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Comprehensive, popular guide to a successful job search More than 40 examples of successful resumes
Now in its fifth edition, this highly popular book offers the separating servicemember the most up-to-date information on planning a smooth transition (and translation) of military experience to well-paying civilian jobs. Includes experience assessment, job market, resume writing, interviewing tips, and benefits and salary negotiations. Includes new information on converging technologies, such as using the Internet, online job bulletin boards, and military career transition websites to make the most of your job search experience.
Acknowledgments viii
Introduction ix
1 Defining Your Occupational Interests, Skills, and Lifestyle 1
Assessment 1
Defining Goals for a Second Career 9
Key Points 18
2 The Job Market 20
Workforce Trends 25
Job Opportunities 26
Education, Training, and Skills 43
Key Points 43
3 Job Sources 45
Military Career Transition Offices 45
Military Associations 53
Networking 58
The Hidden Job Market 60
Job Fairs 61
Federal Agencies 63
State and Municipal Employment Offices 65
U.S. Employment Service 66
Newspaper and Magazine Employment Ads 67
College and University Placement Services 69
City Directories and Major City Job Books 70
Executive Search Firms 70
Employment Agencies 71
Other Media and Computerized Services 72
Key Points 73
4 Preparing for the Job Search 76
The Countdown 76
Research 78
Mentors 82
Family Service Support Centers 83
Cover Letters and Letters of Introduction 84
Resume Distribution 87
Follow-up 87
Building a Civilian Wardrobe 89
Key Points 90
5 Resume Preparation 92
Ye Olde Ground Rules 92
Information Needed 96
Resume Format Selection 97
Organization 99
Curriculum Vitae 116
The Electronic Resume 116
The Of 612 117
Field-Testing Your Resume 118
Key Points 118
6 Converging Technologies 120
The Internet and Online Services 120
Using the Internet 121
Career Transition and Job-Posting Sites 125
Computer Networking 128
The Online Job Search 129
Key Points 130
7 The Interview 131
Some Do's and Don'ts 132
Questions Often Asked at an Interview 134
Questions to Ask the Interviewer 135
Preparation for the Interview 137
What to Take to the Interview 139
The SuccessfulInterview 139
The Phone Interview 140
References 141
How Long Does It Take to Get a Job? 141
Key Points 143
8 Compensation and Benefits Programs 144
Compensation 144
Determining a Starting Salary 146
Negotiating a Salary 147
Company Benefits 149
Other Benefits 152
The Offer Letter 153
Performance Reviews and Raises 156
Key Points 157
Appendix A Resumes by Occupational Specialty and Format 159
Appendix B Sample Cover Letters and Thank-You Letters 226
Appendix C Military Service-Related Organizations 231
Appendix D Examples of Computing Salary Requirements 234
Appendix E Recommended Reading 240
Index 245
About the Author 255
ColonelUSAFRet
Posted August 12, 2009
JOB SEARCH: Marketing Your Military Experience (Review of David G. Henderson's 5th & latest edition)
As with earlier editions, the 5th edition of Dave Henderson's JOB SEARCH: MARKETING YOUR MILITARY EXPERIENCE provides the military's transition audience with an up-to-date, dead-on target, Bible that can make all the difference between finding and winning the ideal job, or just getting by.
He has kept pace with today's rapidly changing job market as well as the new skills that the current generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are gathering in today's military. And, as he did before, provides an excellent bridge between these two worlds.
The 5th edition is precisely presented and thorough in providing a densely packed, yet highly readable guide for everyone from young, first-term enlistees to retiring senior officers and everyone in between. It provides tailored information that will enable anyone to follow a proven, logical process from the initial self-analysis, through resume preparation to the final interview and job offer.
Of particular value are the well-researched additions and updates to:
. Ch 3. Outlining the latest and best cross-over opportunities for those departing the military
. Ch 5. Resume preparation. A series of extremely practical caveats and tips to protect against identity theft, age discrimination, and to prepare a top-notch resume that meets current market demands.
. Ch 6. Converging Technologies. A "must read" for anyone unfamiliar with the latest on-line processes and web-based opportunities for the job seeker. Understanding these technologies is absolutely critical nowadays.
. Appendices.
o Appendix A. Here I found invaluable and detailed information covering, among other things carefully tailored resume examples.
o Appendix D has an extremely important, yet universally overlooked, step-by-step process to determine one's salary requirements. This appendix clears up much of the confusion in trying to compare military pay/allowances/benefits directly to civilian a salary when trying to maintain a comparable standard of living. This lets you determine a realistic "apples-to-apples" comparison between the two worlds.
o Appendix E offers complementary reading that enables the job seeker to do additional, focused research on the job search process.
In summary, this 5th edition of Dave Henderson's JOB SEARCH continues the earlier tradition of providing a single, comprehensive source document tailored specifically for the job seeker transitioning from military to civilian life. I'd suggest reading everything one could during this process, but I would recommend keeping this book on your nightstand and in your briefcase as the go-to reference during the often difficult, but absolutely critical search for a new, financially rewarding and personally satisfying career.
Colonel, USAF (Retired)
Overview
Comprehensive, popular guide to a successful job search More than 40 examples of successful resumes
Now in its fifth edition, this highly popular book offers the separating servicemember the most up-to-date information on planning a smooth transition (and translation) of military experience to well-paying civilian jobs. Includes experience assessment, job market, resume writing, interviewing tips, and benefits and salary negotiations. Includes new information on converging ...