Overview I presented at the Colorado Veterans in Higher Education Summit.

1. Job Search Strategies for Student
Veterans
• Translation of Military Experience
• Key Tips
• Social Networking
• Effective Job Search Tips in the Digital Era
Izzy Abbass
Commander
VFW Post 1

2. OVERVIEW
• Introduction
• An 11Bravo does what? (military to civilian speak)
• Digital Employment Search in 2011
– Key to success – LinkedIn
• Key Dos and Don’ts in the Interview
• Questions & Discussion

3. Job Search in 2011
1. Create a civilian resume
2. Build your digital resume.
3. Build your network.
4. Create a target list of companies and find
people who work there.
5. Follow companies on multiple sites.

4. Capturing You
• Create a master resume
– Summary of every thing you’ve done going back
as far as you can.
– List everything and be specific.
– Talk to others you worked with and ask them about
the job
• Create job/goal specific resumes for each
position.
• Use the master resume to build your digital
profiles.

5. S.T.A.R
When building out your resume, use the STAR method
for presenting the information.
Situation – What was happening – who, what, when, where
Task – What was the problem or expectation
Action – What did you do
Result – What was the outcome

6. Milspeak to Civspeak
1. First, identify your objective
2. Build a resume addressing Employer’s needs
3. Assume the people hiring know nothing about
the military
– Avoid acronyms and military technical specs
4. Focus on key leadership skills
– Management/Supervision
– Monetary management
– Project based results

7. Top 10 Job Sites
Monthly Normalized Metrics / January 2011
Unique Visitors Monthly Change Yearly Change
linkedin.com 16,439,724 +15.12% +30.60%
careerbuilder.com 14,334,068 +15.12% +30.60%
indeed.com 12,721,228 +18.34% +3.42%
monster.com 12,329,566 +25.80% -6.04%
job.com 7,585,602 +19.19% +169.10%
hotjobs.yahoo.com 6,507,692 +7.51% -62.62%
snagajob.com 5,882,438 +21.43% -7.86%
simplyhired.com 4,262,027 +19.53% +5.02%
usajobs.gov 3,254,031 +11.38% -21.49%
jobfox.com 1,247,979 +21.96% -17.20%
Source: Classifieds News Blog, Daype Inc.

8. Building Your Profile
• Connect with former managers, co-workers, and
partners.
• Look at colleagues’ LinkedIn profiles.
• Get recommendations from past bosses and co-
workers.
• Get lots of recommendations.
• Use LinkedIn Answers to demonstrate your
experience and knowledge.

9. Things to Avoid
1. An incomplete profile
2. Bad Photo – no face or unprofessional
3. Private Profiles
4. No Recommendations
5. No Connections
6. Obvious lack of interactivity on LinkedIn
7. No LinkedIn groups or use of LinkedIn Applications
8. No Contact Settings or Personal Information
9. No website, blog, or Twitter links

10. Next Steps
• Start or Review Your Linked In Profile
– Get it to 100% complete as quickly as possible
• Build Your Network
– Join Interest Groups
– Connect with People (connect with me Izzy Abbass)
• Get Recommendations
– Not just work but for volunteer work
• Follow and Research Companies

11. Twitter

12. Facebook
• Notes - When searching for a job, good place to post
highlights from your resume and what you are looking
for. A note tends to stay on people's screens longer than
a status update, and you can write much more.
• Status Update - Keep reminding people in your
network that you are still looking for a job. Say things
like
• "I had a great interview this morning... keep your fingers
crossed!“
• "I have a networking meeting later today with a company I'm
really interested in!“
• Anyone know of anyone who’s worked with company XYZ
before?

13. Avoid Interviewing Pitfalls
• Be Yourself, Be Confident
• Clean Appearance and wear a suit
• Don’t smoke before the interview
• Interview starts as soon as you enter the
parking lot
• Be prepared with questions - Research
• Follow Up with a thank you.