An upcoming MOAA seminar welcoming those from all corners of the uniformed services community will arm attendees with the actionable resources they need to land their dream job or move farther on their career path.
And fast.
MOAA’s Executive Career Transition Accelerator Seminar, set for Aug. 28 at MOAA Headquarters in Alexandria, Va., offers “all the tools for a more expedited landing,” said Capt. Jim Carman, USN (Ret), MOAA’s vice president for council/chapter and member support and one of the seminar’s presenters. “If we can get you into that role one month sooner, it could mean an extra $10,000 in salary. Or more.”
The seminar, formerly known as the Military Executive Transition program, moves beyond traditional on-base career workshops by providing actionable advice and real-world examples to guide attendees through unfamiliar territory, from preparing a résumé to acing a series of interviews to expanding your professional network.
“We try to help them with how the process works, versus what the process is,” said Col. Brian Anderson, USAF (Ret), a seminar presenter and MOAA’s senior director of transition and member services. “How are you going to elevate yourself? How are you going to articulate your unique value proposition?”
A Powerful Panel
One way to help attendees envision their success comes in the seminar’s panel discussion, which features successfully transitioned officers from various career fields. Their insights into the ups and downs of their personal professional journeys resonate with attendees seeking similar professional advancement.
“It’s the chance to actually meet someone who has done this before,” Carman said. “And, in some cases, someone who can open the possibilities to a career alternative you may not have considered.”
One example cited by Anderson: Transitioning servicemembers seeking a career in government tend to look at DoD, VA, and similar federal-level options. Many don’t consider local governments, which offer a range of positions suited to those with leadership and communications skills, and who are looking to continue in public service.
The panelists provide a “diversity in career path” that many transitioning members seek, Anderson said, but that they might not be able to find in a service-specific seminar or career fair at their installation.
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Working Together
The all-day seminar allows attendees to “cooperate and graduate,” Anderson said, leaving competition aside as they build networks, share experiences, and find solutions for one another.
It’s a camaraderie that’s not limited to those leaving uniform. Spouses, Carman said, often leave the seminar with a greater appreciation for their own skill set, and new ideas about how to share those skills with prospective employers.
MOAA experts work with spouses to “reflect on their unique experiences, maybe volunteer experiences, that have built their financial and communications skill sets,” Carman said. “In some cases, we’re filling a 15-year gap in a résumé with value-added experience.”
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Veterans who’ve been out of service but haven’t found the right career fit will benefit not just from expert guidance on salary negotiation, application preparation, and interview techniques, Anderson said, but from a fresh perspective many lack after decades of service.
“In most cases, you will be an at-will employee,” Anderson said. “There’s no shame in leaving that first company and going to Company B. You can be asked to leave, or you can leave: You need to keep 51% of that power. If a better opportunity presents itself, you need to be ready to move on based upon your personal priorities and economic motivators.”
The seminar offers veterans and other attendees a chance to connect with fellow job-seekers in various stages of career development, Carman said, with some connections lasting long beyond the event.
“You’ve got 10 or 12 new people you can brainstorm with, you can share materials with,” he said. “Every time a trusted colleague reads and offers suggestions about your résumé, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile, they get a little stronger.”
The key takeaway from many attendees, Anderson said, was a simple one: “I found out that I’m not alone.”
Register for the upcoming seminar at this link, and bookmark MOAA.org/events for details on other MOAA career and transition events, including our Oct. 2 in-person networking event and a virtual accelerator event coming later in the fall.
