BellSouth
G.I. Jobs.. What do prior military hires bring to your company that you like?
BellSouth / As a rule, we find most veterans to be well disciplined, highly trained and strongly motivated employees who possess a wide range of technical and professional skills. They are goal and task oriented and many speak more than one language. Overall, they are a great asset to the company.
G.I. Jobs.. What issues/surprises do you find that military transitioners / veterans need to be aware of when entering the civilian workforce?
BellSouth / In general, they need to be more aware of the civilian employment process. This includes how to best showcase the skills they acquired while in service in a way that can be understood by the civilian population.
G.I. Jobs.. What disadvantages do you find?
BellSouth / Some military personnel transitioning into the civilian workplace lack familiarity with civilian work environments and processes outside the military umbrella. Also, some veterans might experience frustration when entering a civilian workplace where peers lack the same level of discipline and determination they are accustomed to in the military.
G.I. Jobs.. What are the most common mistakes you see on military / veteran resumes?
BellSouth / The most common mistake is the wide use of military acronyms and terminology that are unfamiliar to the civilian workplace. The second is not elaborating on relevant military work experience to demonstrate how their skills and experience translate to the civilian job market.
G.I. Jobs.. What are the most common mistakes military / veterans make in interviews?
BellSouth / Same as with the resume, most candidates seem to have trouble translating military acquired skills and experience to the civilian work environment as well as expressing themselves in layman terms. They need more awareness of the fact that most civilians are not familiar with military terms.
G.I. Jobs.. Is relocating essential to promote within your company?
BellSouth / Generally speaking, relocating is not essential to promote within the company but willingness to relocate would enhance promotion opportunities. However, there are certain instances (depending on the position and nature of the job) in which it could/would be a requirement.
G.I. Jobs.. What types of positions does your company recruit military for?
BellSouth / We encourage all transitioning military personnel and veterans to view any and all of our jobs posted on www.bellsouth.com/military.
G.I. Jobs.. Describe one of these positions (responsibilities, daily duties, working hours etc.)
BellSouth / Outside Technician Employment Opportunities Service Technicians install, rearrange, maintain, and remove customer premise wiring/cable and facilities. Service Technicians also regularly interact with customers and represent BellSouth in their communities. Service Technicians work both outdoors and indoors.
Outside Plant Technicians place, rearrange and remove telephone plant (the cables and facilities that make up most of the network outside the central offices). This includes the supporting structures, terminal facilities, and related apparatus. They also perform maintenance work necessary to provide quality service. Outside Plant Technicians primarily work outdoors.
Facility Technicians install and maintain all types of telephone cable and cable facilities in switching offices, between these offices, and between these offices and customer locations. Facility Technicians also coordinate work operations with other employees and with customers, as well as maintaining company records. Facility Technicians primarily work outdoors.
Tests required for the above positions are Basic Electricity and the Physical Performance Test. All outside technicians must pass a drug screen, criminal background check and possess a valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record; inside technicians must pass drug screen, criminal background check and may be required to have satisfactory driving record and valid driver’s license. Outside technicians work outdoors in all types of weather and must have the ability to lift or move up to 120 pounds and climb poles up to 18 feet and ladders. All technicians must be able to work overtime hours, call-outs and holiday work as required.
Technical Skills Needed – basic and advanced PC skills, proficient with hand tools, basic telephony knowledge, basic electricity, residential construction, basics of home wiring/electrical wiring.
Soft Skills Needed – customer contact skills, communication skills,analyzing/problem solving skills. The soft skills are more important than ever because of increased competition and the need to assist customers with all of their communications needs (phone, DSL, home security, entertainment, etc.)
G.I. Jobs.. Did any of the senior executives in your company serve in the military?
BellSouth / Yes.
G.I. Jobs.. Any other comments or advice?
BellSouth / Transitioning candidates need to spend some time reviewing the particulars of their military assignments – as they apply to the contents of a resume. They must find ways in which to translate and express those skills acquired in the military so that proper identification and placement - by civilian recruiters - can take place. There are some excellent military websites at their disposal that provide advice and assistance in these areas.