How Your Career is Like a Smartphone

I’ve talked before about how the traditional career “ladder” model is changing. No longer do you have to follow a straight and narrow path to succeed. You can jump around, get a little bit at a time, and still succeed. This is welcome news to women in military relationships who move around a lot and don’t necessarily have the option of a straigth and narrow career ladder.

Here is another way to think of your career as something other than a ladder. Maybe it is a smartphone!

This TED Talk (click HERE to watch) encourages you to think of your career as a smartphone:

•You can customize it.

•You can do with it what you want and use it however you want.

•It is dynamic and fluid, always changing to meet your needs and always being updated.

•You can download little apps one by one instead of getting everything right up front. Similarly, in your career, you can take little steps and take a little bit from every experience to craft your dream

I encourage you to watch this talk if you want some advice for new ways to think about your career! You might just help yourself alleviate some of the pressure that comes with the traditional linear career path.

TED Talk Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5oZI9Qtymfg

Networking: Reconnecting With Old Contacts

Networking. It is crucial for any career, but especially for military careers where you have to move a lot and need a network to help establish yourself in a new city.

You made a contact and haven’t really spoken to them in a while. Now they could help you with something. I think this is one of the most difficult parts of networking. How do you approach reconnecting with them?

Here are some tips from The Daily Muse (with customization for military SO’s) on how NOT to do it.

Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Medium

Instead: Use What You Would for Any Other Professional Communication

Don’t Facebook them. Don’t tweet at them. Don’t comment on their Tumblr. E-mail is probably best. If you want help with your profession, show them that you are professional.

Mistake #2: Being Overly Friendly

Instead: Be Pleasant, Then Get to the Point

Oops. I have done this. I tried to  be friendly but I think  I may have overdone it.  No need to try to over flatter them to get back in their good graces. Get to the point,.Why are you emailing them? What can they do for you?  I know it is scary when you have to move and you are scared about landing another job but just remember you don’t want to come across as fake. ..or worse, desperate.

Mistake #3: Assuming Someone Will Be Interested

Instead: Make Sure Your Pitch is Professional and Compelling

Nobody is going to just automatically know how awesome you are and why they should hire you. As I wrote last week, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Why should they listen to you? Why should your email matter to them?

How To Use Volunteering On Your Resume No Matter Where the Military Sends You

Like I mentioned in a previous post, volunteering is a great way to gain skills no matter where the military takes you. In every state, and likely every country, there are organizations who are trying to do good and who need volunteers to accomplish their goals. Whether it be volunteering at your local animal shelter, collecting clothing for the Salvation Army or organizing fundraisers for a local anti-poverty organization, you will be doing great work while also adding some valuable skills to your resumé.

Here are some tricks for women in military relationships when it comes to volunteering to get work experience:

1. You should ABSOLUTELY include volunteer work on your resume. According to a LinkedIn survey, 89% of professionals had volunteer experience, but only 45% included it on their resume. The same survey found that 41% of hiring managers consider volunteer experience equally valuable as paid work.

2. In order to make the best use of both your and the charity’s time, identify the skills you want to develop, enhance or reinforce. You can then offer the organization a specific way that you will be useful for them. For example, if you have some experience in communications but you want to build up that skill on your resume, volunteer to write the weekly newsletter for a local charity. You will get experience in writing, marketing and non-profit work which are easily transferrable to any other position.

3. Pick something that you care about. If you love animals and hope to one day work as a veterinarian, work in an animal shelter. If you hope to become a doctor or nurse, volunteer at a hospital or medical clinic. Similarly, as a woman tied to the military, working for a military organization would allow you to demonstrate something important in your life to employers who are often looking for passion, character and commitment.

4. Even though you aren’t getting paid, don’t slack off.  Maintain your professional presence and work hard, because you never know where your experience might take you. For example, if you are around doctors and nurses all day, and you want to become a medical professional you may be able to network and find a great job opportunity waiting for you at another organization because of your volunteering. Depending on the circumstances, you may even be able to turn your volunteer work into a paid opportunity at the same organization.

Now go find some organizations looking for volunteers in your area, no matter where in the world you are! Go get your foot in the door!