10 Tips for the First Year of the Military Transition
Happy Monday! Over the past 9 years, we’ve helped more than 16,000 military service members, veterans, and professionals navigate career transitions, and today we’re sharing some of the most valuable tips and tools we’ve learned along the way for the first year of any career transition. Note: These are applicable no matter where you are at in your career transition.
1. Take It One Year at a Time: Plan only for the year ahead. Define what success looks like for
you in this period. Focus on either learning or earning. Measure your progress daily based
on this definition.
2. Recognize the Season You Are In: Understand that you are in a period of transition. Adjust
your expectations and plans as you discover more about yourself and what you want in this
new phase.
3. Be Mindful of Overcommitting: Avoid filling your schedule to the brim. Allow room for the
transformation and growth that occur after transitioning from military service.
4. Know Your ‘Why’: Understand your reason for leaving the military and let it guide your
focus. Avoid trying to mold your new organization into a military-like environment.
5. Consider a Bridge Job: The job market is complex and may require you to take a temporary
or transitional role before finding your ideal position. This approach allows for adjustment
and skill development.
6. Establish Non-Negotiables: Define the non-negotiable aspects of your life, such as work-life balance or values. Know when to compromise based on the job market.
7. Incorporate Your Family’s Needs: Include your family’s desired lifestyle and non-negotiables in your planning to ensure alignment and mutual support.
8. Seek a Veteran Mentor: When joining a new company, find a veteran mentor. Set
boundaries in the mentoring relationship to focus on positive adjustments rather than
negativity.
9. Continue Networking and Updating Your Profile: Never stop networking, tracking your
performance, updating LinkedIn, and refining your resume. Always be prepared for new
opportunities and quick adjustments.
10. Name and Address Your Fears: Identify two primary fears (e.g., layoffs) and proactively
create response strategies to manage them effectively.
What would you add? Comment below.
Start utilizing the Vets2PM Career Transition Workbook here: Vets2PM.com/training (Free Resources).
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Marine Terminal Advisor specializing in Regulatory, Health, Environment & Safety
14 小时前Thanks for these although I prefer to be a bit more tactical. I recommend a different approach. When I am working with a mentee, I recommend 1) Start with a goal. “A position in aviation where I can use skills I gained in the Air Force” or “A remote or hybrid position in health care that allows me to remain in my current home”. These are not necessarily goals you put on your resume, but they can inform those goals. 2) Keep a notebook with employers of interest, whether they are the National Park Service or Amazon. Write down what you like about these employers and whether you know anyone there.3) Complete a military crosswalk of your resume that takes a few of those interesting experiences and turns them into civilian career bullets, “Retrofitting a ready reserve fleet cargo ship into a chemical weapons incinerating platform without a second appropriation” could become “Delivered a complex ship conversion on time and under budget”. 4) Have coffee (or a Zoom call) with anyone you know in your field - your kid’s soccer game or church socials are some of the best places to learn about careers in your area. 5) Get on LinkedIn…..