Transition Doesn't Happen Overnight: Understanding the Time it Takes to Prepare for Civilian Life

Photo By Noriko Kudo | Maj. Demarcio Reed, commander of DENTAC-J, demonstrates a procedure Sept. 2 at the newly reopened Camp Zama Dental Clinic. (U.S. Army photo by Noriko Kudo)  

FORT KNOX, KY, UNITED STATES

09.11.2017

Story by Jenny Hale 

U.S. Army Human Resources Command

It takes time for Soldiers to figure out what they want to do after leaving Active Duty. At the Soldier for Life – Transition Assistance Program, or SFL-TAP, transitioning Soldiers are given the foundation to become successful in civilian life through job search training, resume preparation, Veteran benefit briefings, and other civilian resources.

SFL-TAP helps transitioning Soldiers explore what they want to do after Active Duty by encouraging them to consider some of the things that involve transitioning to a civilian career. This can include the time that it takes to prepare, including the job search process, writing a resume, networking, interviewing, and purchasing civilian attire. Transition is not an overnight process or something that can be planned in a week or a month.

While transitioning Soldiers may not need to spend an entire day writing their resume, they might allocate an hour for gathering work-history information such as a Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET) or a transcript from the Joint Services Transcript (JST). Set aside time to write and format this resume, plus time to have it reviewed by a SFL-TAP counselor. Even if the Soldier has written a resume in the past, resumes are ever-changing and need to be updated and revised over the years.

The job search also takes time. Soldiers could easily spend time applying to online jobs at night and networking to find potential openings. A recent survey from Hiring Our Heroes stated that transitioning Service members who start the job search process six months or more before transition were more likely to get a job before transitioning. Those who waited to start searching for a job until after they transitioned were more likely to earn less than $50,000 per year. It’s important to spread the job search process out over time to properly prepare and avoid it becoming overwhelming.

Finding proper interview and job attire can be a long process. Job seekers will need several new outfits to make it through the first couple of weeks at a new job. It can take several weeks to get all of these items together and it is more financially attainable to spread this process out over time.

Once the interview process starts, preparing for it is important. Before the interview, job seekers need to research what the company does, who they will be interviewing with, the position and the role within the company, come prepared with tailored resumes, purchase proper interview attire, and bring a professional portfolio. All of these things take planning and time.

When a job seeker does get an interview, it is proper to send a thank you note. Sometimes taking the time to send a thank you note can be the difference between getting the job and not receiving it if a hiring manager is looking to make a decision between two qualified candidates.

SFL-TAP encourages transitioning Soldiers to start the program 18 months prior to transition or 24 months prior for retirees. Soldiers complete a myriad of mandatory classes and have the opportunity to take advantage of several resources. Soldiers who take the time to attend SFL-TAP early and go often are more prepared for the civilian sector. Transitioning Soldiers who take the time to properly prepare for their interview and job search tend to be more successful in the long-term. To learn more about SFL-TAP, visit www.sfl-tap.army.mil. SFL-TAP is also on Facebook (@ArmySFLTAP), Twitter (@SFLTAP), and LinkedIn Groups (Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program Connection Group).

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in November 2007 in the Turret as “Job seekers need to invest time” by Julia Park.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2017
• Date Posted: 09.11.2017 11:30
• Story ID: 247752
• Location: FORT KNOX, KY, US