Be careful of what your resume may not say about you

When I retired from the Army I was well prepared, so I thought. I had a resume' that I thought was my ticket to a new job and and I had learned from the Transition Assistance Program on Fort Lewis techniques for interviewing. After all I was

"Highly organized with an ability to manage multiple projects, tasks and priorities effectively and in a timely manner.  Strong work ethic with outstanding communication and follow-through skills."

I would soon learn that it was not what my resume' told employers about me but what my resume' did not tell employers about me that hindered my job hunt. While I was at Fort Lewis I submitted 45 resumes both in the civilian workplace and the federal workforce (Joint Base Lewis McChord) I started submitting resumes early. I retired on 31 March 2011 and my job search started in August 2010, I kept a Excel spread sheet that showed the company name, where I found the opening (USA Jobs, Craigslist, etc.) when the closing date was, when I applied, how I applied (email or "snail mail" or in person), what documents I provided (cover letter and DD214), and if or when I was contacted and by whom.

Of all the positions I applied for I received one call back and that was for a security officer position at the VA hospital in Lakewood. I was needless to say, very dismayed because I thought that I had the qualities that employers were looking for: loyalty having served for over 21 years in the military; a track record of success at multiple levels of leadership; education I had a Bachelor Degree in Psychology from Saint Martin's University; but most of all I was a veteran who had deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to serve our nation. All of this would not even get me a minimum wage job.

Leadership and Supervision:  A superior leader with demonstrated performance in high-pressure environments.  Earned a solid reputation for improving organizational performance through hands-on training and a leadership approach that emphasized decision-making through active listening.

·         Superbly managed and motivated as many as 166 personnel; renowned for firm, yet compassionate mentorship. 

·         Key player in the planning and execution of four successful Company-sized operations in the Shah Wali Khot district and three operations in the Arghandab River Valley.

·         Taught third-year military science students for two years at Boise State University; developed class syllabi that was approved by the Department of Social Sciences Chair and is still in use.

Problem-Solving and Analysis:  Consistently implements keen analytical abilities and a proven team-based work dynamic with a systems-oriented approach to facilitate efficient and effective solutions.  A critical thinker open to alternative views to optimize decision-making.

·         Authored and implemented Standard Operating Procedures for a Stryker Company consisting of 166 personnel and $60M+ in equipment.

·         Excels at proactively identifying errors and recommending cost-effective solutions on site. 

Selected Military Training:  Basic Rifleman's Course; Military Skier Course; Basic Forward Observers Course; Squad Leaders Basic Course; Marine Corps Scout Sniper Course; Health and Safety Training for Hazardous Material Waste Operations and Emergency Response; Helicopter Rope Suspension Training / Safety Insertion Officer Course / Rappel Master; Basic Security Guard Course; Maritime Tactics / Close Quarter Battle Course; Introduction to Networks / Computer Hardware; Air Assault School; Warrior Leaders Course; Advanced Leaders Course; Army Safety Program Management; Senior Leaders Course; Instructor Training Course; Combat Lifesaver Course

SELECTED  AWARDS

Bronze Star with "Valor" Device; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (x2); Army Commendation Medal with "Valor" Device; Army Commendation Medal (x4); Army Achievement Medal (x2); Navy Achievement Medals (x2); Combat Action Ribbon (Marine Corps)

These are actual bullets and areas of emphasis that are are my first resume' I ended up scrapping this resume after moving to Boise, Idaho and talking with a representative from the Boise Department of Labor. Ok, I am getting a little ahead of myself, I finally moved to Boise, Idaho and thought for sure that a very pro-military community here would be my best bet for getting a job. Well still no luck and I took a job making $4.25 an hour (VA work study position). I was very upset and felt something must be wrong or I was just not getting it. Where I was working (the Boise Vet Center) a representative from the Department of Labor came in to talk with veterans about employment opportunities and I showed him my resume. He looked over and advised me to down play my military service and especially my combat time. I felt like I was hit in the face, because I felt like my service did not matter and that it should be something I am ashamed of. I could not do that, so I re-wrote my resume and submitted it to several police agencies, Ada County and Canyon County no return call. I was not going to settle for a minimum wage job nor was I going to settle for a job I did not like doing. I was receiving a retirement stipend so I was not bad off.

What I learned was employers are not afraid of what you have done in the military but what they perceive you may suffer from. The biggest hindrance is what the media has put out there about us veterans. People think that we are "powder kegs" or that we suffer from PTSD and they don't want to hire us. Hire a Vet has started here in Idaho I have not looked into the statistics of how it is working but it really seems like a lot of talk.

I am currently a graduate student at the University of Southern California in Social Work and when I graduate I will help veterans here in Boise. I volunteer at the Boise Rescue Mission in the Veteran Mentor Program helping as a volunteer case manager. I will continue to look for jobs that take me out of this area even though it really depresses me because I bought a house here and decided four years ago that I wanted to retire here. Unfortunately I can't find jobs that will allow me to pursue my passion, helping our veterans. The company that I work for currently as a mental health specialist has been so supportive and I am glad that I found them. Riverside Rehab., in Garden City is by far the best organization I have had the pleasure to work with as a civilian, but more on that later.

I would love to hear about your job seeking endeavors, please contact me and I will post them on here. I would love to hear your story's good or bad and how you handled them.