| For People Leaving the Military |
In the career of all military staff, there comes a time when they need to think
about finding a new career within the civilian sector.
In this regard, there are two key problems that they often face.
The first is that very few understand how to effectively market themselves in
today's competitive job market.
Secondly a more fundamental concern to many involves some basic questions as to
the types of jobs for which they are qualified.
The purpose of this discussion is to introduce you to some fresh thinking about how
to market yourself into a new career. Our advice applies to younger staff and
non-commissioned officers, through high ranking officers who have already retired from the service.
Introduction
When you stop to think about it, there is no logical reason for military personnel to
have any doubt about their suitability for civilian positions.
If you ignore form, such as titles and uniforms, and concentrate on the substance of
what is achieved jobs in the military and civilian sector are very similar.
If you look at a more subtle factor which sometimes concern military people that of management perspective it
quickly becomes apparent that differences are more imagined than real.
The similarity of military and civilian organizations
About the only significant differences lie in the overall goals of the two types
of organizations. The ultimate aim of the military is to provide security for the nation. The
ultimate aim of most corporations is to make a profit.
Those overall goals, however, are quite far removed from the more day-to-day goals
of most executives, and it is those immediate goals which guide their actions.
A Corporate Vice President of Operations, for instance, is concerned with producing
a given amount of goods at specific productivity and cost levels and within appropriate
time frames.
To do that, it is necessary to make sure that certain materials are where they should be
in the right quantities and at the appropriate time. Managers and workers must be properly
trained and motivated to insure that necessary processes are carried out.
A military person responsible for operations performs the same functions. In this case,
it is to make certain that assigned exercises and missions are completed as scheduled.
Military and civilian jobs... the characteristics that are required
The parallels go beyond functional strength. They also apply to personality characteristics.
Consider the abilities to lead to motivate to meet strict performance standards
under tight time pressures and to handle a number of complex projects at the same time.
Or, the abilities to get people at various levels to cooperate enthusiastically with you
to be a good listener to analyze situations quickly be able to strip away the non-essentials and
to formulate an action plan that will work.
On the other hand, consider the ability to find new approaches when existing
methods aren't getting the job done to start and build an operation which quickly becomes efficient or
to bring harmony to a situation where conflict prevails
Each of these is a personal strength which might at some time be crucial to getting
the job done, and it remains crucial whether that job is done in the military or private sector.
What marketable assets do military people possess?
They are communicators.
They are usually people who have the fortitude to stand up in front of a group and
speak to them. Many people can't do that. They have also learned how to speak with authority, even
in situations where their authority might be questioned. Because of the substantial
reporting requirements at all levels in the military, many people are good writers as well.
They are smart listeners.
In many leadership situations, military people must be perceptive; be able to listen;
and have a sensitivity to the reactions of others.
If the cliche is true that 90% of the problems of business could be solved by-better communications, then in this regard, the skills of all
military supervisors should be in great demand.
They are creative.
Military staffers learn creativity. They are continually forced to find new ways to
present ideas and materials that will be interesting and refreshing. They have to think quickly on
their feet and be responsive their superiors, their peers and the needs of their subordinates.
They are sales professionals.
Many people are regularly called upon to sell their ideas and programs and those
of others within their organization.
Persistence is another quality that military personnel learn early in their profession.
They recognize the importance of not giving up on people, but instead learn how to set clear goals
and make every ounce to their energy available to others in order to achieve the mission of
the organization.
They are trainers.
They can take a body of information, then design and implement procedures to make
sure that people can absorb that information. In addition, they are frequently forced to teach others
to think for themselves, and to develop the skills necessary to learn on their own.
They are motivators.
They instill a desire in their subordinates to take an interest in the mission, and to
work hard toward achieving it. What's more, military people are not able to select who works for
them, so they don't always have a willing audience. Furthermore, the field and subject matter is
not always of prime interest to their subordinates. The motivation skills of many can never
be understated.
They are administrators.
Have you ever known a staff person who does not have certain scheduling, planning
and administrative skills?
They are good at time control.
Military personnel are people who must learn to control and use their own time
wisely. Their assignments may seem structured and easy for them, but all that they do in
preparation, running operations and monitoring, is often performed in an unsupervised environment.
This means that they have to set up a structure for themselves and then maintain the discipline of
others in order to keep operations going.
They are project managers.
Many people in the military are forced to be good project managers. It is left up to
them to provide the structure for the organization at their level, and the short-term goals and
milestones for progress. They also have to serve as the final authority on matters which might be in
dispute. At the same time, they have to understand group dynamics and feedback, so that they get the
most out of the raw enthusiasm and talent that their people will bring to any activity.
They are public relations people.
Public relations and community affairs represent still another hat worn by many
officers during the course of their careers. Their expertise at tactful, carefully thought
out communications are one key to their effectiveness.
They are confidants.
Many Military people are often expected to provide the psychological and
emotional support that subordinates and peers of all ages require. Again, the qualities of being a
good listener, a person who gets behind the symptoms to the causes, and the person who is not
afraid to express his feelings openly - all these come to the fore in the officer who functions as
a counselor or confidant.
They are small business managers.
Many military people have put together start-up organizations which are similar to
small businesses.They are forced to operate and to produce results with a minimum of staff. They
also understand the pressures involved in controlling quality the importance of systems to
control operations the importance of selling their ideas the need to
make adjustments when things aren't going as planned and all of the other aspects of running a business.
For all of the people who have run sections, departments, bases, squadrons, divisions
or groups, there are tens of thousands of very logical potential employers. They include most
fast growing mediumsized businesses in the United States.
They are general managers.
Some military people have developed skills of superior general managers. They
can oversee an operation and make sure that the job gets done right.
They can also help plan the direction of the company, serve as an articulate
spokesman with customers and the local community, train and organize as required, recruit, motivate,
and essentially do all the things that a good general manager of a small business has to do.
The title isn't all that's important. The fact is that most companies can use a few
good people who are able to handle different functions and a wide variety of problems as they occur.
Many, by the very nature of what they have been doing, are well equipped to do
just that. Those who have run many organizations in different locations are especially
well-equipped to do just that in business.
How to expand your horizons to where you fit in a civilian organization
If you are now in the military and are just beginning to contemplate a switch to
industry, there is a simple exercise which may be quite helpful for you.
It will help keep a positive perspective on your ability to contribute in industry.
(1) Describe your current role
Take a blank piece of paper and put a dot at the center. That dot should represent you
in as narrow and as specific a manner as possible.
For example, perhaps you have managed a group of specialists in data transmissions via telecommunications. Write down how that dot would
be described for you.
(2) Describe the role of the closest group around you
Now draw a circle around the first dot. The circle represents a group of which you are
a part. By virtue of being the specialist, you are automatically a part of a larger group, which is
all of those military people who manage groups of specialists in data transmission
via telecommunications. Write down the way you would describe the corresponding group in
your case.
(3) Describe the role of other groups you are involved with
Now draw another circle slightly larger than the second one you have drawn.
This represents a still larger group, which includes all of those people in the military who
manage groups of specialists in telecommunications whether they are transmitting voice or data.
Who does it include for you?
This circle might include all those who manage any operation connected
with communications, whether it be direct broadcast via satellite, cable TV, radio or network
TV broadcasting. How will you label that circle?
Now step back and take a look at these circles. You can sell your talents at any level just
indicated.
These circles simply illustrate different levels at which a potential employer
might decide to buy your talents.
Let's look for a moment at what happens when someone might buy your talents at
the level of the dot in the middle.
In most instances, they would have run an ad or hired a recruiter to find someone.
When they do find you, the process is largely an objective procedure.
They need a specialist with functional strengths of A, B or C - and you happen to
match all of them. If you are able to sell your talents at that level
But now let's assume that it's not quite so easy for you to sell yourself at such a
high level of specialization. What do you do?
The answer is to move out a few circles.
Let us suppose that you visit the local hardware store. The owner, a member of
the Chamber of Commerce, is talking to another member, who happens to be the president of a
small manufacturing company.
You are introduced, and in further conversation it turns out the company
manufactures electromedical devices. A conversation follows, and soon you find yourself invited to a barbecue.
Soon, you have a job offer to direct the development of a new product area. Even if
you don't know much about it, the owner of the company is confident you can handle it.
At what level has he brought your talents? Certainly not at the first few circles.
In fact, you probably have to go all the way out to a circle that says: "Managers
of technically oriented operations regardless of whether they are in the military, civilian
or government sectors."
What prompted this person to buy your talents at that level?
Human emotions played a big role. For all you know, perhaps he liked the way
you spoke and thought, or the way you looked or carried yourself.
In most hiring decisions, personal characteristics and positive human feelings play a much more significant role than
objective analysis.
Even if the skills you developed in the military have 100% application to a job in
the private sector, it doesn't really make all that much difference if you are selling your
talents outside the first few circles.
As you begin your efforts to transfer your talents to the private sector, keep this
simple but important exercise in mind. Remember that many of the things you have done will find
ready applications, and all of your personal strengths will increase your chances for winning offers
for which you may not have any of the desired experience.
A few of the areas available to military personnel
Telecommunications
Distribution
Project Management
Security
Purchasing
Data Processing
Personnel Administration
Operations Analysis
Materials Management
Fleet Management
Construction
Chief Operating Officer
Electronic Equipment Systems Design
Information Systems
Recruiting /Public Relations/
Promotions/ Community Relations
Strategic Planning
Assistant to Senior Executive/Officer
Start-up/Streamlining Operations
Real Estate/Site Identification
Leadership/ Motivation
Mechanical Engineering
Warehousing
Human Resources Management
Career Counseling
International Logistics
Performance Review/ Evaluation
Technical Editor System Assembly
Records Management
Retail Management
Consolidation of Operations
Facilities Maintenance
Training
Civil Engineering
Electrical/ Electronic Engineering
Computer Operation
Plant Shutdowns
Counseling
Contract Negotiation
Aircraft Pilot
Food Service Management
Sale of Products
Sale of Services
This list represents only a fraction of the situations available to people in the military.
It is long enough, however, to make a point.
In Summary
What is most important when a military person looks for a civilian job? A
primary consideration is that you need to understand your options, and then you need to market
yourself in an intelligent manner. This is precisely where our professional assistance or our professional job
search products can be of help. For information on how we can help you market yourself into a new
job, please feel free to call or write for more information.
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