Resources for Military Career Transition

Starting a New Career: The Landscape of Opportunity This post is designed to pass on career advice to retiring servicemembers. This is for NCOs and Officers of all grades who are retiring- I've seen NCOs and Officers succeed in all of the areas that I list below. I started preparing for retirement about 2 ½ years before leaving military service.  I don’t call it Retirement, I call it Leaving Military Service- as I want to keep working, and retirement sounds like you hang out in a rocking chair at home. I built a Word document and titled it Operation Inherent Danger- because all transitions are inherently dangerous.  I started making phone calls- I considered each one to be an informational interview- and took notes during each call. Informational Interviews are key, and they are enjoyable because there is no pressure.  2 ½ years before retirement I started to schedule about two informational interviews a week.  You are not asking for a job. You are learning. I outline how I did it in the attached pdf. Everyone’s journey is different, and mine is continuing, but at the end, I saw my Realm of Opportunity as: Professional Speaking Engagements.  What do you want to speak about?  Who will your audience be?  Will you arrange your own engagements or use a speaker’s bureau? Consulting.  What do you want to consult on?  How can you establish your brand now while you are in uniform?  How will you get business? Starting your own Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.  Lots of opportunities here if you have the courage to be an entrepreneur.  Small Business Administration is a great place to start. Buying a small business.  There are many small businesses out there trying to find a succession plan.  This can be incredibly lucrative, you can get financing from the current business owners, banks, etc.  You can borrow millions and start making the same. Working in the start-up ecosystem.  Venture Capital?  Start-up advisor?  Board member?  You can be paid in salary, equity, or both. Board Work.  Join the National Association of Corporate Directors, the Private Directors Association, and BoardProspects. Corporation.  Join a company. I work at USAA, where I still am today. The company's leadership, culture, and mission all align with my value set, and I enjoy every moment there. I decided to take the opportunity because it would expose me to the profit/loss world and fill in the gaps that I had in my skill set, making me more useful in the future as a speaker, consultant, board member, or entrepreneur. Portfolio Career.  This is what I found to be most appealing- it’s really a combination of the above- consulting and speaking engagements go hand in hand.  You can start a small business at the same time. As you develop this landscape of opportunity, you can take steps that will open doors to where you want to go, as shown in the pdf. What advice would you add? #career #opportunities #informationalinterviews

12x things I would have done differently if I was transitioning now: 1 - started earlier Should have started 18 months out, but would have loved to had 2-3 years...allowing me to space things out Doesn't mean "I'm getting out & going to job fairs" for 2-3 years Means I'm getting my LinkedIn profile together, growing my network, having exploratory conversations about careers & working on education (if necessary) It took 200+ phone calls & cups of coffee to figure out what I wanted to do...it would have been MUCH less stressful spread out over a few years (instead of 10 months) 2 - take TAP as soon as possible It isn't an amazing course (unless you luck out & get one of the absolute angels that teach it + have experience) But it is designed to give you a FOUNDATION Almost like transition Cliffs Notes 3 - request a mentor from American Corporate Partners (ACP) (14 months) Gives you full year to work with them before you get out Hint: ask your mentor to introduce you to other people if things are going well 4 - work on ethics memo (12 months out) for senior leaders Visit local JAG or ethics office You'll need an ethics letter for many senior defense sector jobs, so better to know now (and maybe even start the cooling off period earlier...while still in) 5 - get free LinkedIn Premium (12 months out) Google "free LinkedIn Premium for veterans" and hit the first link 6 - conduct informational interviews (12 - 6 months out) You ideally start way earlier, but here is where you really narrow down the answer to the question: what do you want to do? I recommend at least 2x calls a week to learn more about what people do, ideally you are doing 3-5x a week 7 - Sign up for USO Transitions (12 months out) Get a USO Transition Specialist that will work with you one-on-one, and they also have some cool webinars 😎 8 - get life insurance quotes (12-6 months out) Do it BEFORE you document everything that has ever been wrong with you for your disability (or get a sleep study) VGLI is #expensive & designed to ensure everyone (even medically discharged) can get it This can save you hundreds a month (easy) 9 - get free cert from Onward to Opportunity (6 months out) Ideally you've done enough informational interviews to choose the best one for your next career (not the automatic PMP everyone says to get) O2O will give you (+ spouse) free training for 1x cert AND pay for the exam They will also give you a career workshop, coaching & help with your resume 10 - take extra TAP classes Visit your transition center & see what else they offer They hold events and have specialized training beyond the minimum required classes 11 - work on resume (4-6 months out) with mentors It doesn't make sense to write a resume until you figure out what you want to do 12 - start applying for jobs (2-3 months from day you can start) Ideally with referrals from your mentors, giving you 11x better odds of getting job) Questions? #quinnsights HireMilitary

Transitioning out of the military is overwhelming. So many resources. So much information. And no clear roadmap. That’s why we created the ACT Now Education Guide, a step-by-step playbook to help service members, veterans, and spouses take control of their next chapter. Inside, you’ll find: ✅ Transition & retirement checklists (so nothing falls through the cracks) ✅ Military spouse transition guidance (because families serve too) ✅ How to maximize benefits & free resources (before you lose access) ✅ Job search essentials, resume help, interview prep & networking tips ✅ Free training & certifications (Cybersecurity, IT, Coursera & more) ✅ Entrepreneurship & business resources for those ready to build something of their own 💡 This isn’t just a guide, it’s a game plan. Transition smarter. Leverage every opportunity. Own your next move.

12 Brutal truths about military transition (read this before you hang up your uniform!) Transitioning from military to civilian life involves more than just a career change; it requires a strategic approach to translate your skills, mindset, and experiences. Here's a quick guide to ensure a successful transition: 1/ Translate Your Skills - Action: Identify your military skills and find civilian equivalents. - Resource: Check out ONET Online’s Military Crosswalk for guidance: https://lnkd.in/grAnmVbJ 2/ Champion Self-Advocacy - Action: Develop a strong elevator pitch and gather tangible achievements. - Resource: Optimize your LinkedIn profile to reflect your professional brand. 3/ Adapt to New Job Titles - Action: Understand and adapt to civilian job titles and roles. - Resource: Glassdoor provides insights on various job descriptions: https://lnkd.in/gWXg2v9N 4/ Understand Different Hierarchies - Action: Learn about less rigid and more collaborative structures in civilian workplaces. - Resource: Explore Harvard Business Review for articles on corporate culture differences: https://hbr.org/ 5/ Network Effectively - Action: Engage with professional groups and attend industry meetups. - Resource: Join networks like American Corporate Partners (ACP) and The COMMIT Foundation: https://acp-usa.org , https://lnkd.in/gCDdUHnw 6/ Set Healthy Work-Life Boundaries - Action: Prioritize your well-being by setting clear work-life boundaries. - Resource: MindTools offers excellent strategies: https://lnkd.in/g4t_zT7E 7/ Embrace Challenges - Action: Step out of your comfort zone by volunteering for new projects. - Resource: Get inspired by TED Talks on personal growth and challenge: https://www.ted.com/talks 8/ Feedback as a Tool for Growth - Action: Actively seek and constructively interpret feedback. - Resource: Learn more about feedback at Feedback Guides: https://lnkd.in/gaWTieYV 9/ Focus on Being Adaptable - Action: Build a versatile skill set. - Resource: Explore courses on Coursera and Udemy: https://www.coursera.org/, https://www.udemy.com/ 10/ Value Progress Over Perfection - Action: Focus on achieving milestones, not perfection. - Resource: Discover agile methods at Agile Alliance: https://lnkd.in/gYfbQg4q 11/ Prepare for a Non-Linear Career Path - Action: Be open to shifts and unexpected turns in your career journey. - Resource: Read about career pivots on The Muse: https://lnkd.in/gpDgQ4Bf 12/Take Initiative - Action: Seek out and create opportunities for growth and advancement. - Resource: "Drive" by Daniel Pink offers excellent insights on initiative. Adapting to civilian life means leveraging your military discipline in new contexts and being proactive about your career development. Equip yourself with these tools to navigate your path. ------- If this hit home, follow me (Jon Macaskill) and please repost!

I am convinced I know why more than half of veterans leave their first post-military job the first year. Follow my thought process here. When you join the military, you are handed a new identity. I'm not saying "you" fully disappear. But you are now part of the "we." It's always about we and us. It's about the team. You'll move from job to job over your career, but let's be honest. That wish list you fill out on what job you want next is usually just that. Most of the time, your career manager is going to put you where they need you. The military tells you where you'll be going. When you get there, you'll fall into the same overall structure. You're "given" your new peer group whether you like it or not. Nobody sits around asking you what will make you happy. Like, what? Happy? I guess not working the weekend would be great. When you get out, it might have been years since anyone asked what you want to do. The question alone can be uncomfortable. When transition time comes, it comes. If you haven't asked yourself certain questions, you're going to take what looks good. What pays well. Or what comes your way first. So it's no surprise that 10 months later you're sitting in your workplace thinking "this stinks. I want out." Do you know: - Who YOU are? Like, YOU, the me and not the we? - Do you know what makes you happy? - Do you know what kind of decisions you need to make professionally and personally to bring you fulfillment? It's why when I left the military four years ago I participated in the Leader Transition Institute's course called "Changing Focus: Moving from We to Me." This military transition course is like no other. It'll help you figure out those answers. And armed with them, you'll make much better decisions on everything from where to live to what job you think will bring you fulfillment. In four days, they gave me the tools and expert guidance to figure out the things I needed to figure out. Those answers, along with the long-term support of an incredible community, and the professional network which comes with being part of the program's alumni made all the difference. It starts with a couple of hours on a Thursday evening, a full day Friday and Saturday, and a half day on Sunday. Let's be real. If you don't have two days and two half days to invest in yourself now, then don't be surprised when things don't go well later. Changing Focus is free and open to service members within 24 months of transition, military spouses at any point in their service member's career, and veterans of any era with any type of discharge. Registration for the May cohort ends this Friday the 19th. The class runs the 2nd through the 5th. Please, give yourself this gift. I promise you it'll be worth it. Register now before you give yourself excuses on why you can't go. Registration link in the comments. #zigszagsandpivots #leadertransitioninstitute #militarytransition #jvknows

Too many people see that "Open to Work" sign as an easy target to make a quick buck. From paid communities, to MLM-style courses, to folks with minimal experience branding themselves career coaches and charging thousands for their generic advice, folks are often exploiting people's desperation. But there ARE free resources out there: Pay Forward Coaching offers a free 1:1 coaching session as well as a free community with experienced coaches (and no upsell) EarnBetter offers a free AI resume tool and job board. Landed! is my newsletter for jobseekers where I share advice for navigating both job searches and the workplace (and I also share jobs on this page!) Lyft offers free rides to interviews and your first few weeks on the job. CareerOneStop is a free resource with tools for job search, and they have a lot of resources in particular for veterans, justice-impacted individuals, etc. Dress for Success Worldwide, Bottomless Closet, and Career Gear are just a handful of the many organizations that will help you get dressed for that interview or new job, and many offer additional supports to job seekers. I'm dropping a list of these resources in comments, and if you know of other totally free resources (with no upsell!), feel free to share them as well!

Helping my client Bryan, a veteran, was a deeply rewarding experience and exemplifies why I love the work I do at Lotus The Agency (lotustheagency.com). Bryan needed guidance in his job search, and we began by conducting a thorough resume review. We ensured his resume included only relevant job experience, with detailed paragraphs and bullet points under each job, and listed the dates of employment to confirm at least one year of specialized experience. We then reviewed his eligibility for special hiring authorities for veterans and individuals with disabilities, such as VRA, DAV 30%, and Schedule A. We also explored other special hiring paths, including Direct Hire Authority for Information Security, Direct Hire Authority for STEM positions, and positions with the DHS Cyber Service. To give Bryan an edge, we identified agency Select Placement Coordinators and Veteran’s Program Managers, leveraging their assistance to bypass the USA Jobs process. After three weeks of dedicated searching, Bryan received two tentative job offers for GS-13 Infosec positions, all without using USA Jobs, thanks to the DAV 30% special hiring authority for disabled veterans. This experience underscores my passion for helping people, especially veterans, achieve their dreams of federal careers. If you or someone you know is a veteran interested in federal employment, Lotus The Agency would love to help. Free Resources for Veterans: Here are three free resources for veterans seeking federal employment and wanting to learn more about hiring authorities: 1. Feds Hire Vets (www.fedshirevets.gov) • This is the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) website dedicated to veterans seeking federal employment. It provides comprehensive information on various veterans’ hiring authorities, resources for job seekers, and details on the application process. The site also features success stories and tips to help veterans transition into federal roles. 2. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Careers (www.vacareers.va.gov) • The VA Careers website offers extensive resources for veterans looking to join the federal workforce. It includes information on special hiring authorities like VRA and DAV 30%, as well as job search tools, resume building tips, and details on various career paths within the VA and other federal agencies. 3. USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov) • USAJOBS is the federal government’s official job site. The website offers a dedicated veterans’ resource page that provides guidance on navigating the federal hiring process, understanding veterans’ preference, and utilizing special hiring authorities.

I’m blessed where I have a lot of mentors and great acquaintances that have transitioned from the military to the civilian sector before me. I’ve been able to watch and I’ve been paying attention. I’ve learned a lot. Every transitioning member has their own journey. I’m not judging (maybe a little...just being honest...😬) but I am conscious of what may and may not be working. Here are some things I’ve learned that may help other transitioning military members: 1. Get the degree and the certifications. Look at job announcements and what they deem as minimum qualifications and get those. 2. Use leave in the last year to do mini internships to learn the lingo of your industry. Ask local companies if you can shadow people. Maybe those opportunities will lead to a Skill Bridge Internship. 3. Remember why you separated/retired in the first place. Most of my mentors and great acquaintances chose to leave before they had to. Now it appears some are reminiscing about stuff they once complained about. Don’t let something unknown provoke you to glorify what you wanted to remove from your life in the first place. 4. 1% serve so stop expecting 99% to understand. We are the minority. We are the outsiders. WE HAVE TO ADAPT. Not them. 5. There are jobs out there but they may not be in your desired location. That is something you may have to ponder. 6. A six-figure role requires six figure work. You won’t automatically have work life balance. Being a civilian HR pro (fill in the blank) is very similar to Being a military HR pro. Stress, 50 #1 priorities, tons of expectations, etc. 7. Expectation management has never been more crucial. You are really good at military things and the military way of life. But that really only gets you so far. It may make you a successful DOD civilian or contractor but it won’t always make you a successful HR manager (fill in the blank) at a civilian company. 8. You aren’t starting from the bottom but you are starting from the beginning. The beginning of a new phase in your life. Be mindful of expectating comparable benefits. 9. You may not be a good fit. That is ok. 10. The same issues that kept you from going to the doctor, having a life outside of work, skipping kid events, etc., will still be present. The environment changes but if you don’t, you’ll encounter the same bullshit you wanted to leave. Why? Because of YOU! Bonus: Define what a smooth transition means to you! Keep the above in mind. Reminders: This is based on my experience. #militarytransition #dodskillbridge

If you’re not ready to leave military service, DON’T! #MilitaryTransition is an exciting time, but If you fail to plan the basics… You’re making life harder than it has to be. Here are my Top 10 Transition Basics (started anytime): 🟢 Pay down / off debt • Financial freedom is 🔑 ⚫️ Network, network, and network some more! • Your network can lead to jobs! TRUST ME! 🔵 Get active on LinkedIn • Great for #personalbranding & research ⚫️ Find a mentor (or three) • They know, because they’ve been there! 🔴 Earn at least a bachelors degree • Especially if you want a manager role 🔴 Create a translated master resume • Hire a #resumewriter if needed 🔴 Earn a certification (or three) • The military pays for ‘em! Maximize your benefits. 🔵 Get a #DoDSkillbridge opportunity • Talk with your leadership and make your intentions known at least 18-months out! 🟢 File your DAMN VA Claim! • Whether you’ve served 3 year or 30, you’ve earned this! ⚫️ Know WHAT you want to do (generally) • You can figure this out through informational interviews. #ProjectManagement remains hot and growing! What would you add or change? Look— EVERYONE can succeed in their post-military lives! It’s up to us whether success is immediate or takes months. It’s up to US to follow through! #QuickNote #careers #jobs

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺. 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Last week was filled with wisdom shared, lessons received, and quiet clarity gained. Here is the DoD Mandated Guidance for "What Did You Do Last Week": 1. Facilitated Day 2 of “Hands On Your Career” for 17 job seekers, coordinating 3 key modules: LinkedIn Optimization, Veterans Panel, and Resources & Referrals, with support from 10 mentors. (Charles E. Branum | Nicole Thompson | Madison Berger, MBA | Raymond Gluck | Morgan Young | Brian Kluball, MBA, PMP, SAFe Agile, PMC | Claudia Zimny | Taylor Kurlas) 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Delivered high-engagement sessions that improved LinkedIn profile visibility and deepened participants' awareness of veteran support systems. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲: Expected increase of 45–60% in LinkedIn profile views and recruiter outreach over the next 30 days.   2. Organized and executed professional headshots in collaboration with Portraits For Patriots®, capturing 32 high-quality images. Thank you Brian Kluball, MBA, PMP, SAFe Agile, PMC & Kathryn Baskerville!! 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Strengthened participants’ personal branding and professional confidence, providing an essential asset for job applications and LinkedIn profiles. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲: Anticipated 30% improvement in initial impression scores based on visual brand presence across job search platforms.   3. Provided career coaching and resume development to 4 clients over 2 days, delivering real-time resume enhancements, personal branding strategy, and job search education tailored to their future civilian careers. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Optimized resumes, translated military skills into civilian language, and increased career clarity—100% of clients reported improved confidence in navigating their transition. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲: Clients are now positioned to begin targeted job searches within the next 60 days, with resumes and branding assets aligned to current trends.   4. Facilitated a “Train the Trainer” workshop for a 17 coworkers, sharing resume-building techniques and practical guidance for working with MFRC clients. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Provided live demonstrations of formatting, language conversion, and best practices—94% of participants reported increased confidence in resume development. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲: Team members are now better equipped to offer informed resume guidance, ensuring consistent support across the program.   5. Expanded resource knowledge by learning in-depth about Military OneSource, The Vet Center, and Budget Planning for the military community. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Strengthened resource awareness—identified and cataloged 9 referral sources to integrate into future coaching sessions. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲: Anticipated 30% increase in resource referrals during 1:1 coaching sessions over the next quarter.