Support Your Troops? How about give a troop a job? Educated/Experienced?

Question

I served in the USAF for 12 years, have bachelors degrees and 2 years experience working for an Investment Banking firm , I'm seeking a Business Development position, my resume & background could not be more solid, I've seen many adds claiming to have preferential hiring programs for prior military, but I've experienced quite the opposite, most civillians do not relate or interpet military experience to be valuable or correlate to civillian sector skills, I get questions like do you have leadership experience, well I led over 75 troops into combat utilizing high-tech complex communications and weapons systems, synergized all of the planning, logistics to ensure all objectives were met, does that count for leadership, I've managed 100s of personnel, 100+ million dollars worth of equipment, I can fill 50 pages of professional, educational, etc accomplishments, oh by the way in my first year as civillian managed and created over $80 Million dollars of new business- Frustrated Vet

Answer 1

Well as a former Air Force veteran, now in a leadership position for a major multinational corporation.

You have some problems that need addressing.

1. Just what is this sentence supposed to mean ?

well I led over 75 troops into combat utilizing high-tech complex communications and weapons systems, synergized all of the planning, logistics to ensure all objectives were met.

It sounds like your thesaurus, had a spasm.

You didn't say what you did, what was your position, what communications gear , what weapons systems ?

Synergised is not a word !!!!!!!!

Your entire post, is filled with meaningless buzz words.

Did you mean, you were a Flight Leader, in charge of the security forces who provided security for for a foward deployed Air Force Unit.

You need to tell them what you did, not use $5.00 buzz words that no one has a clue what they mean.

High tech complex communications gear ?? you mean a radio instead of two paper dixie cups on a string ?

Those phrases might sound fine on a Air Force performance report, but they do not belong on a resume.

It is not an employers job to relate or interpet your Air Force skills to thier company.

It is your job, to relate and interpet those skills, to show your future employers, that you have the skills they are looking for.

One of the biggest mistake former military make, is to not know the difference between Managing and Supervising.

Your commander managed, your platoon Sgt. supervised.

There is a difference.

You need to tailor each resume you send out, to that particular company, tell them how your skills can help you succeed in the position you applied for.

And for goodness sakes, please stop using military techno lingo, instead or real words that have actual meaning.

Answer 2

You might want to try www.military.com and use the transition center to translate your military skills in to civilian language.
I haven't had any problems myself when I got out. However I am still near a military post so a lot of the civilians know the deal.
I would try usajobs.com or google DOD jobs etc.
Maybe you are just over qualified for some jobs etc. If you can fill out over 50 pages of accomplishments and all.
You might want to try a resume writing service or a job placement agency. Good luck.

Answer 3

I completely agree with you, and I am beyond frustrated with the situation veterans face when they come home. This happened to my fiance, who spent over a year not working when he got back (injured) while the VA putzed around with his file. In over a year they had done almost nothing to help him, certainly nothing to help him get a job and then they lowered his rating on top of it (completley bull**** they are just so broke they cant handle everyone) And to go from the amazing important job you once had to not being able to find one at all makes you feel horrible and worhtless, and on top of all the ptsd you guys face thats not very good. My man eventually found a job with a fortune 250 company that is very friendly towards vets and is hiring still I believe, If you email me I will tell you the name and any details, I just dont want to post it on here. Good luck to you!

Answer 4

I'm in the Reserves and it's on my resume. In all of my interviews they all have the same question: Are you going to be deployed anytime in the future? My answer is.... it's always possible. So the interviewer hears this and does not want to hire someone who may or may not be around long. I feel it's a huge disadvantage for me because they are not supposed to discriminate because of my military service...but they do.

Answer 5

"Support the Troops" is just liberal/conservative rhetoric, man. The politicians and the brass use the military as "the big stick" to try to run the world, but they aren't grateful to you - they USED you.

A lot of folks are having trouble getting jobs in this economy, as the U.S. declines from its former position as number one in the world. I'm sorry for your trouble - I know you had good intentions when you signed up, and went to do the right thing, but they lied to you, and now you're competing with LOTS of people for a job.

I worked for a program in New Orleans that trained blind vets from Gulf War I for jobs. Both Clinton AND Bush cut the funds - at the end, before we had to discontinue the program, we had counselors putting vets up on cots in their own homes.

It sounds like you have a good deal of experience that might translate in civilian life. Best of luck to you in your job hunt. But don't trust either the Republicans OR Democrats ("liberals" or "conservatives") - they are for big business, not regular people.

Answer 6

Sounds good to me, but as one other poster said you sound a little bitter for some reason.

If you dont mind going back into the government sector try those government sites. I am not sure if they still do it or not, but there was "veteran's preference" for government jobs a few years ago.

Answer 7

You sound a bit bitter, and you don't say why.

Many civilians have no idea what type of experience we receive in the military. You really do have to spell it out in civilian terms.

When i first retired from the army I got so frustrated by one guy that was interviewing me that I told him I was an expert at killing people and breaking things.

But hang in there, the jobs are there and one of them is perfect for you and you'll find it.

Answer 8

I know the feeling...you're not alone, 20 years USAF, Bachelors degree, working on a Masters...and I get the same questions/looks...keep at it, one day at a time..something will open up.

Answer 9

Sounds fine to me, I would hire you in a hot second.