In-stock Manager at Amazon.com
After a futile search online, Marine Corps officer works her civilian contacts to find her dream job.
By Warren Duffie 

As a Marine Corps aviation supply officer, Kate Hagar was responsible for ensuring mechanics and crews had the right parts to keep planes and helicopters in the air. Now, as a civilian, the former captain helps American book lovers satisfy their literary cravings. 

On the Job
Hagar, 31, is an in-stock manager for Amazon.com, often called the “world’s largest online retailer.” Based at the company’s headquarters in Seattle, Wash., she is part of Amazon’s U.S. book team. Her job is to make sure her team has the “right amount of the right books for Amazon customers.” This involves working closely with vendors to buy the correct number of books for customer orders and get the literature to customers as quickly as possible.

“A typical work day at Amazon is jam-packed with non-stop problem-solving and process improvement,” Hagar said. “The tempo is quite quick and challenging. Organizational discipline, time-management skills and the ability to dive into something without a clear solution – in order to determine the best way forward – are all traits that I developed in the military and use constantly in my day-to-day life.

“The most rewarding thing is, I’m given complete ownership over my processes,” she continued, “so anything that can be improved or streamlined, I’m able to do so.” 

In Uniform
After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor’s in economics in 2002, Hagar was commissioned as a Marine Corps officer. She completed aviation supply officer training in Athens, Ga.

Hagar served in California, Virginia, Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2010, she decided to call it a career. Although she loved the Marine Corps, she wanted more stability and was interested in pursuing a new profession. 

The Transition
When Hagar made the decision to leave the military, she took transition classes and sought advice from friends and peers who had entered the civilian work force. She also spent much time researching career paths and various companies and industries. Hagar also reached out to contacts within civilian companies that interested her.

“I initially spent a lot of time applying online for jobs,” she said, “but after not hearing back regarding any of the positions, I found utilizing my contacts to the fullest extent possible was what worked. I also found that being realistic about job location is critical. If you are open to more geographic areas, your options are much greater.”

Hagar connected with the Amazon Military Talent team and soon was invited to interview – completing several phone interviews and a six-hour in-person interview with members of the U.S. book team. She was hired in July.

“I really wanted to work for Amazon because it is one of the most successful companies in the world and has a unique and exciting corporate culture,” Hagar said. “While pay and benefits were important, I wanted to work at a place where I could grow and maximize my potential.

“The biggest surprise of my transition is that the civilian work force really is a tough place right now,” she continued. “I think a lot of military members perceive that jobs in the civilian world are not as challenging or time-consuming as what we do in the military, but that is not the case. I find I work hard, and work a lot. You are expected to provide results, and to be able to quantify what you are achieving.”

Hagar’s Advice
Knowledge is power. “Be realistic about what you want out of your next career, and don’t limit your options. Make sure you utilize all of your resources for hiring options.” 

Be prepared for a pay cut. “You might take a substantial salary cut, especially when you consider all of the tax-free benefits and allowances of the military.” 

How’d You Get That Job?
Hagar connected with the Amazon Military Talent team and soon was invited to interview – completing several phone interviews and a six-hour in-person interview with members of the U.S. book team. She was hired in July.

“I really wanted to work for Amazon because it is one of the most successful companies in the world and has a unique and exciting corporate culture. While pay and benefits were important,

I wanted to work at a place where I could grow and maximize my potential.”

What Hagar Likes About Her Job
The challenges I am faced with on a day-to-day basis
The culture of my company
The broad range of growth opportunities within Amazon