Re-entering civilian life after your military duty ends can
require a big adjustment. Whether you're a career military person re-entering
the non-military world or a recruit who is eager to rejoin the civilian work
force, you may face unique challenges in searching for non-military work. Don't
give up hope; just take your job search as slowly as you need to so you don't
get overwhelmed or frustrated. You should also be aware that many of the
stories you've heard about post-military job searches are untrue; you can
and will find work. Here are some of the most common myths about looking for a
civilian job after you leave the military.
MYTH: Ex-military personnel are not hirable because they
have been trained to follow orders rather than take initiative.
TRUTH: As an ex-military member, you know that your service
wasn't about simply following orders. It was about working as a member of a
team so that you could contribute to achieving a common goal. This makes you a
stronger candidate for many jobs, not a weaker one.
Most bosses today expect employees to balance order-taking
with taking initiative. As an ex-military member, you've had more training in
this skill than most civilians. Your future boss may appreciate your ability to
focus on the team's best interest because this skill is fundamental to business
success.
MYTH: Civilian companies don't care about veterans' needs.
TRUTH: Most companies care more about workers' individual
needs than the media lets on. Employers know that unhappy and unhealthy
employees aren't good for business, so they try to accommodate reasonable
requests. For example, companies such as AT&T and Walmart utilize mobile
recruiting services, like JIBE that allow job
seekers to upload their resumes from a tablet or smartphone, and many companies
offer the ability to work at home.
MYTH: There's no point to seeking temporary employment.
TRUTH: Temporary employment can meet both short-term and
long-term job needs. No matter why you are seeking temporary employment, it
might be the best path to your career goals.
Many veterans feel unready to take on a permanent job
position for a variety of reasons. You may feel overwhelmed or need more time
to adjust; if so, a temporary position is a good way to get used to working in
a civilian capacity. Temporary jobs can help boost your self-confidence because
the stakes are lower, so you can try out the job without worrying as much about
how it will impact your professional reputation.
In addition, temporary
jobs are a great way to get your foot in the door if you want a permanent
job. Many permanent jobs require experience you may not have, which can be
frustrating. A temp-to-hire job may not have this requirement. During your
first 90 days, you and your employer can see how well you fit the job, and
after this period your employer can hire you permanently.
Myth: Ex-military members can't get civilian jobs if they
have a service-related disability.
Truth: Service-related disabilities are not necessarily a
barrier to employment. Many companies are willing to make accommodations to
ensure talented employees can do their jobs. Don't be embarrassed to ask to
work at home or for flexible hours if you need to.
Not only are the
majority of employers understanding, but the government is as well. The
Veterans Administration knows that veterans sometimes need help adjusting to
civilian life. The Veterans
Administration can help you overcome service-related health challenges so
you can succeed on the job.
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My husband will be home in 2 weeks, and at that point, our entire way of life will be changing. I am quite nervous about the job searching. We go from a steady pay-check, health insurance, and no worries about making bills..... to I don't know how we're going to get by these next few months if we are both working part time.
We shall see how this all works, but I think Miss Emma has hit the spot. Life after military is an adjustment. The only thing with us is that it's not post-military career. He still and may see a deployment. Yay reserves! Yeah, no. I get to be normal, except that it's not normal at all. I don't fit in with normal families and we aren't an active duty military family.
So welcome to the world of being a wife who is in the middle. We are the middle women. Reservists wives.
I guess we get the best of both worlds.
XO Alysa
