Why You Should Choose a Career Before Choosing a City - Your Career Intel

Why You Should Choose a Career Before Choosing a City - Your Career IntelIn the recruiting industry, I often come across candidates who ask me questions regarding how to choose where to live rather how to find a career they will love. While its important to enjoy the area in which you reside, you can miss out on exceptional career opportunities by limiting yourself to specific geographic areas. Throughout my time in executive recruiting, Ive found that making a career choice over location choice is better in the long term for candidates both professionally and personally.While living in a dream location or closer to home may be desired of a sttte, make sure your focus is on your career timeline. As a recruiter, its harder to find ideal opportunities for candidates who pigeon-hole themselves into a specific geographic area. For instance, some candidates want to live close to family and others have a dream city in which they want to live. With an open mind and a broader focus on where to live, Im able to present more opportunities to candidates that can be better for their career over time. For instance, San Francisco may be your ideal location in which to live however, its bedrngnis ideal for your career in manufacturing. Many factors should play into whether or notlage you accept a job offer however, opportunity should be the biggest factor when choosing a new careernot location.Recently, I worked with a candidate who was adamant about living in the St. Louis area. However, the manufacturing industry isnt ideal in the Gateway to the West. With some guidance and encouragement, I convinced this individual to extend her search in neighboring Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois where three companies were interested in speaking to her. In these areas, her skills were more marketable, and she could gain higher-level experience with these positions than she would in positions in St. Louis. Shes now an operations manager in Ohio with a Fortune 500 corporation and is thankful s he chose a career path over living in a specific city. While she hopes to one day make it to St. Louis, shes happy in her current position and realizes the impact this position will have on her long-term professional success.Throughout my career in recruiting, Ive worked with both military and manufacturing candidates. In nearly all cases, the happiest, most successful placements are those individuals who were open to exciting new opportunities, no matter where they were located. Although these professionals may not immediately be in the ideal city in which they would like to live, they are building their resumes and skill sets so that they can eventually make it to the area in which they would like to be.Have you accepted a position in an area that you did not initially wish to be in but found yourself in a better position for your career? Or have you put location above an opportunity? Share your experiences with us.

6 Essential Tools for Veterans Looking to Switch From Military to Civilian Jobs

6 Essential Tools for Veterans Looking to Switch From Military to Civilian Jobs 6 Essential Job-Search Tools for Veterans Looking for Civilian JobsFor veterans, there are a number of key resurces to take advantage of when transitioning from a military career to a civilian career.Veterans are one of Americas most prized resources. They served without expecting much in return, and provided role models for our children. Not only do they deserve our highest praise, they deserve help landing their dream jobs. If youre one of our nations veterans looking for jobs, here are a few zugreifbar and in-person job-search tools.1. Hiring Our HeroesThere are no shortages of online and in-person job resources for vets. However, one of the largest organizations providing career advice for Veterans and retired military service members is Hiring Our Heroes. This program is a joint effort between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Fortune 500 companies, and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Chamber and VA officials work diligently with companies to help connect vets with executives, serving as a networking solution for both sides. Hiring Our Heroes hosts job fairs and training seminars throughout the year in nearly all major states.2. Military.comMonster takes pride in giving retired military members career advice. The company hosts Military.com, one of the nations largest military and veteran online news and membership organization. Military.com provides resources for all active duty personnel, reservists, guard members, retirees, veterans, family members, defense workers, and those considering military careers. While Monster founded the site primarily to help veterans with their job-search efforts, Military.com also lists stab und sttze groups and other resources for its readers.3. Military Skills TranslatorIf youre a veteran looking for a civilian job, this tool is a must. Lockheed Martin employs an online tool to help veterans translate their military skills into civilian pos itions. The tool uses titles, keywords, and occupational codes to determine where a veterans military skills fit into a civilian work environment. Once Lockheeds online military skills translator civilianizes a service members work experience, applicants can better communicate their skill sets to civilian employers and human resources professionals. The tool also helps narrow search keywords for online job boards. In addition to its military skills translator tool, Lockheed Martin lists positions it has available for retired military veterans.RelatedJobs for Veterans What to Consider Before Accepting the Job4. Veteran Career NetworkAnother resource from Military.com, the Veteran Career Network offers a support tool for veterans looking to connect with other veterans. The online networking tool allows veterans to share information about job openings and their experiences and solutions to finding a job post-military. Mentoring and support groups is one of the most sought after tools. Veterans help each other heal, grow, and give back through networking at Military.com.5. Veteran career fairsEvery state offers career fairs for veterans looking for civilian jobs, lining up hundreds of companies to offer jobs to veterans. Take advantage of these fairs. Businesses receive tax incentives for hiring retired military and veterans. In addition, with specialized defense training, security clearances, and leadership skills obtained through the military, applicants will find it easier to work with like-minded individuals during these events. Be sure to bring several copies of your resume and business cards to reisepass out to recruiters.6. Veteran-friendly job boardsAs with career fairs and Hiring Our Heroes events, some businesses prefer veterans to other applicants because of their unique skills and the tax incentives the organization can receive. Looking for veteran-friendly companies is not difficult. Most job-search sites and major corporations advertise whether or no t they have a special website for veterans. Just Google it, and let your computer lead the way.Getting ready for the job searchWhile there are literally thousands of job-search tools for veterans designed to help with a career search, tools only can do so much. Your resume and cover letter play a larger role in this process. Creating a civilian resume for your military transition is not as daunting as many would think. Select a design and format that is professional and accommodates your information, staying away from scripted templates and fancy fonts. Times New Roman, Calibri, Cambria and Arial are a few of the best fonts for resume. They are professional and can be easily read by ATS programs. Also keep in mind toSeparate information into these basic sections with headers introduction, experience and accomplishments, and education.Stay away from passive language. Use action verbs and achieving language.Only include information relevant to the job, and resist the urge to include everything on your repertoire.Dont forget to visit your local library, VA office, and community college for additional job-search tools for veterans to help you land the perfect post-military career.Click on the following link for more job-search advice.Ready to make the transition to the civilian workforce? Hire a TopResume writer to craft your military transition resume.Recommended ReadingHow to Get Your Military Resume in Shape for a Civilian Job SearchAdvice for Veterans Starting a Business and Entrepreneurial CareerRelocating Tips for Proactive Job SeekersRelated Articles