Recruiting Manager at ArvinMeritor
Navy vet advises transitioners to start job search early.
By Warren Duffie

The sea and its promise of adventure have seduced many would-be sailors. However, Paul Ottoy was inspired to join the Navy because of a tale of foolhardy tragedy.

“I had an uncle who served in the Navy in the 1960s,” said the former chief petty officer. “During my senior year of high school, he told me some of his sea stories – including one about a shipmate disappearing off the side of a ship during a typhoon.

“On a Navy ship, you’re warned to stay inside during a typhoon, so this guy clearly wasn’t with the program,” Ottoy continued. “For some reason, that story stayed with me. But instead of convincing me not to enlist, it actually fueled my sense of adventure. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school, and I didn’t feel mature enough for college, so I joined the Navy to see the world.”

Ottoy’s love of adventure and willingness to tackle challenges helped him chart successful military and civilian careers. He’s currently the recruiting manager for ArvinMeritor, a supplier serving the motor vehicle industry – specifically, commercial truck, trailer and specialty equipment manufacturers.

On The Job
Based at ArvinMeritor’s headquarters in Troy, Mich., Ottoy, 42, works from 0715 to 1830. His recruiting duties include screening résumés, scheduling applicant interviews, conducting background checks and extending job offers. He also oversees the placement of advertisements and negotiates fees for outside recruiting firms. Another key responsibility is managing ArvinMeritor’s high school and college relations program, which seeks out and grooms future talent who could one day work for the company.

“Corporate recruiting is a challenging and demanding field, especially in today’s economy,” Ottoy said. “You have to constantly adapt and overcome. My Navy background provided me with excellent training for this. Also, while serving as a chief petty officer, I had to make presentations to my commanding officer, evaluate my Sailors and meet stringent deadlines. Such tools help me each day at ArvinMeritor.”

The Company
ArvinMeritor specializes in two business areas: commercial vehicle sales and light vehicle systems. For commercial vehicles, the company supplies drivetrain systems and components, including axles and drivelines, braking systems and suspension systems. For light vehicles, ArvinMeritor provides body systems (roofs and doors), chassis systems (suspension and ride control) and wheel products for passenger cars, all-terrain vehicles, light trucks and sport utility vehicles.

ArvinMeritor has about 19,800 employees at 125 locations on five continents. The company earned 2008 sales of $7.2 billion. Aside from competitive salaries and benefits, ArvinMeritor has a special program aimed at employees called to active duty military service. The Military Leave Program pays the difference between an employee’s military pay and base salary, allowing his or her family to maintain their current standard of living. Deployed employees also continue to earn savings plan benefits, maintain their company benefits and build up vacation time.

“I was deployed twice while in the Navy Reserve,” said Ottoy, who was called up in 1990 for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and in 2003 for Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom. “I wish my companies at the time had a Military Leave Program. It would have made life a lot easier. ArvinMeritor really goes out and supports its military employees.”

In Uniform
A native of St. Clair Shores, Mich., Ottoy enlisted in the Navy in 1984. After basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes, he was assigned to USS Duluth, where he served as a boatswain’s mate. After four years on active duty, he decided to transfer to the Navy Reserve, find a civilian job and earn a college degree.

After taking transition classes, Ottoy worked part time while earning an Associate of Arts degree from Macomb Community College and a bachelor’s in business administration from Oakland University, both in Michigan. After he got his degrees, Ottoy submitted his résumé to a job search firm. When the company called him back, he thought it found him a job. Impressed with his military background, the firm actually offered him a recruiting position within its ranks.

The Transition
“Leaving active duty was tough at first,” Ottoy said. “I missed the security and stability of the military. I was in a new world where there was no muster or inspections. That said, I was excited because my future was in my hands – and the Navy Reserve allowed me to continue my military adventure.”

Ottoy worked for several recruiting firms before moving to ArvinMeritor, a former client, in April 2008. When asked if he would have changed anything about his transition, he said he would have started his job search earlier.

“If I was getting out now, I would network to build military and civilian relationships. I would also make use of various military associations and communities.”

Ottoy's Advice
Take advantage of the GI Bill. “There’s no excuse not to get your education. The military makes it very convenient. Education is so important to civilian success.”

Keep track of your military accomplishments. “Make sure you showcase them to civilian companies. Corporate America is looking for good leadership.”

Persevere. “The job search can be tough. Don’t give up. Rely on your military toughness.”