Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Guest Post: Job-Seeking Myths That Can Sabotage Your Transition to the Public Sector



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The transition from a military career back into the private sector has many factors involved that don’t always make it particularly easy. While some change is good, this career transition seems overwhelming to many military personnel. Unfortunately, many myths exist that actually perpetuate this fear and make the transition appear more difficult that it really is. While some of these myths have their basis in outdated facts, debunking them will help you successfully search and discover a job you will love, enjoy, and thrive in!



Myth #1: Applying to jobs is a long and arduous task.

Truth: Employers understand the need to attract the best talent available, and they also understand that even unemployed individuals have limited amounts of time to spend on applications. While you should certainly spend time perfecting your résumé and tailoring it to the job you want, applying for that job shouldn’t take a lot of time. Many tech-savvy companies now use electronic platforms provided by JIBE, a mobile recruiting specialty company, that allow applicants to easily upload résumés and other important documents and apply for jobs right from their smartphone or tablet.



Myth #2: There are no resources to assist military spouses in career development.

Truth: Military spouses often find career development difficult because of the frequent amount of moves and other realities of military life. Recently, a new federal program was introduced to meet this need. Joining Forces works with military families to assist spouses in finding and retaining lucrative jobs. In addition, the organization also works with employers to help create work environments that meet the unique needs of military families.


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Myth #3: While unemployed, you should only focus on applying for jobs.
Truth: This transitional period is a great time for you to get involved in your community and share your time and talents with others. Many employers look for workers who volunteer regularly with not-for-profit organizations. Your community involvement will indicate that you have motivation and valuable skills to share. In addition, volunteering may also provide valuable networking opportunities – sometimes all you need is a foot in the door!



Myth #4: The time you spend in active duty will inhibit your ability to land a job with employers looking for “consistent” workers.
Truth: Employers have no reason to believe that your active-duty experience will limit your ability to show up to work regularly and on time. Furthermore, it’s actually illegal for them to deny employment based on your military experience. To better assist veterans transitioning into private-sector jobs, the government has established laws that give employment preference to those with service-related injuries or who served in the military during certain periods of time. These laws pertain to federal hiring practices as well as retention during workforce reduction.


If you’re transitioning out of your military career, congratulations and thank you for your sacrifice. Take the tips here, and face your future with courage. You can achieve your goals, whatever they may be, and many resources exist to help you along the way.






Emma is a mid 20-something year old with a passion for life, love, fitness, and helping others. She loves to be active and get involved in as many sport and community activities as possible. Emma is currently studying to become a Career & Life Coach, and loves to network with people from around the world! Check out Emma’s blog at http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/



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