PHASE 1: PREPARE

The preparation phase is now. Transition is a process that will occur over your lifetime. However, the first step in what you need to do to discover your benefits, assess your skills, and start to strategically plan are critical elements to set you on the right path.

You should plan for civilian employment as you would for a mission. Recommendations include defining near and long-term objectives and setting them into smaller increments or a longer, broader 12 to 24 month timeline. In owning your transition, you are entering the first phase of tasks that will help you be better prepared for what lies ahead.

You may also want to consider your options—ever thought about furthering your education? How about being your own boss and owning your own business? You journey doesn’t have to end with a job offer—you can lead your journey.

_________

TASK 1: DISCOVER YOUR BENEFITS

Access and align your resources

You’re entitled to a lot of resources, and we want to help you access them. You can discover your benefits from any stage of your military to civilian transition. Quick tips include:

• Get to Know VSOs & Their Benefits

• Research Veteran-Friendly Corporate Partnerships & Resources

• Take Advantage of Your Government Resources

_________

TASK 2: ASSESS YOUR SKILLS

Know what you possess and how you should promote it

You must assess, understand and articulate the value you bring to a prospective employer. There are resources which exist that can help you translate your competencies, trainings, experiences, etc. into civilian skill sets which can then be marketed. Quick tips include:

• Get Help from Corporate Partners

• Take Advantage of Your Government Resources

• Receive Skills Assessment Assistance & Consider Expanded Programs

_________

TASK 3: PLAN YOUR TRANSITION

Receive the resources to prepare, transition and lead along the journey

As you plan, ensure you have taken into account all the acquired skills, career ambitions, education and formal training you have received over the course of your military career. Quick tips include:

• Create and navigate your own Customized Action Plan

• Financially Plan for Your Transition

• Ask for Feedback Along the Way

_________

TASK 4: FURTHER YOUR EDUCATION OR OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Consider your options, all options

Don’t rule out finishing school, starting a new education path, thinking about a training program or even applying for a fellowship. Many resources exist to help you navigate educational and entrepreneurial options. Quick tips include:

• Read up on the GI Bill

• Know what Credits Count from Military to Educational Transcripts

• Attend an Entrepreneur Seminar

_________

TASK 5: CREATE YOUR RESUME

Transcribe your unique military history to become civilian qualifications

Putting on paper your value will help close the deal of those online opportunities and in-person Network meetings. However, we know that translating your military assignments and positions can be daunting. Luckily, resources exist to help. Quick tips include:

• Share Your Resume for Feedback

• Create Different Versions for Different Audiences

• Post At Least Once

_________

TASK 6: FIND A MENTOR

Add the people element to your wealth of resources

Locate people who can assist you. We often forget that other people may be going through or have experience having gone through, a similar situation. It’s always a good idea to hear about lessons learned and hash out “what works” and “what doesn’t”. While everyone’s journey is unique, there are common threads that hold us all. Quick tips include:

• Find a Career Coach or Mentor

• Consider Digital Mentoring Resources & Social Networking Tools

• Join a VSO Member Organization