JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A course called "Marketing Yourself for a Second Career," sponsored by the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Airman and Family Readiness Center May 1 at Fleenor Auditorium, was for many audience members a chance to prepare for their future.
The lecture, presented by retired Army Col. Terri Coles, Military Officers Association of America deputy director of transition services, is designed to help military members transition into the civilian workforce.
Coles, whose active-duty career spanned two decades, said retirement from the armed forces is like being on a roller coaster.
"You get on the ride and you're excited because you know it's coming," she said. "Up and up you go, then 'bam,' it happens before you know it."
Coles challenged attendees to think independently about their post-military lives so that it won't come as a surprise.
"Many of you have been loyal to the service for 20 years," she said. "Now, for the first time, it's all about you."
It's up to military members to accomplish three job-related goals, Coles said: build a resume, network and land an interview.
While some people choose to keep their government connection by becoming a civil servant, "don't discount the private sector," she said.
"Think outside the box; companies often have multiple levels of operations that may fit your skill set perfectly."
The first step before retirement is self-assessment, where people should decide what they want to do, and then transcribe their careers into a readable document," she said.
"Building a resume can be one of the toughest challenges," Mike Bell, A&FRC community readiness consultant, said. "Military members have a tendency to put a lot of military terminology in their resumes. They should keep as much jargon out as possible."
Chronicling too much detail for too long is also an issue, Coles said.
"You want to be relevant, so cap your successes at 15 years," she said. "Keep your resume two pages in length."
Employers look for people who benefit the workplace, so emphasize accomplishments and results in resumes, she added.
However, resumes get interviews - not jobs, Bell said.
Business networking, or building relationships to generate business opportunities, is the next step in the MOAA's model, which should commence well before retiring.
Although, refrain from using "retire"; call it "transition" instead, Coles said.
"For those in transition in the next 12 months, your homework is to let people know you're transitioning, not retiring," she said. "Whether it's by word of mouth, handing out business cards or using online resources, make one business contact a day."
While networking, Coles suggested military members create a personalized, ready-to-use "30-second commercial" describing recently held positions, professional accomplishments and what they are currently seeking.
"Networking is about marketing yourself," she said.
"Confidence and self-worth are key elements to networking, and to any interviews that come as well."
"If you're there (as an interviewee), you're qualified," Coles said.
For more information or for a consultation, call the A&FRC, building 693, at 652-5321.