So, in my search for a job post military (because I am currently being medically processed for discharge on an undetermined date) I keep running into the same brick wall. I do not have enough experience or I do not have the right experience. I have been in the Navy for 8 years and worked as a Department Career Counselor (with the NEC to back it) for 4years. Yet every position I call about or apply to tells me the same thing that I do not have the right experience. That I need to start out as an entry level HR associate making less than my wife makes now with no college degree. Are you fu**ing serious. I mean I just do not get it. All you see and hear about is how companies are supposedly committing to hiring veterans but they only want to hire them for the most basic of positions. I mean I do not expect to make what I currently make in the military as that is an unreal expectation (I currently make 53k a year and I know that I would not be able to "walk onto" a company at that level). But expecting more than 14 dollars an hour does not seem rediculous. I would expect, with my experience and education and certifications, to at least be fielding offers at 19+ an hour when applying to jobs. I almost feel disespected by what I am being told. Just needed to rant sorry.
It sucks out there but that is about standard, especially for the HR career field. You won't find a more out of touch with the military type person that your standard variety HR generalist. Your best bet is to focus on federal positions. Your vets preference will give you a leg up. Still, for most HR position in the Federal arena they only hire at the GS5/7 and possibly at 9 but that is a rarity. The 11-13 are usually for internal hires and people (women) moving up within the system. You picked a rather difficult field to move into. Especially if you are expecting a lateral move from your military career. Good luck to you. From someone with an HR related undergrad degree who tried to break into civilian HR position back in '04 and '05, you know when the economy did not suck ass. You should stay in the military.
The OP is being, "currently being medically processed for discharge" he has no other choice but leaving the service. To the OP, I totally agree with you. Not many hiring Managers would appreciate the Veterans as prospective employees. I even had a Marine Veteran interviewed me for a job at MicroStrategy; he did not even gave me a feedback.
Hang in there - it takes time. Speaking to federal positions, most HR departments have a high turn-over rate, so there's usually an open position available. Pick a region, comb through USAJobs, and apply every night (it's a numbers game). If you don't hear anything after a month, revise your resume and try again. I ended up changing mine three times before I started getting calls. Couple of tips: Use key words from the job listing in your resume. Attach your transcripts, DD214, and any other required documentation with your application when you apply. And most importantly - keep at it. In my situation it took between 3 and 4 months before I started getting interviews. The great thing about federal jobs is once you have your foot in the door, it's fairly easy to move up the pay scale. Whether it's a federal or civilian job your after, you'll get there. Good luck!
I am not military but I have experience hiring vets. My company is a big multinational with around 70K employees and we have a pretty big program that is targeted at hiring US vets. I probably interview around 75 - 100 vets a year in person or on the telephone however I only hire a few a year. Military veterans have some major advantages to the oil and gas industry. First of all, alot of veterans have experience overseas in countries like Iraq where we have major operations. They know what they are getting into and we are less likely to have turnover due to culture shock. Another advantage is that vets are generally good at traveling and being away from their families for extended periods of time which is also a characteristic of the oil and gas industry. Finally, veterans have discipline and leadership abilities that are rarely found in a new graduate fresh out of university. Now come the big but...First and foremost, many veterans have an inflated view of their value in the job market. Someone at some time told them that they could do their 5 years and then get out and work for a defense contractor and make a six figure salary. While that might be true for some veterans, not all seem able to find that golden job and then they look elsewhere. When they come to us, they are usually pretty vocal about their salary requirements. Usually at that point we tell them what an entry level job pays for oil and gas and then the conversation ends. Most of the veterans price themselves right out of the market. The military does give veterans some very good skills that is very relevant to the military. However, the skills obtained in the military do always work well with private industry. Most veterans that enter private industry need to learn the ropes before they can move up the ladder. Other than a few soldiers in the core of engineers, veterans know absolutely nothing about oil and gas. Also, when speaking of back office skills like procurement and logistics, they have broad knowledge but like the specific knowledge that is unique to private industry and unique to individual businesses. They need to start some place and learn the specific skills required by what ever business they want to get into. They most likely will not be hired into a management position. I can hire new grads that are just as likely to be successful (for different reasons than vets) for $50 - $75K. Why would I want to hire a veteran for $100K just because he is a veteran? We have some great success stories of veterans in my company. My best friend was in the Army and did something having to do with removing land mines. He was in about 10 years. I am the one who hired him into my company when we first kicked off our veteran program. He is now the manager for N. America for my company. However he did not start at $100K. He came in because he saw opportunity and started at around $60K. He now makes more than $200K 10 years later. He figured out what he had to learn and did it. Another success story is our global asset director. He is an Army vet as well. He joined us before our formal vet program but started at the bottom and worked his way up. I have no clue what he makes, but it is more than the example above. My advice to veterans trying to enter private industry is be realistic about what you can offer the company you are applying with. Understand what the pay is for the job before you make any statements about your salary expectations. A little sacrifice now can mean a huge pay off down the line.
I am looking for civilian positions only because getting into the federal realm is a fight in and of itself. I found out recently you aren't even legally allowed to apply for federal jobs until you are in receipt of a DD214 or separation orders. Coupling that with the fact that it can take 6 months to simply get an interview I cannot place my faith in the federal system. I hope I will get there but all I keep getting told is that I have no "real" experience. Its making me want to beat my head against a wall.
bpreachers - a good friend of mine has a BS and MS in HR and just retired from the military 5 years ago, he was an AZ and found it more lucrative to keep working on Aircraft logbooks for the military as a contractor. There are a lot of contractor NC type contractor spots out here in San Diego. Look at Military training and technical writing jobs. I hate to say it but I would stop looking to HR positions unless you are willing to start off making 40k or less. You could roll into an military training job at 70k. That is just my 2 cents a military contractor and Navy Vet.
Don’t be discouraged with your perceived plight; transition quickly from the “government” job /protected guarantee mindset. Consider that private industry is reality vs. your current occupational environment. To grasp /incorporate this actuality will lessen your apprehension and frustration. P.S. As has already been suggested … there are many private, yet government contracting, firms who may well place additional value to your previous military skills /experience. Moreover and for example (although unlikely within your MOS)—however, if per chance you hold a TS /SBI security clearance, such can /will open doors with governmental focused contracting firms by substantially reducing the firm’s initial investment in time, resources and costs in acquiring employee security clearances. Appreciate too that organizations (both private and public) will purely exploit the PC approach /perceived gain of seeming pro- military and/or veteran (e.g., the exhausted cliché “…thanks for your service”). Recognition of such will be advantageous in developing your practical expectations and personal approach to post-military employability. Semper fi!
Sadly I never had a chance to get a TS/SCI. The closest I got was when I deployed with 2d Radio Battalion but they only gave it to my Chaplain so he could speak with our Marines inside of the SCIF they said he would not need "security" while inside there so there was no reason for me to have one. I do have a Secret which is less "sellable" but not useless. I am looking as much as I can and expanding my "move plan" to areas other than just Atlanta which was my original plan. I guess I should have expected it to be hard. I assumed my experience, background, and education would make me a shoe in for a good job but that was obviously an error in my judgement. Oh well. On a brighter note I Aced my Capstone exam and will take my last final tomorrow. So unless something crazy happens I will finish my degree tomorrow woooo. Next step is I take the PHR exam on 13 June, hopefully I knock that out with ease as well. PS Anyone know anything about the Enterprise Management Trainee program? I am reading a ton of mixed reviews on it. It was something suggested to me by my Fleet and Family service center.
