18 Responses to “i got out of the military 2 mths, applied for jobs.no luck. anyone help me with ideas?”

1. calgaryguy on October 13th, 2008 8:30 pm

   Come to Alberta Canada, we are so short people that anyone will hire you. Everyone in Alberta can have 3 jobs and still we would be short in the labour market.

2. cjrrock on October 17th, 2008 2:40 am

   You get extra points for civil service jobs like the post office,cops, and sanitation.

   You are given an advantage over anyone else who applies or takes the test.

3. TIMOTHY D L on October 19th, 2008 8:11 pm

   Too green means not enough experience. There are hundreds of trucking companies! Should be able to get a job in one!

   That or reenlist!

4. Minina on October 19th, 2008 11:56 pm

   I suggest you try a placement agency. They will interview you and find a position that’s best suitable to your experience. Aside from driving, try looking for warehouse positions.

5. joey322 on October 20th, 2008 6:50 am

   no, too “green” means that you don’t have enough experience.
   the military should have helped you with this upon getting out.
   a friend of ours just got out and he attended a program that helped him get prepared career-wise.

   it’s most likely too late now.

   i would just keep applying and try not to be too picky right off the bat.
   you sound like you have good experience, but private sector may not see it that way. get some experience and then try to keep climbing higher.

   oh, be sure to check your local state job agency. they can help you and so can staffing agencies (temp agencies).

   good luck.

6. soleofsoul on October 21st, 2008 7:05 pm

   Too green, means not enough experience. Don’t give up though. A book I advise you to read is “What color is my parachute”. One of the best ways to find a job is to go door to door and apply for jobs that interest you. Getting jobs through newspapers has a horrible success rate, because your in competition with everybody else reading the newspaper. Some jobs are open, but never get advertised in the newspaper or anywhere. Employers do this, because they don’t want to be flooded with applicants. The yellow pages are a good resource. Call up businesses that may need somebody with your skills. Best of luck.

7. Karen F on October 22nd, 2008 1:06 am

   Maybe u can apply for a mechanic job or try fast food. If that doesn’t work then try baby sitting. Or in your job application u can put skills that u are good at. IF nothing works then u are screwed big time.

8. Privratnik on October 24th, 2008 2:32 am

   Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (website below). They have counselors who can help you.

   Asside from that, it could be that the jobs you’re looking for are low demand in your area. Consider widening your search and applying to companies nation-wide. Yes, you may have to move.

   And thank you for your service.

9. hillbilly wife on October 27th, 2008 11:42 am

   My cousin was in the military and retired . He is now a mail carrier. Seems happy? It seems like everyone wants truck drivers???? Maybe they are afraid you will get called back to the service???

10. Jim from the Midwest on October 30th, 2008 4:58 pm

    OK relax. Been there done that have the t-shirt. This happens all of the time with Mom and Pop local trucking companies. Go to Smithway Motor Express and Werner to start. Schneider Trucking has a complete military recruiting site. See addresses below. Fill out the on line application and include your CDL experience.

    Second. You have a Reserve committment remaining. Find a USAF reserve unit and sign up. It will bring in cash and help you network with other locals. There are a number of labor brokers in Dallas that will place you for daily work. This helps you network.

    Third

    Attend every job fair in the area that has fuel or drivers wanted.

    Fourth

    Look at going to college. You can make money by joining the Guard or Reserve and attending college at the same time.
    You will have work before you know it. The US Army will enroll you into ROTC. You can get your commission as an officer in the Guard, be non deployable for the remainder of your college and be a Second LT when you graduate. Your prior service will count towards your pay.

11. Kimber B on October 30th, 2008 7:08 pm

    Green means young or inexperienced. Try airports or trator trailer type services. Also hit a few military websites, we like to help our own. Use the human network. Check out jobs outside your area if you are willing to relocate or travel. Check out Boeing, Lockheed Martin Corp., Airbus S.A.S., Northrop Grumman Corp., Raytheon Co., National Aeronautics and Space Administration, General Dynamics Corp., GE Aircraft Engines

12. edward h on October 31st, 2008 2:05 pm

    Try posting a resume online and try to be more flexible as far as location. there are regions that are harder to find jobs than others. Check out the base library or the family support center. Have someone look at your resume for critique (that helps too). try government websites like usajobs.com.

13. davenarmy66 on November 3rd, 2008 9:10 pm

    I am going to give you the best advice you can get. It is up to you if you choose to accept the truth or not.
    First, everything you do should show attention to detail, skill, education, and experience. The fact that you can not use proper spelling and grammar to ask a question shows me your job application will look the same way. All applications that look like yours go right in the trash.
    Second, the fact that you do not know what the term “green” means proves you did not pay attention in your military job. The term originated with the military. A new soldiers uniform was GREEN, greener then the old faded uniforms of experienced soldiers. Hence the term “green troop”.
    Finally, you have the “blame” mentality thoughts in your head. “I am being discriminated against” It is time to grow up and work hard at making a good first impression and not try and blame others.
    Just like your military career job applications, resumes, and interviewing take skills. These do not come after the first try, it takes training and practice. The more you work on your grammar, tack, personal skills, motivation, appearance, etc. the more likely you are to obtain more then a job where you ask “would you like fries with that”!

14. Robinsnest on November 4th, 2008 11:07 pm

    Hello there sorry to hear that you have had no luck with getting a job. Quite a shock to the system getting back into civilian life. Different work ethics and culture from the military. The secret is get a potential employer convinced that you are the ‘Man for the job’.

    So what I want you to do is to grap yourself a pen and paper and make a list of all the skills you have accquired whilst you were in the military. These skills are transferrable and can be applied to any suitable job that you apply for and you must have heaps of skills.

    Do you have anyone who can compile a CV (Curriculm Vitae) (history of your working life). Your CV should have a section purely devoted to your transferrable skills and should be presented in such away that it will grab the attention of any potential employer.

    Once you have your CV compiled send it out to as many employers that you can. You are bound to come up trumps but be warned it may take time and a lot of effort on your behalf before you get that job.

    Perhaps you could also sign up with an agency and give them your CV. The agency will keep your resume (CV) on file and will contact you should they have a position that you may be of interest to you.

    Please do not get dishearted, and keep your chin up. Good luck and if you need to get in touch you can do so via Q&A.

    Bye

15. will s on November 5th, 2008 9:56 pm

    Being “green” is not so bad. You are probably used to a commanding officer giving you orders. The business world is not so rigid, but on the other hand, they expect you to figure out what you need to do next and be really frugal about it. This is probably why people are thinking you are “green.” You have to sell yourself. You have a CDL “A/hazmat” and you have been in the military. This is great stuff!! You are qualified and have served one of the hardest bosses in the world. Try to find some truckers to hang with, get to know the business better. This is posted under “Dallas” so I imagine there are plenty of oil/chem companies that need hazmat drivers– people who know how to handle fuel and liquified gases safely.

16. citronge on November 8th, 2008 11:03 am

    I am currently hiring for Loan Originators. Please contact me ASAP. I can get you interviewed and hired on the spot! Call me or send me E-mail if you really want to learn the Mortgage Industry.

    Thanks,

    Jon
    (817) 773-4513

17. Matt M on November 8th, 2008 2:12 pm

    Not to be a smart alec but you could wait on tables for fast cash until some thing better comes along/ very little experience needed

18. Cailin C on November 8th, 2008 7:10 pm

    Thank you so much for your service! My husband ran into the same problem when he got out from Motor T (USMC) He ended up reenlisting because he was working construction 16 hours a day for $200.00 a week. Our town was really small and not a lot of work. Since you have experience with aircrafts, try local airports too. Lockheed and Martin are pretty good about hiring service members. Good Luck!!!!

Leave a Reply