AMVETS Career Center

4 things vets can do to overcome employer misconceptions

2012-01-30T12:00:00.001-05:00

via Google image search

Last week we covered some of the most common misconceptions employers have about military veterans. This week, our focus will be on things vets can do to overcome these mistaken beliefs. The following is part 1 of 2-part post on overcoming employer misconceptions. Here we go!

1.) Communicate military service clearly on resume -- This is the most important thing a vet can do to increase his or her chances of landing a job. Translate military service into civilian terms. There are many resources out there (such as AMVETS Career Center employment coaches) that can help with this. Employers barely spend 30 seconds glancing at an individual resume that comes across their desk. Make those crucial seconds count!

2.) Address fears of service-connected disorders -- If you have a service-connected disorder, be honest about it. Emphasize what you're doing to overcome and/or manage it and be sure to stress that your condition does not hinder your work capabilities. Be confident and positive when communicating this; it will instill confidence in the employer about his/her decision to hire you.

3.) Relieve fears of deployment -- The average person spends 4.4 years at one job (Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2010) and the average reservist gets deployed once every five years. Servicemen and women are no more likely to get shipped out than civilians are to find a new job. Cite statistics such as these during interviews. Employers will get the message.

4.) Communicate the experience of military service -- Put yourself in the employer's shoes. If you were hiring someone for a certain position, what types of things would you want to hear? What kinds of skills and experiences would you expect a potential candidate to possess for that position? Now think about your military service. How have your experiences in the military provided you the job skills needed for the particular position? This is very important. You need to convince the employer why you're the best fit for the job. Think about what service-related questions you might be asked during an interview ahead of time and prepare your responses accordingly.

What else have you found to be helpful in overcoming employer misconceptions? Check back next week for part 2 of this post: 4 things employers can do to overcome their misconceptions of vets.

4 employer misconceptions of military veterans

2012-01-23T13:23:00.006-05:00

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As the nation continues its military withdrawal from Iraq, increasing numbers of servicemen and women return to the civilian workforce. The transition is, unfortunately, a difficult one – recent data that shows approximately 20% of young Gulf War II era veterans are jobless.

Why do so many vets struggle to find employment? The following list details the most common barriers to veterans’ employment that we’ve experienced in our work with employers:

1.) Difficulty translating military service on a resume – Many employers that we’ve worked with cite this as the biggest problem they see with veterans’ resumes. Employers don't have a working knowledge of military terminology, thus rendering them unable to comprehend resumes with such jargon.

2.) Employer fears of service-related disorders – Employers also fear that potential veteran hires come back from the military with PTSD, traumatic brain injury or other service-connected disabilities that may hinder work productivity.

3.) Employer fears of deployment – Deployment can hinder productivity. Employers are afraid that veteran hires may be deployed at any moment’s notice, leaving them (employers) with an empty position to fill.

4.) Lack of understanding of military service – Only 1% of today’s population has served in the military. As a result, many employers don’t understand what work-related skills military service actually provides

A number of actions can be taken to overcome these barriers by both veterans and employers alike. Check back next week for the first leg of a two-part post on the solution!

Interviewing tips

2011-12-15T12:22:00.000-05:00

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Interviewing for a job can be stressful and overwhelming. You want to make a good impression, but you may not know what things to say or do to accomplish that. What should you know about the company? What things should you be prepared to talk about? Kim, a seasoned recruiter for General Electric, has the following advice on what to do and not do in an interview:

Know your stuff - Anticipate the questions you may be asked. Look up common interview questions and be able to answer them. Think about your work-related experiences; your successes, strengths, shortcomings, etc. Keep in mind how your contributions have helped former employers.
Arrive early - Plan for traffic delays, GPS failings, etc. just in case. While waiting for the interviewer, remain calm, collected and professional. Anyone who sees you at the office will be able to comment on your demeanor. Plan to arrive ~10 minutes early.
Be honest - It may seem OK to tell a small lie or two to make yourself look better, but employers will verify the information you tell them. Be honest and open about your experiences, successes and weaknesses. Find a way to communicate your weaknesses as strengths.
Keep it brief - Don't ramble on and on when asked a question. Answer as concisely and directly as possible. If the interviewer wants you to elaborate further, s/he will ask. But don't go into your life story if you're being asked about a specific instance in time, for example.
Ask questions - Have a few questions ready to ask the interviewer before-hand or think of a few during the interview. It shows interest in the position.
Follow up and reflect - Send the interviewer a thank-you email no later than 2 days after the interview, thanking them for their time and re-affirming your interest in and qualifications for the position. Think about what worked and didn't work in the interview - what can you do to improve your technique for next time?

What has your interviewing experience been like? What advice do you have for job seekers?

(Adapted from http://careers.geblogs.com/recruiter-advice-impress-me-at-the-interview/)

Career tip of the week

2011-12-12T08:39:00.000-05:00

An elevator speech is a 30-second statement of who you are and what you do (or would like to do) professionally. Have one memorized and ready so that you can fluidly introduce yourself to someone new.

Letter from a vet we helped

2011-12-01T10:43:00.003-05:00

One of our Veterans Employment Specialists, Theresa, received a touching letter the other day from a female veteran she recently helped find employment. Letters like this show that the work we do has meaningful impact on the lives of veterans and their families and keeps us motivated. It’s not often that we receive such letters, but it always means a lot when we do.

November 29, 2011

Dear Theresa,

The day I called you I was at the lowest I had been in years. After waiting for a year for my husband to return safely from Iraq and our lives to return to normal, I was sitting at home wondering how I was going to take care of my family. My husband was admitted into the VA Medical Center in Chillicothe, after having difficulties adjusting to life at home and I was at home jobless and penniless with our three children.

It had been years since I thought about employment and my confidence and morale were in the gutter. When I called you it was like I was talking to a dear friend. I immediately felt at ease with you and I knew you genuinely cared about my struggle. Your efforts to assist me went far beyond what I expected. I am forever indebted to you. You gave me great advice, pointed me in the right direction, made telephone calls on my behalf, but most of all, you gave me hope and support.

Thank you, Theresa, for all that you have done to assist me in finding a career. I am excited to share with you that I am now an employee of (company name withheld)*. With all sincerity I thank you for helping me and I mean it when I say that I could not have gotten the position without you. Thank you for being my cheerleader and morale builder. Thank you for calling me on the telephone and cheering me on. Thank you for all your advice and help with the interview process. I feel like cannot say thank you enough times!

You are invaluable to veterans and their families. Thank you so much for all you did for me and my family. Whenever I meet a veteran who is having a difficult time finding employment, I will send them your way. Again, thank you so very much!

Sincerely

(Name withheld)*

* Identifying information has been withheld to protect the privacy of the veteran assisted.

Career tip of the week

2011-11-22T10:02:00.002-05:00

Did you know that about only half of job seekers send thank you notes after an interview? Whether handwritten or sent electronically, write a thank you note to your interviewer. You'll stand out that much more.

Standing out from the crowd

2011-11-15T10:39:00.000-05:00

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When employers advertise a position online, it's not uncommon for them to receive 50+ resumes an hour! Gone are the days when submitting a cover letter and resume for a job was good enough to land an interview. With the current state of the economy and an increased rate of competition for jobs, today's job seekers need to know how to stand out from the crowd to get their foot in the door.

How do you set yourself apart? You have to be memorable. Being memorable means having (among other things) a polished, targeted, and specific resume. Your resume must utilize space effectively and look professional. Play around with different fonts and spacing to achieve your desired look. Use section headings and bullet points for visual contast and readability. Search the internet for resume templates to give you some ideas.

Your resume also has to be specific and highly targeted. Always customize your resume for each job you apply for. Don't submit the same resume for every position you're interested in. Different jobs require different skills and experience. Carefully read the job description of the position you're applying for and tailor your resume to meet the requirements of the description. Use the exact same words in the job description in your resume to increase the chance of your resume popping up on an employer's search!

Going beyond having a stellar resume, being memorable also means being knowledgable about the company you're interested in working for. Go to the company's website. Read about their history. Familiarize yourself with their mission statement. Find out who they partner with and what their most recent accomplishments are. The more you know about the company, the better prepared you'll be to write your cover letter and resume and to ace the interview.

The focus of any successful job search is always what you, the job seeker, can do for the employer, not what the employer can do for you. Yes, your objective is to get hired. But the employer's objective is to find the best possible fit for the company. Your focus should therefore be on convincing the employer why you're the best fit for their company. What can you do for them? How are your skills going to contribute to the overall success of the company? How can your expertise help solve the company's most pressing business problems? These are all questions you need to be prepared to answer.

Ask yourself these questions and look for opportunities in your resume and cover letter to highlight your answers. Practice answering these questions aloud with a friend or by yourself to prepare for an interview. Employers notice candidates that go the extra mile.

Career tip of the week

2011-11-14T12:09:00.000-05:00

Having trouble describing your employment history on your resume? Make a list of your work-related accomplishments as a starting off point. Be specific. What exactly did you do and how did it benefit the company?

Resume do's and don'ts

2011-10-31T13:12:00.001-04:00

An employer's first impression of a job candidate often times comes from glancing at the candidate's resume. And as the typical employer only spends about 20-30 seconds glancing at an individual resume, job seekers need to make sure their resumes stand out and make a positive impression.

Below is a list of resume do's and don'ts that will aid you in crafting a winning resume.

Do NOT:

     * Use military acronyms or slang
     * Use abbreviations except for your middle name
     * Make the resume cramped and crowded; it should be pleasing to the eyes
     * Make statements you can't document
     * Use the passive voice
     * Change tense of verbs
     * Use lengthy sentences and descriptions
     * Refer to yourself as "I"
     * Include negative information
     * Include extraneous information

Do:

     * Use action verbs and the active voice
     * Be direct, succinct, and expressive with your language
     * Appear neat, well organized, and professional
     * Use ample spacing and highlights (all caps, underlining, bulleting) for different emphases
     * Maintain an eye pleasing balance. Try centering your contact information at the top,
        keeping information categories on the left in all caps, and describing the categories in
        the center and on the right
     * Check carefully your spelling, grammar, and punctuation
     * Clearly communicate your purpose and value to employers
     * Communicate your strongest points first

If you have any questions about these tips, feel free to comment on this post and we'll assist you as soon as we can! Or if you prefer face-to-face assistance, stop by your local AMVETS Career Center and chat with a career coach.

Tips credit

Career tip of the week

2011-10-31T11:12:00.000-04:00

When listing work experience on your resume, list in reverse chronological order starting with your most recent job first.

Career tip of the week

2011-10-24T10:43:00.003-04:00

If you're trying to break into a new industry/field, schedule an informational interview with someone who works in it so you can learn about the field, get your questions answered, and decide if that's the right industry for you.

AMVETS/AmeriCorps Members Volunteer at 2011 Central Ohio Homeless Veterans Stand Down

2011-10-19T14:38:00.002-04:00

Six of our AMVETS/AmeriCorps members volunteered at the 2011 Central Ohio Homeless Veterans Stand Down yesterday in downtown Columbus. As part of their service, members must participate in a minimum of three National Service Days per year. At the stand down yesterday, our members handed out clothing, directed veterans to community services and checked them in for health screenings.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs provides services to homeless veterans every year at “Stand Downs” across the country. The Central Ohio Stand Down has been running for over 16 years.

"It was a really great experience," says first-year AmeriCorps member, Brooke. "It felt good to help veterans in a different capacity than what I do at the office and I look forward to participating in our other National Service Days this year."

AMVETS to Create Eight Veterans' Career Centers Across U.S.

2011-10-17T09:14:00.000-04:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Fourteen AMVETS leaders from across the country met at AMVETS Career Center (ACC) headquarters Wednesday, October 12^th in Columbus to discuss the building and establishment of veterans’ career centers in eight states.

A $100,000 grant given to AMVETS National this year by the Call of Duty Endowment (CODE) is making possible the creation of these new career centers, which are slated to be up and running by the end of this year. CODE is a nonprofit organization of video game company, Activision Blizzard, which focuses its resources on assisting organizations that provide job placement and training to veterans. Activision Blizzard is the publisher of popular video games such as Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and the Tony Hawk series. The grant will provide AMVETS posts funding for operational costs of the career centers, including veterans’ job training and certification. States the centers will be created in are California, Missouri, Iowa, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina and Maryland.

AMVETS leaders from these states and Ohio assembled in Columbus to collaborate with one another on how to establish and run successful veterans’ career centers in their respective areas. Ohio is currently the only state that houses AMVETS career centers, of which there are approximately 60+ locations statewide. ACC Director, Len Proper, led the meeting and spoke about his experiences overseeing the development and running of Ohio’s ACC sites.

The first AMVETS career center opened its doors in Columbus, Ohio in December, 2000. Since then, the organization has helped 6,000+ veterans and assisted over 1,300 veterans this year alone. It is success rates such as these that caught the attention of the Call of Duty Endowment and ignited the push for replication in other states.

“Having AMVETS career centers all across the country has always been a dream of mine. I’m very proud of the success we’ve accomplished with our centers here in Ohio and I will do my best to see that the new centers achieve similar success. This grant is a great opportunity for AMVETS to reach out and help more veterans gain employment and we’re very happy to be a part of this movement,” says Proper.

Starting the job search

2011-10-11T12:37:00.000-04:00

via Google image search

We've all been on the job market at some point in our lives, whether we entered it after graduating from high school or college or after returning home from a tour in the military. Many of us enter the market several times over the course of our lives because we've decided to change careers or our circumstances necessitate it. No matter what our reasons for entering the job market, we all enter it at various points and with varying degrees of experience and know-how. Here are some tips to help guide you in your job search whether you're an entry-level or more experienced individual:

1.) Focus your job search - Decide on what field it is you want to enter and look for positions specifically in that field or industry. Job search sites such as Monster and Career Builder allow you to enter/search for key words that will narrow down the massive list of job openings.

2.) Talk to people you know - Tell your friends and family that you're looking for a job. They may be able to help you out or know someone who may be in a position to offer you assistance. Networking is one of the biggest ways people get hired these days.

Similarly, reach out to your online social media contacts. Join Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to expand your networking opportunities and get the word out that you're looking for a job.

3.) Attend local job fairs, networking events, and job search workshops - Always be on the lookout for local events that can help you develop the skills to be a more savvy job seeker. The people that attend these events are very knowledgeable and can offer you a lot of great advice.

4.) Stay connected - Subscribe to the online newsletters or social media outlets of organizations you're a part of and large companies in your area. They often times post career opportunities on their websites and media outlets. Your local AMVETS Career Center is also a great resource. Stop by every now and then to see what they have to offer.

What have you found to be most helpful (and/or hurtful) in your job search? Share below in the comments section.

New service year, new blog

2011-10-03T09:24:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, September 13th marked the start of our 2011-2012 service year, and with that start, the creation of a new blog. This space will be used for the documentation of our activities and as a resource for information regarding veterans' employment issues. We hope to connect with as many people as possible and facilitate discussion about veterans' employment issues, as well as answer any questions and be of assistance in any way possible. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay further connected with AMVETS Career Center.

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Under construction

2011-09-30T14:01:00.001-04:00

Coming soon!