101 Tips- Transitioning to your next Opportunity~

I wanted to take a minute and share with you several tips which led me to a successful transition from one career to another. I understand there maybe a few missing, so if you would- please annotate other great tips in the comment section so we are able to share our great experience!

1. Take the time to get to know and understand you; likes, dislikes, passions, interests
2. Educate yourself on the industry eaches, so you know where you fit in best
3. Determine several relocation spots; don't settle on just one! You'll limiting your opportunities
4. Be flexible as to what you want to do; but have a goal in mind
5. Set short term goals and accomplishments
6. Set long term goals and accomplishments
7. Develop a strategic long term plan for your success
8. Establish timelines to meet your checkpoints; this is your personal guide
9. Expand your network daily; and develop and engaged circle of influencers
10. Strengthen your value through content, tone, and voice within your network
11. Interact with a purpose; help others by educating, empowering, and assisting them
12. Start branding yourself as the future you based on your previous experiences
13. Initiate a marketing content plan- daily, weekly, monthly
14. Share leader thoughts via post a article for others to read
15. Refine/ Optimize/ Enhance your LinkedIn profile as you gain better insights on the new you
16. Search out friends/family/ professionals to give you to recommendations
17. Add pictures to your LinkedIn profile
18. Add videos to your LinkedIn profile
19. Add documents to your LinkedIn profile
20. Add url’s to show your work on your LinkedIn profile
21. Get a professional picture completed
22. Use a professional email address and have a signature block
23. Build your profile through the eyes of who you want to become and who your audience is looking for
24. Determine if you need specialized certifications- LSSGB, PMP, SHRM Etc..
25. Read daily. Educate yourself. Learn the Ways.
26. Use Calendly to schedule discussions
27. Use aboutME for basic eResume example
28. Great eResume tool- www.doyoubuzz.com
29. Make a website about you www.wix.com
30. Have or do a professional video about you
31. Purchase several different professional attires; have them ready for wear
32. Purchase a briefcase of some sort to hold your documents
33. Buy notepads, folders, highlighters, and pens for your journey
34. Purchase a mic if needed for better clarity
35. Purchase a good web camera that is 1080 w/ HD; you can modify settings for a professional looking background
36. Set up your Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, WebEx, Gotomeeting accounts for easy accessibility online
37. Establish a professional setting with a backdrop for video event meetings
38. Set up a knowledge room- butcher block paper taped to walls with ideas and notes for brainstorming and interviews
39. Purchase/ Read- What Color is your Parachute 2017
40. Purchase/ Read- Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters
41. Have discussions with other service members daily to share and receive knowledge
42. Have informative/ explorative discussions with corporate america professionals daily
43. Endorse others skills & endorsements and follow-up with a nice message
44. Take out all military jargon from your LinkedIn profile and resume
45. Create resume outlines for 3 different types of positions as a shell
46. Utilize Veteran Support Organizations of your choice
47. Use Mentorship programs via Veterati, ACP, ementor to gain extensive knowledge and opportunity
48. Use cost of living calculators to prepare for your move
49. Join networking groups on LinkedIn and participate
50. Use local fellowship programs with chamber of commerce and transition assistance offices
51. Use transition assistance programs in a manner to get the most out of it; take advantage of every course, briefing, and opportunity.
52. Use Linkedin. HubSpot, InLearning Training videos to educate yourself on possible job positions or to enhance your skills needed for a particular position.
53. Take your time to properly and thoroughly prepare for your VA medical process and all the other mandatory events
54. Inquire to possible Recruiting services like Bradley Morris, Lucas Group, Orion, Cameron Brooks Etc..
55. Determine your passions and be able to describe them and why?
56. Help others, first and foremost- it will come around back to you full circle!
57. Interact with others (like, comment, share, message, text, call, skype, f2f)
58. Use LinkedIn as your PRIMARY source for all communication; don't be that person that takes 3 days to reply to a professional
59. Partake in projects within the LinkedIn community to gain skills and credibility; it also can be used within your profile
60. Assist with Community Service opportunities in your area; highlight that in your profile
61. Become personable and likable, take the time to communicate in more that 3-5 words!
62. Use local Networking events to meet people and share introductions and opportunities
63. Go to job fairs to see the landscape and how professionals interact
64. Partake in online seminars or training
65. Be detailed in who you want to connect with; have a purpose
66. Highlight individuals within posts that assisted you or that you have communicated with
67. Write LinkedIn recommendations for those deserving
68. Meet professionals for coffee discussions
69. Be aware that your posts can be seen by thousands so be professional because your employer is watching
70. Don't post political views
71. Don't post explicit photos
72. Don't like or comment on posts in a unprofessional manner
73. Use every possible social media platform that you can manage
74. Use a social media content manager- Buffer, Hootsuite Etc..so they manage your platforms and post when you want them to post
75. Compliment others always; 2 compliments and a discussion, end with a compliment!
76. Prepare for every discussion so there is a purpose and value to be gained
77. Provide value to everyone; no matter who you think they maybe
78. Send thank you emails and cards always
79. Establish personal and professional mentors
80. Understand most people won't reply to your messages in the timely manner you expect- only 5-10 of people reply%
81. Send holiday cards to your close connections
82. Offer the assistance of introductions for others
83. Wish connections Happy Birthday, Congrats, Anniversary in your own creative words
84. Refine your resume to each specific job requisition and get it emailed to a recruiter or professional or the company
85. Keep resumes in PDF and Word formats accessible from your phone for quick sending
86. Do a Video Resume
87. Use job boards to your advantage
88. Upload resumes to indeed, monster, career builder etc...
89. Use LinkedIn job search tool to highlight your professional capabilities
90. Use LinkedIn profinder to find professionals that can assist you with services
91. Adjust your LinkedIn settings so recruiters can find you and want your requirements maybe
92. Figure out your healthcare situation needed in advance
93. Determine new life insurance plans if needed
94. Speak with financial counselors for investing and saving
95. Remember to properly account for TAXES that will be taken out of your paycheck
96. Make a list as to top employers and why? Salary Median, Culture, Professional Discussions
97. Treat each interview as you're preparing for a college exam that you want to ace; use glass door for salary comparisons
98. Rehearse your "elevator speech" or pitch so you can grab a professionals attention within the first 20 seconds
99. Understand the different types of physical behavior questions and develop your responses to them; rehearse, rehearse, rehearse
100. Communicate your attributes and competencies; not the awards you won or how many employees you managed
101. Be exciting and passionate; professionals want to work with fun and inspiring teammates!!!!