JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Service members who are making the transition from the military to a civilian career learned several strategies that could help them make that transition successful at a career seminar April 29 at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Fleenor Auditorium.
The seminar, "Marketing Yourself For a Second Career," was hosted by the JBSA-Randolph Military & Family Readiness Center.
Retired Army Col. Terri Coles, deputy director of the Military Officers Association of America Career Transition Center in Alexandria, Va., told military members preparation and planning are the keys to landing a job in the civilian sector after their service is completed.
Military members should start preparing for their transition into the civilian job sector two years before they plan to leave the service, Coles said. This will give service members the time to familiarize themselves with the resources and tools they need to start their next career.
She said the M&FRC has the tools and resources service members need to explore their career options.
"The more research you do the better off you are," Coles said. "Find out what it takes to get from here to there."
Networking and marketing are important tools for military members seeking jobs in the civilian sector, she said. Military members should network with friends, family, community and church members in seeking a job by passing out a resume, business card and join LinkedIn, the business networking site.
"Networking is about building relationships to get jobs," Coles said.
A main point Coles emphasizes was that military members must learn how to market or promote themselves to potential employers.
"In this competitive civilian job environment you have to be able to tell me why you are the best candidate and tell me some of the great things you have done," Coles said.
Other topics covered in the seminar included resume writing, interviewing skills, online resources and negotiating a salary once an employer makes a job offer.
Military members have several characteristics that employers are looking for, Coles said.
"Military members bring such a wealth of experience," Coles said. "They have unique skill sets. We know how to build a team. We have no problem going in and doing more with less, rolling up our sleeves and working as hard."
Ray Ramos, M&FRC community readiness consultant, said the M&FRC provides several resources and programs for military members who are making the transition to a civilian career. Those services include resume writing, job searches, interviewing skills and preparing for an interview.
"This seminar reinforces what we do at the center," Ramos said. "It further prepares service members for a smoother transition into the civilian sector."
For more information on career programs, call the JBSA-Randolph M&FRC at 652-5321. In addition, the Military Officers Association of America has online resources for job seekers at http://www.moaa.org/career/.