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Several months after receiv- ing his master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of South Carolina, Landreth got a job in Charleston as a propulsion sys- tem life cycle manager for the Coast Guard’s national security cutter fleet. But he didn’t just focus on Charles- ton during his job search: In the year prior to his separation from the military, Landreth applied to 40 posi- tions located across the country. “I researched maybe hundreds [of jobs],” he says, “and seriously considered less than 10.” In the end, the offer in Charleston was a no-brainer. If you’re determined to put down
roots in a particular community after your military separation like Landreth was, follow these tips from veterans who built a life in their dream town.
Step 1: Prioritize goals According to former Army Maj. Skip Freeman, coauthor of Headhunter Hiring Secrets 2.0: How to FIRE Up Your Career and Land Your Ideal Job! (CreateSpace, 2016), the top three driving forces for people seeking a new career are: 1) more challenges and/or
n a scale of one to 10, former Navy Lt. James Landreth ranks Charleston, S.C., as a “nine” for “dream community.” When he and his wife considered where they wanted to live, Charleston had it all. They were both from the South- east, so their families were within driving distance. They already had purchased a home at nearby Daniel Island, just a few miles from the charming, historic downtown. Com- mute times were moderate compared to those in major cities such as Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and they couldn’t imagine a better place to raise their children.
advancement opportunities; 2) being closer to family; and 3) higher pay. “Because [those motivators] don’t
always coincide, a person really has to get to know themselves and, if married, have honest and frank discussions with their spouse,” says Freeman, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., who served in the Army Reserve. Pick two of those driving forces
as your priorities, says Scott Love, a recruiter who advises veterans. Everything requires a trade-off, so if location and proximity to family are your top priorities, job opportunities in your field might not be as plentiful. However, you can get around that by thinking outside the box. If your goal is to pursue a career in sales or mar- keting, but you have a degree in engi- neering, “Still go interview, because maybe there’s a sales engineer posi- tion [available],” Love says. “Some- times companies will create positions when they see [where] their need and your talents line up.”
Look for job openings in your
dream town posted by companies actively seeking to employ veterans.
Two top areas for former officers are sales and supply chain/logistics. Of- ficers tend to possess characteristics like focus, work ethic, leadership, resilience, persistence, willingness to take a risk, competitiveness, and confi- dence, Freeman says — all characteris- tics perfect for sales. “In sales, one can drive their own income and, once a person learns their niche, sales management/leadership opportunities open up,” he says. Regarding supply chain/logistics, companies such as UPS and FedEx are good options. “Also, many com- munities will have warehousing and distribution centers where they need a sharp person to oversee the opera- tions there,” says Freeman.
Step 2: Networking Cast a wide net, to include busi- ness groups and folks who live in your community; approach people at activities such as PTA meetings, church events, golf outings, and Little League games. Ask them about their jobs or their companies. “That’s the fastest way to do it.
It’s faster than doing research on your MAY 2017 MILITARY OFFICER 69
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