Military Spouse Corporate Employment Opportunities

In an effort to expand career opportunities for Military Spouses worldwide, the Department of Defense (DOD) has launched the MSEP program to recognize a pool of talented workers who are not only capable, but in fact, are a great match for many available positions—Military Spouses!

The partnership includes more than 70 employers who have committed to hiring Military Spouses, and the program intends to increase partnership numbers within the year. Some employers who have partnered with MSEP include: Starbucks, The Home Depot, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Microsoft, Armed Forces Bank, USAA, Wal-Mart, amazon.com, Humana Military Healthcare Service, and that is just to name a few (a full list of partnering employers can be found at http://www.myarmyonesource.com/).

Supported by First Lady, Michelle Obama, and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, a ceremony to launch the program was commenced at the US Chamber of Commerce in June
2011. Spouses were recognized for their service and sacrifice as they manage to juggle households, children, volunteer work, jobs, and many deployments.

Dr. Biden proclaimed to employers who attended the ceremony, “ If you’re looking for hard-working, highly skilled and educated, dedicated employees our Military Spouses are precisely the employees you need. Every day our Military Spouses are giving back to our country while their loved ones are called to serve, they serve right alongside them. Now we must serve them as well as they serve us.”
The program signifies a positive step toward employing Spouses. In addition to MSEP, there is an abundance of programs established to help Military Families.
The Employment Readiness Program (ERP) within ACS can help Military Family members and DOD civilians enhance their jobs search and career paths. ERP educators can help assist job seekers increase job leads and networking opportunities; review and assist prepare resumes and federal resumes; strengthen interview skills; and provide employment education through a series of workshops.

If you would like to enhance your job search and connect with the Fort Drum Employment Readiness Program please call (315) 772-9611/2737 and/or join us on Facebook to view our live job bank: www.facebook.com/fortdrumemployment
If your organization would like to become a supporting partner of MSEP and Spouses, please contact the ERP manager at (315) 772-9611.

Build a Network in 30 Seconds

What if the Executive Director of your dream job joined you in an elevator and you only had 30 seconds to introduce yourself? A 30 second commercial is an introduction tool that helps you advertise who you are, what you can bring to the table, and why someone should be interested in you. This is key to networking and job searching.

Building a 30 second commercial will help you network your way to finding that dream job. Increasing your network increases the number of people you know, and it also enhances your job search.

By telling others you are looking for a job, they will be able to help you  job search, and they may tell you about current opportunities within their company or openings from other organizations.

Your commercial can be used at social events, career fairs, interviews, and almost every time you meet someone new.

 

When building your commercial, ask yourself the following questions and be sure to incorporate your answers into your networking introduction:

1. Who am I? -Name

2. What field or industry am I in?

3. What position am I in? What capacity do I serve?

4. What is my unique selling position? What makes me different from the  competition?

5. What benefits can  employers (contacts) derive from my skills, based of my accomplishments?

 The key to successful networking is to be professional and tactful in answering the  listener’s unspoken question: why should I (or any employer) hire you?

Preparing for a Career Fair

Before the Fair:

1. Know what your goal is for attending the fair. Are you looking for a full time position? Are you exploring various career industries and opportunities? Investigating specific companies? Practicing networking skills?

2. Research career fields and job titles of interest. Establish a realistic expectation of the careers you are considering by researching job titles and reviewing the posted job descriptions, requirements, promotion possibilities, salary ranges, and benefits for various positions. 

3. Research companies, agencies and organization that will be attending the career fair. Know in advance the organizations who will be attending the career fair and what positions will be open; and when searching their site, find out current information/happenings within the company that would be a great conversation topic for the career fair - you will be a memorable contact for the employer!

4. Dress for Success! Make sure hair is cut and professional, wear a confident smile, light makeup, clean shave,and little jewelry. For men, suit and tie in conservative colors; dress shoes and calf-high socks. For women, dress suit or suit jacket with conservative skirt (no higher than 2 inches above knee), pressed and professional conservative blouse, and two-inch pumps.

5. Make a good impression. Prepare to take with you a well-written resume, draft a sample thank you letter for follow up after the career fair, develop a list of questions to ask employers based on your research, know what skills are needed for your career, prepare/practice/rehearse your "30 second" commercial, and prepare a career log to record your efforts of job search and companies you have researched.

6. Anticipate problems. Bring an umbrella in case of bad weather. Consider the time needed to travel, park, and maybe walk to the career fair location.

Conquering the Interview

Job interviews  are an opportunity for you to validate what the employer already believes: based on your resume or application, you are qualified for the job! It is also an opportunity for you to rate the desirability of working for a company.

An interview can be a stressful experience, but consider it a recognition of a job well done. Learn if the organization is a good fit for you.

Before the Interview

• Research the  company
• Be prepared
• Look your best
• Bring your resume, contact information, Military service record (if applicable), list of references, and samples of your work if appropriate. Also bring a note pad, questions, and a pen to take short notes.

Arrive Early

• Relax
• Be conscious of your body language
• Use discretion
• Ask questions
• Unless asked, do not inquire about salary or talk about financial situations

Interview Q & A

Tell me a little about yourself?

This is an open-ended question usually asked to help “break the ice”. The key thing to remember is to keep your response related to the job. Be specific and do not ramble. Your answer should be about 2 minutes in length.

What is your major strength/weakness?

Your major strength should be easy, but ensure it’s related to the job. For your weakness, put  a positive spin on it. For example, “I tend to be nervous around my supervisors, although I’ve gained more confidence in that area since my last job where my superiors encouraged me to ask questions.”

After the Interview

• Thank the interviewer
• Keep records of your conversation and who you met with
• Follow up—Immediately after the interview, follow up with the employer by sending a thank you note. An e-mail is fine if you have already corresponded with the employer via e-mail.

Continue your job search after the interview, ensuring no job searching time is wasted.

Answering That Old Odious, Interview Question: What Are Your Weaknesses?

The next time you prepare for a job interview, be sure to craft an answer to that reviled but standard "what are your weaknesses?" question. It may be trite and overused, but the weakness question is still frequently asked in federal interviews for all types of jobs, from internships to executive positions.

Purpose of the Weakness Question
Many interviewers who ask the weakness question recognize its limitations. After all, it is doubtful that interviewers realistically expect the weakness question to solicit brutally honest answers like, "I'm below-average intelligence and difficult to work with."
So then, why do interviewers keep asking a question that rarely elicits full disclosure? Because interviewers say even skewed answers can help reveal whether applicants possess key qualities such as self-awareness, humility, sincerity, zest and skill in managing shortcomings and mistakes. By reflecting on such qualities in your response, you can distinguish yourself and stand out from the pack.

Bad Answers
"The worst answers are 'I don't know' or 'I have no weaknesses,' which I hear frequently," says one hiring manager. (Sorry, Superman, the credibility meter just hit zero.) "When I get unbelievable or evasive answers, I suspect that the applicant isn't the straight shooter I want to hire," says another hiring manager.
What is a strong answer to the weakness question? Conventional wisdom has recommended responses such as "I'm a perfectionist" or "I'm a workaholic, so my boss has to practically peel my fingers back, one by one, from my computer every night to make me go home." However, hiring managers now say most interviewers recognize those canned clichés as such.

Successful Answers
To remain credible, many interviewers now recommend designing answers to the weakness question that counterbalance a true but noncritical gap in your knowledge against your penchant for self-improvement and for staying current in your field. Some proven techniques that may help you do so:

• Describe how you have improved your understanding of a technical issue or soft skill by taking classes and/or requesting additional job assignments that addressed the issue. For example, one of my clients successfully answered the question by stating he had worked to conquer his fear of public speaking by joining Toastmaster's International and now, as a result, actually enjoys public speaking.
• Acknowledge you understand that, if hired, you would be new to your target organization and therefore would have a lot to learn. So you would doggedly devote yourself to learning as much about the organization as quickly as possible. This technique helped one of my clients land a White House job.
• Say something like, "In my last job, I underestimated the importance of X. So in the future, I'll focus more energy on that."
• Or, "I try to continually update my skills. This year, I'd like to take training in the latest techniques in X, so that I will do Y faster and more efficiently."
• If you are a project manager and/or supervisor, you may say something like, "Every time my team finishes a project, I review ‘lessons learned' with them, so we won't repeat the same snags in the future." If you use this approach, be prepared to describe a few of those non-incriminating lessons learned.

Questions About Skills You Lack
In addition to being asked open-ended questions about your weaknesses in interviews, you may be asked about skills you may lack. If you do have any relevant knowledge or experience in the skill at hand, even if it is only peripheral, informal or self-taught, say so.
But, advises a hiring manager, if you are asked about a skill that you really know absolutely nothing about, "Don't just say, 'No, I can't do that.' Instead, give me reasons to believe in you: Explain how your knowledge, willingness to do extra and ability to learn quickly will help you improve. Describe how you'd swiftly catch up and have done so previously."

Lily Whiteman is an acclaimed federal career coach and popular contributor to the "Jobs" section of The Washington Post, the career columnist for Federal Times and an award winning writer at the U.S. National Science Foundation. In addition, Whiteman has presented seminars and workshops on career advancement skills for many organizations, including federal agencies, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and professional organizations for feds. She is the author of the critically acclaimed book How to Land a Top-Paying Federal Job.

How to Discuss Employment Gaps on Your Resume

1.  Use only years, not months, when referring to work history. This makes it easier for the reader to grasp the length of time and can eliminate the need to explain some employment gaps 
2. If your unemployment gap is 2+ years, explain the void. First consider all the things you were doing while unemployed (volunteer work, school activities, internships, etc.) and present them in terms that are relevant to your job objective if possible. Example: A reentry mother wanting to be a teacher’s aide may put: Full-time Parent and PTA Volunteer, St. Josephine’s Academy 
3. If your gap is not job related, explain the gap honestly. Some suggested job titles: Full-time Parent, Family Management, Independent Study, Personal Travel, etc. (references to illness, unemployment, and rehabilitation raise red flags, so avoid at all costs)

Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn for Job Hunters

Most job seekers on LinkedIn, probably have their favorite tips and tricks that help them land their dream job – whether it be re-entering the workforce, making a career 180 heading into the new year or even if someone has just been laid off and looking for a new position. Here’s a comprehensive list of 10 steps one should take on LinkedIn while job hunting:

1. Begin your hunt early.

Give yourself at least six months before your desired start date. Take time to review your goals and decide on a feasible plan of action. If your new career requires additional education, then begin even earlier.

2. Revamp your professional toolbox.
Take a look at job descriptions you’re interested in and make a checklist of the skills and talents they require. If you have weak spots you may want to consider taking a class at your local community college. If you don’t have time to attend a seminar or class (or if money is an issue) another option is to browse and/or ask questions on LinkedIn Answers so you can get the info you need. Use Advanced Answers Search to find questions associated with specific keywords like, “marketing” or “venture capital.”

3. Be a news hound.

Read trade publications online and review the changes that are occurring in your industry. Staying on top of current trends and newsworthy events can often make or break an interview. Join LinkedIn Groups that are associated with both your old/previous profession as well as the new industry that you’re looking to join. See what news articles people in those groups are reading by clicking on the news tab in the group and submit links to articles that you’ve read to start conversations/network with others in the group.

4. Give your resume and your LinkedIn Profile a face lift.

Make sure that both your resume and profile reflect the changing times. Eliminate any terms that may have become obsolete. Use power keywords, words of action and words that show accomplishment and achievement – as opposed to words that merely describe what your previous role was. Also, if you’re currently unemployed list your current position as “open to opportunities.” Edit your LinkedIn Profile.

5. Update your Status

If you just recently lost your job, make sure you update your status field in your profile so your network know that you’re looking for a job. It’s a quick and easy way to let folks you’re connected to know that you could use their help. David Stevens, one of our users, updated his status upon being laid off. Within seven business days someone in his network knew of an open position, which Dave landed shortly thereafter.

6. Do your homework.

Sign on to LinkedIn and do a search for people that already have your dream job title. What positions did they hold beforehand? How long were they in their previous role? Information like this can be a valuable bargaining chip when it comes time to negotiate your salary. Also do search for your desired employer’s LinkedIn Company Profile. Company Profiles show career paths for people before/after they joined a company, recent promotions/changes, most popular profiles and other stats that will help you understand any potential employer (and its competitors) better.

7. Rekindle relationships/build your network before you need it.

Use LinkedIn to do a search for people that live in your hometown and work in your desired industry. Offer to take them to lunch near their office and learn more about the industry, their position, likes/dislikes and other firms in the area. New acquaintances help you expand your network giving you a broader reach into the job market. Use the networks of your friends and family since they are your best advocates.

8. Confidence counts.

Before your interview, check and see if the person who’s interviewing you is on LinkedIn. If they are, check for common acquaintances. Having a mutual friend or old co-worker is a great icebreaker and an awesome way to get your foot in the door. It’s also worth taking a look at the schools they’ve attended and what cities they’ve lived in since that may be another commonality. And, never underestimate the power that your favorite pair of shoes or a good power suit can wield.

9. Check your surroundings for other resources.

A number of communities offer resources for people returning to the workforce. If you think you may be lacking marketable skills, haven’t been working for five years or more or have never held a paying job, check with your state’s department of labor office. The Internet also offers a plethora of blogs, columns and publications that are geared toward helping you jump start your career so do a search for those as well.

10. Pay it forward – recommend an old friend or a colleague

And, finally, your LinkedIn profile is like a living, breathing resume; so ask friends and old co-workers to leave recommendations for you on your profile. That way potential employers can see them. Make sure that you ask references to comment on specific traits that highlight what a perfect fit you are for your new career and remember to thank them afterward.

If you aren’t looking for a job, but want to help a friend or colleague that lost their job leave a recommendation for them on their LinkedIn Profile. Recommendations spread virally, so if you leave Joe a recommendation on his profile all 65 of his connections will see a network update when they sign in showing that you just recommended his work. Your connections will also receive a network update saying that you just recommended Joe too so it’s a fast and effective way to let both of your networks know that this person is a hard worker and great person to work with.

From the Linked In Blog, Krista Canfield December 11th, 2008