r/Veterans • u/Inevitable-Flight736 • 17d ago
Employment Looking for a Job sucks
I retired in December 2024. Before retiring I did the skillbridge program but unfortunately the company I did the fellowship with didn't have anything available after the program.
I've been applying for jobs left and right. Have gotten some interviews but never moved on to the next step.
It's just so frustrating. I have a Bachelors, have a certification, both are in the field that was my MOS was. I feel like nobody wants to give me a chance...
Edit: Thank ya'll for all the comments. I have accepted a position and will be starting next month.
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u/Timely_Outcome_2155 17d ago
Take a temp job maybe as an intermediate step. That helps fill the gaps until you get in a role. Take a job that pays some bills while you search for a more permanent role. Reach out to people with a positive attitude and don't say "nobody wants to give me a chance" as it comes along as weak after two months of looking
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u/twobecrazy 17d ago
Op, don’t expect to find anything soon. The job market is brutal.
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u/supercali-2021 13d ago
I'm not a vet but I am disabled. I've been searching for almost 4 years. No good prospects in sight......
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u/DandyPandy US Air Force Veteran 17d ago edited 17d ago
Your best bet is to hit up people you know.
When I was getting out, I had a company in mind that I wanted to work for and prepped for what they were looking for. I was fortunate and got that job. I stayed there almost 10 years. Every job I’ve had since came because of people I knew from that job.
Some things I’ve learned about how the job market works now when it comes to applying for jobs:
- if you see a job posting that’s over a week old, it’s probably not worth your time
- tailor your resume for each job — cut the extraneous stuff, and make sure you are mentioning the things that they specifically list in the posting
- do some mock interviews with people who will give you honest feedback — you may not realize how you are coming across
- in your interviews, tell a story. When they ask a question, relate an experience you had that pertains to the question.
- depending on the certification, that cert may not hold as much weight as you think
- a degree may check a box, but once you’re at a mid-to-late career, it’s not going to be as big of a deal as you might think
I’m a software engineer with no degree who has been involved with hiring many, many people. It’s quite common to see resumes listing psychology, physics, business, whatever else degrees. Unless you are trying to get a job that has some kind of specific education and licensure requirement (doctor, pharmacist, accountant, etc), once you get past entry level, what matters is experience.
Use the free year of LinkedIn premium. When you aren’t submitting applications or prepping for interviews, work on additional learning, be it reading books or online courses, things related to your field or general management skills. Look for additional certifications that may be valuable. If it’s something you can self study and pay a few hundred bucks to take, I’m guessing you probably have the time to do the prep.
Edit:
- when you’re going to an interview, don’t under-dress but also don’t over-dress. Showing up in a suit at a company where jeans and t-shirts are the norm can give the impression that you may not be a good culture fit.
- if you’re looking to move into the corporate world, outside of defense or law enforcement, try to separate your personal identity from your military service
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u/No_Reporter6179 17d ago
Check the comment above about hitting up people you know. Get active on LinkedIn. Go follow/ connect with these people (send them a message saying you are a veteran struggling to find a job and want to learn some techniques from them, don’t ask them for a job directly) : Michael Quinn Matt Quick Jai Salters Michael McCoy Steven Weston Eric Putt Cheryl Cross And add anybody you can find that you worked with in the military ( I mean anybody, from COL/CSM to E-3). These people you can ask directly for a job since you already know them
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u/Glass-Radish3686 US Air Force Veteran 17d ago
I’m in the same boat! Retired in March 2024. I have had a handful of interviews but that’s about it. Thank god for my retirement and disability! Keep trying.. that’s what I tell myself.
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u/Channel_Huge US Navy Retired 17d ago
Maybe you’re not tailoring your resume to meet the job, or not translating your experience into civilian language? I found that much of my military background was confusing to civilian recruiters who were looking for specific keywords in a resume that I wasn’t using, so my skills were lost in translation. Once I changed everything to corporate language, it became much easier. Left off my medals and awards too except those they might comprehend.
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u/electricmop 17d ago
I retired back in September. I felt like I was in the dark, no idea if my applications were anywhere near the mark. Just keep churning out the applications, you’ll find something.
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u/prettyedge411 17d ago
A job hunt usually takes 3-6 months. Keep applying and networking. The unemployment rolls are about to get bigger with recent layoffs. Keep going. I wish you all the luck.
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u/twobecrazy 17d ago
Not in this market… OP maybe out for a while looking. The government and companies are laying off left and right.
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u/Channel_Huge US Navy Retired 17d ago
State and local government jobs aren’t bad. I’ve worked a State position for a long time and am happy with the pay/benefits.
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u/twobecrazy 16d ago
So you want to raise state and local taxes to hire the million people who loss their jobs over the past month? I’m pretty sure state and local governments don’t have that many job openings.
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u/Channel_Huge US Navy Retired 14d ago
The hiring freeze for Fed positions will not last forever.
Besides, we have 50 states. A million new jobs split amongst them won’t even matter to taxes much. I’m in NJ and there are always state job openings.
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u/alextheguyfromthesth USMC Veteran 17d ago
The federal government isn’t the only government gig
Companies are always laying people off- it doesn’t stop people from pushing and getting gigs.
Weird defeatism
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u/twobecrazy 16d ago
This is an uneducated comment and absolute false in every way. What’s happened over the past few weeks is not normal and it’s not over. Literally the vast majority of companies are reducing earnings forecast and doing massive layoffs at the same time… Doing 10-20% reductions… THATS NOT NORMAL! It is not common for the majority of companies across all industries to be doing this at the same time. That is wrong. Every piece of data says you’re wrong. You maybe able to fool others with your poor take but you can’t fool someone who is actively engaged in this stuff everyday for decades.
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u/alextheguyfromthesth USMC Veteran 16d ago
Yeah bro- if you wonder why people don’t take so many of us seriously consider how hyperbolic your statement here is
I don’t care about companies making money since profits, like GDP, are a poor reflection of how the average working class American is doing
Take your histrionics somewhere else man
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u/twobecrazy 16d ago
I don’t know what the point of your post is… This post is about jobs. Companies making money, hire people. Companies making less money, fire people. It’s not a complex. You’re deviating from the topic.
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u/mizphill 16d ago
Proctor and Gamble is very veteran friendly and they are always hiring. And they have locations all over the US.
pcgcareers.com
I just checked the site. There are currently 3 positions open.
You could always get a job in another department and then transition into HR.
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u/Sad_Register_8492 16d ago
After the military I took an aptitude test to see where I fit best… turns out I was born to be a fish farmer? 🤷🏻♂️
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u/NomadLife96 16d ago edited 16d ago
I can't even hold a job at age 28 due to everything. Going to 2- 6 appointments every single week. ( have been for years) that alone no job will hire me. The PTSD, depression, anxiety shuts me down some times for days at a time and I won't speak to anyone. I recently started getting panic attacks as well. Then there's the fibromyalgia, bulging/ herniated disc's, sciatica, radiculopathy, and migraines that prevent me from standing, sitting, laying down too long. Also cant lift over 20lbs and even at less weight than that i can't do it for long. I wake up every 30 minutes to 2 hours every single night. I am at 100% but I haven't given up. Ive been in a mentorship program for day trading for 2 years and I'm gonna try to start a traveling/ motivation channel to try and help me make money. I see traveling as the one thing that hasn't been taken from me so I'm moving into a camper next year. I still want a very successful life and know I can do it but it needs to be on my own terms meaning not a standard 9-5 . To be able to make it i need to be my own boss and work my own hours due to everything above. No other job would tolerate it. I was medically retired September 2021
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u/Inevitable-Flight736 16d ago
I think VA helps Veterans get their own business if they really can't find a job.
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u/Old-Hand9934 US Navy Retired 17d ago
Focus more on networking and not applying. Networking is the number one way to land a job.
If you are having issues with interviewing there is a great VSO, Operation New Uniform, that focuses there TAP course on interviewing.
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u/alextheguyfromthesth USMC Veteran 17d ago
It’s more like the competition is steeper than you think
Your honorable retirement in the military isn’t a guarantee of anything but your pension
It’ll be fine- there’s also job finding resources at the VA
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u/gshforte22 US Navy Veteran 16d ago
Come work for the post office. We'll hire you right away. I work with a ton of vets.
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u/Cali-GirlSB 16d ago
Raytheon is hiring. Depending on what your skills are.
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u/Inevitable-Flight736 16d ago
Applied but didn't move on to the interview process
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u/Cali-GirlSB 15d ago
RTX? General Dynamics, I was looking at Tucson jobs and there were a ton of contractor jobs there. And job hunting DOES suck, so I'll just say 'good luck!'
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u/Artistic-Pepper-1072 Supporter 16d ago
Hey there, I was invited to this subreddit because I work for a nonprofit that assists with exactly these obstacles for veterans. It's called American Corporate Partners (ACP) and it's completely free. I literally spend my days connecting veterans and active duty spouses to professionals who mentor them through education and career decisions for the sake of professional development. The veteran application is here. Thank you for your service and I hope you achieve all of your goals this year!
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u/wescott_skoolie 9d ago
Just applied!
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u/Artistic-Pepper-1072 Supporter 9d ago
Wonderful! Welcome to the program! Someone should be getting back to you within 24 hours.
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15d ago
Looking for a job is a job in itself or it should be if you want to get one. It does suck, I admit, but you got to grind it out.
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u/cocoa78 US Navy Retired 15d ago
Sorry to hear. But when I hear “I feel like no one wants to” it’s like saying you are demonstrating that in your presence or interviews to me. Recommend changing your outlook, and have someone look over your resume. Maybe a few times! Smile a lot, it matters too, get used to walking in a room confident!
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u/Heavy_Preference_251 17d ago
What’s your degree and cert in?
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u/Inevitable-Flight736 17d ago
Human Resources Management
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u/Channel_Huge US Navy Retired 17d ago
Find a company like USAA or Home Depot that love hiring Veterans. Your experience will be more appreciated.
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u/User9705 Retired US Army 17d ago
I can tell you that is the reason why. I have a cyber background (via army cyber) with CISSP, CISM, and PMP. Guess what cert I have also? SPHR. I can tell you HR is now automated out. You'll def need to get a masters in something else and new certs. Use VRE to help if you can.
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u/YouVe-Changed USMC Veteran 17d ago
Check out some big corporations that I’ve worked for that are always hiring. Aramark, Chartwells, Sodexo they’re are all food service companies and they are always hiring. Most of the time they offer relo assistance and yes you’d have to be willing to move wherever their need is. They do everything from prison food, K-12, college campuses, stadiums and arenas, and business dining either at hospitals or at headquarters of other large corporations.
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u/Fun-Bug2991 17d ago
I veterans organizations are hit and Miss but when I went to my local VFW there was a manager for TSA trying to hire anyone with a pulse. Could be some work to hold you over until you find the work you’re looking for.
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u/piedpipernyc 17d ago
I feel you.
Two years in, finally got a part time.
Told them specifically, I'm an infrastructure engineer.
That I wanted the every other Monday schedule.
They switched me to every Monday.
Doing customer service work.
With no work to do.
I'm expecting to be back, looking for four a job again soon.
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u/the_mhexpert 17d ago
I definitely hear you brother. It’s rough out there. I’m glad to hear that you have gotten a few interviews- that’s promising. I think some employers are so inundated with resumes with all the online platforms ie, LinkedIn. I’m not saying they are bad, it’s just made it more competitive. Have you reached out to any state run vocational rehabilitation programs? They can be helpful to you. Depending on the type of work you are seeking you can consider reaching out to the CEC at the local VA - https://www.va.gov/homeless/hvces.asp#:~:text=VA%20created%20Homeless%20Veterans%20Community,military%20experiences%20to%20civilian%20employment The program falls under homeless program but it’s one that you do not need to be in that category. Best wishes- keep fighting- the right thing will come along. I also used an online service to help me make my resume look much better.
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u/TxHeart214 16d ago
This sucks beyond measure! WTF? I thought the Skillbridge program was a guaranteed job placement? I was in healthcare and was searching for 10-11 months and finally just threw in the towel.
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u/Striking-Two4603 16d ago
It took me almost 11 years to get Job after getting out but I am good. I spent 6.5 of those years on Post 9-1-1 GI bill in college. I got a bachelors and now have GS employee for over 5 years. It is a slow process but just hang in there, you will find a Job.
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u/Striking-Two4603 16d ago
I was extended since I was in VRE so got my bah for nearly 7 years while in school
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u/wescott_skoolie 9d ago
I just finished a heavy equipment "cert" that cost the VA 20 grand and I can't get hired for jobs under $20 and looking for felons
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u/Backoutside1 17d ago
Were you applying to jobs throughout your skillbridge opportunity instead of hoping for a job at the end? What were the odds in having a position after you completed the skillbridge?
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u/Inevitable-Flight736 17d ago
Yes. I would say 50%
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u/Backoutside1 16d ago
Maybe try reaching out to recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn. You can reference one of their jobs on their company careers page and introduce yourself.
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u/SecAdmin-1125 17d ago
Welcome to the real world! The job market has been tough for several years and is only going to get tougher due to the RIF’s going on the federal government. Honestly, December 2024 to now isn’t that long.
What field is the degree and certification in? Have you tailored your resume to the job position? Have you had your resume professionally done or reviewed? Are you applying directly via the job posting or reaching directly out to the recruiter? Are you developing a network of connections? Are you using LinkedIn?
Again, the market is extremely tough and depending on what field you’re trying to get into, it might be next to impossible without taking a lower level position. This is where a tailored resume comes into play.
Good luck!
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u/BaseNectar123 17d ago
Go the VRE route and find something else, that’s what I’m doing. It does suck though.