Photo Source : Department of Defense

No Civilian Employment Experience? – Volunteer to Gain Skills

There are many volunteer organizations where you can gain knowledge and experience to add to your résumé.  Some organizations which always are in need of volunteers: 

• The United Way
• American Red Cross
• Planned Parenthood
• Catholic Charities
• Jewish Federations
• Other religious organizations
• Legal Aid Groups
• Salvation Army

Civilian  Career Goals

By recognizing the fundamental differences and similarities of your former military career and your new civilian career, you can clarify your future professional needs:

           While in military service, you are presented with an assignment which lasts for an explicit amount of time at a standard pay grade consisting of a conventional salary with pay upgrades determined by the assignment) and are provided with all of the clothing, equipment and training necessary to carry out the set objective.  Essential difference: Collaborative environment, member of a team, Field Service Record created to detail military qualifications, training and experience,  sometimes but not always given opportunity to make choice in assignment(s), generally not subjected to layoffs, downsizing and changing industry environments,  always provided clothing equipment and training.

             In civilian life, you must look for employment opportunities at varying rates of pay and provide your own clothing.  Most positions will provide equipment and some training for the position.  Essential Differences: Have full opportunity to make a personal choice in employment and position including starting your own business, must translate Field Service Record qualifications, training and experience into a civilian resume, multiple opportunities to exceed conventional salary structure, must find a position on your own or through assistance, must devote personal time and effort into the art of finding a position through research and application process, subject to layoffs, downsizing and changing industry environments once employed and must supply, at the least, the cost of civilian work clothing.  

 

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Speak Spanish?

Be Sure to Add to Résumé

      If you are bilingual, you have improved your probability of finding a new civilian position significantly and should place that information in the summary or skills portion of your résumé.  Bi-lingual applicants are sought in many fields, notably medical and legal. Having the ability to effectively communicate in both English and Spanish is a true commodity for a job seeker.  The catch is that often an applicant can communicate more efficiently in one but not both.  If your primary language is Spanish and you speak it at home, then attempt to use more English and encourage your family to help you by using it also.  You would list your bilingual ability by stating: Bilingual (Spanish-English). You can also look into English as a Second language training schools or software.  If your primary language is English, you should look into taking classes to hone your Spanish skills or into software such as TELL ME MORE Spanish Language Software.  

VetFran Franchise Initiative

         Honorably discharged veterans who are eager to open a franchise can find financial benefits assistance provided through the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, or VetFran, a program which is a alliance between the International Franchise Association (IFA), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and The Veterans Corp. VetFran companies extend assistance to discharged veterans including those who have been out of the armed services for decades. A typical VetFran discount ranges from 15% to 25% off franchising fee costs.  Participants in the program include:

•UPS (UPS) and Mail Boxes Etc.

·         •Little Caesar Enterprises,.

•Armco Transmissions

7-Eleven Chain Cuts

Franchise Fee for

Veterans

       Honorably discharged military retired or inactive veterans are being given financial help through a discounted franchise fee of 10% by Dallas, TX based 7-Eleven, Inc. to start a 7-Eleven franchise according to Chief Executive Joe DePinto.  DePinto spent five years as an officer in the U.S. Army  and recently starred in a television commercial set to air later this summer. 

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