CAREERS NOW 05-25-08

Basic Training For Returning Troops

DEAR JOYCE: My nephew and my niece will, hopefully, be returning home sometime this year and will need to find a civilian job. Do you have any special advice for returning military, especially in this slowing economy? - S.L.K.

Despite hopeful prospects that the worst of the painful housing slump and credit crunch might come to a halt this year, the economy is expected to weaken and unemployment rise. That's the latest from forecasters in a new survey released by the National Association for Business Economics.

Against this background and remembering that many of the homecoming troops have never worked in the civilian job market, here are "basic training" tips to pass on to your niece and nephew. They're from Oklahoman Kay Stout, author of Another Point of View blog (anotherpointofview.typepad.com). Stout is a champ of a career coach who's been advising clients for more than 20 years. Here's a summary of her civilian boot-camp information.

RAMPING UP. The job search may remind you of basic training. There's no drill sergeant, but the transition will not be without drill-sergeant moments of frustration. Do you remember when you learned a new language in the military - such as E6, CINCPAC, platoon, squadron, and so forth? For the most part, the hiring managers who will read your resume and perhaps interview you have little or no understanding of the training, discipline and ability you've acquired while serving your country.

It's never too early to be prepared. Start reading newspapers and business magazines to learn the current business buzz words and make a connection between those words and what you've learned and experienced in the military. Incorporate the words in your conversation and your resume. Build a file of companies in which you are interested. Research them on the Internet and through such networking groups as LinkedIn (linkedin.com).

Once home, spend time visiting social or religious groups outside the military with which you're involved. Get advice about the job market in your area, especially where you might look for your first civilian job.

If you have to take a step back, remember that once your new employer observes you in action as you begin to make significant contributions to the organization, promotions and pay raises can come much faster than they did when you were in uniform. And you can move onto bigger and better opportunities.

EARLY SUCCESS. Once you're on the job, realize that employers highly value "soft skills." Soft skills are the skills that make life easier when you work in a group or organization. Here are a few illustrations of soft skills.

Be on time. Play by the rules while at work. Get along with your coworkers (you don't have to like them, just get along with them). Do more than is required. Volunteer for some assignments. As much as possible, don't let your personal life affect your work performance. Do not be the first one out the door on Friday afternoon! If you miss work due to illness, stay in touch with your boss (sounds simple but some newbies don't understand this necessity). Smile. Be gracious when things do not go your way.

"You may be hired for your experience," Stout observes, "but your promotion may be tied to your soft skills. Soft skills can be learned."

OWN BOSS. When returning vets would rather set up shop for themselves, SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" has a new section just for them on the SCORE Web site, score.org. The new section for veterans and military community entrepreneurs offers valuable free mentoring and a useful list of resources, that includes a directory of state programs for returning troops, as well as links to important business loan programs.

Among the success stories SCORE tells is that of Darryl Alexander, who wanted to open a barbeque restaurant in Arizona. He worked with Phoenix SCORE counselor Jim Batz, who helped him develop a business plan that led to quick approval for a Small Business Administration backed loan to start his business.

MY TAKE. Returning troops can use all the transitional tips you can send their way, especially coming home at a time when job cuts are sweeping the nation. No? Yesterday I got a public relations pitch for a company trying to sell new software to employers that makes layoffs administratively easier to do.

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