August 2017 |
Transition-e-news Volume 4 Issue 133 |
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Sponsored By: |
Transition Insight
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work".
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Click here for a complete list and description of organizations of TAOnline.com growing Partners! |
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Corporate TAOnline Virtual Career Fair * The Big Virtual * October 17, 2017
The Big Virtual is a quarterly TAOnline Virtual Career Fair where U.S. veterans and security cleared professionals can connect online with military-friendly organizations. The event takes place from your computer on October 17th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (ET). This event 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 civilians). For more information and to register for the event, visit www.taonline.com/tbv-js.
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Be Ready to Stand-Out in an Interview
by Barbara Adams, CPRW, CEIP, MFRW, MMRW, MFCA-T and Lee Kelley Employers are looking for stand-out interview candidates in the interview process. Candidates who bring new ideas to the table and address problems with creativity and confidence. The individual who answers an interview question with a cliché fails on for originality and is classified by the interviewer as status quo. If asked what’s your greatest weakness and your response is that you don’t have any or you turn your weakness into strengths without provide a short story on “HOW” then you are considered as status quo. You cannot risk being status quo you must prepare for all interview questions and stand-out in this job market, you cannot risk throwing away any interview question. Below are a few distinctive interview questions that are distinctive and allow you to really stand-out with a unique and power response. 1. Why do you think you fit within our company culture or federal agency? This question is asked to see how well they have researched the interworking of a company. A good company culture is the second highest priority for most job seekers, second only to salary. Be sure to review the company’s or federal agency’s mission statement and review their current projects or goals. A candidate may be surprised when you ask this question, but a valid answer shows they’ve done their research, and further that they are interested in your company for more than just a paycheck. They’re interested in the lifestyle and culture of your workplace. 2. What did you learn from your most impactful professional failure? Most interviewers ask candidates to expound upon their most impactful professional accomplishment. Hence; most job candidates are not prepared to respond to the crucial question regarding their failures. Most successful people turn their failures into lessons learned and don’t repeat them. However, some may hedge around the question, or give an example of a minor slip-up. This question could be an excellent opportunity to provide a “Stand-Out” answer. An honest candidate will not be afraid to tell you exactly what went wrong and the valuable lesson they took from it. Candidates should be very specific and tell a short story about the failure and how they turned this lesson around. Everyone makes mistakes, but those who learn from those mistakes experience professional and personal growth at an exponentially faster rate. A candidate who demonstrates knowledge of the company and industry will be a stand-out. Hiring managers interview multiple candidates for a position, but the individual who demonstrates a level of expertise and passion and who stand-out are likely to be productive immediately without suffering from a learning curve — a rare quality! What do you think? What are some ways to stand out from the crowd to land a great job? 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. |
Reverse Mortgage Loans: A Financial Tool for Veterans
by AAG - Reprinted with permission As a veteran, you may be wondering if a reverse mortgage loan could be right for you when the time comes. The HECM reverse mortgage loan was introduced over 30 years ago to provide seniors with a secure financial tool for retirement. But how does it stack up against a home lending tool like the VA Loan, which you may be more familiar with from your original, traditional mortgage? As we will explore, a reverse mortgage loan, while different from what you may be used to, is a compelling tool for veterans. The BasicsDesigned to allow older homeowners to borrow against the equity in their homes, most reverse mortgages are Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM), insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). These loans are unique in that instead of making payments to the lender, borrowers receive money from the lender that helps them subsidize their retirement savings. You can select the most convenient method for receiving payments (monthly, lump sum, a line of credit), and determine how to best use the funds, whether to cover medical bills, pay other bills, or save for a rainy day. To be eligible for this type of loan, you must be 62 years or older, have equity in your home among other qualifications. In contrast, VA Loan rules are directed by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and help service members, veterans, and their families buy, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for personal occupancy (not as a second or vacation home) using a traditional mortgage. The VA Loan does not require a down payment or monthly mortgage insurance premium. There is also no minimum age qualification, but eligibility for this loan requires that you have suitable credit, adequate income, and a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE) verifying that you meet the requirements for a VA loan. Closing Costs & FeesYou often hear about these “unanticipated” payments but in reality, these costs are standard with both traditional and reverse mortgage loans. Some of the fees that you will pay with a reverse mortgage loan are for the home insurance, loan origination, and title insurance. Fortunately, these fees can typically be rolled into the loan total to be financed. The great news for VA Loan borrowers is that there are some closing costs that a veteran does not need to pay. While you will be expected to pay origination fees, title insurance and several typical closing costs (recording fees, survey, state and local taxes), many additional charges must be paid by the lender (commissions, brokerages fees, preparation fees, and more). Protecting Your FamilyWith a reverse mortgage loan, as long as the homeowner continues to meet their loan obligations (including paying real estate taxes, insurance, and upkeep), they will remain in the home and collect all of the loan proceeds. Your heirs and spouse are also protected by the FHA against owing more than the amount of the loan when it comes due. Perhaps most significantly, as of 2014, an eligible non-borrowing spouse is allowed to remain in the home after the death of his/her spouse, as long as the conditions of the loan continue to be fulfilled. As with any other traditional mortgage, though, the veteran homeowner will be responsible for the upkeep and any relevant insurances, in addition to property taxes. Unfortunately, traditional mortgages do not have special safeguards in place for the spouses of those veterans who pass away before paying off the loan. If you were to pass away and your spouse could no longer make the necessary payments, and the lender was unwilling or unable to refinance the existing loan, the FHA recommends selling the home quickly to avoid foreclosure. The Best of Both WorldsTruthfully, as a veteran, you are in the ideal position to appreciate both types of loans. If you took out a VA Loan for your traditional mortgage, you likely experienced many of the advantages that come with a loan designed specifically for veterans. And now, as you approach retirement or consider ways to enhance your retirement, a reverse mortgage loan gives you the opportunity to pull from the equity that you’ve worked so long to amass in your home. Age-in-place within your own home, enjoy non-taxable cash*, and know that your family is protected. *Borrowers are responsible for paying property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and for home maintenance. |
Job Search Success: Unemployed Woman Over 60© Copyright, 2017, Susan P. Joyce. All rights reserved. Job search successes happen constantly — more than 5,000,000 jobs are filled in the USA every month. But, most job seekers don’t learn about those successes. This post is the first of a series to help you see how those successful job seekers landed their new jobs. Job Search Success: Betty, Over 60, Seeking a Part-Time JobSixty-plus year old Betty (not her real name) had worked for her employer full-time for several years. But the “company culture” was not very flexible or supportive, and it became toxic when Betty’s husband died unexpectedly. In the end, Betty left the job because the environment became unbearable. Fortunately, for many years she had been running her own small business on the side, outside of her full-time job. Unfortunately, that income was not enough to live on, even as she ramped it up to a full-time job. So, Betty needed a part-time job so she could consistently pay her bills without worry. After more than six months without an official job or income, Betty decided to look for a part-time job, and she landed one very quickly. This is how she did it… Success: Dropping by a Potential Employer’s BusinessThis is Betty’s story, in her own words: When life throws you a bucket of lemons, the old adage is “you make lemonade” and hopefully make a profit selling the lemonade at your lemonade kiosk. As we all know, it is easier said than done. With the over-whelming bucket of lemons sitting in front of me, I decided to depart the corporate world. Working for myself in my home office was great, but I am a people person, who needs a commitment outside of the office. And, a steady income stream is very nice. What to do? Every day, for the past 14 years, I drove along the same route, noticing the businesses along the route and how or if they changed over time. One in particular caught my eye. Since my “corporate job” for the past several years was working for a CPA firm, I noticed a very small accounting firm in an old dirty building. One day, the signs to that firm disappeared and the building was for sale (I found out the owner had passed away). I kept watching the building. I began to notice it transform — new clean paint and new signage. Would you believe, it was another small accounting firm? Over several days, as I continued to drive past this new business, I wondered if I should take the chance, go back into accounting (part-time). I would have that commitment outside of my home office with the added benefit of a short commute. Wearing jeans (clean ones) and a decent shirt, I was on my way to the supermarket one day and almost passed the accounting firm, when I said “why not” and pulled into their parking lot. Walking in, I said, “Hi, my name is…..and I don’t normally dress like this when looking for employment, but I decided to take a chance.” The accountant wasn’t dressed formally either, and he said, “No problem.” We talked for over an hour and came to a partial agreement to be formalized after the upcoming tax deadline. When I returned a few weeks later, we agreed on my pay and hours, and I started shortly thereafter. I still have my own business (which has nothing to do with accounting), and am happy with my new part time job. Now, admittedly, this was a gamble, but every so often you just have to put yourself out there and say, “What is the worst that can happen?” In my case, I would have proceeded on to the grocery store and kept looking. Betty took a chance and dropped by the new business. The result was success! Betty now has a great part-time job with a regular paycheck and a short commute. The accountant won, too. He has an experienced employee who appeared when and where he needed her. 5 Important Lessons from Betty’s SuccessYes, Betty was lucky. This was in the classic right-place-right-time situation. But, she did at least 5 very smart things that we can all take note of:
Her attitude and her approach were just right for this situation. It was a perfect match for both her and the employer. Possible ImprovementsBetty could have improved her process:
Fortunately, Betty and the accountant were pleased with each other, and these improvements were not needed for her to land the job. 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+ |
Europe program offers separating servicemembers VA jobs
By By WILL MORRIS | Stars and Stripes Reprinted with permission © 2017
Stars and Stripes KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — A new program offering Department of Veterans Affairs jobs to servicemembers leaving active duty is now accepting applicants for a Europe-based training course. Previously only available in the United States, the pilot program offered by the VA and the Soldiers for Life office allows servicemembers across Europe to train for jobs as either service representatives or as disability raters, officials said Friday. Upon completion of training, new employees will be placed in one of 56 regional veteran service centers in the United States at a GS-7 or GS-9 pay grade, with annual salaries starting at $35,359 for a GS-7 and $43,251 for a GS-9. The employees will primarily process and issue rulings on veteran disability claims. George Brown, acting Soldier for Life transition services manager, said the jobs offer promotion potential and a unique way to help others who served. “If one of the things you enjoy most in your career was helping people … this is for you,” Brown said. The classes are based on the Warrior Transition Advancement Course, or WARTAC, which has been taught in the U.S. since 2014. It has placed more than 500 veterans in VA positions and touts a 95 percent placement rate of enrolled students, said Jesse Rector, WARTAC overseas course and project manager. Most of the remaining 5 percent chose other opportunities, Rector said. Despite the domestic success of the program, it was difficult for servicemembers living in Europe to attend. Servicemembers from Europe were expected to pay for travel themselves. Currently, there are no programs being run outside Europe and the U.S., officials said. “There really shouldn’t be differences in opportunities available to you as a servicemember just because you live overseas,” Brown said. The inaugural course will accept 60 students each at bases in Sembach and Vilseck in Germany. Housing and dining facilities will be provided to eligible students who live more than 50 miles away from the classes. The free classes require command approval, start in October and last 12 weeks. The deadline to apply for the course is Sept. 10. Rector urged all ranks, experience levels and occupational specialties to apply for the training program. To apply, contact Brown at George.B.Brown10.civ@mail.mil.
morris.william@stripes.com |
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