The reality of beginning a new career after serving in the military may feel exciting, enthralling even, particularly if you have found a job sector that you are actually passionate about. Nevertheless, one must not jump in too fast; although landing a job interview can be thrilling, it is best not to let the prospect of a bright future blur the clarity that is needed when making such a massive life choice. Let’s be frank; transitioning from military life to the civilian workforce can be quite the adjustment, and not everyone will be suited for certain companies or even the corporate lifestyle.
As a veteran, it is vital to assess your own needs, desires, and goals, so that when you do finally land a job, it is a career path that you actually feel ready for and are genuinely looking forward to being a part of. Not only does carefully thinking any decision through protect you in the future, but it also helps out recruiters who are responsible for assisting veterans with company culture assessments and job placements. For this exact reason, it is so important to be honest with yourself and how you actually feel about certain job interviews, and whether or not you actually believe it is the right path for you to take. Remember, your command is there to help you, offering support and guidance when necessary so that transitioning back into civilian life goes as smooth as possible. As a military veteran, entering a new career does not need to be a stressful or frustrating undertaking, and to make the process even easier, here are four questions to ask yourself when deciding upon your next steps.
The 4 Questions to Ask Yourself When Deciding on a New Career
In order to ensure that you end up with the most fitting career possible for you, here are the questions you may want to ask yourself either before or after a job interview or employment opportunity has arisen. It is potentially worthwhile also to share your thoughts and feelings with your recruiter so that they can better be of assistance.
- Are the other employees dedicated and do they consider this opportunity a career or is this simply a temporary job for them?
If you are looking to begin a career that potentially will be a lifelong opportunity, when you show up for an interview, observing how other employees interact at the workplace can say a lot about the company’s overall environment.
Do the other employees look dedicated to their work or is this simply a temporary position for them? If they seem as if they are not satisfied with their job or if something just feels a little off, this opportunity may not be the right one for you, especially if you intend to join a team that works together in a career setting.
Examine your own goals. What is it you want to get out of your next place of employment? Is this opportunity in line with your own personal work-related desires?
- Is this the right place for me? Am I in agreement with the company’s principles and attitudes?
Considering that humans spend one-third of their lives at work, it helps to find a setting that is fulfilling. For many, a satisfying career includes room to grow and develop not only professionally, but oftentimes personally as well. When assessing a potential work opportunity, see if the company you might end up working for is in agreement with your own principles and attitudes.
For example, say you are passionate about protecting the environment and the company you are applying for is an oil firm. Although this example is quite extreme, it would be challenging for someone in this position to feel happy showing up to work each day with their best foot forward. When deciding on your next career, evaluate if the place of employment is the right place for you.
- What does my gut tell me about this opportunity?
Although not all individuals are driven by intuition and gut feelings, for many the initial instinct you have can be especially foretelling. If you are the type of person that relies upon inner instinct, when you show up to a job interview listen to that inner guidance carefully and witness what it is saying.
If you do not feel comfortable at a job interview or if you simply feel that it is not a rightly suited option for you, do not worry about whether or not other interviews will show up. Instead, honor your own decision and move on to greener pastures. Trust us, you will be a lot happier in the long run. Sometimes the right opportunities take time to come into fruition.
- What type of opportunities does the company provide? Is there room for promotions and growth?
Promotions, salary increases, new responsibilities, career growth; these are terms many military veterans want to hear of when they are about to enter into the civilian workforce.
Imagine accepting a new job, only to find out that you will remain stagnant in your position for the entirety of your career? Sounds rather limiting, right?
Before agreeing to work for any company, be sure to discuss with them what their possibilities are for promotions and growth. You want to guarantee the commitments you make will be wise decisions for your future, so as tempting as it can sometimes be to accept the first decent-paid job that comes your way, stick to your guns and consider the long term impacts of any of your decisions. Only you can determine what is best for your life.
Questions to Ask Yourself as a Military Veteran Entering a New Career: Conclusion
As it goes, transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce can be quite a big change, so to make the process simpler, consider asking yourself these four aforementioned questions, so that you can score a career you are truly satisfied with.
At the end of the day, a little soul-searching might be necessary to become crystal clear on what it is you want to get out of your new career. Remember, your recruiter is there to help you and so are many others. Use all of the resources available to you in your search, keep persistent, and do not give up.
Searching for career colleges in San Diego that offer benefits for veterans? ICOHS is a non-profit, accredited vocational college and school of IT, also offering courses for those searching for massage schools or holistic health practitioner programs.
We do all we can to provide veterans with learning opportunities to support them on a path towards finding a new career they are passionate about. Reach out to us today and request more information.
