You are already a hero. For years you have served our country with honor, bravery and relentlessness. Your military service is of immense importance, and affects the safety and mentality of the American people along with the ambiguous climate of the world. For all of your courageous efforts, thank you.

Now that your military service is coming to an end, the question of “what’s next” is lingering in the back of your mind. Since you’ve been in much graver situations than this, you tell yourself it will be easy to handle this transition. However, the anxiety in your stomach is warning you of the entirely different, unfamiliar territory that you are about to enter (a.k.a. the job search).

To ease any transitional anxiety, it’s best to prepare yourself. It’s time to think about what you would like to do when your service is complete. This may include going back to school or heading straight into the workforce. If you choose the latter, start networking immediately.

Networking is an extremely effective way to get a job. You can make vital connections if you let people know that you want a job. Not knowing your precise vocational goals is OK. Think about the key criteria you would like your job to meet. Consider the skills you have acquired through military service and other aspects of your life in order to decipher which skills you enjoy using. Take into account you ideal work environment, geographical location, and compensation requirements. In addition, research different industries that might interest you. Narrow down your search criteria to pinpoint a specific type of job. And remain flexible so you can take advantage of all job opportunities.

Remember, whatever you do right after the military does not have to be what you do for the rest of your career. It is important to get yourself into the workforce as soon as possible so you do not feel the pressure of being unemployed and so there are no big time gaps on your resume.

The transition from military life to civilian life is no doubt an adjustment. By simply thinking ahead and preparing yourself for the future, you will make life a lot easier for yourself. No matter what path you choose, always remind yourself of your military history. Most Americans do not have the courage to even attempt military service, no less complete it. Be proud. You are already a hero. Now get prepared to take the workforce by storm.

*Next time we will show you how to establish a career plan by taking an inventory of your skills, identifying your wants and needs, and more on building your own network.