Posted on 11/06/2013 4:05:40 AM PST by Red in Blue PA
Homosexual veterans preferred.
I have nothing against Starbucks, I can’t keep up with which companies are on the latest list to boycott, there are just no Starbucks in my area and even if they were nearby, I drink my coffee at home unless dining out.
Likewise I do not support Chic Fil A with my patronage. Nothing against them specifically, I detest chicken, even the smell of it.
Have you ever thought of starting your own business? We did and it put a lot of people to work, It was hard at first, but paid off in many way as time went on. We did it
for 22 years, after retiring from the AF.
Have patience. I won’t ask why a retiring O-5 is looking at Walmart for employment ...but here’s my advice from my post service job searching as a disabled Vet from 12 years ago:
-Take your medical records and register with the VA on day 1. Although I was a Line of Duty medical discharge you’d be surprise what some Vets claim for a disability. That will provide at least a +5 for Fed hiring.
-Put your resume’ in to USAJOBS. The +5 for Vet and +5 for disability will help. Disabled vets have first preference. This is how I was eventually hired following my 3+ yr. VA Voc Rehab. It was a horrible GS-9 job but it put me in the system and reactivated my clearance which led to much better opportunities.
-Register at both Dice.com and ClearanceJobs.com. Use your clearance as the qualifier, then your qualifications. Most companies filling clearance positions prefer to train-up so applicants need only approximate job skills. Look for sucky duty stations. Those will have higher turnovers hence openings. You only need to get in. Once in you shop around for a better position. This works and works well! You must get used to picking your next ‘duty station’.
-Don’t be too fussy on job positions. Cliche’ yes but it has to be said.
-Look to Iraq and Afghanistan. Iraq’s about to get an expansion of State and DoD contracts. State jobs are nice (good living quarters, bennies, etc) but the pay sucks compared to DoD contracts.
-Be flexible. As an O5 your organizational and management skills are tops vs. most private sector and entry level applicants. You’ve worked with people and in situations which have no civilian equivalent. Private sector companies and Federal contractors hire ex-military for this very reason.
-Be persistent. It took me a year and a half and ~150 applications to get a job via USAJOBS. Once I got in the cleared job field I’ve been able to pick my jobs ever since.
Best of luck! Hope to see you soon.
"Progressive" my ass.
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