I've just retired from the military and need to put together my resume. Any recommended web sites for this daunting task?

 

Welcome to civillian life! Hope you are adapting well! Sorry it took me so long to reply - well, your task is daunting! First of all, there are a trillion sites for resume writing and they all say different things. The first and foremost important thing you need to do is network yourself. They tell you that when you get out of the military that your skills we be in demand - HA! Let me tell you, your resume will always go to the bottom of the pile if you over emphazize your military service. Why? Well, there are too many reasons for me to explain - please, just take my work for it!By networking, I mean getting out there in the community and meeting people who can get you jobs! Employment agencies that specialize in professional placement are a great place to start! Plus - there are so many government grants floating around to get you more skills to be marketable - find them! Look at your local OBES office - and register there as well! The VA has work programs - they probably have free services to have your resume done for you! Plus, with all this gov't money floating around - if you don't have PC skills, or interviewing skills - these non-profit companies will teach you all that for FREE! Take advantage of it before the funding disappears! The best thing you need to do when doing your resume on your own is to emphasize WHO you are. Not so much what you can do - but how you will do it! People skills are the most marketable quality today and work ethics - so emphasize those! You know, things like "quick study, professional demeanor, team player, self-starter, etc." Let your resume be a reflection of WHO YOU ARE - not just a piece of paper with facts! Your objective should be you commercial. DO NOT have an objective that tells the potential employer what you are looking for in them but what you can bring to the table to increase thier profits! Be honest on your resume but EMBELLISH. Example, if you cleaned latrines in the service, list it as Armed Forces Detail - are ya with me? If you were a cashier at MCDonalds, you were a Customer Service Liaision who strived daily to ensure customer satisfaction through going above and beyond their expectations - you know - B.S. them but with honesty. Oh, and one of THE most important things on your resume are adjectives. Adjectives are your friends. You don't have communication skills, you have EXCEPTIONAL communication skills. Follow these basics, and remember, network yourself. It won't be easy, I won't lie. But you will do fine. Utilize as many employment resources as you can. Once you get a resume form together - post it on the web! Local and National web sites prove to be an awesome way to get hired! Oh - I know I am so long winded but I just want to tell you - this is YOUR market now. Good people are not easy to find - you just have to market yourself that way. Do not concede to any job that comes along unless you have to for financial reasons. Be firm - decide what you would like to do and what would make you feel worthwhile in a job. Interview the prospective employer for a job with them - don't let them run the interview but don't get cocky either! Best wishes! If you need any more help - please feel free to email me at cloya@neo.rr.com.

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Always Remember, "If you love your job - you never have to work another day in your life."

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hurricane:
[B]I've just retired from the military and need to put together my resume. Any recommended web sites for this daunting task?


Web sites?? Get thee hence to your local Vetran's Affairs office immediatly. I am NOT kidding, do it TOMORROW if you haven't already. Get a Physical and Dental exam before your 180 days are up. File for VA preference in the Gov't jobs before the 180 days is up. File for everything and anything that you MAY be entitled to as a US military veteran. The VA will assign you a councilor and he will help you get anthing you need to find new jobs, retraining, ANYTHING!!!!!!! Just do it before your 180 days after leaving the service is up or you will have an even more godawful paperwork jungle to traverse without benefit of VA assistance and medical/dental/job relocation benefits.

I've seen a lot of guys loose out on the VA's retraining/medical/dental/etc. because they didn't do their homework and get in to the VA on time. Many VA advisors will even help you write your resume or send you to someone who will do it for you. VA is there for you because you served your country. Use their assets and you will get what you need to get the most out of your experience.

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All DIY projects should come with a bottle of Advil ;-)