I have the greatest sympathy with the struggles of those having left military service so far this year, in finding a suitable job which takes into consideration the skills which they have developed. It's tough finding a job outside the military and there's no doubt it's not going to get much better...at least for the next year or so. So, what can one do who has decided to hang up their ACUs and move back into the "civilian" world, to give them a leg up in finding a job?
First advice is to not wait until you get out to start looking for a job. This implies deciding what it is you want to do and listing specific professional objectives in that regard. Most important, prepare a competitive job experience resume, without using military terminology. For example, rather than saying you were a great engineer squad leader in Afghanistan while involved in route clearance missions, write down that you supervised "X" many individuals under highly demanding circumstances, while at the same time creating a highly motivated and cohesive work group. Lastly, use correct grammar and spell check it several times.
Talk to others you know who have already left the military and learn from their experiences. Get out your address book and find as many people already employed somewhere, who you can start a network with. One of your friends might, for example, be able to put you in contact with someone looking to hire a person just like you.
Lastly, never say, "I'll do all this after I get out." Not only is that attitude not wise, it's going to put you at a great disadvantage in the job market when you consider just how many unemployed there already are right now.
Unfortunately there is not much good news in any of this, so some may decide to just re-enlist rather than get out. I have to say that being in the military does create a nice "blanket" of security in many respects, and when that blanket goes away, some people panic. Best I can advise is to keep a positive attitude, never give up, network with as many others as you can, and remember that your military job experience is most definitely in demand...you just have to market that in terms civilians will appreciate. Good luck!
