WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
HOW TO TURN YOUR SKILLS INTO A NEW CAREER BY MATT JACKSON I have talked to some active and retired officers who have asked if making a living outside of Law Enforcement or public service is possible. Some people like myself started in the military and Police at a young age and had no real experience in the job market as an adult. I assure you there is a great market for your skills. A lot of employers gravitate towards retired military and police because you are conditioned to commitment. I am not running a recruiting business but I have received some calls regarding job hunting for retirees. Here is synopsis of some of the questions I have answered: I retired at 44 with 23 yrs and although that retirement would have supported me alone I chose to get married and start a family, therefore I needed more money than the average secondary local law enforcement career could provide. It was scary at first because I did not have real plan, I spent the first year working low wage jobs to make ends meet, but I also took advantage of that time and learned that the job market has some unique opportunities you can exploit because of your past. First and foremost modern job hunting is about networking and selling yourself too yourself. If you have family or friends that can advise you and assist you, USE THEM. Don’t be afraid to learn from other people or your mistakes. I went to every job fair. Weather it was related to the career I was seeking or not, it is a great way to get to know HR people and recruiters, they may not be able to assist you there, but you can bet they know someone who can, in business it is all about referrals, which is all about networking. On your resume your police career should only be about a paragraph, in business it is not about awards it is about socialization. List every interest you have outside of career and home, like church, coaching, volunteer work and social networks. You want too have some of the same interests as the person interviewing you. Don’t ever stop interviewing. I used to go on interviews while actively employed, the first question they would ask is “Why do you want to leave your current employer?” and I would answer “I don’t, but if there is a better opportunity I don’t want to pass it up.” This shows you have loyalty and ambition, unlike public service you are rewarded for your ambition and don’t have to step on people to prove it. Dress for success, no body hires a ROP detective but they will consider someone who dresses in a nice suite and tie, is clean cut and has respectful manners. Never pay anyone to search for a job for you; they are all scams, period! Recruiters get paid by the company that hires you. If you pay for anything have your resume professionally done and always have two or three cover letters with differing ambitions on them, ready at any given time. Trust me; a professionally done resume is worth its weight in gold. Buy the best clothes you can for your interviews, the difference in the quality and look in clothes is measurable and can separate you from the average. I use Second Looks in Alamo Heights (to purchase clothes), and believe me the interviewers do not know the clothes are used but they can tell the quality. Success breeds success. I hope some of this helps. If you have any questions or need advise feel free to contact me at anytime at 210-367-9705 or email matthewjackson@gvtc.com. I know recruiters that offer their services at no cost to you. Good luck. Buy the way I’m using past tense in my post because good fortune and business connections have provided me the opportunity to start my own business. For me, that was, and is the ultimate goal of private enterprise. Matt Jackson (Retired) 210-367-9705 matthewjackson@gvtc.com Add Comment | ArchivesCategories Kosovo Bob Kosovo Bob
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