TAOnline Transition Insight Newsletter

Preparing to Apply for a Federal Position

by Barbara Adams, CPRW, CEIP, MFRW, MMRW, MFCA-T
www.militaryresumewriters.com and www.careerproplus.com

Whether you are applying for your first federal position or seeking that long-awaited promotion, the process of applying for, interviewing for, and then hopefully landing a federal position can be daunting. Just as with many things in life, it is best to prepare in advance. Federal job applications are much different than private sector resumes. To apply for federal jobs you must access the USAJOBS application system and your resume should be in compliance with keywords, core competencies, character counts, dates, and information to support how you are qualified for the job of interest. ... Read More

VA aims to help homeless, at-risk veterans find stable jobs

by Lisa Cornwell, Associated Press, Used with permission

CINCINNATI (AP) — David Bowles is excitedly making plans to move from a homeless shelter to an apartment of his own in a few weeks, thanks to a new Department of Veterans Affairs program helping homeless veterans find long-term employment. "They saved me," said the 56-year-old former Marine, who got VA assistance in landing a job with a suburban Cincinnati company. Job-ready veterans exiting homelessness like Bowles and others on the brink of homelessness can now turn to the VA's Homeless Veterans Community Employment Services for individualized assistance ... Read More

Successful Elevator Pitches in 7 Parts

Your elevator pitch (also called an “elevator speech”) is a very important tool in your job search toolbox! Your elevator pitch tells people who you are, what you do, that you are good at it, and what you are looking for. The pitch should be very short, lasting only as long as a ride in a fast elevator for one or two stories — typically 30 seconds or less. Not much time! Be prepared and confident. Know your pitch well enough to say it without hesitating, but don’t say it so quickly that it can’t be understood. Successful Job Search Elevator Pitches You often use your elevator pitch when meeting someone for the first time, hopefully in response to the what-do-you-do question. ... Read More

'Boots to Business' introduces veterans and active-duty troops to starting a business

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — When faced with a room full of troops and veterans hoping to become entrepreneurs, James Williams likes to ask whether anyone has had someone laugh at their business idea. He gets plenty of raised hands. Then he launches into his signature story about a group of his peers in Bridgeport, Conn., who couldn't afford college after graduating high school. They told Williams and his friends that they planned to sell sandwiches to raise money for tuition. "We laughed at them," he said. “Fast forward to today -- they're called Subway." ... Read More

Click here for a complete list and description of organizations of TAOnline.com growing Partners!

January, 20th 2016. With the huge success of The Big Virtual Q2 and Q3! TAOnline Virtual Career Fairs held in June and September, which included names such as PwC, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, AECOM, Amazon, Altria, Verizon, Oracle, UPS, TSA, Best Buy, Anthem, and other military friendly companies, we are excited to offer the next event in the series. Join us for The Big Virtual Q4! Wednesday, January 20th, 2016.

Participate from 11 AM - 3 PM Eastern time in this online recruiting event if you have served, or are currently serving, in the U.S. military. The virtual career fair is for anyone seeking nationwide opportunities and is for all ranks and branches of service including active duty, Reserve, National Guard and individuals with a Security Clearance (including non military) - For details — click HERE

Corporate Gray Military-Friendly Job Fair * November 19, 2015 * Springfield, VA

Transitioning military, veterans, and their spouses are invited to attend the Corporate Gray Military-Friendly Job Fair on November 19th at The Waterford in Springfield, Virginia. Meet face-to-face with representatives from dozens of military-friendly employers, including: Lockheed Martin, National Security Agency, U.S. Secret Service, Edward Jones, Leidos, and more! Job Fair hours are 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, with a free career transition seminar starting at 8:00 am. Civilian job seekers are also welcome. Pre-register at: www.corporategray.com/jobfairs/348.

Preparing to Apply for a Federal Position

by Barbara Adams, CPRW, CEIP, MFRW, MMRW, MFCA-T
www.militaryresumewriters.com and www.careerproplus.com

Federal job applications are much different than private sector resumes. To apply for federal jobs you must access the USAJOBS application system and your resume should be in compliance with keywords, core competencies, character counts, dates, and information to support how you are qualified for the job of interest.

By following the 10 tips below, you can minimize stress during the process and maximize your chances of success:

1. Begin researching jobs at least several months in advance

2. Create a “saved search” in USAJOBS.gov so that it emails you jobs that meet your criteria

3. Identify a specific position or sample position(s)

4. Read the job announcement from top to bottom, closely analyzing the duties and other requirements, such as KSAs or occupational questionnaires

5. Use these sections as a guide to develop a federal resume that shows your most relevant duties and accomplishments in the past 10-15 years

6. Read the “How to Apply” and “Required Documents” sections again, and assemble any needed documents

7. Consider getting help from a mentor or resume-writing professional to ensure your resume is well-written, properly formatted, and effective at showing your qualifications

8. Follow the steps to apply for the job, and try to do so before the actual closing date just in case there is a technical glitch

9. Consider calling the HR representative on the job to get confirmation that your application is received, and is complete

10. Expect the best, and prepare for the interview!

Read each vacancy announcement thoroughly to ensure you meet all the qualification criteria of the job requirement and your experience/information is populated throughout your resume. If you do not receive a best qualified rating you may be applying for jobs that you are not qualified for or others are more qualified. Keep trying; acquiring a federal job can take time, but once you are hired you will have many opportunities for advancement.

Barbara Adams, President and CEO of CareerPro Global (CPG), the parent company of www.careerproplus.com and www.militaryresumewriters.com, has been a member of the careers community for the past 20 years. Ms. Adams holds four prestigious industry certifications. CareerPro Global is the only ISO 9001-2008 Certified Career Service in the industry, as well as one of the fastest-growing Military, Federal, and Civilian Resume-Writing and Careers-Coaching companies. The team of Certified Professional Federal and Military Resume Writers at CPG assist thousands of clients in applying for and gaining employment each year. We can help you land your military to civilian job.

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VA aims to help homeless, at-risk veterans find stable jobs

by Lisa Cornwell, Associated Press, Used with permission

"They saved me," said the 56-year-old former Marine, who got VA assistance in landing a job with a suburban Cincinnati company.

Job-ready veterans exiting homelessness like Bowles and others on the brink of homelessness can now turn to the VA's Homeless Veterans Community Employment Services for individualized assistance in finding the types of stable jobs needed to sustain housing.

The program officially launched this month uses 154 community employment coordinators at VA locations nationwide to help identify job-ready veterans and establish relationships with local employers. They also connect veterans with resources to help them succeed after finding work.

Homelessness is a serious problem among veterans: nearly 50,000 were homeless on a single night in January 2014, according to a count developed through a partnership between the VA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For Bowles, a job layoff and a failed marriage left him without money for rent or a motel when he returned to his home state of Ohio from South Carolina to hunt for a work.

"I never expected to end up in a shelter, but one hiccup in life can put you flat on your back," said Bowles who applied for his current job on his own, but had no way to get back and forth.

The Cincinnati VA's coordinator helped by connecting Bowles to a donated fund the VA uses to provide bus passes for homeless veterans and by reassuring the prospective employer.

"I could promise he would be able to get back and forth until he got his first paycheck," said Elizabeth Appelman.

Bowles now works at Advanced Testing Laboratory doing quality control measurements of components for a major medical device manufacturer. The company's human resources manager said Bowles' skills and "can-do" attitude fit their needs and the transportation guarantee helped everything fall into place.

"It's worked out perfectly for us," said Shelley Cooper.

Getting to and from jobs is a major hurdle for homeless veterans, especially in rural areas with limited public transportation. Coordinator Paul Schuerenberg at the VA in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, says he is talking with various groups there to see if expanded bus service or some other solution is possible.

Veterans trying to move from homelessness shouldn't be burdened with trying to figure out where to find transportation assistance or clothes for job interviews or employers willing to hire them, said Carma Heitzmann, national director of the new homeless employment program.

"The idea is to try to put all those resources together so it's more streamlined and efficient for the veteran," Heitzmann said.

The Cleveland VA's coordinator says that while efforts are made to match veterans' skills with employers' needs, veterans' preferences are also considered.

"We want them to have jobs they have a passion for and want to continue long-term," said Daniel Abraham.

Dwight Washington, of the Cleveland suburb of Richmond Heights, was able to get such a job with Abraham's help. The 61-year-old Army veteran was on the brink of homelessness after a temporary job through the VA ended. But Abraham connected Washington, who has years of experience with mechanical and electrical maintenance, with a company providing maintenance services for the Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland.

Washington now works there and loves it.

"It's good to feel normal and be self-sufficient again," he said.

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Successful Elevator Pitches in 7 Parts

The pitch should be very short, lasting only as long as a ride in a fast elevator for one or two stories — typically 30 seconds or less. Not much time!

Be prepared and confident. Know your pitch well enough to say it without hesitating, but don’t say it so quickly that it can’t be understood.

Successful Job Search Elevator Pitches

You often use your elevator pitch when meeting someone for the first time, hopefully in response to the what-do-you-do question. Sometimes, you use it as an introduction. We can also use written versions of our elevator pitches in social media and email and also in cover letters.

Even if you aren’t in a job search, having a good elevator pitch ready can be very handy. This is what your elevator pitch should cover:

1. Your name.

If the person doesn’t already know your name, tell them. Use the professional version of your name in business situations. If family or old friends call you “Beth,” but your coworkers know you as “Elizabeth,” introduce yourself as “Elizabeth.”

My name is Elizabeth Miller.

Your business cards, resumes, LinkedIn Profile, and other professional visibility should also use the professional version of your name, so your elevator pitch connects to your business card and professional image.

2. Your current or target job title and industry.

Be prepared and be focused on the future.

My name is Elizabeth Miller. I am a customer services, or member services, representative in the medical industry.

3. What you do.

Next, describe what you do in terms related to what you want to do next. So, if you are Elizabeth Miller, a medical insurance company member services rep, you would describe yourself like this:

My name is Elizabeth Miller. I am a customer services, or member services, representative in the medical industry. I handle customer questions about medical insurance coverage and also their problems understanding their bills. I help customers with claims processing, and handle other inbound calls from customers with issues or concerns. I also help the appropriate departments or providers fix errors in claims processing.

Use plain, everyday language that “normal” people can understand without a translator.

4. Your relevant achievements or strengths.

You need only one or two achievements or strengths that are relevant to your goal.

Quantify (if possible) improvements made at work, school, or in your volunteering as the result of your actions, like reducing costs 10% or increasing profitability 5%.
Think about compliments consistently paid you about your work or your approach to situations (perhaps mentioned in performance reviews at work).
Consider any awards you may have won, like employee of the month or best thank you note or whatever is relevant.

So, Elizabeth Miller would add:

I’ve received the Exceptional Customer Service award from Big Hospital, one of the major providers of medical care for our members, and I have a lower customer dissatisfaction rate than other representatives at my last two employers.

5. What you are looking for.

Briefly, but clearly, describe what you want next. Yes, you need to know what you want next or you are wasting an opportunity. People won’t believe that you can “do anything.”

Continuing the Elizabeth Miller example:

I am looking for opportunities to continue my work in this field. I really enjoy helping people resolve their problems. So, I am hoping to continue in the same field in a hospital, healthcare center, or insurance company.

6. Ask a question for the other person.

Since networking works best as a two-way process, invite the other person (or people) to contribute their pitch(es). So, if you haven’t already heard the other person’s elevator pitch, when you’ve finished your pitch, add:

What about you?

Look for a way you can help the other person (or people) with their goals.

7. Finish with your business/networking card.

If the other person (or people) are good networking contacts for you, exchange business cards so they have your contact information for the future. And, then you have their information, too.

Elevator Pitches for Specific Groups

Some situations require focus in different parts of the pitch. For example:

Pitches for Career Changers

Focus on your future direction. Include your current job title, if closely aligned with your target. Do give your target job title, and your accomplishments to show you are qualified and capable of your new goal.

Pitches When You Are Unemployed

No particular need to mention that you are unemployed or how long you have been unemployed, and no need for apologies or explanations. Focus on your goals and accomplishments. If you don’t feel very confident, fake it till you make it with Dr. Cuddy’s help.

Pitches for Baby Boomers

If you are a Boomer in job search, perhaps, after you give your target job title, explain (in the what you are looking for part) that you:

Want to “downsize” your career from middle management to contributor, or
Are bored in retirement and looking for a part-time job so you can continue to be active, or
Are ready for a change in location or career direction.

Or, whatever is appropriate for you and your situation and goals.

Use your elevator pitch to share some of your previous successes (described in the relevant achievements part of your pitch), making it clear why you would be a key contributor to the success of an organization

Pitches for Veterans/Transitioning Military

You have had experience on a scale that is very impressive in the civilian world, from the number of people you have led or managed to the dollar values of the equipment or supplies you controlled.

Since few civilians understand the military, translate military terms for civilians. Remember, for example, that a “division” is part of a “company’ in the civilian world. Not the reverse.

Pitches for New Grads

Be sure to have a target job title and industry. Don’t be vague — “anything” is not a memorable goal.

Then, pull achievements from your school and any work experience including your GPA, major or concentration, papers, projects, publications, internships, and anything else you’ve done while you were in school that is relevant to what you are looking for.

Pitches for Students

Introduce yourself and then add your year in school, e.g, senior. If possible, have a target job title or professional field and industry. Then, pull achievements from your school and/or work experiences.

More Information

What Is an Elevator Pitch for Job Search?

Be Focused and Clear About the Job You Want

Dr. Amy Cuddy’s Power Poses

About the Author… Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. Susan is a two-time layoff “graduate” who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. In 2011, NETability purchased WorkCoachCafe.com, and Susan has been editor and publisher of WorkCoach since then. Susan also edits and publishes Job-Hunt.org, is a Visiting Scholar at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and a columnist on HuffingtonPost. Follow Susan on Twitter at @jobhuntorg and on Google+

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'Boots to Business' introduces veterans and active-duty troops to starting a business

Then he launches into his signature story about a group of his peers in Bridgeport, Conn., who couldn’t afford college after graduating high school. They told Williams and his friends that they planned to sell sandwiches to raise money for tuition.

“We laughed at them,” he said. “Fast forward to today -- they’re called Subway.”

Williams, lead economic development specialist for the Richmond (Va.) District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, was speaking last week as part of a two-day entrepreneurship boot camp called “Boots to Business,” which gives separating troops and veterans an introduction to starting a business.

The program is available on 165 military installations worldwide and has trained more than 25,000 troops and veterans, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, which oversees it.

While veterans account for about 7 percent of the population, a survey released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau showed that there are more than 2.5 million veteran-owned businesses in the country, employing more than 5.5 million people and accounting for about 9 percent of all businesses.

“Boots to Business” is part of a push to better prepare troops for life after the military and improve the Transition Assistance Program, the target of many a veteran eye roll for its previously superficial approach to ready troops for the civilian world. Formerly aimed only at troops close to separation, the program was recently opened to all veterans and troops, regardless of how much time they have left in the service.

Those who go through “Boots to Business” have the option of signing up for an eight-week online course run by Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

Richmond District Small Business Administration spokesman Matthew Nowak, who has been in classes across Virginia, said “Boots to Business” draws troops with interests that are all over the map.

“We even had a lieutenant colonel who wanted to grow weed in Colorado,” he said.

Life outside the bubble

The recent Quantico class was a mixed bag of veterans, troops about to get out and those who still had a year or more before separation. Their business ideas included urban agriculture, security systems and beer brewing.

Some had started businesses, some were getting started and others were still dreaming.

Navy Lt. Maria DeCristoforo, 31, is more than a year from leaving active duty but wants to get started on her plans to open a nano-brewery, which is a very small-scale craft brewery.

“As much as I would like to start a nano-brewery tomorrow, I think starting a nano-brewery and separating at the same time is an unnecessarily stressful situation,” she said during Williams’ class.

Marine Sgt. Timmion Banton, 28, was also there. Also more than a year from separating, he hopes to open a restaurant featuring the food of his native Jamaica and says after leading a structured military life, the freedom of entrepreneurship appeals to him.

“It’s the flexibility, knowing that I’m not working for anyone, that I’m my own boss,” he said.

Williams said that the structure and discipline troops learn while in the armed forces serves them well in business, but that there’s often an adjustment to leaving the military bubble, with its free health care, readily available services and housing stipends.

“One of the big hurdles is becoming acclimated to civilian life again,” he said. “They have been in a protected kind of life, separated from the general population -- some of them have separation anxiety.”

Reality check

“Boots to Business” is meant to be a reality check about the very difficult road ahead for anyone starting a business, Williams said.

“What we’re really looking to do is give them a vehicle by which they can think about, ‘What is the feasibility of my dream?’ ” he said. “In the end, if you decide, ‘This isn’t for me,’ that’s still a success.”

One of the program’s graduates, Andrea Currie, is about a year into the Virginia oyster farming business she runs with her husband, Ethan Currie. She says 32 years in the Coast Guard gave her many skills, but sales was not one of them.

“The military doesn’t prepare you to market, and it’s not really preparation for the corporate world -- it’s a whole different world,” she said. “Boots to Business” did a great job of addressing reality. “They also work very hard to connect and hook you up with other people who can help.”

druzin.heath@stripes.com
Twitter: @Druzin_Stripes

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