Here we'll address the special case of those men and women whose professional lives have been spent in the military and now, whether for personal reasons or as a result of reduced military spending, are preparing to move into the private sector. I offer many practical points to consider on writing the resume, dressing for the interview, and casting your military experience in the most positive light for your prospective employer.
If you are retiring from your military position as you read this, you are off to a late start. Ideally, you should strategically situate yourself a year in advance. If that is not possible, you can still start immediately to capitalize on your military experience.
Benefits of a Military Career
As you begin your job search in civilian life, you may experience some negative assumptions about the military. To combat any prejudice you may encounter, emphasize some of the winning attitudes that you bring with you from the military:
- A can do stance toward problem solving
- Adaptability, or grace under pressure
- Teamwork
Although in the past military hospitals did not always have to watch costs, like payroll, with the same sharp eye as civilian hospitals, the recent cutbacks in military spending have forced military hospital administrators to contain costs zealously. Remember the many concrete ways that you have helped your health care facility save dollars. You have the experience from your years in the military and you should capitalize on it.
Recall how tight your travel budget was as a military officer. As a result, you are probably more conscientious about travel expenses than your civilian counterpart. And, when you have been offered that excellent position and you are negotiating for salary and moving expenses, remember that the military will pay for your relocation when you retire. Use this as a bargaining tool when you are at the table.
Books and Resources for the Military Person
The United Services Automobile Association publishes a guide, Transitioning from the Military to Civilian, which members can order by calling (800) 531-8753. This guide covers all types of work, but is nevertheless very helpful. Included is a bibliography for further reading.
The Retired Officers Association (TROA) offers a placement service for members. Make use of it along with all the excellent services TROA provides. TROA also publishes a pamphlet (with bibliography) called Marketing Yourself for a Second Career.
Also, many military bases sponsor retirement/career development seminars. Start attending these seminars in advance of your scheduled departure.
The Department of Defense is offering an exciting new program, Operation Transition. This program works to help service members and their spouses make the switch to civilian life. Operation Transition includes two automated employment assistance programs that registered employers can use to find qualified employees: the Defense Outplacement Referral System (DORS) and the Transition Bulletin Board (TBB).
DORS is a mini-resume registry and referral system that gives employers access to military people looking for civilian employment. The system started in December 1991 and its data base increases daily. Be sure it includes your current resume.
By using TBB, registered employers can place job ads on an electronic bulletin board. The number for employers to call is (800) 727-3677. Check with your service branch transition office for the current job listings.
Operation Transition and its automated transition systems came about from the 1991 Defense Authorization Act, P.L. 101-510. This legislation requires the Secretary of Defense to provide employment assistance to separating service members and their spouses. The Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force offer these transition services from their family centers; the Army has set up separate transition assistance offices for this purpose. Since your country has pledged to help you and your spouse find suitable work in the private sector, take advantage of programs such as these and take pride in the contribution you have made in your country's service. Your military background is a real plus, and you may find it opens doors for you in your job search.
Maintaining Contacts in Civilian Health Care
You have already made contacts in civilian health care, every day on the job. The best contacts are people who are familiar with your work. Say you are the patient care director at your military base hospital. Every time there is an unusual set of circumstances surrounding a patient's death, you must work with the local coroner. He or she can comment on your character and professionalism. Another source of contacts with civilians in a related field is the many physicians you have worked with over the years. Some may currently be in private practice. Stay in contact with these individuals after they leave the military and you will have a built-in set of references when the time arises. An advantage of this approach is that if you have strong working relationships with physicians you will be sought after by civilian employers.
