Lessons Learned for Vets

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Marc Lopez joined the Army 20 years ago and started his career in the intelligence field as a linguist. He transitioned over to become a warrant officer and is now a cyber warfare operator who is preparing to begin a SkillBridge program before he retires. When two of Marc’s closest friends retired three years ago, he was inspired to begin preparing for his own retirement to ensure a successful transition. 

Using his background in intelligence, Marc decided his first step was to create notes. He uses Microsoft OneNote to organize his notes and has created tabs for every facet of his transition including his family, LinkedIn and informational interviews. With so many job opportunities in the cyber field using very different titles than the military, Marc knew he needed to better understand civilian terms. He leveraged LinkedIn to find veterans in the cyber field and then set up calls to learn about the various roles and the day-to-day responsibilities. He began to build a glossary of terms that helped him understand the civilian equivalent of cyber roles in the military. From his informational interviews, Marc found several mentors that helped him answer important questions to narrow his focus. 

With retirement right around the corner and over 2+ years of transition preparation, Marc has taken advantage of several resources such as the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, Veterati, ACP, FourBlock and TAP to ensure a smooth transition. He took nuggets of information from each resource and began to find common threads. Resources like this podcast don’t change the fact that the transition journey is full of curves and unexpected challenges, but they do help service members prepare for the unexpected. 

The genuine connection and relationships that Marc has built with other people continues to enrich his life. Marc has conducted over 50 informational interviews in 3 years. He learned quickly that a customized note through LinkedIn got better results than a generic, template introduction. Before sending a connection request, he took the time to study the person’s profile and included any commonalities in his customized note. Marc prepared for each informational interview by having questions prepped and staying within the allotted time frame. 

Knowing your worth in your chosen industry is important. One of the best ways to assess your worth is through informational interviews. Once you’ve built rapport in the interview, share your experience and any education or certifications you’ve completed. Ask the person what level they think you are at and what salary range you can expect. Salary.com, Glassdoor.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics are excellent resources as well. Remember that salary isn’t just about the pay. Benefits can play a significant role when deciding to accept or pass on a job opportunity.

The average adult changes careers 7-9 times in their life. It’s okay to make a change or pivot completely. Companies have come to expect applicants to have many prior job experiences. If you find that you’ve made a wrong decision on a job, figure out how you can gain value from the experience and make a plan on how to find a better fit. 

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Connect with Marc at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyber-marc/

Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4

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We are excited to host Marine Corps veteran, Eric Infanti. By all accounts, Eric had a smooth transition into the corporate world, where he worked for 5 years. When his health began declining, Eric began a healing journey that included 2000 hours of yoga teacher and meditation training. He earned a dual master’s degree in Buddhist psychology and Ayurvedic medicine and is now a PhD candidate with the study on the role of extreme peak flow states on resilience and professional outcomes. 

When Eric first transitioned from the military, he was able to use his experience and the education he received while serving in the Marine Corps to land a role in IT. After taking time off to heal, Eric knew he needed to upskill and learn current IT best practices. He sought out low cost or free programs to gain new certifications. He utilized the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP), ACT Now Education and Boots to Books.

Eric went from running marathons to not being able to move in a short amount of time. After visiting close to a dozen doctors without getting a diagnosis, he went to a naturopathic physician who diagnosed him with late-stage Lyme disease. Eric dove into the world of alternative health and found that yoga relieved his symptoms. From yoga, he dove deeper into Ayurvedic medicine, ancient texts and meditation. It was on the plane coming back from a 2008 trip to India where he started writing his first book, Marine on the Mat. Eric continued a career in alternative health until the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The pandemic had a negative impact on his healing business, and Eric knew he needed to shift back into IT. He relied on his network and found mentors that helped him find a role within the IT community that fit his personality. Today he is the UX/UI Design Manager for Combined Arms, a nonprofit dedicated to veterans’ well-being. Eric uses both his healing background and IT knowledge in his design work. He manages his stress through spiritual practices and finds his creativity from the still space of his meditations. He has written 12 books on subjects relating to alternative health and UX design. 

One of the core values to every veteran is their resiliency – the ability to handle whatever comes their way. Eric encourages veterans to not give up. You can choose how you manage the stresses of life. Some choose alcohol, rage or video games to cope with their stress. Eric chose athleticism and taking care of his inner self through breathing and meditation. For people who haven’t been practicing self-care and find themselves in an acute situation, Eric advises them to stop and take a break, start a healing practice and seek medical and psychological help if needed. Breath work meditation is simple, effective and can be done anywhere. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22

Connect with Eric at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericinfanti/

Explore Eric’s books at  https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001KHHN4S

Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v

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On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we get back to the basics with best practices for crafting a resume. Certified resume writer and career coach, Lori Norris, shares 5 elements that a resume must contain as well as the role that AI can play during the job search process.

1. Focus. Every resume, from the very first line, must clearly present a focus. There is no such thing as an effective generic resume. A resume that tries to appeal to everyone appeals to no one. Many transitioning veterans mistakenly believe the first thing they should do is write their resume. Finding your focus is the priority. If you start your transition 18-24 months out, then take the first 6 months to research and conduct informational interviews to determine your focus. Informational interviews are invaluable as they will help you start to translate your military skills into civilian terms. After you’ve gathered intel and feel confident with the skills that you need to showcase for your career field, then start crafting a tailored resume. Remember, the focus of your career drives everything in your military transition job search efforts. A targeted resume will set you apart from the crowd, especially in a tough job market. The resume is about where you’re going, not where you’ve been.

2. Your Unique Value. Employers want to know how you are going to make them money or save them money. How are you going to earn the salary that they are going to pay you? Translate your skills to show the employer how you are going to make them money and/or save them money. It’s impossible to showcase your unique value without having a focus. Your resume is not about you. It’s about what you can do for the organization. 

3. Measurable Accomplishments. Use metrics and numbers to give the reader scope. Numbers also help to break up words and help the reader to continue absorbing the information on your resume. Numbers help to keep the eye engaged.

4. Translated Terminology. Most people reading your resume will not speak military. Even if the recruiter works with veterans, they may not understand the nuances of terminology in all the different military branches. Make the effort to explain what you do. Translating military terminology also shows the company you are willing and ready to change and adapt to the civilian sector. Help the reader see the value of your military experience by translating military terminology. 

5. Examples and Stories. A resume is not a job description or a list of all the things you have ever done. It’s a narrative that explains your accomplishments and the improvements that you made for your previous employer. Give examples of your skills and abilities. Thinking through stories also helps you prepare for the interview process.

AI should be used as a tool. It is not a replacement for writing a tailored resume in your voice. AI’s content was first created by scanning the internet. As we all know, information found on the internet is not always factual. Use AI as an assistant when conducting research.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22

Connect with Lori at https://getresultsresumes.com/

Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v

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If you are a transitioning service member, it’s always helpful to hear the role that time has in the transition process. The transition process doesn’t end when you land your first job as a civilian. There is so much wisdom to gain from listening to other veterans’ journeys as they progress through various jobs and companies. On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome back Ray Jokie. Ray first appeared as a guest on Season 1, Episode 38 and shared his struggle with finding a new identity after retiring from the US Air Force. He is currently working as Lockheed Martin’s Military Relations Lead and Talent Acquisition Program Manager. This episode contains content related to suicide.

Ray struggled deeply after retiring from the military and had suicidal ideations. While wrestling with his emotions, he gained perspective and was able to grow as a human and view his situation through a different lens. For Ray, not having the guidance and structure of the military sent him into a tailspin. After finding a new purpose to live, his depression subsided. Finding purpose doesn’t have to be tied to a job. Work to live, not live to work. 

Ray has found that by focusing on the positive in every situation and by finding a new purpose, he has been able to successfully navigate his way out of his depression. If you are struggling right now, it doesn’t mean that something is wrong with you. There will be days that focusing on the positive will not come naturally. You are not alone.

Ray has built his program at Lockheed Martin from the ground up. He hired a contractor and engaged recruiters who had previously gone through the SkillBridge program at Lockheed. He continues to develop his team and revolutionize the way the veteran community is valued. 

As a recruiting professional, Ray talks with thousands of people every year, reviews resumes and conducts interviews. Ray encourages people to make sure their resume reflects the value they can bring to a company. Don’t bring uninvited bias by including college graduation dates or a home address.

On the resume, don’t just say what you did, frame it to show your value to a company. Consider highlighting how you reduced process time, saved costs or generated revenue. 

Ray suggests using a targeted approach to networking. Find people in the roles that you want and network with them first. When engaging with recruiters on LinkedIn, keep your message brief and state how you can bring value to their company. Don’t be afraid to follow up with someone if you haven’t received a response in a reasonable amount of time. Know that recruiters talk to one another and share candidates and information. 

Ray endorses the STAR method during interviews. Over the years, Ray has noticed that veterans don’t typically lack confidence. It’s important to show your qualifications without being overly confident. Be able to read the room and adjust your delivery if needed. Use stories to showcase your value. A confident person knows their value while an arrogant person believes they are better than everyone else. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22

Connect with Ray at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjokie/

Veteran Crisis Line at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v

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We are excited to welcome back Chris Dreisbach for his fifth appearance on the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. Chris retired in 2020 as a Senior Master Sergeant for the United States Air Force. Now in his sixth role since his retirement, Chris continues to share the lessons he’s learned along his path. 

Chris reflects on his previous roles and discusses the challenges he experienced. In his first role as a maintenance manager, Chris assumed the job would be similar to his military experience in aircraft maintenance. In reality, the job required long hours to fulfill the production goals of a 24/7 facility. Chris lasted 3 months before moving into a remote, entry-level data analyst role. While in this position, Chris took his time to find a better fit in the warehouse industry. Utilizing his experience in quality assurance and interest in safety programs, Chris found a role that better suited his background. While working as a Safety and Training Manager, Chris took on more responsibilities hoping to get promoted but instead his company took advantage of his work ethic and continued to stretch him thin without additional compensation. Chris realized that he needed to shift his military mentality if he was going to find success in the civilian sector.

Chris remarks that this is the longest he’s ever lived in one place, and he finds himself getting antsy – almost like he’s ready for new orders. The military transition is a process, and it may take years to feel settled into a new rhythm. 

After applying the lessons that he learned in his previous jobs, Chris is finding success in his current role working remotely for a tech company. His scheduled hours work well for his desired work-life balance, and he no longer tries to take on additional responsibilities. Like many other veterans, Chris’ networking skills led him to this role. He reminds others that networking doesn’t have to be deliberate – for him, his opportunity came organically from a conversation that occurred months prior. In the 4 years since his retirement, Chris has learned to find ways to authentically connect with others. 

As an avid listener to the podcast, Chris credits the information he learned from the episodes with Misty Moreno, Keith Cassant and Sarah Bumgardner to help him change his mindset to better function in the civilian sector. Keith says he was fully prepared to be unprepared for retirement. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Chris was unprepared to leave the military when he did. Thankfully by the time he retired, he and his wife had learned how to be financially responsible and had been living within their means. Looking back, he realizes that he had a solid foundation to retire even if at the time, he perceived himself as being unprepared. It’s important to take an honest look at finances and expectations with your family before separation or retirement. It’s also equally important to make wise financial decisions before exiting the military. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22

Connect with Chris at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-dreisbach/

Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v

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We welcome Ethan Shipp. Ethan began his career in the United States Air Force as an EMT but has since retrained as an information systems technician. Although he is still serving, he used his tech skills to create a resource designed to empower and inform service members about the many different SkillBridge programs. Ethan started Rate My SkillBridge after doing research for his own SkillBridge program and identifying an opportunity to help others make informed decisions during their career transition. 

About two years prior to his separation date, Ethan began researching SkillBridge programs. He joined The SkillBridge Network on Facebook and was intrigued by a post written by a service member who had flown back to the US from overseas to intern for a company that used them for free labor. Ethan realized the need for a rating system to protect service members. He went to work creating a website using WordPress and released it one month later. The site gained an enormous amount of traction in a short time and Ethan knew he needed to rebuild the platform and advance the website. Service members can now create accounts and personalize their dashboards. Ethan is not charging service members for this resource. He is currently funding the website by himself. 

Ethan's website is offering service members an invaluable resource as they move toward career transition. Some service members rely on their SkillBridge company to offer them a job after the internship phase is completed. While the goal of the program is just that, there are some instances where that may not happen. Ethan encourages service members to apply for multiple jobs and not rely solely on SkillBridge. Ethan also encourages people to have multiple opportunities lined up. It is possible that a company will cancel the program if a job opportunity is no longer available. This may happen due to the economy or company restructuring.

Ethan has noticed a recent trend of people working more hours than allotted by the program. Working long hours is unfortunately not just an issue with the SkillBridge program. As a salaried employee, it’s important to assess the employer’s expectations versus your own expectations. For many veterans, working extra hours may not be expected but they feel a sense of responsibility to keep giving. Companies will take advantage of that work ethic. 

For SkillBridge companies who are operating against SkillBridge policies and parameters, Ethan believes that the DoD is beginning to take action to protect service members. For service members, it’s important to make your issues heard through resources like Rate My SkillBridge.

Ethan is currently stationed in Italy and wants to continue living overseas after his separation. The job search process outside of the US can be very different. One example is the curriculum vitae (CV). The CV is typically only used in the US for doctors, lawyers and professors. However, it is the standard for most every profession outside of the US. While the typical resume in the US is no longer than 2 pages, the CV is a comprehensive document that may be several pages long. LinkedIn is used by overseas companies, so plan to have an updated profile. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22

Connect with Ethan at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethans00/

Explore Rate my SKB at https://www.ratemyskb.com/

Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v

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On this solo episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, Lori shares the challenges that she and her family have been going through over the past few months. During this time, Lori has struggled with burnout, a feeling that most everyone has experienced at one time or another. Feelings of burnout are especially prevalent among job seekers. Lori shares her thoughts on when and how to take a break from the job search process. 

Your body communicates with you. If you are consistently waking up in the middle of night and your mind is racing because of your stressors, it may be time to make some changes. For transitioning service members on terminal leave and new veterans, finding a job is one of the biggest stressors of the military transition. There will be a time when finding a job is your full-time job. It can absolutely consume you. Lori recommends creating a schedule that allows you the freedom to still enjoy life while methodically pursuing job opportunities. Schedule a block of time for networking, another for researching companies and another for targeting your resume. Take a break and get out of your house. Interact with people and schedule down time.

Your eating habits may be affected by your stress. While some people may skip meals entirely, others overeat or choose to eat foods that are full of empty calories. Healthy food will fuel your mind and body and keep you from experiencing sugar highs and lows. Even with healthy eating and sleeping habits, you may still notice that your body feels zapped of energy. Without truly working through your stress and anxiety, your mind is still working 24 hours a day, even when you are sleeping. Again, your body communicates with you and may be telling you to hit the pause button. 

Burnout can cause negative feelings such as cynicism. Step back and evaluate what you’re doing, how you’re doing it and if you need to change direction. If the job search process is making you feel withdrawn and isolated, Lori recommends reaching out and connecting with people. Let people help and support you. Don’t take a vacation from the people that you love and don’t take a vacation from the things you love to do. 

We all need a break from time to time. It’s impossible to give 100% all the time, without stopping. Take time to connect with your family and the people that love you. Give yourself time to recover, refresh and rejuvenate. 

We want to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts on the show. We want to know what content is meaningful and ways we can improve. Drop a message to Lori – her contact information is below. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22

Connect with Lori at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris/

Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v

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In celebration of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we are pleased to host Sarah Bumgardner. Sarah is a military spouse and a certified financial education instructor who has worked with AAFMAA since 2010. She is currently the Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement and supports both AAFMAA members and the entire military community. 

Sarah became a military spouse when her first husband became an officer in the US Marine Corps. For 10 years, Sarah lived the mil spouse lifestyle of raising kids, traveling and moving. When her husband transitioned out of the military, their marriage didn’t survive. Several years later, Sarah remarried an army retiree. 

Sarah reflects on the transition her family experienced when her husband separated from the military after 10 years of service. While there was excitement for the next chapter, she and her husband experienced a sense of loss in their identities and the loss of the military community. Many times, spouses have different ideas about what life looks like after the military. It’s important to communicate during the transition process and take time to reconnect and reestablish roles in the home. For those that serve less than 20 years and who don’t have the buffer of a pension, finding the next job is a huge stressor. As a mil spouse and in her current role, Sarah has learned that finding the next job doesn’t mean the transition is over. It's a long process that involves finding a new purpose, for both the veteran and mil spouse. 

Sarah encourages active-duty service members to acknowledge that their military spouses are also going through a transition. Although it looks different, they are also losing their identity, community and sense of purpose as well. Children will feel a change in the new daily routines that occur after leaving the military. 

AAFMAA is dedicated to both service members and their families. We are grateful to have them sponsor the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. In addition to offering the military community financial and insurance solutions, AAFMAA partners with several nonprofit organizations to help veterans and spouses find mentors to help them navigate the transition including finding a new purpose and getting a job. Military spouses can sometimes feel disconnected from the transition process. Sarah encourages every mil spouse to attend the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) with their service member. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22

Connect with Sarah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-bumgardner-cfei%C2%AE-1114aa94/

Explore AAFMAA at https://www.aafmaa.com/

Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v

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On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we continue our discussion on interview best practices with career strategist, Brenda Mariah. We encourage you to listen to Part 1, episode 158 before continuing with this episode. During Part 1, Brenda explained the purpose of an interview, what every employer is looking for during an interview and how to stay in control during the interview process. On this episode, we dive into the anatomy of an interview.

The interview process can be divided into 5 stages. During Part 1, we discussed Stage 1: Making an Entrance. We continue with Stage 2: Questions They Ask You. Most likely, every interview will begin with the “Tell me about yourself” question. Brenda advises candidates to use this question to highlight their qualifications, skills and character. Her formula is 1. I love… 2. I’m proud of… 3. I’m excited to…. First, tell the employer what you love about the role. Second, list some of your accomplishments. Third, let the employer know how you plan to use your skills to improve the organization. This question is meant to be an icebreaker and to give the employer insights about your professional qualifications and skills and how they can benefit their company. Make the answers relevant to their needs. Another popular question is “What are your weaknesses?” Brenda has 3 tips for responding to this question. 1. It should be an actual weakness that you possess. 2. It should not be critical to the job. 3. Explain how you are overcoming the weakness. 

Stage 3: Question You Ask. At the end of the interview, always be prepared to ask the employer questions. If you are prompted to ask questions, and you decline the opportunity, the employer will assume you do not want the job. Prepare 10 questions for the employer knowing that some of them may have already been answered during the interview and assume that you will have the opportunity to ask 2 or 3 of your prepared questions. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with the employer and show them that you’ve done your research and are interested in the job. 

Stage 4: Closing. Make sure they know you want the job. Thank them for their time and express to them once again why you would make a great fit. 

Stage 5: Post-interview follow-up. Did you know that only 1 in 200 candidates will send any kind of follow-up message after an interview? Sending a handwritten thank you, a thank you email or a LinkedIn connection request with a thank you message will help you stand out from the crowd. It also serves as an additional opportunity for you to showcase how your skills can benefit their organization. Don’t be afraid to include a plan to follow up on a specified date. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22

Connect with Brenda at https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbrendamariah/

Explore Push Management Career’s Interview Training Program at https://www.pushcareermanagement.com/interview-coaching

Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v

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On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome Brenda Mariah. If you are having trouble getting others to see your value or recognizing your own value, this is where Brenda shines. Brenda Mariah, of Push Career Management, is a career-focused speaker, wordsmith, storyteller, encourager, author and strategist. She is the president of the National Resume Writers Association, the past president of the Resume Writers and Career Coaches Association and is certified in interview coaching, compensation negotiation, job search strategy, resume writing, career management, LinkedIn profile development and employment law. Major brands rely on Brenda to provide corporate outplacement services during layoffs and her prior engineering and project management background qualifies her to help even the most technical professionals. 

While a resume’s job is to help you land an interview, the interview is an opportunity for both you and the employer to find out if your skills and personality are a good fit for the organization. During the interview, the employer is looking for the most cost-effective employee, the person who is going to add the most value and bring the most return on investment. This doesn’t necessarily mean the employer will always look for the person they can hire for the least amount of money. Employers are asking themselves questions like “Can you do the job?”, “Will you do the job?”, “Are you a good fit?”

It's important to bring your personality to the interview. While an interview should be taken seriously, don’t forget to smile, make eye contact and engage with the employer. While the resume is fact-based, an interview is more emotion-based. Be confident with who you are and don’t pretend to be something you’re not. 

As the interviewee, you have more control over the situation than you might think. According to data, about 40% of your interview success is based on your packaging such as nonverbal communication and appearance. Another 40% is your responsiveness to the questions. 10% of your success is based on your qualifications. 

Brenda breaks down the interview process into 5 stages. Stage 1 is Making an Entrance. When you enter an interview with confidence, you appear competent. If your interview is virtual, make sure you understand the platform being used. If you are not familiar with certain software, like Teams or Webex, find a demo video online and learn how to navigate the platform. Make sure the position of your camera highlights your face and be aware of what is in your background. Experiment with lighting to ensure shadows are not covering your face. 

Stage 2 is Questions They Ask You. During your interview preparation, be able to answer why you want to work for them and why they should pick you. Research the company by looking at their website and social media channels. Review your resume and begin to formulate stories to back up your accomplishments. Use the STAR method to ensure you are giving the backstory, the actions you took and what you achieved. 

Connect with Brenda at https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbrendamariah/

Explore Push Management Career’s Interview Training Program at https://www.pushcareermanagement.com/interview-coaching