There's a secret to trying to get government work, and it works like this: if your military jobs training isn't phrased the right way, you will find it difficult to make it past human resources personnel in state or federal government offices.
But there is a solution for those veterans of the military who are looking to transition into either the public sector or even gain employment with a private firm. It starts by looking up job descriptions based on your skill set, which you'll need to develop first.
Start With What You Have and Don't Be Shy
Take a sheet of notebook paper, and list every duty you had during your service. It doesn't matter if it was one time, one week or the span of your enlistment. Write it all down and you should have at least 10-15 things you did.
Now group them, if you can, by drawing arrows between like activities. It could be that in both convoy duty and construction security in Afghanistan, you had to exhibit problem solving skills and communication with diverse groups. Think of generalized topics that each of your duties fell under.
Using the Government to Help Your Job Search
Now that you have those generalized skill groups put together, maybe 5 or 6 in total, go back and do a search on the internet. Be sure to put the phrases in quotes like "communications skills," "problem solving," etc. You should find that your skills are found in a number of different job positions, including some that you may not have considered.
Now, refine that search by going to the Office of Personnel Management's website, which lists job descriptions for every position in the United States government. You should be able to again find a list of jobs. But the requirements for government positions must list more qualifications than most private sector employers. See where your skills fit best, and then where you may be missing some training.
Re-working Your Resume
Starting with the government's job description, pick two or three fields that fit the skills you made in your first list, and then work on your resume so that it comes close to, if not exactly like, the federal job description. You'll find that you can see on your own where gaps may exist, or where employers may have questions.
When you apply for jobs now, you'll know that you've established your experience in a way that makes sense to employers, and if you want to use your 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits for additional training to shore up weaknesses, you'll be able to choose courses that fill specific needs while you search for non military jobs.
[Image courtesy David Boyle via Flickr]
But there is a solution for those veterans of the military who are looking to transition into either the public sector or even gain employment with a private firm. It starts by looking up job descriptions based on your skill set, which you'll need to develop first.
Start With What You Have and Don't Be Shy
Take a sheet of notebook paper, and list every duty you had during your service. It doesn't matter if it was one time, one week or the span of your enlistment. Write it all down and you should have at least 10-15 things you did.
Now group them, if you can, by drawing arrows between like activities. It could be that in both convoy duty and construction security in Afghanistan, you had to exhibit problem solving skills and communication with diverse groups. Think of generalized topics that each of your duties fell under.
Using the Government to Help Your Job Search
Now that you have those generalized skill groups put together, maybe 5 or 6 in total, go back and do a search on the internet. Be sure to put the phrases in quotes like "communications skills," "problem solving," etc. You should find that your skills are found in a number of different job positions, including some that you may not have considered.
Now, refine that search by going to the Office of Personnel Management's website, which lists job descriptions for every position in the United States government. You should be able to again find a list of jobs. But the requirements for government positions must list more qualifications than most private sector employers. See where your skills fit best, and then where you may be missing some training.
Re-working Your Resume
Starting with the government's job description, pick two or three fields that fit the skills you made in your first list, and then work on your resume so that it comes close to, if not exactly like, the federal job description. You'll find that you can see on your own where gaps may exist, or where employers may have questions.
When you apply for jobs now, you'll know that you've established your experience in a way that makes sense to employers, and if you want to use your 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits for additional training to shore up weaknesses, you'll be able to choose courses that fill specific needs while you search for non military jobs.
[Image courtesy David Boyle via Flickr]
By: John Curran
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!