As a military ‘retiree’ still in the workforce (I run into many former military folks that are very confused about ‘getting a job’ once they leave military service. The ‘netwoking’ attitude is a huge missing piece of the plan to find a position with many veterans. It is also hard because in most cases the vets would love to relocate for a job, but do not know where to begin (no ‘home’ to go to, with nationwide access for thier final move!)

I let folks know that the job search needs to be multifaceted. The ‘newspaper’ career search is one facet, as is searching online. Networking is a facet. ost military understand fully that a plan needs to be followed but do not know where to start or how to initiate the plan to ‘get a job’.

The base plan I use includes a daily regimen of tasks (military are good with lists of tasks). The first task is to get ready each morning. When in the military your day (when you are not at war) begins at 7 a.m. and ends about 4:30 p.m. Most take a 1.5 hour lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and get some physical training in (running, then cleaning up, or maybe a visit to the gym).

Having covered that, I recommend that a job search ‘schedule’:

Begin at 7:30 each morning, after breakfast. I include getting up, reading the paper (if that is a habit you have formed), and eating breakfast.

Precisely at 7 a.m. the task changes to job search, and I usually recommend beginning with the newspaper. Check the want-ads for local or regional jobs. Apply for those that jump off of the page, then apply immediately, keeping a detailed list of the jobs and companies you have contacted (to follow up on later).

Later in the morning (say – at about 10:00 a.m.) Change tasks completely to ONLINE JOB SEARCH – there are really two tsks to cover here, FIRST: check out the internet web sites for local businesses and organizations, being careful NOT to forget all the major employers in your region (including city, county, state, schools, hospitals, etc. and any other company/organization web sites).

LUNCH: About 11:30- noon take a break (you will need a break if you are doing this right)
Return to work about 1 p.m., and continue working on l the online leads you generated before lunch. Apply to those that interest you and again, record the information on your job log. Wrap up this task by 2 p.m. and move to the third phase …

2 p.m.: Last thing on te list – likely the most important, is to get out of the house and on the road. This phase will not happen immediately, because you will begin by starting you log list of comapnies to contact. This ‘late afternoon’ period is for person-to-person contacts. To begin with, check our local Chambers of Commerce, Job Clubs, Employment Offices, College Employment offices (most will assist non-studnets as well as students in job searches). Contact friends and the friends of your friends. Your ‘circle of acquaintances’ may only include 25 people, but if every friend has 25 more, then on the 3rd level you have potential contact with 625 people and on the next level over 15,000. Someone knows someone that needs a reliable employee like YOU. This ‘late day’ period is the time to check out your list of placed you have submitted applciations to as well as the time you set aside to follow up on those applications – either with a phone call or a personal visit. Calling once per week should be adequate – keep notes so you can keep track of those you call and jiot down what they say when you call. DO NOT GIVE UP if they say “sorry, I don’t have any positions…” – When you get a negative response, ask the question: “Do you know anyone that is looking to hire now?”. Many business professionals that have no job openings know other managers that are looking for people to fill thier positions immediately.

Last step: S-T-O-P. Take off your pack at 5 p.m. and RELAX. Read a book. DO NOT CONTINUE TO SEARCH INTERNET ALL NIGHT … take some time for you and your family. Have a beer with friends, go bowling or skating – HAVE SOME FUN!

NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT try to use the INTERNET as your ONLY source to locate jobs. If you make the mistake of losing the multi-faceted approach shown here, you will effectively sabotage your job search effort.

Job search is a full-time task, but need not be so overpowering that it consumes you altogether. Attack your job search and stay structured, and attend to the process like you would a full-time job – and you willl succeed.