Job Search Strategies for Student Veterans

Izzy AbbassCommanderVFW Post 1

• Translation of Military Experience• Key Tips• Social Networking• Effective Job Search Tips in the Digital Era

OVERVIEW

• Introduction• An 11Bravo does what? (military to civilian speak)

• Digital Employment Search in 2011– Key to success – LinkedIn

• Key Dos and Don’ts in the Interview• Questions & Discussion

Job Search in 20111. Create a civilian resume

2. Build your digital resume.

3. Build your network.

4. Create a target list of companies and find people who work there.

5. Follow companies on multiple sites.

Capturing You

• Create a master resume– Summary of every thing you’ve done going back

as far as you can. – List everything and be specific. – Talk to others you worked with and ask them about

the job

• Create job/goal specific resumes for each position.

• Use the master resume to build your digital profiles.

S.T.A.R

Situation – What was happening – who, what, when, where

Task – What was the problem or expectation

Action – What did you do

Result – What was the outcome

When building out your resume, use the STAR method for presenting the information.

Milspeak to Civspeak

1. First, identify your objective

2. Build a resume addressing Employer’s needs

3. Assume the people hiring know nothing about the military– Avoid acronyms and military technical specs

4. Focus on key leadership skills– Management/Supervision– Monetary management – Project based results

Top 10 Job SitesMonthly Normalized Metrics / January 2011

Unique Visitors Monthly Change Yearly Change

linkedin.com 16,439,724 +15.12% +30.60%

careerbuilder.com 14,334,068 +15.12% +30.60%

indeed.com 12,721,228 +18.34% +3.42%

monster.com 12,329,566 +25.80% -6.04%

job.com 7,585,602 +19.19% +169.10%

hotjobs.yahoo.com 6,507,692 +7.51% -62.62%

snagajob.com 5,882,438 +21.43% -7.86%

simplyhired.com 4,262,027 +19.53% +5.02%

usajobs.gov 3,254,031 +11.38% -21.49%

jobfox.com 1,247,979 +21.96% -17.20%

Source: Classifieds News Blog, Daype Inc.

Building Your Profile

• Connect with former managers, co-workers, and partners.

• Look at colleagues’ LinkedIn profiles.

• Get recommendations from past bosses and co-workers.

• Get lots of recommendations.

• Use LinkedIn Answers to demonstrate your experience and knowledge.

Things to Avoid

1. An incomplete profile

2. Bad Photo – no face or unprofessional

3. Private Profiles

4. No Recommendations

5. No Connections

6. Obvious lack of interactivity on LinkedIn

7. No LinkedIn groups or use of LinkedIn Applications

8. No Contact Settings or Personal Information

9. No website, blog, or Twitter links

Next Steps • Start or Review Your Linked In Profile– Get it to 100% complete as quickly as possible

• Build Your Network– Join Interest Groups– Connect with People (connect with me Izzy Abbass)

• Get Recommendations– Not just work but for volunteer work

• Follow and Research Companies

Twitter

Facebook• Notes - When searching for a job, good place to post

highlights from your resume and what you are looking for. A note tends to stay on people's screens longer than a status update, and you can write much more.

• Status Update - Keep reminding people in your network that you are still looking for a job. Say things like • "I had a great interview this morning... keep your fingers

crossed!“• "I have a networking meeting later today with a company I'm

really interested in!“• Anyone know of anyone who’s worked with company XYZ

before?

Avoid Interviewing Pitfalls• Be Yourself, Be Confident

• Clean Appearance and wear a suit

• Don’t smoke before the interview• Interview starts as soon as you enter the

parking lot

• Be prepared with questions - Research

• Follow Up with a thank you.