Converting Military Skills to Civilian Jobs Guidelines for
Success
Slide 2
Overview Who we are (our perspective) The challenge facing
Veteran job-seekers Tools and techniques The follow-on challenge:
Retention
Slide 3
About USVCC Who we are The national Chamber of Commerce for
Veterans in business Based in Texas, started in 2009 Work with
agencies, organizations, and chambers of commerce What we do USVCC
helps Veterans manage, create, and develop business opportunities.
We train companies on how to manage Veterans We can help employers
find qualified Veterans
Slide 4
The Challenge What You WantWhat We Have
Slide 5
The HR Challenge Veterans bring skills and valuable
characteristics to the table Job descriptions and screening
criteria do not capture those skills and characteristics Veterans
are not employed, despite their qualifications
Slide 6
Critical Skills for Business Team leadership Project management
Peer mentoring Training and training development Risk management
Risk analysis Change management Presentation and briefing skills
Cross-cultural communications Property accountability Adaptive
learning Self-assessment
Slide 7
Critical Skills for Military Team leadership Project management
Peer mentoring Training and training development Risk management
Risk analysis Change management Presentation and briefing skills
Cross-cultural communications Property accountability Adaptive
learning Self-assessment
Slide 8
Critical HR Task: Set Requirements Corporate task Look at
skills needed Ask about work environment (time constraints,
deadlines) Determine degree and type of leadership needed for
position Veteran constraints No certifications Many key skills
assumed Cultural assumptions Skills discounted
Slide 9
What is Wanted, What is Asked Typical project manager ad:
Essential Job Functions Must be a self starter Must be capable of
working with minimal supervision. Must be capable of taking
initiative and making decisions. Must assume responsibility for
their work and assigned tasks/projects. Must hold themselves
accountable to their deadlines. Must be able to provide clear and
concise communications (both oral and written) to both technical
and business resources Must be able to ensure that all stake
holders are updated on all issues and status as necessary. Must be
capable of ensuring that all project documentation deliverables are
created and maintained throughout the project lifecycle. Do you
really think this is on a Veterans resume?
Slide 10
What is Wanted, What is Asked Good requirements Basic AS400
Administration is a must Knowledge of the newest version of the AS
Operating System which is 6.1 is preferred Must have ability to use
HMS System set-up and control files Knowledge of the HMS data
structures preferred Poor requirements IBM Certified Systems Expert
- Virtualization IBM Certified Operator AIX 6.1 IBM Certified
Advanced Technical Expert - Power Systems with AIX v2
Slide 11
The Perils of Machine Translation
Slide 12
BFO
Slide 13
Notice what is omitted: All management and most training
opportunities, as well as project management, planning, and
operations positions. Enlisted fare a little better
Slide 14
Dimensions of Military Skills Military rank (soft skills)
Enlisted are E1 to E9, officers are O1 to O9 Military training
(MOC, schools) MOC=Military Occupational Classification Military
branch (culture) Tell them about your actual corporate culture
Additional duties (gold mine)
Slide 15
Retention Key issue is culture Accuracy versus marketability
(Go with accuracy) Exploit the military cultural dynamics General
team orientation Honest feedback and communications Expectation of
leadership
Slide 16
Questions? Brian Bascom CEO, USVCC www.USVCC.com 888-998-2126
ext. 701