling financially and did not share this with her children. Part of what Jen does at US Vet Wealth is educating families in their benefits options, changing the way they view life insurance and teach them how to actively manage their money.
One of the focuses of US VetWealth is educating service members and their families on alternatives to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). You can find more information about US VetWealth and their free resources at www.usvetwealth.com and you can find and subscribe to their YouTube channel at USVW TV - YouTube.
One of the biggest lessons that Scott learned during his transition comes from one of his favorite books, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. One of those agreements was “be impeccable with your word.” What he learned was that he had integrity and honesty with everyone he interacted with. But he talks about the importance of being honest with YOURSELF. Ask yourself questions like are you happy, who are you and be honest with yourself. This is one of the things he discusses in his book “Veteran Wealth Secrets” which you can find on Amazon at Amazon.com: Veteran Wealth Secrets: The Post-Military Playbook for Obtaining Autonomy and Financial Control in the Modern Economy eBook : Tucker, Scott R.: Kindle Store.
The episode ends with Jen talking about finances and benefits. She recommends having an open honest conversation with your spouse and family about the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). Educate yourself on the options that are available to you, instead of just falling in line with what everyone else is doing. Don’t think about it just for yourself and your family, think about the financial legacy you are leaving behind for the generations in your family. You can learn more at www.thespousebenefitplan.com. They created this program to honor the military spouse and their importance in the decision-making process about benefits programs that are selected at the end of your military service.
You can connect with Jen Amos at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenamos/ and Scott Tucker at https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottrtucker/
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Published on: April 27, 2022Season 2 Episode 72: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone with Michael Klemmer
Michael Klemmer retired from the US Army as an officer. He had a shortened 9-month time frame for his transition which really put the pressure on, especially when COVID added an extra wrinkle to the process. He found some of the provided programs to be lacking so he started looking for other resources such as LinkedIn, American Corporate Partners, SkillBridge and the COMMIT Foundation. He decided to take advantage of as many resources as possible.
He thought he would be able to use his 9-month timeframe to focus on getting a job. After his first interview, which he bombed, he knew that he needed more time to prepare. After gaining a 6-month extension due to COVID, he used that time to actively pursue his own SkillBridge opportunity.
His 4-month SkillBridge opportunity gave him so much value. He was able to decompress from his Army service and gain insight into a new industry. Though he didn’t land in a permanent role with the company where he did a SkillBridge, it was still very valuable. It helped him to network, meet new people and better assess his goals. He landed a position that leverages his expertise in contracting and acquisitions.
One of his biggest struggles during the transition was decompressing from the military. He recommends the COMMIT Foundation program to help senior leaders to deinstitutionalize themselves and learn who they are as people outside of the military, to separate Mike from Major Klemmer. Spending time to figure out who you are apart from the military will help smooth the military transition process.
Mike is not an extroverted person by nature, but he really stresses the importance of having conversations and meeting new people to expand your network. He used LinkedIn to help bridge the gap with people he didn’t know or make connections. LinkedIn allows you to start virtually to build relationships before you meet face-to-face with people. If you want to do something new, you may have to try new things that are outside of your comfort zone.
In the last year, Mike launched Aerial Resupply Coffee company. Coffee has always been a big part of his career in the Army and he wanted to create a product and company that would bring people together and continue to build community and start conversations. He has been detailing his entrepreneurial journey on LinkedIn and you can follow along to learn more about the lessons he has learned along the way. A few of his key business launch lessons:
- There is a point where you have to stop planning and start doing. You may never be perfectly ready, but you can start and then fix the problems as they come along. Once he pushed the start button, everything became easier.
- He gave himself permission to make mistakes and learn from them along the way.
- By sharing his journey with the public on social media, he has opened so many doors and gained the support of countless people.
You can visit www.aerialresupplycoffee.com. My favorite is his Christmas Kitty blend, which coincidentally is back in the store for one week, the same week this episode is being released. Give it a try, you won’t regret it!
You can connect with Michael Klemmer at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelklemmer/
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Published on: April 20, 2022Season 2 - Episode 71: Military Transition Q&A with Eric Crist
Eric Crist is an active duty Army Sergeant Major who will wrap up his career as a Command Career Counselor with the Army within the next few years. He is here to ask some questions about the transition process.
Question 1: What military to civilian experience gaps did I see during my time teaching the TAP program and during my 15+ years supporting veterans?
Some of the common experience gaps include:
- Profit and Loss. Though you don’t deal with P&L in the military, you don’t always have unlimited resources. To overcome this experience gap, focus on process improvements using Lean Six Sigma concepts. While you are not responsible for the bottom-line P&L, demonstrate that you have had budgetary responsibility and your focus on process improvements to save costs and improve performance.
- Project Management: most people in the military have project management experience, but not everyone in the military is a project manager. You may need additional knowledge and training to be a project manager. You can make this transition, but you have to translate your skills and experience into relatable terms.
- Leadership: The military does invest in leadership training, but that does not mean that you are a leadership expert in the private sector. Leading people in the military is very different than leading civilians. You have to recognize the differences in leadership style to achieve success.
Question 2: When should service members start preparing a resume?
The most important part of writing a resume is figuring out what type of job or career field you want to target with your resume. As soon as you know what you want to target, then it is time to get started on writing that resume. Start with figuring out what you want to do, conducting informational interviews and then researching the requirements of that career field. Taking time to do this will make writing your resume and translating your military skills into your new career field.
Question 3: How can podcasts or digital platforms help service members during their transition process?
Use digital resources such as podcasts and online learning tools to learn at your own pace and take advantage of downtime or commute time to expand your knowledge. There are many different podcast resources out there and you should listen to them all. Additionally, you get a year of LinkedIn Premium as a veteran, which comes with free access to LinkedIn Learning tools.
However important digital platforms are to your transition, try to go beyond digital. Get out and engage with people face-to-face, whether remote or digital, so that you make strong, personalized connection.
Question 4: What would you say is the main struggle service members have during the transitioning process?
This is a question I have addressed in several episodes, but my main list is lack of focus, an unwillingness to take credit for your accomplishments and lack of ability or willingness to translate your military terminology. I turn this question around and ask it of Eric as a Command Career Counselor.
You can connect with Eric Crist on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/eric-crist-rblp-t-0888539b/
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Published on: April 13, 2022Season 2 Episode 70: Learning You Don't Have to Be Perfect with Tom Zacher
When Tom Zacher retired from the US Navy in November of 2019, he very carefully planned out all the steps of his transition.
He had no idea there were companies that help you with your resume, so he posted his resume on LinkedIn and asked for advice. After getting a big response with many conflicting thoughts on what was right for his resume, he was a little overwhelmed. We discussed the importance of asking for the strategic “why” behind any resume advice. If they can’t give you a strategic reason, then it is likely just an opinion and you may want to take that for what it’s worth. My recommendation is to pick one or two resume experts and stick with their thoughts so that you don’t make yourself crazy.
You can download the Military Resume Self-inspection Checklist for free at www.nextforvets.com to give you a starting point when evaluating your resume.
Tom admits that he didn’t follow the “rules” of targeting his resume. He was just sending the same resume to every job posting, regardless of the company and the responsibilities of the role. He didn’t do everything perfect and he is still employed. He could have expedited the process and saved himself some stress if he had followed the rules. However, it is important to know that you don’t have to do everything perfect to have success.
Tom's SkillBridge experience was less than ideal. It was a remote role with little engagement and not much to do or learn. Looking back, Tom knows there are things he could have done differently to avoid the negative experience of his SkillBridge. He admits that he put all his “eggs” in one basket and didn’t diversify his SkillBridge applications. He took the first thing that was offered and he knows now that he could have improved his options by opening up his search.
Veterans are loyal by nature, but there is nothing wrong with being your own career manager, looking out for your best interests and keeping your options open. Tom walks us through some of the things you might consider and weigh – in addition to annual salary – while evaluating multiple job offers.
Tom is happily employed, but he is still very active on LinkedIn building and engaging with his network. One of the common mistakes job seekers make is that they disappear from LinkedIn after they land their job. However, when they need their network again, it has gone cold. LinkedIn is a great place to keep your industry knowledge current. It is also a great way to give back and help others by staying engaged on LinkedIn.
Don’t overcomplicate the transition. Be determined, be consistent and be resourceful, and you can make things happen for yourself. You have to be willing to take action on your ideas!
At the beginning of the episode, I gave an update on Charlan Rieve and her son 8-year-old Rowan. Unfortunately, the brain tumor that was removed last year turned out to be cancerous. He is currently going through chemotherapy. If you say prayers, please send some their way. If not, just send them some positive thoughts. Last year, I launched a GoFundMe fundraiser that fell just short of our goal to reach $10,000 to help offset some medical costs and help Charlan while she can’t work much. If you’d like to help us reach that final goal, you can find the fundraiser at https://gofund.me/17dbe390.
Tom manages a YouTube channel, #tomazcher Veterans Advice, you can subscribe to his channel and find his videos here: www.youtube.com/channel/UCN9WCIjFW1vtr9y-dO2EjrQ
You can join his LinkedIn group #tomzacher Veterans Advice at: www.linkedin.com/groups/12532306/
You can connect with Tom Zacher on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tom-zacher357/
Published on: April 6, 2022Season 2 Episode 69: The Power of a Positive Mindset with Samira Searcy
Samira Searcy retired from the US Army in 2020. She went from a SkillBridge internship into a role before her final out-processing date. Unfortunately, before she was even officially retired from the military, she was laid off from her position. After taking a pause to recover from that terrible experience, she quickly got back in the game.
Samira talks about how she made the big decision to leave the military. She evaluated herself physically – could she still meet the physical requirements and show up with her “A” game every day. She evaluated her family situation and assessed if she was still as committed.
She followed the transition checklist to the letter. Unfortunately, the COVID situation delayed her out-processing for 6 more months and gave her some time to do market research and take advantage of the SkillBridge program. It turned out to work perfectly for her timing and she was offered a full-time role. As she was settling into the role, she was let go from the company.
Her next position was with an employer who she had never heard of before. After a chance meeting at a Vets2Industry networking event the day after she was let go, she met her soon-to-be boss who created a position just for her. Her employer brought her in to create Aston Carter’s military and veteran recruiting program after spending a bit of time getting to know her in a follow up conversation.
Samira shares how she made a connection with her future boss. She trusted her network, she picked herself up off the floor after a huge setback and she went into the networking event with an open mind, a positive mindset and represented herself honestly and authentically in that networking event. Her future employer saw something special in her and believed in her ability to build their military and veteran recruiting programs.
Samira is the host of “On the Bounce” podcast, which is focused on resilience. She talks about how she tapped into her own resilience to bounce back from losing that first role. She trusted in her skills. Losing her first job didn’t change her skills or her value as an employee. Losing the first job didn’t make her less capable, she was just in the wrong position. She looked at what lessons she could learn from the experience and then moved on to the next role. Bad things might happen in your career, you might need to quit, you might get laid off or even let go. That doesn’t mean YOU are a failure. How you react to those bumps in the road will determine your future path.
Samira has learned that she does not have all the knowledge she needs to be effective and remain relevant in her role. She has dived in to conducting research, gaining knowledge and building her skills. Skills gaps don’t mean you are not a good candidate, you just have to be willing to do the work to fill those gaps and keep yourself relevant. It doesn’t need to feel like a threat, you just have to get to work and gain the knowledge you need to be successful. You must take ownership of your own career once you leave the military.
Samira compares the military transition with planning a long road trip. You prepare the basic plan of the journey and then you find yourself deciding that the road trip is taking too long or wearing on you and start being more reactive instead of following the plan. The same goes for transition, you can make a choice to be negative, filled with stress and anxiety or you can welcome those bumps, shifts and changes and learn to enjoy the journey and know that you are still moving toward the end goal. Your positive mindset will help you deal with those obstacles. It’s not easy, but it’s doable and what is on the next side will be worth the journey.
You can connect with Samira Search at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samira-searcy/
You can find On the Bounce Podcast
Published on: March 30, 2022Season 2 Episode 68: Pulling Back the Curtain on the Hiring Process with Michael McCoy
This week’s episode is a little bit different as our guest Michael McCoy is still serving in the Tennessee Army National Guard. He has been in talent acquisition, specifically seeking veteran and military candidates, first for Premise Health and now for Verizon.
Mike is here as an experienced talent acquisition professional to pull back the curtain and give a behind-the-scenes look at the recruiting process from his point of view. Buckle up, this is a jam-packed episode that you may need to listen to more than once.
This episode covers a diverse array of job search topics. Here are some highlights:
LABOR MARKET RESEARCH:
It's important to research what you want to do as well as where you want to live. We share some resources such as CBRE (https://www.cbre.us/real-estate-services/occupier/labor-analytics), The Business Journal (https://www.bizjournals.com) and The Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). Mike advocates for something as simple as Google Maps to find local businesses in the industry where you want to work in your target location.
RESUME WRITING:
Don’t forget to talk about your personal impact when you write your resume. Don’t just list the amount of equipment you managed, talk about what you achieved while managing that equipment.
Look at every job posting as a problem. Your resume is not a work history, it is proof of your ability to solve the employer’s problems or fulfill their needs. You will have more success sending targeted, focused resumes for each company and job posting instead of sending the same resume to everyone.
APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM (ATS) SOFTWARE:
Mike gets real about how he has used the ATS to screen and sort candidates. No, he is not letting a computer make his hiring decisions. However, he gives some great tips on ensuring your resume goes into the ATS and is searchable for the job for which you apply as well as future openings.
INTERVIEWING:
Clear and concise communication is key. When answering interview questions, try to keep your answer to 2-4 minutes max. If you talk longer than that, you are likely giving too much information. Don’t talk yourself out a job in the interview.
NETWORKING:
Mike founded LinkedIn Music City, a local military transition and veteran networking group based in Nashville, TN in 2018 and he offers some great advice on how to successfully navigate both in-person and virtual networking events.
You can connect with Michael McCoy at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsmccoy/
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Published on: March 23, 2022Season 2 Episode 67: Being Honest About Military Transition Struggles with Mark Brock
Mark Brock had a relatively smooth transition after retiring from the US Army as a Command Sergeant Major. Though he landed a SkillBridge and then a great job pretty quickly, he discovered that the struggles of the military transition were much bigger than landing a job.
He vowed that he would wait until he had 2 years of experience in the private sector before he started sharing advice. However, his first piece of advice was a list of 10 lessons – many of them not even related to the job search – that prompted me to reach out to him so he could share those lessons with my listeners here on the show.
You will find Mark’s no B.S. approach to advice to be very refreshing and candid. Here is an overview of Mark’s list:
1. Get over yourself. Employers call BS on that flowery resume that depicts all your scope and responsibility as a Senior Leader. Tailor the resume for the position and be reasonable in your achievements.
2. Civilians do not understand the military structure or lingo. To them a Corps CSM is the same as a Corps Armorer. I mean honestly, an Armorer in Corps probably works harder than the CSM anyway.
3. Find a couple of hobbies to challenge yourself physically and mentally that you will have fun doing. For me it was Brazilian Jujitsu and learning how to play the guitar. I literally ran 2 times in all of 2021.
4. Thanks to social media it is easier to maintain friendships. Camaraderie will be found at your new job, gym, or neighborhood. You will assimilate.
5. Catch up with the lost family time. You rowed hard for years, now it’s time to put them first.
6. Don’t do anything you don’t want to do.
7. Grow your hair, grow a beard, pierce your ears, do whatever you want to do within the limits of your chosen profession.
8. Take your health serious, you are in worse shape than you realize. It will all come out when you retire, trust me…
These next two were added by someone else before they were published, but I think they are valid points so let’s go through them together
9. Unless you go into public service, such as law enforcement, healthcare, social work, etc., you will probably not so something as "meaningful" to society as military service. Be OK with making your meaning outside of your chosen profession - your faith, your family, your volunteer service, and your hobbies. This is Ok. You've paid your debt to society many times over. (Added by Chris Morton)
10. And since #9 is true, relax. You're probably not saving babies every day. Most bad decisions in business cost people that already have made a couple of bucks. They'll be all right. (Added by Chris Morton)
You can connect with Mark Brock at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-brock/
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Published on: March 16, 2022Season 2 Episode 66: Taking Advantage of Veteran Benefits and Resources with Tyrone Hewitt - Part 2
We are back this week for Part 2 with Tyrone Hewitt. This is where Tyrone’s in-depth knowledge truly shines, in the topic of veteran benefits.
There are thousands of Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and a diverse array of veteran benefits. Much like a Las Vegas buffet, where you likely won’t eat one of everything, you don’t need to use all the resources that are available to you. Tyrone gives some insight into how to determine which resources are best for you.
- Start with your local transition center to assess what courses are available to you. Speak with your transition rep to assess your needs and determine what resources you can tap into.
- Ensure your resources align with your personal and career goals. Where you are in your career and where you want to go next will determine what resources will be best suited for your goals and career path.
- Don’t overload yourself and cause additional stress by trying to use all the resources, gain all the certifications and education – even if they are not what is best for you.
- Don’t feel like you have to follow the same transition path as others. Don’t fall victim to the “comparison killer.” Own your transition and make it work for your unique situation.
Remember that your resume should be targeted and focused. Too many different certifications and credentials can make you look unfocused. Align your resume content with your career path.
Tyrone goes through some of the commonly overlooked veteran benefits such as disability and education. He talks about the difference between compensated and non-compensated disability benefits. Pursuing the service-connected disability benefits can pay dividends, both through compensation and healthcare benefits down the road.
Remember there are both federal benefits such as the VA as well as state benefits such as tax benefits and saving on other state-related fees. Research the state where you want to live to determine what benefits are offered as part of your decision making process of where you want to live after your military career.
Tyrone goes through some key resources:
SkillBridge programs: You must communicate with the command staff who will have to approve your paperwork early in the process and create a staffing plan to cover your responsibilities while you will be gone to do SkillBridge. Take the initiative to handle this issue and remove this obstacle before it arises.
Employment: Just because you are a senior military leader and/or have a degree, you are not guaranteed a job. You will have to work to find the right place for your skills and your background. Also, just because you have always been in the same career field in the military, you don’t have to stay in that same career field.
VA Disability Claim: You must be prepared and you have to get seen by a doctor for your disability claim. There is a diverse array of disabilities that can be service connected, but you will never know if you don’t see a doctor, get your issues documented and file a disability claim. You don’t have to do your claim alone, there are several VSOs that will help you successfully navigate this process.
You can connect with Tyrone Hewitt on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyrone-hewitt-mhs/
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Published on: March 9, 2022Season 2 - Episode 65: Tapping into the Knowledge of the TransitioNerd with Tyrone Hewitt – Part 1
Tyrone Hewitt retired from the US Navy after a career that was primarily focused in aviation maintenance. He knew when he left the Navy, he wanted to change directions. He started planning, researching, doing informational interviews and job shadowing early in his planning process. He soon found out that elementary education was not the right path for him.
He recommends taking time to do in-depth research on your career field BEFORE you pursue education, so you don’t waste your time and education resources to get a degree in an area where you don’t want to work. He decided to work in the transition space, supporting and educating through the Transition Assistance Program.
He discovered first-hand just how stressful the transition process and there are so many more facets of a transition out of the military than many realize. It is much more than just landing a job and getting the paycheck. Starting early, having a plan, taking advantage of your resources and opening lines of communication with your family are all important parts of smoothing the transition process.
He is a big advocate for engaging your spouse in all aspects of the transition. Invite them to the transition classes, ensure they get a chance to ask their questions and offer their input. It is important that expectations of everyone are understood so that you don’t add to the stress of the transition process.
Tyrone addresses some common transition questions he receives such as “what is networking?” and “who should I network with?” He simplifies networking as just a conversation and discusses how you can network with anyone anywhere while doing anything. You must branch out of your current network if you want to expand your knowledge and opportunities.
We also discuss WHEN you should start the networking and application process. We also talk about the value of networking to expand how far out you can actively compete for positions.
Tyrone talks a lot about the VA disability process on LinkedIn and he gives us some insider information on this process. He addresses the fact that veterans tend to normalize their disabilities and ignore issues that they should have addressed and get compensated for. He thought it was normal to live on Motrin and coffee and deal with daily pain.
Instead of just living with these issues as a veteran, consider taking advantage of the resources and benefits that are available to you through the VA. If you raised your hand and said the oath of service to your country, this is something that you are entitled to. The VA health care process is long term, and you should look at the future of taking care of yourself.
Tyrone calls himself the TransitionNerd because he is dedicated to researching and gaining knowledge so he is available to answer questions and provide support to all veterans on all issues.
Come back next week for Part 2 with Tyrone Hewitt!
You can connect with Tyrone Hewitt on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyrone-hewitt-mhs/
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Published on: March 2, 2022Season 2 - Episode 64: Finding Out You Don't Have to FITFO with Kasie Valenti
Although Kasie Valenti originally intended to make a career of the military, but after 8 years of service as an officer in the US Army, her career focus changed as her life changed. This focus of a long-term career in the military took her away from even thinking about or planning for a private sector career after the military.
She worked right up until the end of her military career, so when it came time to transition she struggled to figure out where she fit in the private sector. She felt a lot of shame and guilt about leaving the military and felt that by planning for life after the military, she was being dishonest and disloyal to the military.
This is where FITFO comes in. The acronym stands for “figure it the F@*K out.” Many transitioning service members take the FITFO approach, which is useful in the military where you have to adapt, be resourceful and figure things out. The transition is not the time to FITFO. There are mentors, resources and time available to you to help you navigate this complex process. Though you will likely figure it out, you will struggle and stumble more than if you take the time and make the effort to proactively prepare.
Kasie has learned that just because you were in one career field, that doesn’t mean you have to continue in that field after the military. She advocates thinking about your post-military career early in your military career, to really think through what you want to do after the military, you can make efforts to prepare yourself during your active duty military career. Don’t feel guilty about taking the time and using the resources to focus on yourself and your career after the military.
Kasie experienced having a child and being a mother both as an active duty service member and as a veteran. She talks about the differences that she experienced. Kasie brings a unique perspective to the transition process as a veteran, a separatee and a military spouse and mother working overseas.
Kasie talks about Veterans Yoga Project, another resource available to support you during transition with mindful resilience. These mind body tools are available to active duty service members, veterans and military spouses to help you manage, cope and build their resilience. You can use the website or their brand new app.
Connect with Kasie Valenti at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasie-valenti/
You can learn more about the Veterans Yoga Project at https://veteransyogaproject.org
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Published on: February 23, 2022Season 2 - Episode 63: Navigating VA Home Loan Benefits with Michael Hunter
Michael Hunter served 26 years in the US Army and just retired at the end of 2021. He now works as a Military Liaison for Aligned Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 that educates and supports active duty military, veterans, spouses and real estate agents in the VA home loan benefit.
Though Mike initially intended to pursue a high-salary career, it was a conversation with someone about his top priorities that totally changed the course of his career. Once he and his wife discussed their personal priorities, discovering that money wasn’t in either of their top 3 priorities, he changed direction. Taking the time to prepare, assess yourself and define your family’s priorities ensures you won’t feel as pressured to take the first job that is offered.
Buying a home is just one more stressor that you may need to deal with during the military transition process and Mike is here to talk about how to better prepare for and navigate this process. He now works with Aligned Education Foundation, founded by veterans who had success in the mortgage industry, but decided to launch a non-profit that focuses on helping other veterans learn how to optimize their VA home loan benefits. The fact that almost 85% of veterans do not use the VA home loan benefit due to myths, misinformation and uninformed mortgage lenders and realtors.
You can find information on the educational seminars and services that Aligned Education Foundation offers at https://alignededu.org.
Mike offers some tips about preparing yourself financially for the transition process. Taking care of these steps give you the freedom to choose what you want instead of feeling forced to take “just a job.”
- It is recommended that you save up to 6 months’ worth of savings to cover your bills.
- Remember there is often a delay between when your military paycheck ends and your pension or disability check starts.
- Do everything you can to clear out your debt, especially revolving debt such as credit cards.
- Carefully research the job market in the area where you want to live.
- Do your research and look at all of your benefits and life insurance options. Take care of the life insurance process before you receive your disability designation, or you might find yourself uninsurable.
Mike offers some home buying tips:
- Find a realtor that you trust, that has your interest at heart. Ask for referrals from friends and family.
- Find a veteran-friendly lender and get pre-approved. Pull your certificate of eligibility – Aligned Education Foundation can teach you to read this information.
- Be advised, the VA has no credit score requirement. If you are declined, that is the lender’s choice, not the VA.
- Once you get the first quote, you have 10-15 days to gather competitive offers from other lenders. Shop around and make them work to earn your business, all the way through final approval, that gives you the best deal for you and your family.
- Start the transition planning process early. Figure out what you want to do and where you want to live as soon as possible to ease this process.
Connect with Michael Hunter at www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hunter-cpd/
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Published on: February 16, 2022Season 2 Episode 62: Making the Transition Look Easy with Rich Pelletier
Have you ever looked at someone’s military transition success and thought to yourself, they are so lucky? After retiring from the USAF as a Chief Master Sergeant, Rich Pelletier seemingly had an easy transition.
In his own words, from the outside it looks like he rode a unicorn over a rainbow and landed in a pot of gold in a field of four leaf clovers. In reality, he really put in the work behind the scenes and truly MADE his own luck.
Rich landed at Amazon as an Operations Manager, and he shares candidly about his experience there and the company culture. If Amazon is a company you are considering, tune in to hear his thoughts.
Rich and I taught a Lessons Learned for military transition at Luke Air Force Base back in 2021 where we shared our top 3 lessons for success in the military transition process.
Here are Rich’s top 3 lessons:
- Don’t allow your previous rank or role determine where you go next. Rich was in the armament career field in the USAF, but he focused on the relevant leadership, communication and employee development skills to land his role at Amazon. In fact, he was offered a position higher than the one he interviewed for originally.
- He started off by communicating with his family to ensure everyone was on board with the actual retirement from the military the location where they wanted to live. Rich shares how he evaluated the 4 job offers he received during his interview process, which you will find very useful.
- Rich was intentional about building a network on LinkedIn and started networking strategically with people in the industry and organizations where he wanted to work. He also gained support strategically where he didn’t have expertise, such as resume writing.
Here are my top 3 lessons:
- Find your focus! This one won’t be much of a surprise to anyone who has listened to me talk about the transition process. Listen in to why this is what I consider the MOST important first step in your military transition.
- Don’t be afraid to self-market. You are the only one that knows your value and you have to be willing to take ownership and take credit of what role YOU played in your accomplishments in the military.
- Network with purpose. We discuss who to connect with, where to network and how to approach your networking efforts in a strategic manner. Rich’s example of how to post your career focus on LinkedIn to gain focused networking connections is PURE GOLD!
You can connect with Rich on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/richardpelletier/
You can sign up for a FREE mentorship session with Rich on Veterati at www.veterati.com
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Published on: February 9, 2022
Season 2 - Episode 61: Bridging Knowledge Gaps Using Certifications with Misty Moreno and Jeremy Burdick
Misty Moreno, you may remember from Episode 15 of Season 1 of the show. She retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant and went right into the private sector by masterfully leveraging her network on LinkedIn.
Misty starts the conversation by discussing the similarities and differences in the human resources career field from the military to the private sector. There are a lot of transferable skills between the military and private sector in HR, but Misty recognized that there were some gaps in the application of those skills. In collaboration with the team at Vets2PM, Misty set out to help veterans bridge some of those gaps by creating the Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) certification training course.
Misty and Jeremy talk about the content of the aPHR certification prep course, why they decided to start with the aPHR instead of a higher-level certification and how the course will help you build your skills and pass the certification exam. They see the aPHR as an effective stepping
While a veteran does not need to start at the bottom when they leave the military and enter the civilian sector, they need to realize they may need to take a few steps back in order to get used to a different application of their military skills. Misty took a role a few steps back from where she was in the Air Force in HR, gained knowledge, experience and certifications to fill her knowledge gaps and has already been promoted twice in just 18 months with her company.
Misty addresses the issue of checking your ego at the door. You may want to consider the fact that taking a position a step or two below what you are doing in the military will take some pressure off you and give you an opportunity to adapt to this new work environment. There are many changes that will happen during your transition and taking some pressure off at work may help you better navigate this process.
We address whether or not a certification is required for getting a job in the private sector during their military transition. While certifications are not always required, it helps you stand out among the crowd of similarly qualified candidates, while also validating and expanding your knowledge as you transition from the military to the private sector.
Jeremy addresses some of the ways that active duty service members and veterans can get the costs of their certifications paid for or partially paid for through Vets2PM. There are many valuable benefits and services, such as job search and placement support, available to students who pursue their certifications through the Vets2PM organization.
In celebration of the new podcast, Military Transition Academy, that Jeremy Burdick and Eric “Doc” Wright recently launched, he is offering a discount to our listeners on all courses at Vets2PM. You can visit their website at www.vets2pm.com/training/ and enter the discount code MTA10 to save 10% off any of their certification courses.
Connect with Misty Moreno at https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-moreno/
Connect with Jeremy Burdick at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-burdick/
SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this to other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
Connect with me on Facebook and LinkedIn! Or check out our website at www.llforvets.com and listen to the previous episodes here!
Published on: February 2, 2022Season 2 - Episode 60: Finding New Ways to Stay Connected with Benjie Manibog
Benjie Manibog served 15 years in the United States Marine Corps in the Special Operations Command. His career came to an abrupt halt due to his wife’s illness so he found himself in the midst of a transition 5 years before he expected. Benjie, who often has blue hair and loves skateboarding is not your typical Marine Raider, but it is this love of skateboarding and a dedication to living his purpose that led him to launch a skateboard and apparel company, Thrash N’ Raid and to serve as the Operations Officer for Six Feet Above, a non-profit that uses skateboarding to help veterans build connections.
Benjie’s first reaction was that he was only qualified to carry a gun and serve as law enforcement, so he immediately applied for a role with Customs and Border Protection. Along the way, he decided to purse his Master’s degree at University of Southern California and he participated in several programs such as the Honor Foundation and some therapy programs that helped him figure out what he wanted to do with his post-military career.
Benjie had a very difficult childhood, where he found himself involved with substance abuse and spending time with homeless people and addicts. He made a decision to join the military and found the inspiration he needed to change his life and take full ownership of his own actions.
Benjie shares the lessons he learned as a Marine Raider that have helped him achieve success since he left the military. Some of those lessons include:
- You can still be a veteran, even in the Special Forces, and show emotions other than anger. Learning to deal with, express and stop burying the experiences you have had, both in the military and in your private life is important to moving forward, being a better parent, sibling, spouse, etc.
- As a military service member, you learn how to overcome difficulties and achieve complex issues. You have overcome dangerous situations and it gives you confidence and motivation to keep moving forward.
- The planning, detailed analysis and decision making skills you learn in the military helps you analyze the big picture and make decisions strategically based on your research.
- The military helps you prepare to take risks, but teaches you how to take calculated risks.
- When someone says no, instead of accepting that look for a way to turn that into a yes by overcoming road blocks. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you hear no, then look for a way to change the answer.
Benjie is the founder of a skateboard and apparel company, Thrash N’ Raid, is based in Southern California. Many of their proceeds go back into the community to help veterans and at-risk youth. You can find more information about his company at www.thrashnraid.com. You can find and follow them on Instagram at thrash_n_raid.
In addition, Benjie is the Operations Officer of Six Feet Above, a non-profit that uses no-cost skateboarding retreats to help veterans connect with a new tribe. You can find more information about Six Feet Above, a 501(c)3, that can be found at www.sixfeetabove.org.
You can connect with Benjie Manibog on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/bmmanibog/.
Published on: January 26, 2022Celebrating One Year of the Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast - Part 2
Surprise! I know I said that last week was our final episode of the season, but we had so much fun recapping the highlights of the last year, that I invited Bob Newlin and Jonathan Fisher to join me to share their favorite episodes. We highlight Episode 2 with Keith Forte, Episode 8 with Ben Killoy, Episode 15 with Misty Moreno, Episode 16 and 17 with Herb Thompson and we look at another clip from Episode 19 with Adam Braatz. Jonathan and I revisit my resume episode with Alfredo Torres and we wrap up with the gentlemen of the Military Transition Roundtable, Episode 50 with Matt Scherer and Episode 52 with Don Gleason.
Published on: November 17, 2021Celebrating One Year of the Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast
We are welcoming back our friend and, now three-time guest, Chris Dreisbach to recap his favorite episodes from the last year. We are so grateful to have you as our listener and want to thank you for tuning in to all the episodes. These recaps will wrap up our Season 1 of the show. Be on the lookout for Season 2 in early January 2022. More details to come!
Published on: November 10, 2021Episode 57: Growing Stronger Through Adversity with Lakeydra Houston
Lakeydra Houston is currently going through her transition process as she retires from the United States Air Force. She is in the SkillBridge program and offers some insight on what the inside of the program looks like. In addition, Lakeydra talks about her experience with sexual assault in the Air Force and how her avoidance of that experience and other personal tragedies led her to a place where she attempted suicide. Laykeydra is committed to advocating for other victims and she talks about how she fought her way through the darkness to thriving today. If you or someone you know is struggling or having suicidal thoughts, you can reach help with the Suicide Crisis Number at 800-273-8255.
Published on: November 2, 2021Episode 56: Showcasing Your Personality with Charlie Wells
After retiring from the US Marine Corps, Charles Wells had an easy transition. He quickly landed a good job in the private sector through networking. Within a few months, he was able to secure a position with the federal government, where he gets to continue making a difference for military service members. He attributes his "easy" transition to his mindset. Charlie is known for his humor and outgoing personality, but he has so much great advice about the military transition in this episode including his 6 steps to success, creating LinkedIn content and the importance of being authentic.
Published on: October 27, 2021Episode 55: Navigating the Veteran Benefits Process with Cheryl Mason
Cheryl Mason is the Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals. As a military spouse of a former USAF officer and the daughter of a veteran, Cheryl understands the veteran benefits process, both from a leadership perspective and a personal viewpoint. Cheryl gives input on navigating the benefits process, both as you transition and throughout your life as your needs change. However, she also shares her military spouse perspective of the transition and the importance of mental health awareness as her US Navy veteran father and veteran brother both committed suicide. She shares many resources as well as the Suicide Crisis Number at 800-273-8255.
Published on: October 20, 2021Episode 54: Military Transition Q&A with Jonathan Fisher
Jonathan Fisher is preparing to transition from a career in the US Army in aviation maintenance into the IT and cybersecurity career fields. He has taken charge of his transition and been very active, perhaps too active as we will discuss in the episode. He comes on to ask me questions about transition burnout, pursuing SkillBridge opportunities, how often and what to post on LinkedIn, how to translate transferable skills when you are taking your career in a new direction and how to take advantage of all the Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) out there without getting overwhelmed. Jonathan also shares his news about landing two great SkillBridge offers and how he made the decision of which one to accept, even though the other one was his "dream" opportunity.
Published on: October 13, 2021Episode 53: Focusing Your Job Search with Jason Willett
Jason Willett retired from the US Army as a Command Sergeant Major. He went from deployed overseas to retired in a very short period. That abrupt "full stop" caused some bumps in his transition. After he focused his efforts on the where he wanted to live and what he wanted to do, his networking efforts helped him land a great job with the State of Washington. However, he found himself unhappy and unfulfilled and he set out to discover his purpose. In the episode, he talks about his struggles and what he learned from that process. He also shares valuable insight into SkillBridge internships, networking and more in the episode.
Published on: October 6, 2021Episode 52: Discovering Your Purpose with Don Gleason
Retired US Air Force officer Don Gleason knew exactly what he wanted to do with his career from a very young age. He had a successful military career and then a smooth transition to the private sector. However, his focus changed several years ago and he found a new purpose as a career coach and in serving veterans in transition . He walks you through his process of discovering your purpose, creating your life plan and shifting your point of view about the difficulty of your military transition.
Published on: September 29, 2021Episode 51: Transition Q&A with Darwin Maull
Retiring Army officer Darwin Maull gets the chance to ask Lori some of his important questions about the military transition. This episode touches on topics such as the most common pitfalls of the transition process, when and how to use a "master" resume, how to learn to translate military terminology and "speak civilian," as well as tips for international job hunting and video interviews.
Published on: September 22, 2021Episode 50: Leveraging your LinkedIn Profile with D. Matt Scherer
Matt Scherer retired from the Air Force after a career in public affairs. After completing his degree, he had a successful public relations career in the private sector. Today, Matt focuses his efforts on teaching LinkedIn profile creation and how to leverage your profile once it is created. He is the author of several books, including LinkedIn for Military: Your Interactive Transition Networking Guide. In this episode, Matt and I walk you through creating your LinkedIn profile from top to bottom and then discuss how to effectively use this valuable job search tool.
Published on: September 15, 2021Episode 49: Networking as an Introvert with Quincy Harper
Quincy Harper landed and quit 4 jobs before he found the right position after he retired from the United States Air Force. Now, as a Military Recruiting Talent Lead with Accenture Federal Services, he shares some job seeker best practices and advice. We talk about how it felt, as a veteran who is naturally loyal, to quit those jobs and whether or not he regrets the path his transition took. For those of you who feel nervous about networking, be sure to tune in to hear Quincy's take on how he handles networking and seeking out mentors, even as an introvert.
Published on: September 8, 2021Episode 48: Leaving the Safe Path Behind with Dr. Vincent Soto
Dr. Vincent Soto retired from the US Navy as a hospital corpsman. He knew his passion was teaching and training, but he took the safe path and took a well-paying job in the healthcare industry. Though he stuck it out for 7 months, he knew from his first day that this was not the right path for him. Vince talks about how he used networking to land a role as a traveling Transition Assistance Program Facilitator and the importance of following your passion - even if it means going down a new path. Vince recently co-founded a non-profit, Navigating Solutions, dedicated to supporting transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses with non-cookie cutter solutions.
Published on: September 1, 2021Episode 47: Asking the Right Interview Questions with Beau Higgins
Retired US Marine Corps officer Beau Higgins is a senior manager on Amazon’s Military Affairs team. He oversees a team of recruiters dedicated to educating, recruiting, hiring and retaining veteran talent and currently manages 30K job openings. After retiring in 2014, Beau attributes landing both of his post-military jobs to networking and making connections. As someone who has hired thousands of veterans, Beau brings a ton of value to this episode in speaking about job search strategies related to resumes, job interviews, networking and finding the right culture fit.
Published on: August 25, 2021Episode 46: Hitting the Pause Button with Lori Norris
With the events that have been unfolding this week in Afghanistan, I made the decision to hit the pause button on new episodes regarding transition. I want you to take this as your opportunity to remember that it is okay to take a break and hit pause on your transition efforts to take care of yourself and your family. Please take a minute to hear my message of gratitude and encouragement for all who have served - whether you directly deployed to Afghanistan or not. We will be back next week with our regular episodes!
Published on: August 17, 2021Episode 45: Preparing for Post-military Culture Shock with Ryan Thuyns
After a USAF career that started in IT and telecommunications, Ryan Thuyns retired as a Command Chief. Ryan leaned into mentorship and accepted Lori's challenge to grow his LinkedIn network from <100 to 500+ in 6 weeks. In the episode, he not only shares his strategies for doing this, he also talks about how he landed a leadership role at Amazon, which they are holding for him for 7 months. Stick around for the good stuff at the end when Ryan talks about the surprise culture shocks he has faced and wants other transitioning service members to be prepared for.
Published on: August 11, 2021Episode 44: Opening Your Mind to New Possibilities with Peter Cline
After serving 4 years in the US Army and being recognized as the 2020 NCO of the Year, Peter Cline made the decision to separate from the military and pursue his education. Along the way, he co-founded Boots to Books, a non-profit that is making a huge impact to service members in all facets of their transition - including college admission, certifications and trainings, grants and employment. Peter gives advice on starting a non-profit as well as tips on how to avoid undervaluing yourself and keeping your mind open to new career options along the way.
Published on: August 4, 2021Episode 43: Military Transition Q&A with Lisa Ceron
Lisa Ceron asks some great questions as she prepares for her retirement from the US Navy. Listen in as we discuss the mental health stigma that veterans may face, whether or not you should reveal your true personality in the job search process and some of the "common denominators" that I have seen in the lessons other guests have shared with me about the military transition process. Lisa turns the tables on me and asks me about why I started this podcast, so it's only fair that I ask her some questions about the lessons that she has learned about the transition process. Along the way, I share some coaching and insight about interview preparation, moving from "we" to "I" when discussing your accomplishments and much more. This is a longer episode, but it's PACKED with value.
Published on: July 28, 2021Episode 42: Taking Control of Your Job Search Round 2 with Chris Dreisbach
You may remember USAF veteran Chris Dreisbach from Episode 25, who left his first post-military role within just 3 months. Chris is back to give us an update on what he did in the 4 months since he left that job and how he approached the next job search in a much more methodical way in order to ensure he was in control the second time around. He changed his approach to interviewing and to researching his potential employer which he shares with you in this episode.
Published on: July 21, 2021Episode 41: Going from Laid Off to Hired in 5 Hours with Marina Rabinek
US Navy veteran Marina Rabinek had a smooth transition. She started networking early, built a strong network on LinkedIn, created her own support tribe and participated in a SkillBridge internship that turned into a full-time role when she retired. Unfortunately, within 3 months her position was eliminated. That is when Marina's hard work and strong network paid off. Within 5 hours of being laid off, she had a new job offer. Hear her story of how she did that on this episode.
Published on: July 14, 2021Episode 40: Simplifying Your Military Transition with Bill Kieffer
Though his transition from the US Army was 20+ years ago, William "Bill" Kieffer was unprepared for his transition. He had to quickly learn how to network, write a resume and market himself. He went on to build a successful career in human resources and is now a coach and mentor for corporations, service members and others in career transition, leadership development and performance improvement. Bill discusses the upcoming launch of his book "Military Career Transition: Insights from the Employer Side of the Desk." He shares valuable insight, from the employers' point of view, into the job search and military transition process.
Published on: July 7, 2021Episode 39: Growing and Maintaining Your Network through Many Career Restarts with Clifton Clevenger
US Army veteran Clifton Clevenger served 10 years as a personnel administrative assistant and infantryman. When Cliff transitioned out of the military he planned to finish his education. However, he also met and married his wife, a US Army officer that year and soon became both a veteran and a military spouse. Cliff made some mistakes along the way with interviewing and his resume, but he has become an expert networker. He is now dedicated to serving veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses by providing job search advice and guidance. He shares what he has learned along the way as he has had to restart his career 8 times due to military PCS moves. Listen in for Cliff's advice on networking, writing a resume, researching your potential employer and preparing for the job interview process.
Published on: June 30, 2021Episode 38: Prioritizing Your Mental Health to Achieve Post-military Success with Ray Jokie
Ray Jokie had great success in the United States Air Force and tied his identify and self-worth to his USAF career. Unfortunately, when he retired, he struggled so much that he was not sure if he would make it to the next day. Thankfully, he found several sources of support and refocused on his mental health in order to pull himself out of a rough period. Now, as a talent acquisition specialist, Ray shares not only his struggles, but also his advice for connecting with recruiters, building your resume and networking to achieve success.
Published on: June 23, 2021Episode 37: Networking Strategically and Working with Recruiters with Wayne Worthington
USMC veteran Wayne Worthington went from his 5-year service into the executive recruiting career field. Wayne gives us his insider's perspective on the different types of recruiters, strategies to optimize your success working with recruiters and even shares a few names of veteran-focused recruiting agencies. Additionally, Wayne has a great strategy for networking strategically and building your own transition accountability and support group.
Published on: June 16, 2021Episode 36: Accepting Change and Practicing Gratitude - Even in the Face of Traumatic Events with Justin Constantine
Wounded Warrior and US Marine Corps veteran Justin Constantine has a unique story to tell and valuable lessons learned to share. He was shot in the head by a sniper in Iraq and though he has had countless reconstructive surgeries, he has gone on to build his own business, enjoy a successful career with a workforce development company and launch a non-profit called Veteran Success Resource Group. In 2020, Justin was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, but through changing his health and mindfulness habits he is thriving today. Listen in as he shares how his attitude toward life has helped him succeed, despite all the setbacks he has faced.
Published on: June 9, 2021Episode 35: Getting Comfortable with being Uncomfortable to Find the Right Fit with Greg Fischer
Greg Fischer served 4 years and 3 combat tours in the US Marine Corps. When he separated from the military, he went to school to complete his degree and took a job in the insurance and finance industry. On the surface his transition looked seamless. However, he was not happy in this role. During the recent COVID-19 shutdown, Greg and his business partner took a leap of faith and started a business teaching people how to barbecue and selling rubs and sauces, called Burn Pit BBQ. Listen in as Greg discusses what helped him make this change and all the times he had to learn to embrace discomfort in order to move forward toward a fulfilling career.
Published on: June 2, 2021Episode 34: Making the Connection between Military Skills and Your New Career with Dave Poole
Dave Poole served 21 years in the US Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer. Though the extent of his computer experience in the USMC was sending emails, Dave landed a software development role that he will start in June 2020, a week after his military retirement. Dave participated in the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA) SkillBridge program to gain additional skills and knowledge. Dave shares how networking and mentorship through a new connection he met on LinkedIn played a key role in him landing this new role. He also helps draw the connection between his skills gained as a Combat Engineer directly translated to his new role.
Published on: May 26, 2021Episode 33: Improving Your Marketability and Enhancing Your Leadership Skills with the RBLP Certification
In this episode USMC veteran Mark Holman and US Navy veteran Marina Rabinek discuss the Resilience-Building Leader Program and the value of the Resilience-Building Leadership Professional certification. Listen in as Mark tells us how the certification program can improve your ability to communicate your value and Marina takes us through the program and how active duty service members can pay for their certification before they transition.
Published on: May 19, 2021Episode 32: Bouncing Back from Getting Fired to Finding the Right Fit with the Federal Government with Cindy Dorfner
Cindy Dorfner retired from the US Air Force in 2013 after a successful career in public affairs. She quickly landed a director-level role in the private sector and although she wasn't happy with the role herself, within 6 months she was fired from her first post-military job. Today, she holds a high-level leadership role in the federal government and has found that the environment is a better fit for her. She shares her insight on successfully applying for and working for the federal government, both as a job seeker and a hiring authority.
Published on: May 12, 2021Episode 31: Honoring the Military Spouse in the Transition Process
In honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we are hearing from Shelley-Rose Illig. Rose is the spouse of US Army active duty soldier and now US Army reservist. Rose has a great career of her own as a business analyst and project coordinator with a financial institution. However, the transition out of the military was neither planned nor a smooth process for her and her husband. Take the time to listen to the challenges of the military transition from the spouse's perspective. Rose also has some great financial insight and advice that you may not have considered yet in your planning process.
Published on: May 7, 2021Episode 30: Pursuing Your Dreams After the Military with Chris McGhee
After retiring from the Air Force, Chris McGhee made the decision to pursue his lifelong dream of going to law school. Listen in as Chris talks about how his maturity and his military career has helped him get through the challenges of law school. In addition, Chris shares the lessons he has learned about networking, navigating the online application process and his own strategies for success in acing the job interview.
Published on: May 5, 2021Episode 29: Adapting to the High-tech Culture as a Veteran with Jerry Prochazka
A Navy veteran and a veteran of the gaming industry, Jerry Prochazka transitioned out of his military service as a nuclear engineer and eventually navigated to his current position as the CEO and co-founder of Ganymede Games, a start-up game design company that is launching its first game later this year. Jerry shares insight into the different structure and communication style of the tech industry while also discussing the common factors he has seen among the veterans who achieved success in the high-tech career field.
Published on: April 28, 2021Episode 28: Negotiating the Salary You're Worth and Translating Your Skills with Mark Holman
Retired USMC Master Gunnery Sergeant Mark Holman has been out of the military for more than 10 years. He shares not only the mistakes he made in his transition, but also shares some valuable insight for job seekers that he has gained as an executive leader for a Fortune 200 company and as the VP of Corporate Social Responsibility for the Resilience Building Leadership Program (RBLP). Listen in as Mark and Lori take a detour to give advice about how to research your value and have the salary conversation with your future employer. Also, listen in as Mark gives a real-world example of how to translate military leadership into terms any private sector employer will understand.
Published on: April 21, 2021Episode 27: Military Transition Q&A and a Success Story with Robert "Bob" Newlin
Bob Newlin asks some great job search and military transition questions as he prepares to retire from the United States Air Force in an overseas location. As a bonus, Bob comes back for a follow up to share some exciting news and give you his "4 BE's" that contributed to his relatively new military transition success.
Published on: April 14, 2021Episode 26: Finding Your Why, What and Where You're Going with Justin Pearson
Retired Army leader Justin Pearson has been a mentor and advocate in the military transition space since 2016. Justin has built an amazing post-military career for himself holding senior leadership roles with companies such as AAFMAA and Wells Fargo. In this episode he discusses how he navigated the transition landscape before there were so many resources available, how he found his way to networking and mentorship and what he learned from his stumbles and struggles along the way.
Published on: April 7, 2021Episode 25: Finding out Your Dream Job is a Nightmare with Christopher Dreisbach
21-year USAF veteran Chris Dreisbach has a seemingly perfect transition - from service to SkillBridge to multiple job offers and a great job above his salary expectations. Within 3 months he found himself overworked and unhappy. He had the courage to leave his first post-military job that wasn't right for him. Listen in as he shares what he learned along the way and highlights how this podcast helped him through it all.
Published on: March 31, 2021Episode 24: Overcoming Early Trauma and Building Resiliency with Ericka Kelly
Ericka Kelly retired from the US Air Force Reserve where she was one of the top 3 Chief Enlisted Master Sergeants and from Federal Law Enforcement, working for the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection. This episode is a bit different in that it starts with stories of her earlier life that shaped her resiliency and built who she was in the military and who she is today.
Published on: March 24, 2021Episode 23: Writing Your Military Transition Resume with Alfredo Torres
In the 2nd part of the episode with US Navy veteran Alfredo Flores, he and host Lori Norris discuss the resume. They cover subjects such as should you pay for assistance with a resume and offer tips on what a good resume should include. To wrap up, Alfredo shares his lessons learned during his career as a veteran in transition, a veteran advocate and educator.
Published on: March 17, 2021Episode 22: Adapting to Overcome Military Transition Barriers with Alfredo Torres
After suffering what he calls a "very painful transition," US Navy veteran Alfredo Torres has today settled into his role as the Virginia Transition Assistance Program Regional Coordinator. He dedicates his time and efforts to helping other veterans avoid the obstacles he faced. In part 1 of this two-part episode, Alfredo shares his thoughts on how veterans can adapt to achieve success.
Published on: March 10, 2021Episode 21: Military Transition Q&A with Derek Moore
Listen in as USMC veteran Derek Moore asks some great questions about the SkillBridge program, the best job search websites, the benefits of using a professional resume writer and my top 5 most important courses of action to prepare for the military transition. As a bonus, Derek, who is about to complete his Doctorate degree, talks about how to pursue higher education while still in the military.
Published on: March 3, 2021Episode 20: Following the Non-traditional Post-military Path with Amanda Huffman
After serving 6 years in the Air Force, Amanda Huffman traded in her combat boots for a diaper bag and focused on being a stay-at-home mom. Along the way, she discovered a passion for sharing stories of women in the military as a blog and book author and host of a podcast. In the episode, she shares some of her most important lessons she learned along the way.
Published on: February 24, 2021Episode 19: Strategies to Fight Veteran Underemployment with Adam Braatz
After a diverse USAF service career that included the Air Force band and a Military Training Instructor, Adam separated from the Air Force to pursue employment in the private sector. As he worked for both corporations and non-profits, he learned the importance of knowing his value and networking to avoid underemployment. However, he is also very candid about his struggle with depression and the mistakes he made along the way.
Published on: February 17, 2021Episode 18: Expanding Your Post-military Career Options by Achieving Financial Stability with Patrick Weinert
Retired USMC officer Patrick Weinert discusses how to remove financial success road blocks in your life and how to achieve more freedom in your post-military career. He offers his advice on how to manage your finances and provides insight into how he successfully launched a financial coaching business.
Published on: February 10, 2021Episode 17: Owning Your Transition Part 2 with Herb Thompson
In the second half of my conversation with Herb Thompson, retired US Army Green Beret and Drill Instructor, he talks about how important it is to make your transition your own experience and truly take ownership of the process.
Published on: February 3, 2021Episode 16: Deploying to the U.S. and Learning to Speak Civilian with Herb Thompson
Retired US Army Green Beret and Drill Sergeant Herb Thompson discusses his approach to planning for his military transition. This planning process was the catalyst for him to write his book "The Transition Mission." Listen in for Part 1 of the 2-part episode with Herb as he discusses how he learned to "speak civilian" and translate his skills.
Published on: January 27, 2021Episode 15: Landing your Next Role by Building a LinkedIn Presence with Misty Moreno
Misty Moreno is a self-proclaimed LinkedIn success story. As she was preparing to retire from the United States Air Force, she followed all the steps, created a LinkedIn profile and strategically started posting to build her online presence. She shares her LinkedIn strategy that landed her a position and many more great insights about post-military employment.
Published on: January 20, 2021Episode 14: Navigating the Federal Job Search Process with Chip Lankert from FEMA
Marine Corps veteran and recruiter for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Chip Lankert joins me on the show to discuss federal employment. From the federal resume writing process to tips on how to succeed in a federal interview, Chip gives valuable insight into this process that can be daunting for many people.
Published on: January 13, 2021Episode 13: Military Transition Q&A with MaryKate Soliva
Listen in as US Army veteran MaryKate Soliva asks me some great questions about the military transition process such as how to leverage volunteer work in your transition, how to involve your spouse in the transition and networking best practices for introverts. MaryKate also practices marketing herself to potential employers.
Published on: January 6, 2021Episode 12: Don't Be Afraid to Pivot and Start Over During Your Military Transition with Jennifer Foxworthy
After retiring from the US Navy, Jennifer decided to follow a non-traditional path of becoming a motivational speaker and launching a non-profit. The journey has not been without obstacles and Jennifer gets real about the pivots and changes she has had to make being self-employed.
Published on: December 30, 2020Episode 11: Creating Your Long-term Military Transition Plan with Gregory Austin
As an analytical engineering manager trained in Lean Six Sigma concepts, Greg leveraged these skills to achieve post-military success after retiring from the United States Air Force. Everyone says you need to create a military transition plan, but Greg takes it even further with his long-term planning strategy.
Published on: December 23, 2020Episode 10: The 5 Most Common Military Transition Obstacles with Michael Radynski
After retiring from the US Marine Corps, through networking Mike quickly found a great job. Though he had seemingly "checked the box" of finding employment, Mike left that job to find his passion and live in his dream location - even though he didn't have a job lined up. Listen in as Mike discusses the 5 obstacles of a typical military transition that he discovered in his Master's degree thesis research project.
Published on: December 16, 2020Episode 9: Navigating the Post-military Job Search While Dealing with PTS with Kristin Scott
Retired Navy Chief Kristin Scott shares her insights with service members on navigating the SkillBridge program. However, more importantly she gets candid about how she found post-military career success while dealing with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). She also opens up about an innovative treatment she recently went through that has transformed her ability to manage her PTS symptoms.
Published on: December 9, 2020Episode 8: Discovering Your Legacy with Ben Killoy
After separating from the Marine Corps, Ben spent 7 years in Corporate America before discovering his purpose as a blogger, podcast host and course creator dedicated to bringing veteran dads home to be present for their families. Ben shares an important lesson for veterans about focusing on your personal legacy in their military transition process.
Published on: December 2, 2020Episode 7: Leveraging Free Resources for Veterans with Matthew Langseth
After serving in the Army and Army National Guard, Matt landed his first role after the military through the power of networking. In this episode, Matt shares his lessons learned, not only about networking, but about LinkedIn and other resources that are available for military veterans.
Published on: November 25, 2020Episode 6: The Power of Mentorship with John Mazza
As a retired USAF Command Chief, John was looking to transition into senior leadership roles. The process took longer than he expected, but he soon landed a great position. However, in the episode John talks about struggling to find the right culture fit which caused him to change jobs several time before landing with the State of Arizona.
Published on: November 18, 2020Episode 5: Military Transition Q&A with Mark Gavin
In this bonus episode, Mark, an Army veteran in transition, asks transition questions such as resume length, interview prep, video interviews and more. Mark gets the opportunity to market himself to employers
Published on: November 11, 2020Episode 4: Figuring Out Who You Are with Rob Rens
After separating from the USMC, Rob spent many years in corporate America before launching his own business. Rob advocates for taking the time to figure out who YOU want to be outside of the military as a first priority.
Published on: November 11, 2020Episode 3: Trusting Your Instincts with Wendy Brazier
Wendy landed a human resources role right out of the USAF and has continued to progress into higher level roles. Not only does she share how she did it, as a hiring authority, she gives great job search advice.
Published on: November 11, 2020Episode 2: Finding the Right Culture Fit with Keith Forte
After retiring from the USAF, and changing jobs 4 times in 6 years, Keith learned the importance of finding your purpose and the best cultural fit. Keith advocates for giving your transition the time it deserves.
Published on: November 11, 2020Episode 1: An Introduction to Your Podcast Team
A quick intro to Lori Norris, your podcast host, and Charlan Rieve, our editor and behind-the-scenes mastermind. We will tell you about the purpose of our podcast, what you can expect and why we both got involved in the project.
Published on: November 11, 2020Podcast Trailer
If you're wondering what the podcast will be about, please listen to this overview of what we will talk about in our weekly episodes. Listen to a few clips from upcoming episodes where we talk to veterans as they share their lessons learned from their own military transition.
Published on: November 4, 2020