Life in the military is dependable work. As long as a service member keeps doing their assigned duties, there will be a reliable paycheck every two weeks. Changes like separation are slow and easily planned for. In the civilian world, it's just not that way.
Unless they're working on a solid contract, civilian employees can lose their jobs for any number of reasons, even if they're the perfect employee. Financial problems in the business, missing performance goals or even just a sudden downsizing can mean an employee is unexpectedly cleaning out their desk. It happens.
Losing a job is not something anyone wants to think about, but it's a good idea to have a plan in place if it does. For those who don't have a plan in place, here are a few things you can do right away to get started in the job search.
1. Get Your Resume in Order
It all begins with the resume. The first thing to do is to review the resume used to get your old job before you update it. Check it for all the usual things: typos, spelling errors, casual mistakes in the timeline of your career and things like that. If it was good enough to get one job, it should be good enough to get another.
The next step is updating it, adding your most recent work history, accomplishments and any special education or training undergone to be the performer you were in your last position. If you were promoted from within during that time, be sure that stands out in your work history.
2. Activate Your Network
Unless you were working for a company that famously tanked (like an Enron), chances are good no one in your network knows you're looking for a job. It's time to start reestablishing those old connections if you haven't been keeping up to date with them (you should have, though, and this is why). Start talking to people and find opportunities within your industry or career field. Even just getting together over coffee or lunch can be the start of a new endeavor.
If those networks aren't giving you much in the way of leads or further connections, it's time to expand them. Join trade organizations, veterans service organizations or even old military pals who might be able to point you in a good direction. Engage with them, and (this time), remember to keep in touch.
3. Dust Off Those Interview Skills
It's never too soon to get reacquainted with this essential job-searching skill. For a worker who's been out of the job search for a while, coming up with thoughtful answers about their goals, futures and strengths may take a little rehearsal. Also, it's likely that some of those answers have changed since the last time you went looking for a job, and giving an honest answer might require some rehearsal.
Enlist the aid of a friend, relative or former co-worker to help you through this process. A couple of mock interview sessions with your new answers will help you appear comfortable and honest when the real interviewer starts asking questions.
4. Find Contract Employment
This advice is all well and good, but it doesn't pay the bills. If you need to supplement your unemployment income while looking for work, remember those contract employees we mentioned at the beginning of this article. They are still working for income, because the company signed a contract for that work.
If your career is one that allows for companies to hire you for a short-term project for a pre-negotiated sum, then be on the lookout for those opportunities. Being out of full-time employment can be depressing and stressful. Even just a handful of contracts can keep your spirits up and confidence high.
-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.
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