Narrow down your skills and interests
The first part of the job search is, of course, figuring out what it is that you want to do. You may not have the ability to start your dream job right away, but think about what experiences could help get you there. You don’t want to look at jobs too broadly, so understand where your education and skills currently fall and begin your job search from there.
The good news is you can start this process before you transition out of the military. The U.S. Department of Labor has
Get all of your materials in order
To successfully find a job, you will need to have an updated resume and cover letter. These are the first items your potential employer will see, so you want to effectively showcase your talents and clearly outline what you can bring to the position. Be sure to keep it brief and make it personal to you. The Department of Defense’s Military OneSource has a
In addition to your resume and cover letter, a job recruiter might look you up on social media to get a better sense of your personality. Consider your posts and privacy settings, and look at your social media from the perspective of a job recruiter who has never met you — what impression does it make? You may also want to create a LinkedIn account, where you can easily display your skills and connect with professionals in your field of choice.
Often, it can take a lot of job applications and interviews to find the right fit. It might be discouraging, but the earlier you start, the better chance you have of securing a job before you transition. You can utilize your