Pilot Company has a long-standing history of giving back to veteran-related causes. Last week, we shared that Pilot Company and the Call of Duty Endowment are partnering-up again to make an impact. The Call of Duty Endowment is a non-profit organization committed to placing veterans into high-quality jobs after their service.
Now until November 15, guests at Pilot Flying J Travel Centers will have the opportunity to give back to veterans by rounding up their purchases to the nearest dollar and donating the difference to the Call of Duty Endowment. These funds will be used by the Endowment’s grantee partners to provide veterans with the tools they need to transition into civilian careers.
In honor of the campaign and Veterans Day later this month, The Call of Duty Endowment is sharing some helpful employment advice for veterans.
Here are the Call of Duty Endowment’s top 5 tips for job seeking veterans:
1. Get 1:1 Support to Transition into Your Career:
The military’s official Transition Assistance Program (TAP) class that every transitioning service member must attend is necessary but insufficient to prepare for success in the civilian job market. We recommend seeking 1:1 support so that a mentor can help you prepare for your civilian career while taking your specific skills and needs into consideration. Our world-class partners will provide you with 1:1 preparation for free. They will do everything they can to make sure that you’re starting off your job search with your best foot forward.
2. Don’t Underestimate your Military Skills and Experience:
One of the biggest mistakes we see is when transitioning service members don’t market their military skill set well for the civilian job sector. Remember that no matter what you did while you were in the military, your experience will provide value that civilian employers will appreciate. The key is learning how to explain that experience in ways that civilian hiring managers can appreciate. Remember that military jobs and skills that may seem common sense to you could sound like a foreign language to civilian hiring managers. The best way to learn how to market your expertise is by getting help and working with a career counselor. We have many resources available to help you get the mentorship that you need. Remember to also remain confident. When you’re heading into the job market, don’t for one second think, “I’m just a door kicker”—you are so much more!
3.The Mission Matters:
You probably joined the military in the first place because of your commitment to service. This is the case for most veterans, given that 95% of post-9/11 veterans want to continue serving in the communities where they settle after their military service. The fact that such a large majority of veterans want to continue volunteering reflects a widespread desire to find purpose. While there are many wonderful opportunities to volunteer, the truth is that once you find a full-time job, you will spend more time at that job than you will at any other activity during waking hours. Since your job will take up much of your time, it’s important to find purpose there too. When looking for a job, look for an employer, role and manager whose values are clear and align with your own. While it’s tempting to accept the first job you’re offered, you should prioritize ending up somewhere you will feel happy and fulfilled. That’s best for the employer and you.
4. Build Your Network:
You have probably heard the old expression, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” While your valuable skill set and expertise will come in handy during your job search, having someone on the inside always helps. It’s the rare person who gets hired by “throwing their resume over the (cyber) wall”— finding someone to connect with who is in the company and/or job you want is a great place to start. You get there by seeking out connections on LinkedIn, through other veterans, or reach out to people who are more advanced in the career track you want to pursue and ask for an informational interview. Asking for help from distant acquaintances or perfect strangers is not easy, but it’s necessary and you will be surprised how many people are willing to help. Keep in mind that many people have been where you are today and remember the struggle of landing their first (civilian) job. A great first step is using the Veterati app to find a mentor in your field of choice who’s eager to help.
5. You are Not Guaranteed a Civilian Job:
There are many employers who will be eager to hire you, but you need to do the work to understand what they need and how your training and experience will be an asset to them. Don’t get discouraged and remember that you have highly valuable training and experience.
For more information about the Call of Duty Endowment, go to callofdutyendowment.org. To learn more about Pilot Company and its giving-back initiatives, visit pilotcompany.com/about.
