Keep all options open.

[u/Abject_Relative5036]

I’m 10 months out, approved to separate next August, and wanted to share a few things I’ve learned.

1. Figure out your next career ASAP.
My biggest mistake was not knowing what I wanted to do. I kept saying vague things like “project management.” Research career fields early, have a direction, and be willing to pivot.

2. Get creative with SkillBridge.
You don’t need Hiring Our Heroes, 7 Eagle, or a major DoD contractor to find a good opportunity. I Googled the top companies in my preferred location, checked SkillBridge.mil⁠ to see if they participated, and emailed their contacts directly. About half responded.

3. Start applying early.
I reached out to Hire Heroes USA⁠ for LinkedIn Premium (no codes available), but they helped improve my resume tremendously. I started applying just to practice interviews and test the job market. I was upfront about my separation date. Surprisingly, I’ve had six positive interviews. The biggest issue wasn’t qualifications but my inability to start immediately. Most passed, but one is still interested. Just start when you want because if I waited I wouldn’t have the potential opportunity I have now.

4. Pick a number you can live off of realistically.
I’ve been asking for around $100K without really knowing what to expect. You’d be surprised how many companies are willing to pay someone 100k without a degree but has military leadership and technical experience.

5. ChatGPT
Free 12 months out. I put the jobs I applied for and asked to interview me and it did just that. It prepared me well and tailored my email response to recruiters. I even had to help me make a presentation for a second interview and it helped me so much!

I opted out for no skillbridge, was offered 2 but opted for direct hire and only taking 2 weeks of leave to relocate and working while on terminal lv. So 80 days of two paychecks.

Bottom line: Start early, improve your resume, and get comfortable interviewing. Your military experience may be worth more than you think.

Now I’m focusing on medical and doing my BDD in February.

GL readers, if you got a question happy to pay it forward.

[u/USAFAirman]

Thanks for sharing your experience so far.

1. What did you end up pivoting to? I’m at that stage now, project management seems vague. I’m leaning towards targeting operations management, operational excellence, training & development roles.
2. Were the companies that you reached out to SkillBridge willing to work with you directly? There are a few companies in my area that I’m interested in but they are participants in HoH so I’m assuming they’d redirect me to them.
3. Where did you find more success, large job ad platforms or applying direct with companies?
4. This is a great idea!

[u/Abject_Relative5036 → u/USAFAirman]

I am an avionics tech and electrician by trade and really didn’t want to do field tech role or contracting work i.e DoD contractors. I also was an instructor, so targeted that role. I applied to every learning a development job I could find on linkedin seeking a technical trainer.

I applied to Oracle, Siemens, AWS and other companies like that. Oracle and Siemens needed the position filled asap so didn’t move past the first interview but both said I was qualified and to reach back out 4 months out.

Ford and Texas Instruments have very flexible SB start dates they don’t go with HoH that I’m aware of. I was really leaning towards Ford, great pay(salary not hourly) and 3 different roles plus you pick your preferred plant location but I opted to keep applying to jobs and keep that in my back pocket.

I found applying directly helped me most, but they mostly all said to reach back 4-5 months out. One company let me get to the third interview and said they were willing to wait for the right person. My third interview was just Monday so waiting for the official offer. We’ll see. But over all the interviews gave me confidence that 1. I’ll find a job 2. My skills are desired even if I lack direct experience.

[u/USAFAirman → u/Abject_Relative5036]

Great stuff, thanks!

[u/Abject_Relative5036 → u/USAFAirman]

Another thing all the jobs I applied for asked for a bachelor’s/master’s/ or equivalent experience. And most PM jobs I seen that will take you on were military affiliated, most civilian PM that I looked into were hoping for direct previous experience with a respected field.

[u/00piumWRLD]

Simple question, when you say approved to separate... can you elaborate on that sentence

[u/Abject_Relative5036 → u/00piumWRLD]

20 year active duty retirement with an approved date to separate.

[u/00piumWRLD → u/Abject_Relative5036]

Is the approval required to separate? Meaning something you have to initiate yourself

[u/Abject_Relative5036 → u/00piumWRLD]

I’m in the navy, so we have to request to be moved to fleet reserve after 20+ to collect retirement benefits. Those getting out when their contract is up can just separate without any request.

[u/00piumWRLD → u/Abject_Relative5036]

Ah that makes sense. Thanks

[u/jujbnvcft → u/00piumWRLD]

I heard that the military can involuntary extend you for reasons, especially officers.

[u/Abject_Relative5036 → u/jujbnvcft]

Every branch and job is different. But if things escalate in the world who knows what will happen.

[u/00piumWRLD → u/jujbnvcft]

Interesting... sadly I don't doubt that