The military is one of the avenues that teaches servicemen how to be disciplined, helps them add further knowledge when in service in the military and installs in them the need to work for and protect the society. Military personnel are valuable even after retirement or after they are done with their military service period. The knowledge and experience they get from there is of great value to the society.
Many military veterans and others who are out of the military with various skills always look for opportunities that will land them jobs in the civilian society and most of the time they succeed. Other times, however, they fail because though you may assume that companies are eager to employ former military personnel, the atmosphere around their employment outside the military is always tense.
According to the United States Department of defense, roughly 200,00 service members make a transition from the military to the life of civilians every year. These retired military personnel would like to start a second career, but it’s never an easy task. For a smooth transition from the military to a second career, here are ways that will help start your second dream career successfully.
Ways to go from the military to your next career
Add necessary skills
Skills are important if at all you want to land a good career after your service in the military. You can opt to learn new skills or you can further any skill that you could have learned in the military. Skills are what employers need and without the relevant skills, landing a decent job is a daunting task despite your experience in the military. The corporate America supports you (CASY) provides online training for vets and spouses and that includes online access to the IBM’s Skill build career platform that is offered for free. Here you can learn web development, customer support, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data management. The courses focus on technology, remote team collaboration, networking, time management, and presentation skills.
Such skills in addition to your military experience and self-discipline will help you start a second career more smoothly. You can enroll in programs that will help you perfect and polish skills that you had learned in the military.
Network
Connect with colleagues and other people through LinkedIn and other social media platforms. Specifically, you should target military-focused groups because here you will get information that directly concerns you. The military officers Association of America officers webinars is a perfect spot because it helps with resumes and a good job board for its members and it also has a LinkedIn career networking group.
Seek out employers that hire veterans
Several employers value the experience and toughness of retired military personnel and would like to hire them. These employers include; The Boeing Company, general electric, google, PNC bank, America Merrill Lynch, Deloitte Consulting, IBM, and J.P Morgan Chase. If you have relevant skills, these employers are likely to employ you.
The Syracuse University Institute for veterans and military families provides relevant training programs career development and other relevant services that will enable military personnel to land job openings.
Get help via government programs
There is a transition assistance program offered by the U.S department of veterans affairs that offers different workshops that help retired army men examine their job interests, skills and also compose a resume.