Principle 1 - Think Like an Employer

Module Summary

Think like an employer

to understand factors

that make organizations

successful.

Principle 1 - Think Like an Employer

Lesson 1: Introduction Four Principles ofGetting a Job

High-Quality Civilian Career

Seek a high-quality civilian career that reflects your values, uses your knowledge, skills, and abilities, and provides a good wage.

$77,568 $70,000

$64,002 $63,522

$44,824 $35,040

$0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000

MASTER'S DEGREEDOL REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP

INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONBACHELOR'S DEGREEASSOCIATES DEGREE

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

Education Level Earning Potential

The MyTT gives timelines, guidelines, and access to tools to help you transition to a civilian career.

Managing Your Transition Timeline

Principle 1 - Think Like an Employer

Lesson 2: Identify Your Career Goals

UnadvertisedEmployment Opportunities

Advertised Vacant Positions

Talent Hires

Additional Career Options

SMART Goals

Set well-designed, efficient, and productive goals using the SMART goal method.

Hiring Methods

• Entrepreneurship

• Volunteer service

• AmeriCorps

• Apprenticeship

• Higher education

• Vocational training

Career Goals

Identifying your career goals informs everything in your job search. Start with determining what you want.

DOL Employment Workshop

1 of 1

Principle 1 - Think Like an Employer Web Links

Lesson 1: Introduction

Veteran Employment

• DOL—latest employment numbers

Lesson 2: Identify Your Career Goals

Advertised Vacant Positions

• American Job Center Finder

• CareerOneStop

• USAJOBS

• Indeed

• LinkedIn (LinkedIn provides Service Members and spouses one year of free

access to Premium and LinkedIn Learning.)

• National Labor Exchange (NLx)

Career Assessment

• O*NET Interest Profiler

Additional Options

• Entrepreneurship

• AmeriCorps and Senior Corps

• Employers of National Service

• Registered Apprenticeship

MANAGING YOUR TRANSITION TIMELINE (MyTT)CAREER/FINANCIAL RESOURCES: American Job Centers Assistance from your TAP counselor Basic Skills Improvement Opportunities Career Path DECIDECredentialing/Apprenticeship (USMAP/COOL) Disability Compensation DOL Unemployment Compensation for VeteransFedsHireVets Financial Education, Counseling and TrainingJob Counseling and Employment PlacementOffice of Personnel Management Veteran ServicesSen$e mobile application Veterans.gov (DOL)Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Veteran Employment Services OfficeVeteran-owned Businesses (SBA)

EDUCATION RESOURCES: Education Benefits (e.g. Post-9/11 GI Bill)Community College of the Air Force TranscriptProfessional Education Counseling Troops to Teachers (available 3-years post sep.)Tuition Assistance

HEALTH AND WELLBEING RESOURCES: eBenefits/MyHealtheVet Accounts inTransition ProgramMental Health ResourcesPeer Support Services

Suicide Prevention InformationVA Health Care/Dental Care VA Life Insurance (FGLI, FSGLI, etc.)VA Mental Health AccessVA VET Centers Wounded Warrior

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Community Support ResourcesJoint Services TranscriptMilitary OneSource National Resource DirectoryNon-military CounselingVA Home Loans Veterans Military Exchange Online Shopping Benefit

Make an appt. with your local Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Counselor for your individualized initial counseling

Attend initial counseling and complete your personal self-assessment/Individual Transition Plan (ITP)

If retiring, schedule/attend Pre-separation counseling (can occurbefore 365 days, but no later than 365days)

Identify a mentor

Create a LinkedIn account and build your network

Begin exploring career options/SECO

Secure your Joint Service Transcript (JST) or CCAF Transcript and Verification of Military Experience andTraining (VMET)

If separating/transitioning, schedule/attend Initial Counseling Pre-separation Counseling (canoccur before 365 days, but no later than 365 days)

Explore SkillBridge or Career Skills opportunities

Review finances to ensure you are financially ready for civilian life. If retiring, schedule a meeting with a personal financial counselor

Learn about the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program

Register for/attend TAP workshops and additional tracks (employment, vocational, entrepreneurship, highereducation)

Create a master resume

Consider taking CLEP exams

TRANSITION ACTIVITIES CAN

OCCUR AS EARLY AS 24 MONTHS FOR

THOSE RETIRING, AND NO LATER THAN 365

DAYS FOR THOSE SEPARATING/

TRANSITIONING

Begin and refine your job search

Use your master resume to begin drafting targeted resumes

Arrange for household goods(HHG) transportation counseling if you plan to relocate upon separation

Schedule your physical and dental checkups

Decide if you want to “opt-out” of VA health benefits or not

If retiring, meet with your Service Retirement Office

Sign up for a free year of theLinkedIn Premium Subscription

Complete your Baseline Wellbeing Assessment and Separation Health Assessment

Start attending career fairs

Review and update your will and other legal documents

Consider whether to take terminal leave or sell back your leave balance

Determine if you are eligible for separation pay or early retirement

Submit a pre-discharge disability claimunder the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) or Decision Ready Claim (DRC) programs (if applicable)

Connect with an American Job Center (AJC) near the installation or at your post-separation location

Schedule and complete your Capstone event with your commander or their designee

Review your Pre-Separation Checklist (DD2648)

Research your health insurance options;register for TRICARE (if you are a retiree)

Research life insurance options for self and family

Contact your medical treatment facility to get copies of your health and dental records

Complete VA Healthcare registration

Set up a one-on-one session with a VA Benefits Advisor

Obtain a Veterans’ Preference letter fromeBenefits

Apply for VA Education and Career Counselingbenefit (if applicable)

If seeking employment, begin applying and interviewing for positions

Finalize relocation appointments andreview your benefits, if applicable

Begin to prepare your Disability claim with your local VSO (if applicable and not completed previously)

If married, make a Survivor Benefit Plan election decision with yourspouse

If retiring, complete DD Form 2656 with a retirement services office or counselor

Contact Military OneSource to learn about the no-cost resources available to you for your first year post-transition

Ensure you have multiple certified copies of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) in a fireproof place

Ensure your VA benefits contact information is updated with your correct phone number, email, and address

Continue to network and stay involved on LinkedIn and other social media sites

Register for the VA burial pre-need program

Apply for VA Dental Insurance (if applicable)

Apply for Veterans ID card, Veteran’s HealthIdentification Card, or print Proof of Service card fromeBenefits

Utilize Military OneSource (up to 365 days post-transition)

If you’re married, inform your spouse about the benefits offered by Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO)

18 - 24 MONTHS 12-18 MONTHS 6-12 MONTHS 4-6 MONTHS 3 MONTHS 90 DAYS OR LESS

Statement of BenefitsYour statement of benefits will list the programs, services, and other benefits you qualify for and must be given to you no later than 30 days after your separation date. If qualified, these benefits are available to you as early as your day of separation:

VA: Disability compensation, home loan eligibility, Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility, other

DoD: Pay and retirement, healthcare (TRICARE), Space A travel, Commissary, Exchange, MWR, lodging facilities, installation access, and other benefits outlined in the transition guide.

DAY

OF

SEPA

RATI

ON

+ 3

65

Updated: December 5, 2019

1of 4

DOL Employment Workshop

Career Goal Questionnaire

Answer the questions to determine the best career fit for you.

Interests

Are you interested in or excited about this career? What is your dream

job? What did you like and not like about the service? What energizes

you? What do you do in your spare time? When are you at your best?

Values/Lifestyle

Does this career support your values? What is important to you? What

type of work-life balance are you seeking? Is spending time with family

important? Is travelling important? Is schedule flexibility important? Is

guaranteed income important or do you prefer goal-achievement/

commission-based income?

Work Style

Does the career’s work environment support your work style? Do you

prefer deadlines and structure or little guidance/management? Do you

like to work outside or in an office? Do you prefer a collaborative team

environment or working alone? Do you thrive in fast-paced, high

intensity or laid-back environments? Do you like working with

customers? Are you competitively motivated (sales goals/competition)?

Location

Will you go where there is job demand or are you set on a specific

location? What is the job demand like in the location? What is the cost of

living/housing availability? Does the location fit your values and cultural

expectations? Is this a short-term location or do you plan to retire there?

How would moving for retirement fit into your overall plan? Does the

location fit your lifestyle?

2 of 4

Labor Market

Is your career in demand in this market? What are the industry trends?

Does your career have growth potential in this market? What are the

salary ranges in this market?

Education and Training

Is this a high-quality civilian career? Does it have growing earning

potential and opportunity for career advancement? Do you need

additional education in your chosen field? Does the career that interests

you require a degree or certification?

3 of 4

Skills

What skills are needed for this career? Do your skills match? If not, what

would it take to develop these skills?

4 of 4

DOL Employment Workshop

SMART Goals

Turn an existing career goal into a SMART goal. Follow these steps to create your SMART career goal.

STEP 1: Type your initial career goal in the box below.

STEP 2: Answer the following SMART goal questions to convert your initial career goal.

1 of 3

DOL Employment Workshop

Make a specific, well-defined goal. What do you want to accomplish? How can you break your goal

into smaller steps?

Include dates, amounts, and measurements appropriate for the goal. How much or how many?

How will you know you are making progress?

Make a specific, well-defined goal. How can you accomplish this goal? Are there preliminary steps

you need to take to achieve this goal?

Make a realistic goal that is within your reach. Are you willing to really commit to your goal? Do

you have the skills, energy, and motivation to reach this goal?

Create a time frame or deadline for accomplishing your goal. When do you need to achieve it;

what can you do today, tomorrow, or two months from now to achieve this goal? Do you have enough

time to achieve your goal or have you allowed too much time, which can lead to procrastination?

2 of 3

DOL Employment Workshop

STEP 3: Review your answers to the SMART goal questions and rewrite your initial career goal as a

SMART career goal.

3 of 3