In this article I will tell what is probably the important thing you need to know when making a major life change, including transitioning from active military service.
From this, you might be empowered to make powerful decisions which will result in attaining great results in your life.
Often the first thing people think about when moving to a new stage in their lives is how they will present themselves to others.
In regards to making the transition from the military, this means writing a resume.
The second thing that usually occurs is getting this resume in front of the right person to get a job.
One of the best methods for doing this is through networking.
Although both of these, writing your resume and networking, are extremely important, neither will bear good fruit unless they result in a successful interview and an offer for employment.
So the questions are 1) how do you get granted an interview? And 2) how do you get an offer for employment? The answer is, be the right person for the job.
Of course this leads to others questions such as, "How do I become the right person for the job?" This question will be addressed in this article.
People buy from people they know like and trust.
The same thing goes for hiring.
I have seen hundreds of resumes and have sent out many more.
Of the resumes I considered meeting with someone on, I looked for specific characteristics.
They were:

1. Did they work with others (team players)?
2. Were their experiences in line with what I was looking for?
3. Did they show progression from one position to the next?
4. One final consideration I would make was, based on what is in a resume; did it appear that the candidate will be a cultural or organizational match?

You may not realize it but understand that as an employer these are things that are looked for.
Remember that a resume is essentially a sales letter and you are the product.
Keeping these things in mind may greatly assist you in writing your resume.
Here is a simple format for writing a resume.

1. Write a heading telling what you are looking to do or a brief statement that may imply what you bring to the table.
   
2. Next, create headings or bullets talking about your most recent positions/jobs in descending order.
   
3. Under each heading insert bullets that tell of your accomplishments (Hint: Talk about dollars saved/earned and levels of responsibility.
   )
4. Next, write a heading about your education and follow-up with bullets talking about degrees, certifications or qualifications earned.
   
5. Finally, write a brief section about your interests and hobbies.
   

Writing about your interest and hobbies may not make sense to you; however, remember that people buy form those they know, like and trust.
Your interests or hobbies may be a "hot button" for the person doing the hiring.
After preparing your resume, it's time to network.
Net working is about meeting-up with like-minded people.
Again, keep in mind that people buy from those they know, like, and trust.
This means:

1. Meet with those in the same field, business, or company you are interested in.
   
2. Ask for referrals.
   
3. Only send your resume or ask for an interview to companies that you know, like and trust.
   This implies that you will have to do some research.
   The point is, you want a job that you enjoy doing.
   

That is all networking is.
It is finding groups, organizations and making friends.
Most of the jobs I got after leaving active duty came by way of referrals.
However, there was one major thing that worked in my favor.
When referred, I was the right person for the job.
So, how do you become the right person for the job?

1. Get clear on what you want to be, do, or have.
   
2. Write your resume and network with those that can assist you in getting what YOU want.
   
3. Before sending out you resume or agreeing to an interview, research to know with whom you are meeting (Hint: Don't just know the person you are going to meet with, get to know the company - products, services, clients, and their culture).
   

Well, that's it folks.
In this brief article we spoke about things you were probably already aware of.
We talked about tailoring your resume, networking and doing your own research.
The most important thing however begins with you.
The only way you might be offered employment is by being the right person for the job.
The way to be best prepared for being the right person is for you to have a clear picture as to who you want to be, what you want to do and what it is you desire to have.
I can't say it enough.
While going through major life changes, including transitioning from active military service, the most important thing is, it begins with you, knowing what you want to be, do and have.