Business
Many former military people need to find jobs when they get out. This can be a daunting task that can make the transition period even more stressful. I have a career expert on the show today who’s going to share some top tips and advice to make this period easier. Jen Walker Wall began working in a hiring capacity. This led to her seeing a lot of resumes and noticing what was being done right and not being done right. She started consulting and became an interview and resume expert. Eventually this experience led Jenn to starting Work Wonders Careers to not only help people find jobs, but find the right career that fits their life. Jenn says that the single most important factor is having confidence about your skills and presenting them in a big picture way. Many people doubt that their skills are transferable, but things like leadership, communication, and working under pressure are always in demand. Jenn also shares resume tips, when to start looking for that job, LinkedIn profiles, and her views on working for yourself and side hustles. Highlights from This Episode: [00:49] Jenn acquired experience in a job that required a lot of hiring. [01:28] Through Work Wonders Careers, Jenn offers a complimentary skill set to very ambitious professionals that makes them more confident and mobile in their careers. [02:35] Don't have so much content on your resume that it's impossible to read quickly. Be selective about what you're offering with clean margins and a good-sized font. [03:06] Learn how to properly customize your resume for specific opportunities. Align your resume, application, and Linkedin profile to the type of job you're looking for. [04:02] A resume is for a specific role and a LinkedIn profile should work for the breadth of your career. [04:54] Every professional from every field feels like their experience isn't transferable. Think about the bigger picture of what your role entailed. [05:21] Focus on bigger picture things like leadership, training, communication, and working under pressure. [06:29] Jenn started a side consulting business which led to Work Wonders Careers ever since. [09:06] Saying no and being discerning is a huge part of landing the right job for you. [10:24] Be really confident about communicating your story. Summarize things succinctly for people and be really confident about delivering that story. [13:03] Confidence is something that you develop and nurture as you go. Reflective exercises can help get clarity on this. [14:00] Work on your communication skills and get comfortable talking about your experience. [14:53] Jenn likes to work with people for at least through months. It takes time to make a change. People who are actively applying usually start getting interviews within six to eight weeks. [18:10] Give yourself credit. You're more qualified than you think. [19:10] A job search can take between 6 to 12 months. If you don't give yourself enough time, you don't get to be as picky. [21:18] Having gaps in your career is normal. It's okay to take some personal time after a long military career. [24:45] Jenn and her friend Jenn have a podcast called Making Life Work. They talk about making time for what it is that you are really passionate about. [26:07] Side hustles can be a great way to explore career options. Be mindful of what you're trying to do and set some goals for yourself. Also figure out how to tell the story in an interview situation. [28:17] People frequently want to be self-employed. Even though it can be terrifying. The smallest way to explore this can be a side hustle. [31:28] Running a business is easier than starting a business. Links and Resources Work Wonders Careers Uncomplicate Your Job Workbook Jenn Walker Wall on Twitter Jenn Walker Wall on LinkedIn Jenn Walker Wall on Instagram How to Put More YOU in Your Job Search Making Life Work Episode 3.9 Side Hustles