For most military personnel, the career transition process is as much about education as it is about finding a job. More than half end up employed by companies unknown to them when their searches began. Furthermore, they accept positions about which they initially had little or no knowledge.

Why does this happen?
One explanation is that most military personnel have little exposure to the private sector prior to joining the service. With a few exceptions (graduate school, education-with-industry, program management, etc.), this lack of exposure continues throughout their time in the military. The result is a lack of information about their options. This lack of knowledge is one of the largest obstacles in the military-to-civilian employment transition. How can one answer the question, “What do you want to do?” without knowledge of the choices?

Most military personnel base their knowledge of the business world on their experiences as consumers. They are very familiar with companies that “brand” their products or services. Virtually everyone has heard of Intel, Ford, Xerox, Proctor & Gamble, AT&T and UPS. Very few people are familiar with MEMC, Sawtek, Nalco and Jones Lang Lasalle. All of these companies are world-class and leaders in their fields, but only the first group markets directly to the consumer. On the surface, you might prefer to work for one of the former, but, beneath the surface, one of the latter might be better for you. Regarding job categories, there is a certain amount of familiarity with titles like “production manager,” “sales representative” and “project engineer.” However, “business analyst,” “program manager,” “consultant” and “brand manager” might be less familiar. Depending on your educational background, experience, and personality, could the lesser known firms could be more appropriate for you.

“Much can be said for initially interviewing for everything for which you are qualified. As you learn more about each of these options, you will also learn more about yourself.” Much can be said for initially interviewing for everything for which you are qualified. As you learn more about each of these options, you will also learn more about yourself. Your level of interest in each will start to clarify and an elimination process will begin. Cross off the job categories that do not interest you and focus on those that do. This process works both ways. If you are rejected every time you interview for a job category, maybe you should reconsider your suitability for that position.

A certain amount of this self-education process occurs before the interviewing phase of the job search begins. Although reading, information interviews, and informal discussions with family members and friends can give you a sense of what is out there, for most people, it is the actual interview that produces the most important information. One way to view this phenomenon is to consider a job hunt as an information gathering process, a by-product of which is the job offer you really want!

© Copyright, Tom Wolfe, used with permission