Need brotherly advice

**AlphaFoxtrot51** · Posted On: 11/18/2009 9:34am

Originally Posted by Humanzee

What do you specialize in? Do you have any degrees in any specific field?

I remember when I was stuck in a similar position. Interviews after interviews can be frustrating and depressing. Are you currently collecting unemployment? If not, definitely go for it. At least you will be able to pay a few bills and eat while you look for work.

Browse Craigslist daily. As a graphic/web designer I found quite a few gigs there. Are you on USAjobs.gov? If you're former military, I believe you get precedence over civ applicants.

I hold EMT certifications in NY, CT, PA, and NJ. I've worked as an Emergency Department Technician so I get ER credentials as a CNA (only in the ED setting). I have an Associates Degree (lame) in General Studies. I'm not collecting unemployment...

**Sri Hanuman** · Posted On: 11/18/2009 9:41am

First and foremost, get on top of unemployment. I know it seems beneath you (same line of thinking I originally had,) but it's essentially your tax money there to back you up when you need it. If you don't use it, you're essentially hurting yourself at a time of need. It's a resource that many people unfortunately seem to overlook when in a time of crisis.

In addition, unemployment centers have a wide range of services to help you ace job interviews. Again, it may seem like something you don't need, but believe me, they are effective, and go a long way. Stop by a local office, and see what services they offer. Believe me, they will be very friendly, and always eager to help a guy get on his feet and earn an honest day's paycheck.

In the end, you're not losing anything, and have quite a lot to gain.
I hope you get out of this rut soon, I know it's a bad place to be physically, mentally, and emotionally. Best of luck to you, and whatever you do, don't give up. (I know it sounds lame, but it's true. A job can come at you seemingly out of nowhere.)

**AgentOrange** · Posted On: 11/18/2009 10:39am

Alright, there's a lot of misconceptions about being a gunslinger, so I'll drop my 2c for what it's worth. (if this is indeed the path you choose to take.)

1) Very, VERY few folks make a killing doing it.
2) Unless you are/were Tier 1, you are a dime a dozen and the biz is extremely competitive. Expect a lot of "hurry and send us your CV" follwed by months and months of waiting before rejection.
3) Have a plan. I can't tell you how many freakin' knuckleheads I know who've blown wads of bills on stupid crap like trucks, bikes and partying their asses off in between gigs. I've been doing this for 9 years, and have a year left before I quit for good. I'm 33.

Your medic certs MIGHT be an "in".But keep in mind you're competing with 19-20 y/o's with time downrange as a combat medic.

I'm not going to tell you to keep your chin up or any other crap like that because when people used to tell me that I'd want to just knock them the f out. But you'll eventually work through this. Dude, I worked as a cashier at a porn store. So, all is not lost. If nothing else, get really...REALLY pissed off about your situation and use that anger and hate to motivate your ass to move forward.

Worked for me.

Cheers.

**Ka-Bar** · Posted On: 11/18/2009 2:55pm

Originally Posted by AlphaFoxtrot51

I hold EMT certifications in NY, CT, PA, and NJ. I've worked as an Emergency Department Technician so I get ER credentials as a CNA (only in the ED setting). I have an Associates Degree (lame) in General Studies. I'm not collecting unemployment...

Are you eligible for the GI Bill? Would you be dead-set against taking out student loans? If you could get some money, you could go back to school and pay for rent and food with either the GI Bill or financial aid. You could get a bachelor's or your Paramedic's certificate. Either option will take about 2 years and hopefully the economy will be better off when you're done.

**workhorse** · Posted On: 11/18/2009 3:13pm

Have you had anyone take a look at your resume? There may be a reason you're not getting called for interviews. You'd be surprised the little things that can put off hireing managers. I've personally not interviewed people for some small things that just happened to stand out to me but probably would be overlooked by you when proofreading your own resume.

Also are you using the same resume for every job you apply for? Obviously your experience is what it is but you should present it differently if you're applying to a retail job versus a security job etc.

I'm no expert but I do screen applicants, conduct interviews, and make hiring decisions as part of my job. PM me if you would like a second set of eyes to look over what you've been submitting.

**AlphaFoxtrot51** · Posted On: 11/18/2009 3:17pm

Originally Posted by Ka-Bar

Are you eligible for the GI Bill? Would you be dead-set against taking out student loans? If you could get some money, you could go back to school and pay for rent and food with either the GI Bill or financial aid. You could get a bachelor's or your Paramedic's certificate. Either option will take about 2 years and hopefully the economy will be better off when you're done.

I used the GI Bill (chpt. 30) to get my Associates.

**AlphaFoxtrot51** · Posted On: 11/18/2009 3:23pm

Originally Posted by workhorse

Have you had anyone take a look at your resume? There may be a reason you're not getting called for interviews. You'd be surprised the little things that can put off hireing managers. I've personally not interviewed people for some small things that just happened to stand out to me but probably would be overlooked by you when proofreading your own resume.

Also are you using the same resume for every job you apply for? Obviously your experience is what it is but you should present it differently if you're applying to a retail job versus a security job etc.

I'm no expert but I do screen applicants, conduct interviews, and make hiring decisions as part of my job. PM me if you would like a second set of eyes to look over what you've been submitting.

I tried sending you a copy of my resume, but it says you're not accepting PMs.

**workhorse** · Posted On: 11/18/2009 3:36pm

Originally Posted by AlphaFoxtrot51

I tried sending you a copy of my resume, but it says you're not accepting PMs.

Maybe because I'm a noob because it won't let me PM you either. Email me at kirk3767@gmail.com.

**D Dempsey** · Posted On: 11/18/2009 3:37pm

Originally Posted by AlphaFoxtrot51

I used the GI Bill (chpt. 30) to get my Associates.

You probably still have eligibility under the Post 9/11 GI Bill as well. Even if you have exhaused all of the M GI BIll, you are still eligible for up to 12 months under the new one. If you can, it might work out to go back to school and a lot of universities have accelerated programs for adults that will take you from an associates to a bachelors in 18 months or less.

**ArrogantBastard** · Posted On: 11/18/2009 3:39pm

Originally Posted by AlphaFoxtrot51

I used the GI Bill (chpt. 30) to get my Associates.

Are you eligible for the post-9/11 GI Bill?
Depending on how many deployments you have had, you can practically live off it while attending school.

Also, do you have a specific career goal in mind?
Police officers and firefighters (among other things) tend to have stable jobs, maintain somewhat militaristic structures (if you enjoy that kind of stuff), and often run on the "good ol' boy network".

Other options:
Reenlist (active or reserve/guard/air guard):
1) Get a security clearance (top secret /w sci) **
2) New MOS in an intelligence field: all-source analyst, sigint, imint, geospatial, etc. More non-intel options in air guard probably.
3)Potential full-time positions in guard/reserve positions: AGR, title 10 orders (e.g. yearly active contracts).

A security clearance goes a long way towards getting a job one of the many government agencies or as a contractor; especially with the good ol' boy network.

http://www.clearancejobs.com/
http://www.usajobs.gov/