If there is a right way to do things, then why are so many "experts" giving you different advice?
Last week as I was on the computer checking out what great advice my Linkedin posse had to offer me, I read 2 articles on Zoom meetings. These articles were written by 2 people who are considered experts in my field, (the military transition space) and whom I greatly respect. They were both offering advice on proper ways of participating in a virtual platform. Now we all know that video conferencing has become all the rage since Covid-19 has made many of us social prisoners in our own home. Video meetings have become one of the most important forms of communication both in the workplace and in our private lives. Both of the articles were well written had great takeaways on how to look and sound like a professional on your video call, and both contradicted each other. Why? (we will answer that later).
People measure success in different ways. For some it's money. They can never have enough. For others, (like myself), it's job satisfaction. I could make more money if I just switched to the corporate (dark) side of the house, but I wouldn't be anywhere near as happy. Finally, there are the "experts". Those voices that present themselves as that one true voice who above all others are the ones to follow, and we do. These are the Linkedin superstars. These are the difference makers in your job search or your transition from military to civilian life, however, you need to be careful. Not because they have nefarious intentions but because they are promoting success as they see it and there is more than one road that leads to the top of the mountain.
And now for the answer. Transitioning from the military and looking for employment is a very personnel journey. It is shaped by factors that are as unique as the person who is transitioning. This is why it is important to seek out other voices in these fields and mix them up to form your transition plane, a plan that caters to your specific and very unique situation. All true "experts" understand this. They should be framing their lessons into easily relatable stories that explain why they believe their way is the best, with an understanding that there are other ways to do it. Always remember, (and this will kinda end up being a recurring theme), the transition process is subjective, make it your own, cause it is.