My CV went out months ago and to be honest I had forgotten all about the position I had applied for, as per normal if you haven't heard anything within four weeks then you should presume that you haven't made it through to the next round or to an interview, but to my shock I not only got an e-mail but a phonecall to ask me to attend an interview, and much more of a shock I was given the reason for delay.
Although I have now gone on to set up my own business the thought of a long-term semi secure job still appeals to me also the fact that the job sounds incredibly challenging but exciting I jumped at the chance of seeing if what I have preached comes true, well so far I have made it through to the next round, this is the big test as instead of a sub-contracted interview this one will be with the true client, and I'm sure will have even more stringent questions or solutions for me to solve within the structure of the interview.
Going back to me setting up my own business, and why it's a waiting game over the last few weeks I have strived to get my business out there in the public eye, starting with handing out business cards then having an article in the local press published which was then taken up by the national press, I must confess it was a shock to see my mug in the broad sheet papers but I thought this would have my phone ringing off the hook, sadly this has not been the case, I am confident that the publicity has helped but resigned to the fact that I will just have to wait, on both the next interview and the business, remember it's takes time and patients to find work and trust me it really won't come to you, unless you work for it. so wish me luck as I wish the same to you.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Friday, 5 November 2010
get your foot in the door
Your CV is not the only way to get your foot in the door.
Most jobs that are advertised in the media or through agencies, want a CV then a specific covering letter. This makes hunting for a job a full time career in it's self, so not only do you have to trawl through endless list's of vacancies, most of which will only be there because the law say's companies must advertise them before they give someone who works within the company get's it,( just like the air and travel industry,) it's not what you know it's WHO you know, I have heard first hand from ex colleagues that have tried to get in to airport work and failed miserably, as the vacancy that they or more than qualified for has actually long gone to the brother or family member of someone already working for that airport.
So how do you get your foot in the door when you don't know a family member working at the same place advertising your dream job, well I have heard a couple of ways mentioned over the last few months, one way is to keep phoning up the company HR department and try and get a rapport going, start by saying you are not actually looking for work you just want information on the company and it's products, two go on-line and find out who the department bosses are and see if you can phone them and ask them about the company and its products or even ethical environment policies, and thirdly just write a letter to the boss asking if they think think the company will be recruiting in the near future, most will either hang up and refuse to answer questions or simply throw your letter straight in the bin, but you never know some may just think if you are that cheeky you may be worth a second look and ask you for that specific CV.
There is the secret job market and that works along the same way so go out there and give it a go, if you never try you will never know, getting your foot through the door often means you have to be a lot pushy as nothing in civvi street is given to you on a plate, take a leaf from the Romans book and seize the day.
Most jobs that are advertised in the media or through agencies, want a CV then a specific covering letter. This makes hunting for a job a full time career in it's self, so not only do you have to trawl through endless list's of vacancies, most of which will only be there because the law say's companies must advertise them before they give someone who works within the company get's it,( just like the air and travel industry,) it's not what you know it's WHO you know, I have heard first hand from ex colleagues that have tried to get in to airport work and failed miserably, as the vacancy that they or more than qualified for has actually long gone to the brother or family member of someone already working for that airport.
So how do you get your foot in the door when you don't know a family member working at the same place advertising your dream job, well I have heard a couple of ways mentioned over the last few months, one way is to keep phoning up the company HR department and try and get a rapport going, start by saying you are not actually looking for work you just want information on the company and it's products, two go on-line and find out who the department bosses are and see if you can phone them and ask them about the company and its products or even ethical environment policies, and thirdly just write a letter to the boss asking if they think think the company will be recruiting in the near future, most will either hang up and refuse to answer questions or simply throw your letter straight in the bin, but you never know some may just think if you are that cheeky you may be worth a second look and ask you for that specific CV.
There is the secret job market and that works along the same way so go out there and give it a go, if you never try you will never know, getting your foot through the door often means you have to be a lot pushy as nothing in civvi street is given to you on a plate, take a leaf from the Romans book and seize the day.
Monday, 1 November 2010
get to know yourself
Having spent so many years in the RAF, being told on occasion what I could talk about, and who I could say it too I.E. the civil press, admittedly not as bad until I was embedded with the army, I find it liberating that I can type and say within reason and under the official secrets act pretty much what I like.
This inter net is a wonderful tool, not only to get things off your chest when having a rant but getting help finding out information.
I have struggled in the past working out where I wanted to take my life. Once I wanted nothing more than to be a police officer, then a spaceman and then a pilot, then I joined the RAF and wanted to be mechanic, but found at the time of recruitment I either didn't have the qualifications or the positions did not exist so I was given a career that looking back on now, have only one regret and that is that it ended too soon.
My trade allowed me to work as a member of team and be an independent person when solving problem loads, but still only allowed to work within very strict rules and still to do as I was told, this left me feeling very frustrated, and as I did not always agree with what I being told to do, I sought ways to get promoted in fact literately banging on my bosses desk demanding to know what I needed to do to get to the next level, at one point going out of my way to find a different method of doing something to get me noticed and eventually becoming the man who gave orders, I can see why something's are done the way they are and that's true when it comes to your CV, There are guides around to help you write the perfect CV and get it noticed.
But first it's time to start to think about what you want to be and that means don't let you CV trap you in to your past when you should be looking to your future, just because you cooked for your service doesn't mean you have to stay a chef, "unless it's really what you want to", I thought I wanted to stay in logistics, working with cargo has it's rewards for one it doesn't complain or argue, but I realised that I was in my comfort zone and the future needed to fit my dreams. I had sat a test and then was told what trade I was going to be when I joined up, but in civvi street there is no magic wand or person there to wipe your nose, however there are plenty of books and on-line questionnaires show ways in which to find your way and write your CV.
Remember you have been learning skills all your life so don't just write your CV on the ones you learned in the services, but never forget those you did use i'm sure some of you either have or are going to assist in cadet summer camps or outward bound activities others may do mountain rescue scouts and girl guides to name but a few, they all involve responsibility and management and in some cases a lot of organisation skills, also like me, you have given briefings or sit reps to management on tasks or projects you have been involved with, some of you will have written 6 monthly and annual assessments on your troops, (a job I hated, but you can't develop someone if they don't know how they are doing).
How many of you have been involved or organised something for Help For Heroes so that means you have handled cash again the list is not exhaustive so have a look.
Lastly you can gain skills from your hobbies which can very easily be passed on onto an employer, sometimes country pursuits such as horse riding fishing or even clay shooting gives civvi employers an area they can assess how you mix and get on with people at their level.
This inter net is a wonderful tool, not only to get things off your chest when having a rant but getting help finding out information.
I have struggled in the past working out where I wanted to take my life. Once I wanted nothing more than to be a police officer, then a spaceman and then a pilot, then I joined the RAF and wanted to be mechanic, but found at the time of recruitment I either didn't have the qualifications or the positions did not exist so I was given a career that looking back on now, have only one regret and that is that it ended too soon.
My trade allowed me to work as a member of team and be an independent person when solving problem loads, but still only allowed to work within very strict rules and still to do as I was told, this left me feeling very frustrated, and as I did not always agree with what I being told to do, I sought ways to get promoted in fact literately banging on my bosses desk demanding to know what I needed to do to get to the next level, at one point going out of my way to find a different method of doing something to get me noticed and eventually becoming the man who gave orders, I can see why something's are done the way they are and that's true when it comes to your CV, There are guides around to help you write the perfect CV and get it noticed.
But first it's time to start to think about what you want to be and that means don't let you CV trap you in to your past when you should be looking to your future, just because you cooked for your service doesn't mean you have to stay a chef, "unless it's really what you want to", I thought I wanted to stay in logistics, working with cargo has it's rewards for one it doesn't complain or argue, but I realised that I was in my comfort zone and the future needed to fit my dreams. I had sat a test and then was told what trade I was going to be when I joined up, but in civvi street there is no magic wand or person there to wipe your nose, however there are plenty of books and on-line questionnaires show ways in which to find your way and write your CV.
Remember you have been learning skills all your life so don't just write your CV on the ones you learned in the services, but never forget those you did use i'm sure some of you either have or are going to assist in cadet summer camps or outward bound activities others may do mountain rescue scouts and girl guides to name but a few, they all involve responsibility and management and in some cases a lot of organisation skills, also like me, you have given briefings or sit reps to management on tasks or projects you have been involved with, some of you will have written 6 monthly and annual assessments on your troops, (a job I hated, but you can't develop someone if they don't know how they are doing).
How many of you have been involved or organised something for Help For Heroes so that means you have handled cash again the list is not exhaustive so have a look.
Lastly you can gain skills from your hobbies which can very easily be passed on onto an employer, sometimes country pursuits such as horse riding fishing or even clay shooting gives civvi employers an area they can assess how you mix and get on with people at their level.
Saturday, 30 October 2010
spread the word
Going back on a previous blogg when I mentioned how you have to fill your CV with more fluff to give it body, so that when a potential employer looks at your profile and stuff you jump out of the page and grab them.
Well today I found another way of getting yourself noticed by potential clients or employers, and that is the local free press news paper and in my case the Argus based in Pontypool, A while ago I approached the local council touting for work, who put me on to a member of the Welsh Assembly, who put me in touch which other people so on and so on.
Last night I had a phone conversation with a local reporter who then sent a photographer around for some snaps of me and my equipment FNAR FNAR, I mean my CPR manikins and first aid equipment so hopefully that should then be in the Monday edition, so going back as I said earlier it's all about putting yourself about metaphorically speaking then more clients or employers see or know of your the greater the chance of employment be it full or part time.
This yet another area I wish had be covered in greater depth on my resettlement course selling yourself to others is not as easy as I thought it would be, have spent twenty two years not sticking my head up above the parapet and keeping out of the media glare for fear of being slabbed by my fellow workmates, suddenly have to sell myself as a commodity for employers to browse over and reject has hit hard, as going from standing in front of large groups of military and civilians whilst in uniform posed no problem even pride now suddenly standing in a civvi suit and chocking tie gives mill hot sweats and palpitations, I really do know how they feel on dragon's den and to some extent being in front Sir Allan but instead of the your fired wanting to hear your hired.
I have read that preparation prior to an interview or meeting is the key, so here are some of the tips, firstly your ex military so be proud but not cocky, confident but not bullish, your clothes I know most won't need telling should be clean pressed and not too tight, you don't want to be thinking about how uncomfortable you feel or how you look, for men invest in a quality white shirt and plane but not boring tie and ensure your shoes are polished and clean, if Like me you get nervous have a hanky at hand to wipe your brow before you go in
ladies well again you know what to do smart not tart comfy not slob shoes that won't kill you or make you stumble.
Well today I found another way of getting yourself noticed by potential clients or employers, and that is the local free press news paper and in my case the Argus based in Pontypool, A while ago I approached the local council touting for work, who put me on to a member of the Welsh Assembly, who put me in touch which other people so on and so on.
Last night I had a phone conversation with a local reporter who then sent a photographer around for some snaps of me and my equipment FNAR FNAR, I mean my CPR manikins and first aid equipment so hopefully that should then be in the Monday edition, so going back as I said earlier it's all about putting yourself about metaphorically speaking then more clients or employers see or know of your the greater the chance of employment be it full or part time.
This yet another area I wish had be covered in greater depth on my resettlement course selling yourself to others is not as easy as I thought it would be, have spent twenty two years not sticking my head up above the parapet and keeping out of the media glare for fear of being slabbed by my fellow workmates, suddenly have to sell myself as a commodity for employers to browse over and reject has hit hard, as going from standing in front of large groups of military and civilians whilst in uniform posed no problem even pride now suddenly standing in a civvi suit and chocking tie gives mill hot sweats and palpitations, I really do know how they feel on dragon's den and to some extent being in front Sir Allan but instead of the your fired wanting to hear your hired.
I have read that preparation prior to an interview or meeting is the key, so here are some of the tips, firstly your ex military so be proud but not cocky, confident but not bullish, your clothes I know most won't need telling should be clean pressed and not too tight, you don't want to be thinking about how uncomfortable you feel or how you look, for men invest in a quality white shirt and plane but not boring tie and ensure your shoes are polished and clean, if Like me you get nervous have a hanky at hand to wipe your brow before you go in
ladies well again you know what to do smart not tart comfy not slob shoes that won't kill you or make you stumble.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
There are organisations out there
All the way through my military career I was told never fear, for when you leave there are agencies and organisations ready and willing to help, what can be a problem is that like everything in life there can be hurdles to get over and criteria to be met before they do.
Don't get me wrong this is by no means an exhaustive list and when you speak to your education staff they should have lists ready for your future.
The Royal British Legion can help with many different aspects from Loans to Legal advice, they can help with pensions and compensation if you have had an injury.
Each Service has their own Benevolent funds, who can help with welfare issues that will help not only servicemen and women but dependants too.
As part of the British Legion there are organisations such as Be The Boss, for those who wish to set up their own business, and Civvi Street will help in training, Both have funds available but again come with criteria to be met and can be very long winded and if I am Honest a Pain in the bum if you can't meet every requirement. exactly. But AGAIN DON'T let my bad experience put you off, I failed to meet certain criteria which meant I kept getting passed back and forth between all three organisations, one of which was I had paid for things off my own back and a lot of organisations won't pay for the retrospectively.
You can also use certain civvi agencies that comer under JOB CENTRE PLUS such as JOB MATCH and BACK TO WORK who can pay for a myriad of courses and funding but as with the legion criteria s must be met, and for those who move to Wales the Welsh Assembly Government have grants and courses to assist, you finding a job, again there is help for those of us either brave enough or is stupid enough to want to set out on your own.
One piece of advise I could give to those who wish to set up on their own, is as part of your resettlement course I would attend the be your own boss session, and they will have much more information for you to set up your own company and sign up to QUEST, handing you good gen from how to get government grants and agencies who will buy certain equipment to what franchises , if they offer a book keeping course then bite their hand off, as I wish I had taken up or been offered a course and then I wouldn't have to pay my accountant £75.00 a month just so I can give him my receipts at the end of the year to fill out my Tax forms,
All the info is available in your education centre and I'm sure your training staff will be more helpful than I found.
Don't get me wrong this is by no means an exhaustive list and when you speak to your education staff they should have lists ready for your future.
The Royal British Legion can help with many different aspects from Loans to Legal advice, they can help with pensions and compensation if you have had an injury.
Each Service has their own Benevolent funds, who can help with welfare issues that will help not only servicemen and women but dependants too.
As part of the British Legion there are organisations such as Be The Boss, for those who wish to set up their own business, and Civvi Street will help in training, Both have funds available but again come with criteria to be met and can be very long winded and if I am Honest a Pain in the bum if you can't meet every requirement. exactly. But AGAIN DON'T let my bad experience put you off, I failed to meet certain criteria which meant I kept getting passed back and forth between all three organisations, one of which was I had paid for things off my own back and a lot of organisations won't pay for the retrospectively.
You can also use certain civvi agencies that comer under JOB CENTRE PLUS such as JOB MATCH and BACK TO WORK who can pay for a myriad of courses and funding but as with the legion criteria s must be met, and for those who move to Wales the Welsh Assembly Government have grants and courses to assist, you finding a job, again there is help for those of us either brave enough or is stupid enough to want to set out on your own.
One piece of advise I could give to those who wish to set up on their own, is as part of your resettlement course I would attend the be your own boss session, and they will have much more information for you to set up your own company and sign up to QUEST, handing you good gen from how to get government grants and agencies who will buy certain equipment to what franchises , if they offer a book keeping course then bite their hand off, as I wish I had taken up or been offered a course and then I wouldn't have to pay my accountant £75.00 a month just so I can give him my receipts at the end of the year to fill out my Tax forms,
All the info is available in your education centre and I'm sure your training staff will be more helpful than I found.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
does your CV cut the colonel's mustard
Quite often self help books quote that your CV must be specific to the vacancy you are applying for, so if you are applying for a role for example in KFC. then make sure you know what you are getting into.
Research on line the role you are applying for, if you are required to manage people or team lead and look after facilities, then ensure you have relevant certificates to prove it, I have found that when a recruiter looks at your CV they look for what they know best.
A recognised management certificate with a membership number and awarding professional body stands out over a certificate that has been issued by a commanding officer of a military academy or training establishment.
If you are applying for a junior position don't over egg your CV, Don't start rambling on about management and leadership if all you want to do is be lead and potter with minimal thought, Never close the door to a future management role keep it simple but keep it professional, remember the skills you learned in the military will often lead you to thinking the management style of your employer does not fit your work environment, or more often than not, you can see a better way of doing something, they may not have changed a system of work because it's always been done that way and it works, where as in the military a good leader should always utilise all the tools available to them, and a new set of eyes and thoughts often lead to a better way of doing something and can often save money and manpower.
Whether you have served a couple of years or gone all the way and beyond, future employers look for commitment to them, so do your research on the companies products and ethos to environmental statement, the more you research the company the closer you can tailor your CV to them. Remember it's a buyers market now and the skills required by you to get your foot in the door is getting harder, coming from the military is not a guarantee to an interview, but can at very least warrant a longer glance , and some employers know that workforces change on a regular basis, and openly recruit ex forces for there loyalty, this is not always a good thing so research is crucial, some unethical employers know that you will go the extra mile, but won't pay for your commitment so if possible call before you apply and ask some basic questions.
Try and find out what people who work for the company think, have they heard about the job and do they know why the job has come up on the market.
Get your military skills and certificates recognised by civvies before you leave, because once you leave the services converting qualifications and certificates over is NOT cheap, My advice would be use your education grants before you leave as once you leave things get tricky, it's all about forms and signatures with the military and once you leave how much contact with your last unit do you have or want.
I found out the hard way moving from Oxford to Wales meant I am not near my last unit, and believe it or not
my education section still insist that I need to go through them.
I like most was under the impression that I could go to any military educational establishment closest to me,
however true to do the actual courses, however I was told by my education section that they were the only ones who could authorise forms, I am not going to say that was wrong or right, I personally found my last unit education section quite unhelpful and a bit rude as they didn't know or care about me, until I complained to their boss and web-sites were thrown at me left right and centre, especially when it came to converting my qualifications in to civvi recognised qualifications but you still need to do the leg work and find out the what when and why's you want or need to convert your skills, however have heard others say the last unit they served on couldn't do enough for them, so it depends but don't let your educators fob you off, they are paid to help you not just give you a web-site.
Once you have found a training establishment it has to be on the recognised training list and the course needs to be of a level that fits the criteria set down by your unit and this became very frustrating for me finding establishments near me that the RAF would allow me to train with and pay for, this became even harder once I left service.
Don't let my my bad experiences with education payment put you off, most establishments i'm sure will bend over backwards to help, my advice go early to your education section get to know the staff and education officer and don't take no for an answer, never get fobbed off with a list of web-sites and most important of all start a plan of what you may need get your education section to assist in drawing a plan that fits you, remember most of us who leave service don't fully understand what is out there on the job market or how the skills we have fit so plan it plan it plan it PPPPP you know prior planning prevents p=5s poor performances.
Research on line the role you are applying for, if you are required to manage people or team lead and look after facilities, then ensure you have relevant certificates to prove it, I have found that when a recruiter looks at your CV they look for what they know best.
A recognised management certificate with a membership number and awarding professional body stands out over a certificate that has been issued by a commanding officer of a military academy or training establishment.
If you are applying for a junior position don't over egg your CV, Don't start rambling on about management and leadership if all you want to do is be lead and potter with minimal thought, Never close the door to a future management role keep it simple but keep it professional, remember the skills you learned in the military will often lead you to thinking the management style of your employer does not fit your work environment, or more often than not, you can see a better way of doing something, they may not have changed a system of work because it's always been done that way and it works, where as in the military a good leader should always utilise all the tools available to them, and a new set of eyes and thoughts often lead to a better way of doing something and can often save money and manpower.
Whether you have served a couple of years or gone all the way and beyond, future employers look for commitment to them, so do your research on the companies products and ethos to environmental statement, the more you research the company the closer you can tailor your CV to them. Remember it's a buyers market now and the skills required by you to get your foot in the door is getting harder, coming from the military is not a guarantee to an interview, but can at very least warrant a longer glance , and some employers know that workforces change on a regular basis, and openly recruit ex forces for there loyalty, this is not always a good thing so research is crucial, some unethical employers know that you will go the extra mile, but won't pay for your commitment so if possible call before you apply and ask some basic questions.
Try and find out what people who work for the company think, have they heard about the job and do they know why the job has come up on the market.
Get your military skills and certificates recognised by civvies before you leave, because once you leave the services converting qualifications and certificates over is NOT cheap, My advice would be use your education grants before you leave as once you leave things get tricky, it's all about forms and signatures with the military and once you leave how much contact with your last unit do you have or want.
I found out the hard way moving from Oxford to Wales meant I am not near my last unit, and believe it or not
my education section still insist that I need to go through them.
I like most was under the impression that I could go to any military educational establishment closest to me,
however true to do the actual courses, however I was told by my education section that they were the only ones who could authorise forms, I am not going to say that was wrong or right, I personally found my last unit education section quite unhelpful and a bit rude as they didn't know or care about me, until I complained to their boss and web-sites were thrown at me left right and centre, especially when it came to converting my qualifications in to civvi recognised qualifications but you still need to do the leg work and find out the what when and why's you want or need to convert your skills, however have heard others say the last unit they served on couldn't do enough for them, so it depends but don't let your educators fob you off, they are paid to help you not just give you a web-site.
Once you have found a training establishment it has to be on the recognised training list and the course needs to be of a level that fits the criteria set down by your unit and this became very frustrating for me finding establishments near me that the RAF would allow me to train with and pay for, this became even harder once I left service.
Don't let my my bad experiences with education payment put you off, most establishments i'm sure will bend over backwards to help, my advice go early to your education section get to know the staff and education officer and don't take no for an answer, never get fobbed off with a list of web-sites and most important of all start a plan of what you may need get your education section to assist in drawing a plan that fits you, remember most of us who leave service don't fully understand what is out there on the job market or how the skills we have fit so plan it plan it plan it PPPPP you know prior planning prevents p=5s poor performances.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
from life in blue to try something new
Having spent twenty two years travelling the world from pole to pole and most countries in between, with constant drone of four noisy engines in the back of a Royal Air Force C130 cargo transport aircraft , delivering troops fighting the good fight, for Queen and country, or pale faced government untruths, to helping aid agencies feed the famine stricken area's of Africa, the time came to change my career. After having an accident in Afghanistan not being conducive to an active service future I was asked to leave.
Now as with most things within the Military there are systems in place to assist troops of all ranks and services through this transition period,what is often a very difficult time in anyone's life such as moving home family and job to what in reality can be quite unknown, things are kept simple, not because the troops are thick or over protected, it's normally due to the fact that time is limited and so are resources.
One area the MOD would have you believe is well funded and well run by dedicated staff is resettlement re training you to put the gun down and pick up the pen, The military have set in place something known as a transition workshop a week long course, where military leavers of all ranks and services meet and taught by civilian instructors, who cover a wide range of subjects from applying for housing to finding a doctors surgery then going through the basics from creating a CV to interview techniques, many more subjects for individuals to select or attend all designed to ease the move from fighting machine to Mr squeaky clean.
Now there are those that say starting the transition in the last two years of service is more than enough time, and in most part I agree, however now as more and more troops are being medically discharged with physical and mental injuries at short notice, civilian charities are being relied upon to fill gaps and feel will become overwhelmed, this area of training of service leavers transition from military to civilian life,which can be the greatest change in a service persons life, is in my opinion not given attention all it needs.
Now before someone in power starts to blow a gasket at this bloggette, I am not about to slag it off hook line and sinker, the people who run the courses are getting better and better but are being put under increasing pressure to fill in forms tick boxes and move military personnel on out with the old in with new kind of thing, as with the commitment of troops abroad increasing, I strongly believe that more time nearer the very end of their career should be given to this stage not just one week.
The thread in which I intending to follow in part is the language used and been asked to use when speaking civvi, hence my title don't believe the hype," it could have been worse it could been blue sky thinking showers".
During one of the lessons back in the transition workshop an ex serviceman leading the session explained, that the need to convert what your role in the military into civvi speak is very important, but when you tell an employer your role you will often be met with blank stares i.e. leading a mortar team to a civvi sounds like someone working on a site mixing cement, the problem to me was, he never actually showed us how leading a mortar team in civvi language should be put across and this is where a lot of CV's let you down.
Never a true word was ever said for me, when asked in an interview to explain my role as a team leader I started going on about tactical air landing operations, and how the to plan a job and train every member of your team prior to doing a task was essential, the old boy doing the interview looked as though I had just passed state secrets and basically asked me to move on, if I used the techniques I have now I may have been more successful, what also should have been included as a lesson is not only how to write what is required for employers but how to convert your language into theirs.
We have all been in an environment where situations have changed in a flash and we have reacted and finished the job without a problem and dare say debrief a military Boss clear concise and straight to the point, Sometime however putting it down on paper so others can understand is another matter again an area in which I struggle, I have reasonable grasp on the written word and thank goodness for spell-checker but sometimes keeping it short and sweet doesn't paint the required picture and your CV is that picture one feed back form I received claimed I needed to explain everything in greater detail again an area I feel is irrelevant to what I want to express.
Moving from less controlled environment such as operations where actions speak louder than words, to one where no one cares how the job is done or just get it done, in the military is all well and good but to a civilian method obey every rule so I don't get fined it's all about money is possibly a subject for my next blogg.
One man, one job, and health & safety is king, telling a potential employer how you can make things happen, has to be done more tactfully and takes some adjusting too, as doing only what is required for a task, as long as you keep your job was often the view of a lot of civilian employee's, but that said more and more company employers are realising that needs must and are needing to ask more of their workforce and doing it for less money, but only within the rules. This can work in the favour of service leavers as most have worked along these lines for a number of years, more often than not you find yourself trying to cover all bases, but this is an area you need to be carefull, unlike your old job where it may have been an urgent requirement chopper flying in with casualties, in civvi street it has been said by my neighbourly friends that management will just take you for granted, one minute helping someone can soon become an extra duty for full time.
.
Throughout my search for work I have tried various styles of CV from broad brush skills and knowledge and experience to pin pointed direct information specific to the vacancy I applied for, even down right cheeky cold calling to simple letters, some of which got me to an interview or response, but most didn't, the truth is it's an employers market and training companies are offering skills and certificates that the military were slow to pick up on, also something I should have been told on the course is that if your CV dose not grab the attention of the reader in the first ten lines, they won't even reply or acknowledge they have received it, an area I wished I had paid more attention in when writing my early CV's.
Statistics show that every 25 job applications you apply for, only one employer or agency will acknowledge or respond to a CV especially when submitted on-line, and now that more people are after fewer jobs that statistic will only rise, but don't despair there are lights at the end of everyone's tunnel they just need switching on.
I'm in the process setting up my own training company in first aid but that's not been as easy or as cheap as I thought and will be going in to greater detail in future blogg s, Hitler has mien Kampf, I have jumping through hoops .
To end this blogg I am going to have promote a book that my wife bought for me some of the things the author has got clients doing has really struck a cord with and hopefully with you, so keep an eye out for Denise Taylor's book on How To Get A Job in a Recession
Now as with most things within the Military there are systems in place to assist troops of all ranks and services through this transition period,what is often a very difficult time in anyone's life such as moving home family and job to what in reality can be quite unknown, things are kept simple, not because the troops are thick or over protected, it's normally due to the fact that time is limited and so are resources.
One area the MOD would have you believe is well funded and well run by dedicated staff is resettlement re training you to put the gun down and pick up the pen, The military have set in place something known as a transition workshop a week long course, where military leavers of all ranks and services meet and taught by civilian instructors, who cover a wide range of subjects from applying for housing to finding a doctors surgery then going through the basics from creating a CV to interview techniques, many more subjects for individuals to select or attend all designed to ease the move from fighting machine to Mr squeaky clean.
This is where I struggled to be honest, after writing a number of CV's in many styles and being told that you can't have done that many roles in one job or to be more specific in how I managed my troops, as I already owned my home and knew my doctor I never attended anything else I finished the week still no better off someone sat me down and looked over my skills but unless I was staying within my skill they had limited advise which was not their fault but mine. I did have in my hand a letter to say I had attended and a bunch of CV's ready to hand over to a mirriad of employers, armed in the knowledge that as soon as an employer saw my CV they would rip my arm off getting through their office door.
The truth unfortunately is, as well meaning as the instructors comments on my CV where, they could not be further from the truth, the employment climate since the government spending review has knocked the employment market for six no matter the con/dems would have us believe. for example one job I felt I was more than qualified to do, that of managing a team of meters and greeters for an energy group, I applied for the vacancy only to be told, when for once I was given a rare reply that sixty candidates were also trying for it, they took one look at my CV and said sorry you need a degree in marketing, and that managing an military air terminal full of passengers was not what the job required if that's not meeting and greeting I don't know what is, now as possibly 20,000 members of the armed forces go through this process I would like to give some tips on the Do's & donSo going back to service leavers the military have set in place something known as a transition workshop a week long course, where military leavers of all ranks and services meet civilian instructors, who then go through the basics from creating a CV to interview techniques and many more things that should ease the move from fighting machine to Mr squeaky clean.
This is where I struggled to be honest, after writing a number of CV's in many styles and being told that you can't have done that many roles in one job or to be more specific in how I managed my troops, I finished the week still no better off, I did have in my hand a letter to say I had attended and a bunch of CV's ready to hand over to a mirriad of employers armed in the knowledge that as soon as an employer saw my CV they would rip my arm off getting through their office doors.
The truth unfortunately is as well meaning the instructors were, the employment climate since the government spending review has knocked this for six for example one job I felt I was more than qualified to do and applied for had sixty candidates trying for it, they took one look at my CV and said sorry you need a degree in marketing, and that managing an military air terminal full of passengers was not what the job required, now as possibly 20,000 members of the armed forces go through this process I would like to give some tips on the Do's & don't s.
Now there are those that say starting the transition in the last two years of service is more than enough time, and in most part I agree, however now as more and more troops are being medically discharged with physical and mental injuries at short notice, civilian charities are being relied upon to fill gaps and feel will become overwhelmed, this area of training of service leavers transition from military to civilian life,which can be the greatest change in a service persons life, is in my opinion not given attention all it needs.
Now before someone in power starts to blow a gasket at this bloggette, I am not about to slag it off hook line and sinker, the people who run the courses are getting better and better but are being put under increasing pressure to fill in forms tick boxes and move military personnel on out with the old in with new kind of thing, as with the commitment of troops abroad increasing, I strongly believe that more time nearer the very end of their career should be given to this stage not just one week.
The thread in which I intending to follow in part is the language used and been asked to use when speaking civvi, hence my title don't believe the hype," it could have been worse it could been blue sky thinking showers".
During one of the lessons back in the transition workshop an ex serviceman leading the session explained, that the need to convert what your role in the military into civvi speak is very important, but when you tell an employer your role you will often be met with blank stares i.e. leading a mortar team to a civvi sounds like someone working on a site mixing cement, the problem to me was, he never actually showed us how leading a mortar team in civvi language should be put across and this is where a lot of CV's let you down.
Never a true word was ever said for me, when asked in an interview to explain my role as a team leader I started going on about tactical air landing operations, and how the to plan a job and train every member of your team prior to doing a task was essential, the old boy doing the interview looked as though I had just passed state secrets and basically asked me to move on, if I used the techniques I have now I may have been more successful, what also should have been included as a lesson is not only how to write what is required for employers but how to convert your language into theirs.
We have all been in an environment where situations have changed in a flash and we have reacted and finished the job without a problem and dare say debrief a military Boss clear concise and straight to the point, Sometime however putting it down on paper so others can understand is another matter again an area in which I struggle, I have reasonable grasp on the written word and thank goodness for spell-checker but sometimes keeping it short and sweet doesn't paint the required picture and your CV is that picture one feed back form I received claimed I needed to explain everything in greater detail again an area I feel is irrelevant to what I want to express.
Moving from less controlled environment such as operations where actions speak louder than words, to one where no one cares how the job is done or just get it done, in the military is all well and good but to a civilian method obey every rule so I don't get fined it's all about money is possibly a subject for my next blogg.
One man, one job, and health & safety is king, telling a potential employer how you can make things happen, has to be done more tactfully and takes some adjusting too, as doing only what is required for a task, as long as you keep your job was often the view of a lot of civilian employee's, but that said more and more company employers are realising that needs must and are needing to ask more of their workforce and doing it for less money, but only within the rules. This can work in the favour of service leavers as most have worked along these lines for a number of years, more often than not you find yourself trying to cover all bases, but this is an area you need to be carefull, unlike your old job where it may have been an urgent requirement chopper flying in with casualties, in civvi street it has been said by my neighbourly friends that management will just take you for granted, one minute helping someone can soon become an extra duty for full time.
.
Throughout my search for work I have tried various styles of CV from broad brush skills and knowledge and experience to pin pointed direct information specific to the vacancy I applied for, even down right cheeky cold calling to simple letters, some of which got me to an interview or response, but most didn't, the truth is it's an employers market and training companies are offering skills and certificates that the military were slow to pick up on, also something I should have been told on the course is that if your CV dose not grab the attention of the reader in the first ten lines, they won't even reply or acknowledge they have received it, an area I wished I had paid more attention in when writing my early CV's.
Statistics show that every 25 job applications you apply for, only one employer or agency will acknowledge or respond to a CV especially when submitted on-line, and now that more people are after fewer jobs that statistic will only rise, but don't despair there are lights at the end of everyone's tunnel they just need switching on.
I'm in the process setting up my own training company in first aid but that's not been as easy or as cheap as I thought and will be going in to greater detail in future blogg s, Hitler has mien Kampf, I have jumping through hoops .
To end this blogg I am going to have promote a book that my wife bought for me some of the things the author has got clients doing has really struck a cord with and hopefully with you, so keep an eye out for Denise Taylor's book on How To Get A Job in a Recession
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