When it comes to the civilian job search, most prior military members focus on location, salary, job responsibilities, growth potential, job title, benefits and perks, and the like.
But what about a sense of purpose and meaning in the job?
A transitioning Marine recently told me, “How can I ensure that my work outside of the Marine Corp gives me the sense of mission, purpose and service that I had while in uniform?”
Here’s the advice I shared with him:
Your Sense of Service and Purpose Likely Won’t Come Off When the Uniform Does
In my experience, veterans and military spouses still seek to be part of a bigger solution after they leave the military. They want to become part of a more mission-driven organization and team, serving an effort greater than their own needs.
Read Next: How Being Active Online Can Help Your Job Search During a Military Transition
In many cases, your work can fulfill this need for purpose and meaning. In others, your work provides the means to the end – i.e., a roof over your head and food for your family – but your sense of service comes through volunteering, mentoring or other community-based activities.
Finding Purpose-Driven Work in a For-Profit Company May Require a Bit of Creativity
I’m reminded of a large call-center operation that I worked with and hired a lot of prior military members to work the phones. The company experienced high turnover because the work, as it admitted, was often not inspiring or fun; people often called only when something went wrong. Their employees burned out quickly.
The company believed that hiring veterans and military spouses would mean less attrition, because phone operators were required to exercise patience, resilience, helpfulness and to serve the callers’ needs. Those are qualities the military instills! But they failed to link the work to the mission, and people left.
To remedy this situation, we conducted hours of training and reintroduced employees to the company’s mission, which revolved around taking care of their customers like family. With a new framework through which to operate, phone operators began to see that their role was a problem solver, a helper, someone to make the caller’s day better. This provided a purpose.
As you evaluate job opportunities, look for the purpose in the work. Ask yourself:
- Would you be helping customers in meaningful ways?
- Will you be given a chance to serve a new population or community?
- Do you believe in the company’s product because of the good it offers?
- Does the company invest in communities you care about?
- Would the position offer leadership and visibility opportunities such that you can share the causes you’re most passionate about?
Sometimes a job description isn’t written to highlight the purpose and meaning the work offers. By talking to people who work for the company – or work in similar roles – you’ll gain valuable insight about the ways you can find passion and mission in the work.
And if it truly is a viable and attractive 9-to-5 opportunity for you, then commit to finding meaning and service outside of your work. There are plenty of opportunities in our communities today to help, lead, grow and serve others.
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