In part one of this two part article, we discussed the first two rules to help veterans deploy into the civilian marketplace. In this part two of our two part article, we are going to discuss the final four key points. Rule number three: promote and use your positive military traits such as being disciplined, having loyalty, integrity, being decisive, resourceful and getting things done. Your military training taught you to have confidence, to perform well under pressure and to be a great team player. All of these traits are wanted and needed by the civilian marketplace. Employers now realize that veterans have these talents and know how to use them. This will help put you at the top of the hiring list by recruiters. Rule number four is important- get an education. Use this opportunity to get the military to pay for your education to college or trade school. Education is your cornerstone of a good career and stable financial future. If you can get a degree you are way ahead of the game for getting a job. If you don’t, you can always get any of a number of various types of certificate now available in either community colleges or trade schools. Recruiters and hiring managers are always impressed by any qualified completed certification. Perfect your soft skills is the fifth rule. A good definition of soft skills is obtaining personal attributes that enable you to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people in business. Having good soft skills will give you an advantage over everyone who has not yet realized that you have a better chance of getting a job and keeping it when using soft skills. The three basic areas in soft skills are to become educated is verbal communications, written communications and workplace relationships. Once you learn these skills you will have a good chance of getting that job that you really want, and not just one that you have to “settle” with. The sixth and final rule is maintain and share your sense of humor. Some employers have said that they found military people were too solemn and serious. It is good to show business people that you have a sense of humor. Just be careful and don’t over do it. The military was a serious life style but now that you are a civilian, you can loosen up and know that it will help you with your interface with other civilians in the civilian workforce. Jim Stedt is a partner at The Business SoftSkills Company (GetSoftSkillsNow.Com) located in Santa Ana, California. They provide job readiness and workforce success videos for education, business, prisons and individual use. Training is available online, on DVD, or through an affiliate program. These products are the most complete and concise soft skills training packages now available for the price of an average college textbook.
Related Articles -
Military transition, soft skills, getting a job,
|