Finding Work After The Army
When you leave the military, you are actually facing a career change. And, changing jobs is never easy. Then, you mix the intensity and responsibility of army life with the relatively non-threatening life of the civilian, and you find yourself need to make even bigger adjustments. But there are aids in finding work after the army, and in adjusting to non-military life.
Forces Resettlement
The EU offers forces resettlement help for those leaving the military. Among other things, you will have access to information on job markets. You’ll also be able to get retraining, geared toward training you to use the skills you learned in the military and using them in civilian settings. If you have spent at least 4 years in the military, you can get help with resettlement.
Your resettlement help may even extend to 2 years after you leave the forces. You can have access to a career consultant who will help you to determine the best job market for your personality and skills. You’ll also get valuable information on job availability and relocation.
Areas Of Training
Your skills will probably fit into one of 3 categories: engineering, building trades, or management. Engineering skills are those necessary for people wanting to go into IT work, becoming an electrician, or other such skills. With managerial skills, you’ll find employment in the fields of police work, project management, facilities management, or as a bursar. Building trades are just that: painting, plastering, construction, and other trades.
You’ll receive training aimed at making you successful in the civilian market with these trades.
Other Ways To Find Work
Keep in mind that many companies prefer to hire veterans. In the U.S., the federal government will hire a veteran first. This is out of loyalty for your service, and, very wisely, out of recognition of your willingness to be trained and to work.
There are also organizations all over Europe and the U.S. that help veterans find employment. They will help you to write a professional resume, for starters. These organizations will also help you to post your resume in desired job postings.
They will also help you as you search for jobs, both through individual counseling and online searches. These organizations will also have a media center that matches employees with potential employers. You’ll fill out a profile, and the jobs that fit the profile will come up.
Career fairs are another way to find a job. The organizations that offer help to veterans also have career fairs and job fairs that will give you an opportunity to meet up with potential employers.
Help For Family Members
Most of the help available to you is also available to your family members. This will apply to former spouses who are eligible, for trailing spouses, widows and widowers, dependents, and civilians with the Department of Defense.
Security Clearance
Finally, keep in mind that if you had any kind of security clearance in the military, you could qualify for a civilian job requiring security clearance quite easily. There is always a search for this type of employee in the fields that require security clearance.