career & continuing education, fall 2012

W W W. M I L I TA RY N E W S . C O M | W W W. F L A G S H I P N E W S . C O M | FA L L 2 0 1 2

CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION

Your guide to employment opportunities and higher education for separating and retiring military

MILITARYNEWSPAPERSOF VIRGINIA

FALL 2012 CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION 27

The Key To A Better FutureMay Lie In Community College

EARN YOUR DEGREE

Danny Anderson is an American hero. He is also a role model – in moreways than one.

Danny spent six years in the Army. He loved serving his country, and whenhe completed his time in the military, he was eager to find other ways toserve. So Danny decided to use his military benefits to earn his degreeand enrolled in Hopkinsville Community College’s nursing program.Through a partnership between Gateway Medical Center and HopkinsvilleCommunity College in Kentucky, Danny became a registered nurse and isnow employed in Gateway’s emergency care department.

I met Danny last month when I traveled with Labor Secretary Hilda Solis ona five-state “Community College to Career” bus tour to highlight the typesof successful community college industry partnerships that are workingand can serve as models for the nation.

The impact Danny’s community college education had on his life is clear– and is one I see replicated on community college campuses across thecountry, as well as in my own 18 years as a community college professor.

HOPE AND GUIDANCE“Community colleges give you hope and help guide you toward a betterfuture,” Danny said. He couldn’t be more right.

Workers who attend community college significantly increase their lifetimeearning potential. The average community college graduate earns $8,320more per year than someone with just a high school diploma. Not only isthe math pretty simple, the effect on a community is truly inspiring. Thesense of hope expressed by Danny is one I have seen in my classroom foryears and is one we saw on every stop of our bus tour.

Though the value of higher education has been a recent topic of debate,its tremendous and unique value is indisputable. The types of partnershipswe saw are exactly what President Obama hopes to grow with his“Community College to Career Fund,” an $8 billion budget proposal toconnect community colleges with businesses to train 2 million workers inhigh-growth industries with skills that will lead directly to jobs. Communitycolleges are key to meeting the president’s goal of having the best-educated, most competitive work force in the world by 2020.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATIONAt our first stop in Ohio, we heard from formerly unemployed workers whohad completed training through industry partnerships with Columbus StateCommunity College and are now back to work in the high-growth fieldsof information technology and logistics. On our way to Dayton, Ohio, weheard about how a bioscience industry partnership with six communitycolleges is preparing workers for high-demand jobs in the growingbioscience industry.

Another Ohio partnership is helping low-income and displaced workersmove into health careers. In Tennessee, veterans are being trainedto become engineers – and through a unique partnership receive aguaranteed internship that leads to a job.

In Virginia, we heard from mid-career employees who are trained innew technologies to stay current and grow in their careers through a

partnership with WythevilleCommunity College. Wewrapped up our bus tour inNorth Carolina, where wesaw how Davidson CountyCommunity College hasgrown partnerships with areacompanies to train workerswith specific skills – whetherthat is electronics engineeringor computer manufacturing.

It’s clear these partnershipsare working, and that’swhy we want businesses and community colleges across the country toreplicate the kinds of successes we heard about on our tour. Not onlyare community colleges meeting the specific needs of employers in theirregion, they are also helping get workers into good-paying jobs that allowthem to provide for their families and give them a renewed sense of hopeand confidence.

About the writer — Jill Biden is the second lady of the United States and hasbeen an educator for more than 30 years.

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26 CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION FALL 2012

With recent downsizing in the Navy and Air Force, many service membersare being faced with the reality of leaving the Armed Forces. In an effort tocombat this, the Army is helping service members continue to serve theircountries without a break in service time.

According to the GoArmy website (www.goarmy.com), the Blue-to-GreenProgram was established to help good Sailors and Airmen to continueserving their country after being told they don’t “make the cut.” “Duringthis period of ‘right sizing’ the Air Force and Navy, the Army recognizedthe need for our Armed Forces to retain highly qualified men and womenin our ranks. Operation Blue-to-Green will allow you to continue to serveyour country, to maintain the benefits the military service and to expandyour horizons by gaining new training and try new things.”

The program was established in 2004 after an announcement from the AirForce and Navy that stated a plan to cut troops by nearly 24,000 membersbetween the two services.

When the program began, the Army was working to formulate a four-week course for service members who were utilizing the Blue-to-GreenProgram, although with the numbers of transfers dropping from 186 Sailorsin 2006 to just 43 Sailors in 2010, the Army has removed the training, statingit is no longer feasible to offer the shorter course.

Service members, other than Marines, will now be required to completethe full 10-week Basic Combat Training (BCT), which consists of threephases.

The first phase of the training is the Red Phase, “the Army makes sure everyrecruit is physically and mentally prepared to start basic training. Upondetermining this, recruits are given a haircut, issued Army uniforms andare ready to start training,” said Sergeant Star, the Army’s automated helpsystem for the Blue-to-Green Program.

The second phase is the White Phase, “recruits go through marksmanshipand combat training to learn to rappel at the Warrior Tower. This trainingteaches vital Soldier skills and instills them with more confidence,” said Star.

The third phase is the Blue Phase, “after becoming familiar with the use ofautomatic weapons and hand grenades in U.S. Weapons training, recruitsput their training to the test as they negotiate the night infiltration course,”said Star.

After passing all three phases and all challenges, the recruits are gatheredfor the Rites of Passage, also known as graduation.

According to the GoArmy website, “Basic Combat Training has pushedthe recruits’ mind and bodies to new limits, giving them a deeper respectfor themselves and those around them. Now, the time has come tocelebrate their efforts and strengths they’ve gained. This is the day thattheir families and friends gather to watch them transition from citizens toSoldiers.”

Even before going to the BCT, there are many requirements that a servicemember must meet in order to be considered a good candidate for theprogram.

The Army has established that Sailors and Airman must be within threemonths of their discharge dates, unless authorized an early out by theircommanding officer. Marines and Coast Guard must fulfill their serviceobligations.

“In order to enlist for both active duty and the Army Reserve, you must bewithin your window to transfer, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien,have a high school diploma, be 17 to 35 years old, be healthy and in goodphysical condition,” said Star.

Candidates must be physically fit and able to pass the Army PhysicalReadiness Test, which includes a 60-yard shuttle run, one-minute rower,standing long-jump, one-minute push-ups and a one and a half mile runaccording to armyprt.com, a site established to list physical requirementsof Army Soldiers.

“They must also be in good moral standing and be singled or married withno more than two children under the age of 18. Some jobs may haveadditional requirements. You should contact your local recruiter to getstarted,” said Star.

Taking the step out of the blue and into an “Army of One” can have mayperks including: higher advancement rates, possible enlistment bonus forsome jobs and more relaxed high-year-tenure allowing E-5’s to stay activeduty for 20 years, six years longer than the Navy allows.

Most importantly, the program allows service members to continue servingand receiving benefits and opens the possibility of retirement for manySailors and Airman who otherwise wouldn’t be allowed to serve theircountry.

BLUE TOGREEN

Blue-To-Green Gives Service MembersOpportunity To Continue In Armed ForcesCONTINUE TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY

Operation Blue to Green will allow you to continue to serve your country,to maintain the benefits of military service and to expand your horizonsby gaining new training and trying new things.


From ARAContent - Military families frequently relocate from base to base all over theUnited States. Even though these moves aren’t unusual, they can cause some stress forall members of the family, especially if the relocation happens without a lot of warning.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) and Personally Procured Moves (PPM) come withmilitary assistance to help soldiers and their families make the transition. Families canalso take advantage of the do-it-yourself (DITY) option offered by the military, whichcould make the overall transition much smoother.

No matter how quickly the move happens, or what kind of moving assistance yourfamily requests, here are some moving tips from Penske Truck Rental to keep in mind tohelp keep everything in order.

PLANNING - PCS notifications can come without a lot of warning, or families mayknow about a potential move far in advance. For both instances, getting a plan inplace is a good start. Gather important information into one folder, containing phonenumbers, contact names, dates, receipts and checklists in this folder so you can easilytrack everything about your move. For some planning tools that focus specifically onmilitary moves, visit the U.S. Department of Defense website.

MOVING - Many families choose the DITY option because it gives them more controlover the move, and they can also potentially make some money in the process. Themilitary provides an allotted cost for moving, and if you can come under that costthrough your own planning, the military will pay you the difference. For example,

MOVINGAGAIN?How To Make Moving Easier

FOR MILITARY FAMILIESPenske Truck Rental offers active military personnel a 20 percent discount for everytruck rental, and will price-match any competitive offers on one-way truck rentals aswell. Visit www.DITYmove.com to learn more.

WEIGHTS - Military rules require soldiers to certify the weight of the rental vehicle whenempty and after it’s fully loaded. Weight limit reimbursements are set depending ona soldier’s rank and dependents, but the traditional weights are estimated at 1,000pounds per room, excluding bathrooms and storage areas. Then add in the estimatedweight of large appliances, garage items and items in storage. Compare this numberto what is allowed and determine if you can reduce the load in any way to avoidpaying overweight costs. To help with weight certifications, Penske offers a CertifiedPublic Scale locator tool online to help DITY movers in finding weigh stations.

CONTACT INFO - File a change of address form at your local post office so mailcan be forwarded, and also make certain your new information is updated with yourspecific branch of the military.

EXPLORE - Get to know your new neighborhood, both on and off base. If you havechildren, explore the schools and the after school activities available. Learn a bitabout the city’s history and gather information on the services the city offers so that onmoving day, your water and electricity will be available when it’s needed.

When in the military, a move is practically inevitable, but the process can be much lessstressful on both emotions and finances with a little organization and planning from theget-go.

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Deciding OnWhere To RelocateAFTER YOUR SERVICE

WHAT’S NEXT?

Are you currently consider the realities of where you’d like to live after theservice? It is important to do so carefully and choose wisely. For example, if youwere a ship navigator during your military career, you could have a difficult timefinding a similar job in the Southwest. On the other hand, if you were an Armynurse, you may find several excellent opportunities virtually anywhere.

Most career placement specialists recommend that job applicants choose thetype of job they want first, then go where the jobs are. In making a decision torelocate, you might prioritize as follows:

1. JOB POTENTIAL: Which community is most likely to offer job opportunities thatmatch your skills, experience and career goals?

2. AFFORDABILITY: Consider the not so obvious expenses in addition to the costof living. Compare local, state income, property and sales taxes. Does thestate tax your military retirement pay? Does the location have income andcareer potential?

3. COMMUNITY: Do you have family or friends there? Can you count on them tohelp make your transition easier? Do you need to be close to your agingparents for economic or medical reasons? Are you seeking upward mobilitywith the potential to move, or are you looking for a community to settle forthe long-term?

4. ENVIRONMENT: Would you be happiest living in a city, the suburbs, a smalltown, or a rural area? Does the climate suit you?

MOVING OUT OF THE AREABefore moving, consult your nearest Fleet and Family Support Center, the bestsource of relocation information and planning assistance. Other useful resourcesinclude: local chambers of commerce, libraries, bookstores and the Internet. Usethem to find out what you need in order to make informed moving decisions.

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCEMany communities across America have chambers of commerce. Each chamberof commerce promotes its community and is a good source of information aboutthe surrounding area: the local job market, housing costs, local realtors, cost ofliving, local taxes, climate, schools and availability of recreation or child care. Askfor the chamber’s booklet – much like the relocation packet you received abouta new installation when you changed stations.

You can find any chamber of commerce office in the nation at www.chamberofcommerce.com.

LIBRARIES AND BOOKSTORESEach of the Service Library Programs provides electronic content through theirrespective portals (www.nko.navy.mil; www.us.army.mil; www.my.af.mil). Theelectronic content provides information on relocating, career opportunities andeducational opportunities.

The reference section of your nearest installation library, public library or bookstoremay offer atlases, maps and geographical information that provide usefulinformation.

Tour books and guides in the travel section may provide insights into thecommunity you may someday call home. Military libraries and public librariesalso have many other free resources. Libraries also offer customer use computerswhich can help you keep up to date on the latest news in your new community,apply for a job, check your email, or just chat with friends.

Designed with the needs and interests of military members and their family in mind, the Military Career Transition Program (MCTP) is a graduate, evening and weekend initial teacher licensure program within the Department of Teaching and Learning at Old Dominion University. Upon completion of the Master of Sci-ence in Education Degree program, participants are eligible to receive the Vir-ginia teaching license. Initial licensure grade levels include elementary educa-tion (PreK-6), middle school (6-8), and secondary education (6-12) s are available in the areas of English, mathematics, sciences (Earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics), and history/social sciences.

MCTP also offers a Ph.D. program with a concentration in Community College Leadership in the Department of Educational Foundations. Advance your career in a leadership position at a community college with this adult-friendly, distance learning program.

1. M.S.Ed. with Initial Virginia Licensure • Graduates of the Virginia state-approved teacher preparation program earn a master of science in education (M.S.Ed.) degree with a concentration in elementary/middle, or secondary education and initial Virginia teacher licensure • Courses are available off-campus, at military bases, on-campus or ODU higher education centers • Courses are offered in the evenings (live or (televised/video) Fridays/Saturdays • Courses are available off-campus at military bases, on-campus, or ODU higher education centers

2. Ph.D. in Community College Leadership • Courses are offered in a variety of delivery modes • Complete course work in two (2) calendar years • Eligible for in-state tuition

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POST-9/11 GI BILL YELLOW RIBBON PARTICIPANT

Choose From Two Programs


From the U.S. Department of Veterans affairs websiteWASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs has approved applications forall 45,000 slots available in fiscal year (FY) 2012 under the successful VeteransRetraining Assistance Program (VRAP) and is in the process of approvingapplications for a total of 54,000 slots available in FY 2013.

“At VA, we know first-hand that Veterans make exceptional employees, which is why thisAdministration has deployed a full-court press to connect Veterans with good jobs,” saidSecretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The surge of Veterans applying for VRAPdemonstrates this program’s importance to provide unemployed Veterans the opportunityto find employment in high-demand fields.”

VRAP is a new training and education program for unemployed Veterans who want toupgrade their skills for high-demand jobs. The goal of VRAP is to train a total of 99,000Veterans over the next two years in more than 200 job skills that the Department of Labor(DOL) has determined are the most sought-after by employers.

The joint VA/DOL program is a provision of the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) toHire Heroes Act of 2011, which Congress passed and President Obama signed into lawin November 2011. The program allows qualifying Veterans to receive up to 12 months ofeducation assistance equal to the full-time Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty rate of $1,473per month. Starting October 1, 2012 the rate has increased to $1,546 per month.

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR VRAP, A VETERAN MUST:• Be 35-60 years old, unemployed on the day of application, and not dishonorably

discharged;• Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program such as the Post-9/11 GI

Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment;• Not be enrolled in a federal or state job-training program within the last 180 days;

and Not receive VA compensation at the 100 percent rate due to individualunemployability (IU).

“We’re gratified that 45,000 unemployed Veterans can begin the retraining they need tocompete for in-demand jobs,” said VA Undersecretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. “We’regoing to maintain the momentum of our outreach to make sure we get the maximum of54,000 Veterans retrained in fiscal year 2013.”

Veterans approved for VRAP are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible and begintraining full-time in a VA-approved program of study at their local community college ortechnical school. The program of study must lead to an associate degree, a non-collegedegree, or a certificate for a high-demand occupation as defined by DOL.

Some of the high-demand job training programs Veterans pursued in FY 2012 include-computer support specialist, general and operations manager, business operationsspecialist, and heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic and installer.

VRAP applications were received from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the VirginIslands. The Top 10 states for Veterans approved for training in the FY 2012 phase of VRAPare:

California | Florida | Georgia | Texas | North CarolinaNew York | Ohio | Michigan | Illinois | Virginia

VRAP also attracted Veterans internationally, with applications coming from Veterans livingin the Philippines, Canada, Japan, the Northern Mariana Islands, and areas of Europe andthe Pacific where American military units are based.

RETRAININGPROGRAM

VA Fills First Phase of Veterans RetrainingProgram to Enhance Job Skills

Undersecretary Hickey explained that continuedoutreach on VRAP is particularly important becausethe program applies to a segment of theVeteran population that may not have regularinteraction with VA or stay informed about thebenefits and opportunities for which they mayqualify.

VRAP is one of many efforts that VA and theAdministration are undertaking to connectVeterans with employment. VA has held majorlive and virtual hiring fairs, as well as connectedVeterans with career coaching and other careertools through the VA for Vets initiative. VA has alsoset a goal to increase Veteran employment within theDepartment and has partnered with Joining Forces and theU.S. Chamber of Commerce on Veteran hiring.

Potential applicants can learn more about VRAP and apply online at www.benefits.va.gov/VOW, or call VA toll-free at 1-800-827-1000.

Information about the Department of Labor’s programs for Veterans is available at www.dol.gov/vets. Veterans can also visit the nearly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers across thenation, listed at www.servicelocator.org, for in-person employment assistance.

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Demands for job applicants to attain a degree have drastically increasedwith recent changes in the economy. If you are getting out of the Navybecause of force shaping initiatives like the Enlisted Retention Board (ERB)and Perform to Serve (PTS) programs, this can be a stressful time for notonly you, but your family too.

The military offers many programs to help aid in your transition. Some ofthe better known programs available are the Montgomery (MGIB) andPost-9/11 G.I. Bill. These programs are making it easier than ever to getin line with civilian counterparts, or help start a college fund for yourdependents.

So what are the differences and how do you choose what’s right for you?Here’s an easy cheat sheet to the G.I. Bill to help you decide and kick yourdegree plan into high gear.

The MGIB requires a minimum of two years of service and a $1,200program enrollment fee. The program pays a flat rate nationwide andthe rates are adjusted annually. Payments for the plan are sent directly toveterans.

POST 9/11G.I. BILL

Get User Savvy On Your Montgomery,Post-9/11 G.I. BillLEARN ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS

The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill is offered to active dutyservice members who have served after theattacks on the twin towers for a minimum of 90days of active duty or 30 continuous days forveterans discharged with a medical discharge.The bill pays 100 percent of in-state public schooltuition and up to $17,500 private school tuition.

MGIB active duty users with three or more yeasof service can expect a payment of $1,473,effective as of Oct. 1, 2011 and $1,158 per monthwith less than three years. In addition, the veteranhas 10 years after separation to utilize it. MGIB can only be used for schoolsapproved by the Department of Veterans Affairs(VA). For members seekingmoney to cover certification tests, the cost are covered up to $2,000 pertest and you can take the certification test as many times as needed,although each submission for reimbursement reduces your entitlementbenefit.

Other benefits include a monthly stipend for both living expenses andbooks or supplies. Living expenses are based on basic allowance forhousing of an E5 with dependents. Full-time students will receive 100percent, while part-time students will receive a prorated amount and thestipend will only be available when classes are in session.

Qualified active duty service members may also elect to transfer up to36 months of their benefits to a spouse or child enrolled in the DefenseEligibility Enrollment System. Transfer of benefits requires members tohave a minimum of six years of service and they must agree to servean additional four years. The spouse may begin using the benefitsimmediately, while a dependent must wait until the member has served atleast 10 years of active duty service.

Finally, as part of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, members are available to utilize theYellow Ribbon Program, something that was not offered with the MGIB.The program covers contributions of up to half of the additional fees formembers eligible for 100 percent.

Post 9/11 G.I. Bill VETERAN’S AFFAIRS WEBSITEhttps://www.ebenefits.va.gov

MILCONNECT WEBSITEhttps://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect

ESR WEBSITEhttps://nsips.nmci.navy.mil

Transferabilityof Benefits

Electronic ServiceRecord (ESR)

A New Bill For ANew Century

★9/11GI BILL

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed theprograms, and other important information, please visit our website at www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures.

To learn more, visit us at:http://www.bryantstratton.edu/admissions/military.aspxor connect with us on Facebook at:facebook.com/BSCVirginiaBeachfacebook.com/BSCHampton

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Tips For ThePerfect Resume

PREPARING & PROOF-READINGRESUME TIPS

From ARAContent — In today’s competitive job market, employers canreceive literally hundreds of responses to a posted job. A resume oftencreates the first impression a prospective employer will form about eachcandidate - and that first impression forms quickly. According to BusinessInsider, a career website, research shows “recruiters spend about sixseconds before they make the initial ‘fit/no fit’ decision.”

“When it comes to mistakes on resumes, I’ve seen it all - grammatical errors,misspelled words, and even omitted credentials,” said Amanda Rajotte,director of Career Services at Brown Mackie College-Hopkinsville. Rajottehelps students and graduates prepare for professional job searches andconducts workshops on the fundamentals of writing resumes.

“I cannot stress enough that the resume is a gateway to an interview,”she said. “It’s worthwhile to put time and effort into creating it. If a resumecontains mistakes, all the effort after that is wasted, no matter how manyyou send out.”

A resume is an important marketing tool that introduces you to aprospective employer in the professional world. Rajotte likens it to a30-second commercial for yourself. It’s all about the proper sequencingof information relevant to the employer. “You want to highlight the goodqualities and attributes that employers want to see; things that tie into thespecific opportunity,” she said.

Think carefully about - and always double-check - spelling. “Incorrectspelling worries potential employers. Candidates should spell check anddouble check their work by proofreading,” Rajotte said. It can help tolet someone else proofread the resume. An extra set of eyes often findsmistakes.

What do spelling errors tell an employer about you? Monster says it tellsthem, “This person obviously doesn’t care.”

Grammatical errors also throw up a red flag. “Bad sentence structure andincorrect word usage are common mistakes people make,” said Rajotte.“These decrease your level of competency in the employer’s mind, andthey move on to the next resume. Other typical resume blunders includeincorrect capitalization of words, and failure to spell out acronyms. Noteveryone knows what acronyms mean. Each one should be spelled out thefirst time it appears.”

The format of the resume is the next consideration. “The goal is to createa visually pleasing page,” Rajotte said. She recommends using a legibletypeface and a readable point size. “This means scrap the script font, andstick to 10-point or 12-point type. Alignment is another big one. Always printa copy to see how it looks on paper. Don’t just look on screen.”

Once the resume is in top form, you have a better chance of landing aninterview. After the interview, it is appropriate to send a thank you note. “Noteveryone sends a thank you. It can set you apart from other applicants,”said Rajotte. Quintessential Careers found that just 5 percent of jobapplicants follow through with a thank you note. “It’s a nice way to build arelationship,” she said. “You never know when you might run into that personagain.” She advises applicants to write a draft of the note before writing ona card. “Grammar and spelling matter here just as much as they matter onthe resume,” Rajotte said.


Beat TheInterview JittersPRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

INTERVIEWING

From ARAContent — Most of us have been there, nervously anticipating an upcoming jobinterview. When we’re nervous, our body language tends to give us away. Signs take manyforms. We may stammer, clench our fists, clear our throats, or tap our fingers. Certainly, in ajob interview, we want to hide this telltale behavior. So what can we do to calm the jitters?

Brenda K. Raye, director of career services at Brown Mackie College - NorthCanton, provides some answers. She understands the jitters from both sidesof the table - as a job candidate facing an important interview, and as anemployer interviewing applicants who exhibit classic signs of nervousness.

“‘RELAX,’ is the first thing I tell students and graduates,” she said. However, thatis easier said than done. Relax. “Be you,” she tells those she coaches. “Theyalready know you have the skills to perform the job. They got that from yourresume. Now they want to see your personality. Employers look for the best fitwithin the company or team.”

This different perspective seems to help ease anxiety for many who face animportant interview. In addition, job applicants may want to support calmnesswith a relaxation exercise. Methods of relaxation vary from deep breathing,as recommended by eHow, to listening to music and having a good laugh,according to The Undercover Recruiter. Know your work ethics. Raye typicallyasks those seeking employment to create a list of work ethics, like hard working,dependable and the ability to work with a team or individually. “Use everymoment to sell yourself,” said Raye.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. BE PREPARED. HAVE YOUR FAMILY GIVE YOU PRACTICE INTERVIEWQUESTIONS. “A few practice runs can give a big boost to your self confidence,”said Raye. The Work Coach Cafe concurs, and offers some interview questionstypically asked for your practice session. Practice can help you become morecomfortable when talking about yourself, and may point out any subconscioushabits, like frequent use of “um,” or “you know,” when speaking.

PREPARE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS. Once you have practiced answering interviewquestions, you will want to prepare to ask a few questions of your own. “Donot ask about salary or benefits,” counsels Raye. “But do ask for a businesscard.” You will need the contact information later for a thank you card or letter.“And yes, you will write a thank you note if you are serious about wanting theposition,” she states.

Email thank you notes are also acceptable. Raye suggests asking about thenext step in the process of filling the position. The answer provides you withtiming of the hire. She also recommends asking about the work environment.Give yourself credit. If you are still a little nervous after all of your practiceand preparation, Raye offers this advice: “If you landed an interview in thefirst place, that alone should let you know you’re doing a good job. You areconfident enough in your skills to apply for the position. You applied correctly,and your resume has made a good impression. You can feel good about it.That in itself can cure jitters,” she said.

BE HONEST. Anxiety levels vary widely between individual people, and manifestin many different ways. If you feel you won’t get through an interview withoutseeming flustered because of nerves, Raye recommends taking the tack of upfront honesty from the start.

“Let an interviewer know you are a bit nervous about the chance of landingthe job of your dreams,” said Raye. “Most interviewers will appreciate yourstraightforward approach.” Raye advises job candidates to face interviewswith confidence. “When you are seeking employment, remember it’s not whatthe company can do for you, it’s what you can do for the company,” she said.

757.683.4603 | www.execed-odu.com


Cyber securityexperts play a crucialrole in protecting aninstitution’s networkand information fromattacks.

Cyber Security Professionals In HighDemand Battling ‘Cyber Weapons’

CAREERS IN CYBER WARFRE

From ARAContent - Traditionally, the term “war zone” elicits images oftanks, gunfire and military personnel. However, as technology evolves,so do the weapons associated with the art of warfare. Most recently, thebattleground has moved online, with the introduction of a new computermalware threat known as “Flame.”

Flame steals information from e-operations of certain nation states -making it a vital threat to both governments and military units. Based onthe way Flame works, it can be classified as a “cyber weapon,” accordingto Kaspersky Lab, a Russian anti-virus firm.

Web attacks cost businesses $114 billion each year, according to a 2011study conducted by Symantec. And as more business, government andmilitary institutions store classified information online, the probability of anattempted attack by these new forms of cyber-weaponry increases. Giventhe likelihood for future security breaches, the need for professionals withthe skills required to protect those at risk for such forms of online espionageis amplifying. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational OutlookHandbook reports that by the year 2020, demand for cyber securityexperts will increase by 28 percent.

Much like the way the military and police serve and protect our countryand its citizens, cyber security experts play a crucial role in protecting aninstitution’s network and information from attacks. These professionals,known as computer forensics experts, also analyze the electronicevidence, and in some cases identify and serve as expert witnesses to helpprosecute the criminals responsible.

Bachelor’s degree programs such as computer information systems(CIS) help prepare students for this role. Many programs allow studentsto concentrate their studies in a variety of cyber security specialties.For example, students focusing on computer forensics will learn the skillsnecessary to handle the electronic evidence of criminal cases and how toidentify and prosecute criminals.

At DeVry University, students enrolled in the Computer Information Systemsbachelor’s degree program can pursue a cyber security specialization incomputer forensics that allows them to gain understanding of the diversityof computer crime, and the laws and principals concerned with computerforensics and electronic evidence. They also learn how to discover datathat resides in a computer system, and how to recover deleted, encryptedor damaged file information.

“Technical knowledge is only one piece of the skillset puzzle for cybersecurity practitioners,” said Dr. Ahmed Naumaan, national dean forthe College of Engineering & Information Sciences at DeVry University.“Creativity and the ability to think outside the box play a pertinent role, asthose in this field must be able to take on the mindset of the hackers theyprotect against.”

The many forms of online assault will continue to evolve. As governments,businesses and other institutions increasingly become targets of onlinewarfare, the demand for those armed with the competencies tosuccessfully defend against them will grow.

Here are a few of the chief Information Warfare career opportunities thatare most in demand now and will be in the future:

CRYPTOLOGY An array of cyber threats, vulnerabilities and the growingmilitary dependence on cyberspace mean the military needs CryptologicLinguists for every mission during peace and war. A Navy CryptologicTechnician Interpretive (CTI) is an expert who uses knowledge of a region’s

CYBERWARFARE

language, culture, history and current political landscape to advisedecision makers on real world situations. CTIs work daily with aural andwritten foreign language material. These professionals support securitymissions both domestically and internationally.

INTELLIGENCE The United States depends on an information advantageto keep its people safe from harm. Navy Intelligence operatives filter andanalyze raw data, turning it into knowledge that helps inform internationalpolicy and military strategy. The Intelligence community is one of thelargest and most important networks in the world, supplying real-timeinformation for every mission the Navy conducts. Tasks may includecoding classified information, using state-of-the-art computer equipmentaboard aircraft carriers or amphibious command ships. Specialty training isprovided for all Intelligence candidates regardless of experience.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Maintaining communication channelstakes on a whole new level of importance when the security of a nationis at risk. Information Technology (IT) is a growing career field in both thecivilian and military worlds. Experienced IT professionals, such as computerprogrammers, data analysts and technicians, help protect the Navy’snetworks from threats. Navy IT Specialists are in charge of the needs ofships, aircraft and personnel. In this field, Sailors work with a variety ofvirtual channels and may operate mainframe computer systems thathandle classified material, set up video surveillance to help U.S. forceskeep watch and provide technical support to deployed units.

CYBER WARFARE ENGINEERING Protecting against electronic warfareis a never-ending task, since thieves are relentless in developing newways to attack. Cyber Warfare Engineers develop computer networkoperations capabilities in order to protect our country from cyber threats,which could potentially destroy entire infrastructures, such as railroadsystems, gas pipelines and even financial markets. The best and brightestComputer Scientists and Computer Engineers lead teams that protectagainst espionage, ensuring the United States never loses the informationadvantage. Because of their intelligence, leadership and specialized skills,Cyber Warfare Engineers are in high demand while in the Navy and alsoupon returning to civilian life.

Because of the way our world has had to evolve to protect ourcommunications infrastructures from existing, developing and futurethreats, Information Warfare careers will continue to be in high demand inthe years ahead. The specific responsibilities of America’s Navy are carriedout by the hundreds of thousands of Sailors who work tirelessly to achievethe highest standards of excellence in hundreds of diverse career fields.Visit www.navy.com to learn more about the career opportunities and thebackground that is required to answer this call to serve.


VetFran strategic initiative contains nearly 500 IFA (International FranchiseAssociation) franchisor member companies offering financial incentives,training and mentoring to veterans interested in small business ownershipand/or a career path in franchising.

“With the help of VetFran, veterans have opened businesses as diverseas Abrakadoodle Art Education, Dunkin’ Donuts, RadioShack, Liberty TaxService, The UPS Store and TeamLogicIT,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson,chairwoman of the VetFran initiative.

Starting out in 1991, VetFran was founded by the IFA in an effort to supportveterans returning from the Gulf War transition to the civilian economy.

“VetFran works to raise awareness through the media, events, webinarsand online tools and solutions to educate veterans about opportunities infranchising,” said Thompson.

Many of the companies that comprise the VetFran initiative waive theirfranchise fees entirely for veterans. Others offer initiatives like helping withfinancing, discounted royalties, and credits on purchases.

SMALLBUSINESS

OWNERSHIP

Financial IncentivesOffered To VeteransTHROUGH THE VETFRAN STRATEGIC INITIATIVE

One out of every seven franchise businesses are owned and operated byveterans of the U.S. military, according to a recent study conducted forthe International Franchise Association Educational Foundation based onU.S. Census data. These businesses have been beneficial to veterans, thejob force and the economy. “More than 66,000 veteran-owned franchisebusinesses in the U.S. provide jobs directly for 815,000 Americans, andgenerate more than $41 billion in GDP,” said Thompson.

“VetFran’s more than five hundred members stretch from AAMCO toZoomin Groomin,” said Thompson.

With hundreds of thousands of service members returning from Iraq andAfghanistan, the IFA and franchised businesses have launched OperationEnduring Opportunity, a campaign to hire, and recruit as franchiserestaurant owners, 75,000 veterans and their spouses, and 5,000 WoundedWarriors, by 2014.

VetFran’s website describes why veterans are successful at franchising:“Veterans come back with strong leadership skills and a thoroughunderstanding of teams. Military experience includes leading people,improving processes, and accomplishing the mission. Just like in themilitary, in franchising, the mission is accomplished by the team.”

The initiative also has a Wounded Warrior component for disabledveterans. The component focuses on industries that may be particularlysuited to disabled veterans, such as franchises in Information Technologyand tax preparation.

Support for VetFran comes from many different organizations. “The IFA haspartnered with the White House Joining Forces Initiative, VFW, the MilitaryOfficer’s Association of America, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce andothers to facilitate access to opportunities in franchising,” said Thompson.

Find out more by visiting www.vetfran.com.

IFA’s VetFran programhelps returningservice membersaccess franchiseopportunities throughtraining, financialassistance, andindustry support.

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By Brad Cooper | Executive Director of Joining ForcesEarlier this year, I joined with First Lady Michelle Obama at NavalStation Mayport near Jacksonville, Florida as she announced that 2,000companies had hired or trained an amazing 125,000 veterans and militaryspouses in the past year through Joining Forces.

This effort, combined with policies and legislation put in place bythe President have resulted in a 20 percent decrease in veteranunemployment compared to this time last year.

It was an extraordinary event, set among several Navy Seahawkhelicopters, that kicked off with a new Joining Forces video telling thestory of how we got to today’s announcement. Hundreds of Sailors fromon Navy’s premier warships and helicopter squadrons were in attendancealong with their families.

The Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Admiral Scott Van Buskirk, was thereand delivered inspiring remarks.

Leaders of businesses who have been hiring literally thousands of veteranswere there -- and they brought with them veterans and spouses who theyhired in the past year.

As several of the veterans told me, Joining Forces has made a significantimpact on their lives.

Paul Andrews, a Navy veteran, introduced the First Lady. Originally fromTexas, Paul joined the Navy and was trained as a sonar technician,where he learned to operate, maintain and repair the Navy’s mostsophisticated equipment designed to detect and track the world’s moststealthy submarines. While in the Navy, he was assigned to the GuidedMissile Destroyer USS Roosevelt. He deployed twice including a 9-monthdeployment in eastern Afghanistan after volunteering for duty on aProvincial Reconstruction Team.

Earlier this year, Paul transitioned back to civilian life, where he is applyingthe skills he learned in the Navy into the private sector after landing a jobwith a company called Sonardyne at a Joining Forces-Orion Internationalhiring event in Mayport.

Companies like Orion are among more than 2,000 in America who havemade commitments on veteran and military spouse hiring through JoiningForces.

But more work remains.

So seizing on momentum to date, the First Lady also announced that thesesame companies have committed to hire 250,000 veterans and militaryspouses in the coming years. Included in this commitment is a pledgeby the Military Spouse Employment Partnership to employ 50,000 militaryspouses in the coming years!

We know that America’s Post-9/11 veteranshave the skills to help lead America’s economicrecovery.

If you can operate hi-tech sonar equipment likePaul did, or if you can work with sophisticatedradars that guide high-speed missiles into outer-space, then you’re ready to succeed in our high-tech industries right here in America. Or if youcan repair a helicopter engine like those we sawin Mayport or you can coordinate thousands ofpounds of supplies being delivered to villages inAfghanistan, then clearly you have what it takesfor a manufacturing or logistics job right here inthe U.S.

The First Lady often says that Joining Forces willbe a success if military families feel the supportthat they deserve. Two thousand businesseshiring 125,000 veterans and military spouses is agreat first step to serving our military families aswell as they’ve served us.

JOBS

First Lady Announces 125,000 Veteransand Military Spouses HiredTHROUGH JOINING FORCES

First Lady Michelle Obama addresses the Militaryat Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville, FL.


The U.S. Chamber of Commerce iscommitted to HIRING OUR HEROES,and are sponsoring 100 hiring fairs forveterans and military spouses in localcommunities across the country be-tween March 2011-March 2012. They

have also created strategic partnerships to deal with specific populationsof veterans and their unique challenges in three other areas to include: aWounded Warrior Transition Assistance Program, a Post 9-11 Student VeteranInternship and Employment Program, and a Women Veterans and MilitarySpouses Employment Program.

THE MILITARY SPOUSEEMPLOYMENTPARTNERSHIPhttp://www.msepjobs.com (MSEP) is a compre-hensive web-enabled

recruitment and career partnership solution connecting military spouses toemployers seeking a 21st century workforce with the skills and attributes pos-sessed by military spouses. MSEP provides a digital recruiting platform for vet-ted FORTUNE 500 PLUS employers who have committed to identifying andpromoting career employment opportunities for military spouses, posting jobopenings on the MSEP web portal, and to offering transferrable, portablecareers to relocating military spouse employees.MILICRUIT’s virtual re-

cruitment center allowsservice members, veter-ans, and military spouses

the opportunity to meet and interact with military friendly employers in realtime, and for anywhere they are located with an internet connection. Visitemployers in their virtual booths, view/apply for jobs, and chat with recruit-ers all from the comfort and convenience of home. Register today and youwill have immediate access to the virtual environment. You can also checkthe calendar of upcoming national or regional virtual career fairs at www.veteranscareerfair.com.

VETSUCCESS.GOVprovides comprehensivetransition and employ-ment resources for veter-

ans, service members, and their families. VetSuccess.gov serves as a virtualemployment resource center where veterans can browse job listings, postresumes and apply for positions online. VetSuccess.gov also provides links toover 8 million jobs on the VetCentral site.

VETERANRESOURCES


THE VETERANS JOB BANK connectsunemployed veterans to job openingswith companies that want to hire them.The Obama Administration partnered

with leading job search companies to create a new, easy to use online ser-vice that enables employers to “tag” job postings for veterans. It launchedwith more than 500,000 job listings, a number that will continue growing asmore companies tag the job postings on their own websites and add themto the Veterans Job Bank.

MY NEXT MOVEFOR VETERANSis an easy-to-

use online tool created by the Department of Labor that allows veterans toenter information about their experience and skills in the field, and matchit with civilian careers that put that experience to use. The site also includesinformation about salaries, apprenticeships, and other related educationand training programs.

THE VETERAN GOLD CARD providesPost-9/11 veterans with extra support asthey transition out of the military. Oncea veteran has downloaded the Veteran

Gold Card, he or she can access six months of personalized case manage-ment, assessments and counseling at the roughly 3,000 One-Stop CareerCenters located across the country.

HERO 2 HIRED (H2H) is a comprehensive employ-ment program provided by the Department of Defensethat offers everything a Reserve Component job seekerneeds to find their next opportunity, including job list-

ings, career exploration tools, education and training resources, virtual ca-reer fairs, a mobile app for iOS, Android and Windows Phones, an innovativeFacebook application and a variety of networking opportunities. H2H alsoprovides vast recruiting opportunities for military-friendly employers.

Resources For VeteransCOMPILED BY JOINING FORCES

VETERANRESOURCES

Veterans Wanted!Unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. Two 40 year old companies are seeking veterans and military spouses that are keeping their career options open. We are seeking Veterans because of their discipline and leadership skills who have a desire to be their own boss with unlimited income potential. No experience necessary; training and proven system provided. Make a great living while making a difference. Set your own hours full or part-time.

Go to www.greatworkplan.com and then call James T. Giganti, Independent Associate

410-562-2471 for full details.Explore. Excel. Succeed.

To learn more visit www.tncc.edu/workforce and click on military

Online classes for personnel stationed around the world.

Ft Eustis: (757) 878-2083 ext. 255Langley: (757) 766-1825

Selected as a G. I. Jobs Military Friendly School, TNCC provides:

On-base registration for active duty military, dependents, retirees and civil service personnel

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Fast track 2 –month, 6 –month and 12 -month programs

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TAOnline.com LaunchesAll New Career Site

HELPING U.S. VETS GET JOBS

TAOnline.com (Transition Assistance Online), a career site specializing inveteran job referrals, has been helping the transitioning military find civiliancareers since 1996. A recent re-launch of the website puts more simplifiedjob finding and hiring capabilities in the hands of its veteran and employers.

According to the US Department of Labor, “there are more than750,000 unemployed US veterans with their unemployment rate closeto 7 percent,” explains David Hirsh, TAOnline, Manager of Operations,“The numbers have improved over the past year, but they’re stillunacceptable,” continues Hirsh, “We’re doing our part in reducing thesenumbers and helping our vet candidates with site-wide enhancements,awareness through social networks, new partnerships and services, andnew campaigns.”

One of the major difficulties vets face when trying to enter the civilianworkforce is translating their military job titles into similar civilianoccupations. New, easy-to-use, tools on TAOnline aid in making thistranslation a non-issue. Furthermore, “the civilian title and its associatedkeywords are immediately converted into matching jobs from military-friendly TAOnline member companies,” states Hirsh. Along with these jobsearch results, the job seeker is also presented with jobs in their locationand other relevant jobs. “Although there are some 20,000 jobs posted onTAOnline, none are derived from sources other than legitimate TAOnlineemployers that have committed to hiring our country’s heroes. We areabout quality, not quantity,” said Hirsh.

Similarly, TAOnline has made major improvements in employer resumesearch features. Employers have been frustrated with the difficultiesassociated with finding former-military candidates because the resumescan be littered with unknown military acronyms and confusing codes.TAOnline’s new resume searching removes that complexity behind thescenes using its advanced translation algorithms. “We’ve been workingwith TAOnline for our military hiring needs for a while now. It’s great to seethe new improvements and resume search simplicity,” explains MarianHyder, VP of Talent Management for URS. Employers can now searchthrough military resumes the same way they do for civilian resumes.

Ingrained in the new website is a brand new Featured Hero service thatspotlights highly skilled, vets seeking employment. By offering this uniqueenhancement, TAOnline has further committed to helping place theseindividuals into deserving careers. This completely free job seeker programprovides vets with a better platform to tell their story by exposing FeaturedHero profiles throughout the site, on TAOnline partner sites, relevant socialnetwork forums, and more. Employers can view these Featured Heroprofiles and resumes free of charge. “We’re frequently perplexed by someof the candidates we see without a job,” explains Debbie Glynn, TAOnlineSenior Account Executive, “The Featured Hero program is our way ofsaying thank you to these particularly special people,” continues Glynn.

The new site has more subtle technology improvements as well,including a more updated design, faster pages, a mobile platform,and optimizations for search engines, making it easier for job seekers to

connect with employers. The new TAOnline.comsite will continue to offer timely, relevant andenlightening advice on career transitions from ahost of expert authors and career counselors inan organized, easy-to-read format.

For more information regarding TAOnline.com’s new website and features, contact RonRutherford at (404) 806-2005 x 217, or visit www.taonline.com.

ABOUT TAONLINE.COMSince 1996, TAOnline.com (Transition AssistanceOnline) has been able to help the nearly 200,000service members who transition from active dutyevery year as well as the hundreds-of-thousandsof veterans, reservists, guardsmen, and spouseslooking for civilian jobs. Our career site isdedicated to their placement in careers that fittheir extraordinary motivation, loyalty, and skill.

TAONLINECAREER SITE

Featured Heroservice spotlightshighly skilled, vetsseeking employment.

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With more than 3,500 employees in over 30 offices worldwide, we arelooking for talented, passionate people to build their careers with us.Visit www.mcdean.com to learn more about M.C. Dean and possiblecareer opportunities.

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“ There is no secret to success, not as a CEO or

anything.It takes leadership and a long view.”

Joseph M. DePinto,

U.S. Army Veteran, President & CEO of 7-Eleven Inc.

If you’re on a path to businessownership or a career in leadership,

7-Eleven knows that you have the qualities and skills to find your future with us. Every day, 7-Eleven

rises to the challenge of serving fresh foods and everyday items to local customers of over 40,000 stores

around the world. We work harder to make lives easier. Join us.

7-ELEVEN VETERANSFRANCHISE PROGRAM

Discover special incentives and the opportunity to

franchise one or multiple 7-Eleven stores.

Franchise.7-Eleven.com

MILITARY RECRUITINGAT 7-ELEVEN

Discover career opportunities in operations, development,

distribution, marketing, support, finance, and IT.

Careers.7-Eleven.com


20 SECONDS IS ALL YOU GETBUILDING A SUCCESSFUL RESUME

By Robert LindseyThis is the average time that a potential employer takes to review yourcover letter and resume and determine whether you should be granted aninterview or not. While you might have spent hundreds of dollar on resumesand thousands of dollars on education, you have 20 seconds to sell yourselfto a prospective employer! Your resume must market you by projectinga professional image. Your resume and cover letter should present yourabilities and what you have accomplished in your previous jobs. It shouldmake the reader want to meet you by asking - “How did he or sheaccomplish that?”

EIGHT STEPS TO DESIGNING A SUCCESSFUL RESUME:

INVENTORY YOUR SKILLS Review your skills, attributes, accomplishments,abilities, strengths, weaknesses, personal interests, desires, etc., to determinethe most pertinent examples to include in your resume.

DEFINE YOUR OBJECTIVE Be as specific as you can. It will make you lookas if you’ve done your homework.

TARGET YOUR FIELD/INDUSTRY Use a specific job objective, resumeformat and appropriate language to target your chosen career field orindustry.

SPECIFY YOUR DESIRED EMPLOYER Use a specific job objective,description of your accomplishments, skills and abilities, as well as the styleand language of the employer’s corporate culture to target a specificcompany or agency.

CHOOSE A RESUME FORMAT Base your resume on one of two formats:Chronological, to emphasize your past experience, or Functional, toemphasize your skills. Either should be targeted at a specific industry andtailored to each individual employer.

COVER THE BASICS Make sure you include in your resume at least thefollowing basics: name, address, email address, phone and fax numbers,job objective, education and training, pertinent job experiences, relevantactivities and interests.

WRITE YOUR RESUME Before actually writing your resume, it is wise to reada resume writing guide and to study the examples provided for differentindustries and formats.

ADD A COVER LETTER Always include (unless there is a specific requestnot to) an explanatory cover letter as to why you are submitting yourresume. Paragraph one should include who you are and why you arewriting. Paragraph two should summarize your strongest and most relevantskills and accomplishments and their importance to the job, employerand/or company/agency. Paragraph three should conclude with asuggested action, appreciation for being considered and relevant contactinformation.

USED WITH PERMISSION FROM TAONLINE. ©2012 TAONLINE.COM

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Most federal agencies accept applications that are entered online via theInternet. These online resumes and applications undergo a triple screeningprocess that is designed to reject as many applications as possible.Since these positions are announced throughout the United States, thegovernment would receive literally thousands of resumes for certain positions,especially in a down economy, so systems are in place to restrict successfulapplications only to those who have clear qualifications for the position.Unfortunately, this system often eliminates many qualified candidates as well.Many people have received rejection letters saying they do not have theminimum required experience, although they have held similar positions formany years. If experience is not presented in a manner the agency expects,it effectively does not exist.

The online resume screening process begins with an electronic for key wordsand phrases required for the position. These are usually included in thevacancy announcement, but they are not obvious. A careful reading of theannouncement to identify themes, repeated phrases and jargon is necessaryfor success. Without the right keywords (or enough of them) a resume will berejected. There are many other factors involved that the candidate generallycannot know, such as where keywords should be placed in the document,proper format of text and paragraph usage to highlight them properly, andmany details. This information is not found in the online instructions or thevacancy announcement. In addition to the keywords and phrases, yourresume must also read well and directly target the information requestedin the announcement. Additional irrelevant information can distract fromlegitimate experience and result in a rejection.

After the electronic search, a low level administrative assistant will visuallyinspect the document for information he or she has been directed to findand many not even understand. If you pass these stages, a higher levelreviewer who probably does have experience in the appropriate field willcheck the details to see if there is sufficient experience in the proper areas towarrant an interview. You resume will be scored according to this experienceand the top level candidates usually will be called for a phone interview,followed by an in person interview.

The entire screening process can take from a few days to several monthsafter the announcement closes. For this reason, it is usually wise to apply foras many jobs as possible that reasonably match a candidate’s skills andexperience.

Online formats include numerous restrictions that make it difficult to fullyexpress work experience. Each online application format has differentrequirements for resume length, date formats, number of jobs allowed tobe described, and the number of characters allowed in each field. Somemandate the name and format of each supervisor, even if the candidateindicates it is “Not OK to contact” that supervisor or if the supervisor is nolonger available. Other online formats (most notably the Federal AviationAdministration) require numerous “check the box” type answers to anextensive list of questions detailing every possible aspect of your priorexperience.

Character counts are unforgiving. Note that is characters, not words, andspaces and paragraph breaks are counted as characters as well. Exceedinga character count will result in an error message or simple truncation of ananswer. It is critical to review all answers entered online prior to submitting,

especially in you paste in an answer that was copied from Microsoft Word orsome other word processing software.

SOME OF THE MOST COMMON ONLINE FORMATS INCLUDE:ARMY CPOL: The Army’s Civilian Personnel On-Line (CPOL) format is usedfor most Army postings and allows 12,000 characters to describe your workexperience, with no limit on the number of positions you can list. There aretwo other fields for your education and additional information. You can onlyhave one resume on file for all applications. This can be limiting, dependingon your background and achievements, and makes it difficult to targetkeywords properly for various jobs.

NAVY CHART: The Navy’s Civilian Hiring and Recruitment Tool (CHART)format allows up to six positions to describe your work experience, with upto 7,500 characters per position. In addition, there are fields for education(including high school information, partial degrees and certificationsin addition to completed degrees), professional training, licenses andcertificates, performance ratings and awards, and other information. Youcan only have one resume on file for all applications. This can be limiting,depending on your background and achievements, and makes it difficult totarget keywords properly for various jobs.

USAJOBS: Since this format has been endorsed by the Office of ProfessionalManagement (OPM), USAJOBS is fast becoming the premier clearing housefor all government jobs. Unfortunately, there is a great variety in how otheragencies use the system. Some rely completely on the USAJOBS onlineapplication process, which allows for five different resume versions andincludes a document upload feature for KSAs and other documents to beattached in submissions. Some use USAJOBS simply as a shell that immediatelyredirects you to the agency site where the online application process maybe completely different. Others receive the resume from USAJOBS or requestyou use its format and then redirect you to answer additional questions. TheUnited States Air Force uses USAJOBS but with its own unique requirements.

Note that USAJOBS also allows a resume to be uploaded directly in GIF,JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF or Microsoft Word format, allowing candidates tocompletely bypass the online builder, but this is actually counterproductive,as uploaded resumes are not part of the searchable database. Using theonline builder allows other agencies to find you, and also ensures your resumeincludes all the information required within the appropriate character limits. Itcertainly takes longer, but is much more beneficial to use the online builder.

USAJOBS has no capability to submit KSAs and other statements online. Theyare either uploaded as separate documents or are entered online aftertransferring to an outside agency site. Often, these instructions are unclear ormisleading, so it is important to click the Preview Questions link if one exists.There is usually a contact person listed with an email or phone number toanswer any questions regarding the application.

Avue Central: The Avue online resume system is provided to thegovernment by Avue Technologies. This is one of the most complicatedsystems in terms of structure and requested information. Work experience hasa 4,000 character limit and is added according to three categories: FederalPosition, Non-Federal Position, and Military. TQs or KSAs are entered into anonline field when required by the vacancy announcement and are limited to4,000 characters.

FEDERALRESUME Federal Resume Formats

BY BARBARA ADAMS

USED WITH PERMISSION FROM TAONLINE. ©2012 TAONLINE.COM


Labor Day TipsFROM THE U.S. LABOR SECRETARY

On Labor Day 2012 and every day, one of my top priorities is to help thoselooking for work get the training they need for good-paying jobs.

By 2020, 17 of the 30 fastest-growing occupations will require a postsecondarycertificate or degree. In fact, employers are actively looking to fill nearly 4 millionjob openings in America right now. Getting the skills employers want and needare critical to a successful career.

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS:• Get started! Your first step is to check out your local American Job Center.These nearly 3,000 “one-stop-shops” are part of a nationwide network whereyou can work with experts to update your resume, strengthen interview skillsand explore current job openings. Find your local center in Virginia by visitingCareerOneStop.org.

• Looking for a fresh start? Check out MySkillsMyFuture.org to discover differentcareers that build off of your existing skills, connect you to free training programsand even find employers in your area looking to hire. The site also shows howmuch different jobs pay near you or across the country, as well as the additionalskills you’ll need to succeed.

• Not sure what career is right for you? VisitMyNextMove.org to find the job that’s the perfectfit. Fill out a questionnaire listing your interestsand abilities, and get suggestions for differentemployment paths in more than 900 careers. This sitewill also identify local apprenticeship and certificateprograms to help you train and get a job in high-growth industries.

• Are you a veteran? “My Next Move for Vets” isdesigned just for you! Enter your military occupationcode and the site matches your military skills tocivilian jobs. If you’re a Post-9/11 era veteran, youcan also download a Veterans Gold Card at DOL.gov/VETS to get specialized services from your localAmerican Job Center.

• Don’t have Internet access at home? We’vepartnered with local libraries all around the countryto make sure that you always have a place to log onto our online resources. Most American Job Centersoffer free access for those looking for a job, too.

• Have more questions? Call us. You can reach ourtoll-free helpline at (866) 4-USA-DOL for the most upto date resources. Nearly 160,000 people do it eachmonth.

The United States Department of Labor has otherresources to help you find a first job, new job ordifferent career. And our services are free.

Tips from thelabor secretary

U.S. Labor SecretaryHilda L. Solis

WHETHER YOU’RE SEEKING YOUR FIRST LICENSE OR ARE A SEASONED PILOT, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE HANGAR.

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PICTURE THIS...PS3CAMPAIGN

An applicant walks into a job interview, extends a firm handshake,looks the hiring manager straight in the eye, and begins to detail herimpressive qualifications.

Her resume clearly shows a record of dependability and enthusiasm. It is evident thatteamwork and commitment to the mission at hand are hard-wired into her DNA.She has received world-class training from one of the most revered and demandingorganizations in the world. And she has been tested, time and again, in pressure-cooker situations.

What’s more, if she is hired, the company will receive a tax credit from the federalgovernment of $5,600 or more.

The applicant is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. And this scenario occurs everyday at job interviews across the country. As the U.S. Secretary of Labor, I have no moresacred responsibility than making sure we serve our military heroes as well as they’veserved us. Not only do our veterans deserve good-paying civilian jobs, but employersdeserve, and need, the productivity and profits that will flow from hiring theseextraordinary Americans.

Here in Norfolk, this is particularly important, since nearly 30,000 of the area residentsare veterans – that’s one out of every six of your neighbors and friends. Puttingveterans to work is more than something on my “to-do list.” It’s been my passion. TheVeterans’ Employment and Training Service, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, isleading efforts to assist our veterans.

WE CALL IT OUR P3 CAMPAIGN: PREPARE, PROVIDE AND PROTECT.First, we’re preparing veterans to communicate their value to potential employersthrough an intensive, three-day curriculum that helps them write strong resumes, honetheir interview techniques and match their military skills with those required in civilianjobs. As President Obama said, if service members could save a life in Afghanistan, theycan save a life in an ambulance here in Norfolk. And if they could oversee millions ofdollars of supplies in Iraq, they can help a business in Virginia balance its books.

Second, we’re providing a wealth of resources through our American Job Centernetwork. Veterans are given priority assistance at nearly 3,000 local employmentcenters nationwide, including the three centers located in the Norfolk/Hampton area.Post-9/11 veterans are eligible for a “Gold Card,” which entitles them to six months ofintensive service and personalized case management.

We also have innovative online resources. At MyNextMove.org/vets, returning servicemembers can enter their military occupation code and discover civilian jobs wheretheir skills translate, or they can enter a specific field and browse hundreds of differentcareer options.

Third, we’re protecting the rights of veterans to receive priority consideration foremployment in the federal workforce. President Obama signed an executive order tobolster the government’s recruitment and retention of veterans. Since that order, morethan 225,000 veterans and Reservists have obtained federal employment. I employthousands of veterans at the Labor Department, and I know first-hand that they are aterrific pool of talent, so this isn’t just rhetoric for me. It’s reality.

Those who fought to protect our freedoms abroad shouldn’t have to fight for jobswhen they return home. So my message to America’s veterans on Labor Day andevery day is this: We’re committed to you. Your skills, your experience, and yourdedication are crucial to our economic recovery.

And my Labor Day message to U.S. employers here in Norfolk and across the countryevery day—is equally important: The best way to honor our veterans is to hire them.

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Workshops help separatees‘TAP’ INTO GOOD JOBS

The Department of Labor (DoL) Transition Assistance Program (TAP) EmploymentWorkshops are sponsored in conjunction with the installation Transition Assistancestaffs. The DoL TAP Employment Workshops normally run 2.5 days. However, some localinstallations may combine this workshop with other specialty workshops. During your firstvisit to the Transition Assistance Office, or with your Command Career Counselor, youshould ask to be scheduled to attend the next available workshop (your spouse shouldattend if space is available). You should plan to attend employment workshops at least180 days prior to separation.

Note: Not all installations and bases offer the DoL TAP Employment Workshop. If the workshops arenot available at your installation or base, the Transition Counselor will refer you to other sourceswhere similar information is available.

TAP ADDRESSES SUCH USEFUL SUBJECTS AS THE FOLLOWING:• Employment and training opportunities• Labor market information• Civilian workplace requirements• Resume, application and standard forms preparation• Job analysis, job search and interviewing techniques• Assistance programs offered by federal, state, local, military and

veterans’ groups• Procedures for obtaining verification of job skills and experience• Obtaining loans and assistance for starting a small business

TAP

• Analysis of the area where you wish to relocate, including localemployment opportunities, the local labor market and the cost of living(housing, child care, education, healthcare and dental care, etc.)

At the TAP workshops, you will receive a participant manual. Among other valuableinformation, this manual contains points of contact around the nation for many of theservices you will need after your separation.

TAP workshops are open members of all services – no matter which service may be hostingit. You can check with your particular service to determine the availability of the TAPworkshops.

For example, the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) maintains an on onlinedirectory of ACAP Centers. ACAP centers can help you find a workshop in your area. Visitwww.acap.army.mil/acap-centers.aspx.htm to find an ACAP Center near you.

You can also go to the MilitaryHOMEFRONT website and the Military Installation Locatorhttp://1.usa.gov/hGhqaO to find a specific TAP office near you.

Job-Hunting Workshops Provide Fresh Perspective Besides the DoL Career One-Stop Centers and the DoL Employment Workshop, you will find other job-hunting programssponsored by organizations in and out of your Guard or Reserve Component. Use them! Bytaking advantage of workshops and seminars, you will gain information about the samesubject from different points of view. Different workshops emphasize different things. Thereare many good methods for finding a job and many good programs to teach you how.

• DEGREES, CERTIFICATION COURSES & PROGRAMS – CREDITS & CEU’S• Four convenient campuses• On-base courses• Day, evening, weekend, hybrid and online classes• Over 150 quality academic programs• Credit for military schools and experience• Navy College Distance Learning PartnerContact the TCC Center for Military and Veterans Education forinformation specific to YOU.

Thanks for your service; TCC looks forward to serving you!

ACTIVE DUTY VETERANS FAMILY MEMBERS

USE YOUR GI BILL, MILITARY TUITION ASSISTANCE,OR MyCAA AND

FROM TCC go anywhere.

TCC.EDU/MIL ITARY | 757-822-7777


Making A Smooth Military Transition:FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS AND RESOURCES

The transition from military to civilian life is an excellent time to take aserious look at your options for future success. Now is the best time toevaluate your educational options.

GUIDANCE COUNSELING After you return home, take some time toevaluate your education goals. Contact a military installation educationcenter nearest to where you live (by phone or email for those thatdo not live near a military installation), Navy College Office (NCO), orMarine Corps LifeLong Learning center (LLL). The counselors can provideassistance in determining the goals that are right for you. You can alsocontact the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office forassistance. With today’s technology, you do not have to live near amilitary installation to get help – it’s just a phone call or email away.

CAREER ASSESSMENT If you are not sure what you want to do uponleaving the military, then you should talk to a counselor at your VARegional Office, closest education center, NCO, LLL or Career TransitionOffice (CTO). Counselors at these various locations can recommendaptitude tests or vocational interest inventories to help clarify your careergoals. These tests can help you pinpoint job skills in which you might exceland then relate them to specific occupations and careers in the civilianworld. You can also contact the closest Department of Labor Career OneStop Center for assistance in getting a skill assessment. It’s also a valuabletool that can help you develop your education or training career goals.

ACADEMIC PLANNING Once you have identified your career goal,you may find you need a formal education to achieve it. An educationcounselor can explore the possibilities with you. Counselors can also adviseyou on non-traditional educational opportunities that can make it easierfor you to get a diploma, vocational certificate or college degree. Thesenon-traditional opportunities include the following:

Take “challenge exams,” such as a college-level equivalency exam. Youcan convert knowledge learned outside the classroom into credits towarda college program. This can save you time and money.

Go to school part-time while continuing to hold down a full-time job. Thisapproach might make adult education more practical.

See the veterans’ coordinator at the college, university or vocationalschool of your choice. The coordinator can help you understand your VAeducational benefits and might lead you to special programs offered toformer service members.

Determine if your military learning experiences can translate to coursecredit. Check with your unit education officer or an active duty militaryinstallation education center, NCO or LLL for assistance. You can alsogo online and get a copy of your DD Form 2586, “Verification of MilitaryExperience and Training” (VMET) document at http://1.usa.gov/bCXUq0.

VOCATIONAL SERVICES You can also learn about various vocationalservices available through a military education center, NCO or LLL, aswell through the VA Regional Office. Counselors are available to help you

understand the many vocational and technical school programs. Thecounselors at these centers can also show you how to get course creditsfor non-traditional learning experience, such as military certifications andon-the-job training.

The counselors may also help you find out about certification andlicensinements. The counselors can give you information on vocationaland apprenticeship programs.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION There are several resources available toassist you in finding civilian requirements for licensing and certification:

www.acinet.org

www.dantes.doded.mil

www.cool.army.mil/

www.cool.navy.mil/

www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/certifications.asp

Department of Labor website. Go to “CareerTools” section to look up licenses by state,requirements for the license, and point-of-contact information for the state licensingboard.

DANTES website has information on certificationprograms.

Find civilian credentials related to your militaryoccupational specialty, learn what it takes toobtain the credentials, and see if there areprograms that will help pay credentialing fees.

Find civilian credentials related to your Navyrating, learn what it takes to obtain thecredentials, and see if there are availableprograms that will help pay credentialing fees.

Resource for Air Force personnel in increasingawareness of professional developmentopportunities applicable to USAF occupationalspecialties, crosswalks to CCAF degreeprograms, national professional certifications,certification agencies. – ARAContent

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Departmentof EducationFINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

FINANCIALAID

Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, offers over$80 billion in financial aid that help millions of students manage the cost ofeducation each year. There are three categories of federal student aid: grants,work-study and loans. Even if you are still on active duty, you can apply for aid,such as Pell Grants or Federal Stafford Loans. Find out more by visiting www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov/.

APPLYING FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AIDYou can get this aid by completing the free application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA). You can apply online or on paper, but filing online is faster and easier. Getfurther instructions on the application process at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You should alsoapply for a Federal Student Aid PIN (if you haven’t done so already). The PIN allowsyou to sign your application electronically, which speeds up the application processeven more. Apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov.

FILLING OUT THE FAFSAThere is a series of eight questions on the application that ask about your dependencystatus. If you are a veteran, or are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. ArmedForces for purposes other than training, you are considered an independent studentand would only include your information (and that of your spouse, if married). Formore detailed information go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.

FEDERAL STUDENT AID ELIGIBILITYEligibility for federal student aid is based on financial need and on several otherfactors. The financial aid administrator at the college or career school you plan toattend will determine your eligibility.

TO RECEIVE AID FROM OUR PROGRAMS, YOU MUST:• Demonstrate financial need (except for certain loans –

your school can explain which loans are not needed).• Have a high school diploma or a General Education

Development (GED) certificate, pass a test approvedby the U.S. Department of Education, meet otherstandards your state establishes that the department approves, or complete a highschool education in a home school setting that is treated as such under state law.

• Be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.• Have a valid Social Security Number (unless you’re from the Republic of the Marshall

Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).• Register with the Selective Service if required.• Maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school.• Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money

on a federal student grant.• Certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.

FINANCIAL AID PLANNINGFederal Student Aid has a new tool called FAFSA4caster, designed to help studentsand their families plan for college. The FAFSA4caster provides students with an earlyestimate of their eligibility for federal student financial assistance. Military dependentswho are enrolled in college and are eligible to receive Pell Grants should check outour two newest programs: Academic Competitiveness Grants and National Scienceand Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants (National SMART Grants). Visit www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov for more information.

www.Stratford.edu


FEATURE STORIES

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27

Department of Education: Financial Aid Programs

Making A Smooth Military Transition

Transition Assistance Program: Workshops Help Separatees

PS3 Campaign

Tips from the labor secretary

Federal Resume Formats

20 Seconds is all you get

TAOnline.com Helps U.S. Vets

Resources For Veterans

First Lady Announces Jobs

Financial Incentives Offered To Veterans

Careers In Cyber Warfare

Beat The Interview Jitters

Veterans Retraining Program

Deciding On Where To Relocate

How To Make Moving Easier

Blue-To-Green: Continue To Serve Your Country

The Key To A Better Future

What’s Inside... TABLE OFCONTENTS

6 Making A Smooth Military Transition 16 First Lady Announces Jobs 27 The key To A Better Future

Published byMILITARY NEWSPAPERS OF VIRGINIA150 W. Brambleton Ave. | Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757) 222-3990 | Fax: (757) 853-1634

The contents of this special section are not necessarily the official viewsof or endorsed by the U.S. government, the DoD, the DoT or the U.S.Coast Guard. Opinions of contributing writers do not necessarily reflect theopinions of Military Newspapers of Virginia or The Flagship®.

The availability of these newspapers and the appearance of advertisingin these publications, including any inserts and supplements, do notconstitute endorsement by the federal government, the DoD, the DoT, theU.S. Coast Guard or Military Newspapers of Virginia of products or servicesadvertised.

Military Newspapers of Virginia is a private firm in no way connected to theDepartment of Defense or United States Coast Guard.

MNV PUBLISHERLaura Baxter

FLAGSHIP EDITORDavid Todd

CREATIVE DIRECTORTricia Lieurance

GRAPHIC DESIGNERSAllyson GarnerKyle RaymerSusan Cofer

MNV EDITORRebecca Soorani

Hastings

ADVERTISINGINFORMATION(757) 222-3990

[email protected]

EDITORIAL(757) 222-3970

CLASSIFIEDS(757) 222-3974


You receive it on Graduation Day.But it’s never handed to you.Because when it’s a degree fromColumbia College, it’s a degree thatdemands effort and rewards hardwork. That’s a notion our studentsat 18 campuses on militarybases truly understand.

Offering Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees.

Contact Columbia College’s local representativeJim Schermerhorn today at [email protected] call (757) 918-1900. GoForGreater.org

Go For Greater™

career & continuing education, fall 2012

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