You know that old saying about when the going gets tough … the tough get going?  

That can also be said about finding the right job when you get out of the military.
 
Finding the right job right away can be very difficult. This is because the most worthwhile goals in life take patience, time and hard work.
 
Rather than getting discouraged by the possible lack of immediate success, use whatever time you do have before landing that new job to make sure that your long-term career plans are properly sketched out and based upon realistic, achievable goals and timelines.
 
In order to navigate through the sometimes choppy waters of unemployment, you need to have faith in yourself and your career ascension strategies.
 
In Corporate America it's up to you to make things happen. It's up to you to make sure that you target the right job opportunities and that you always present yourself as the most qualified and enthusiastic candidate. You must be able to prove you’re more than competent to do the job and add value to any company's bottom line.
 
When it comes to finding a job after leaving the military, the truth is that the going does get tough sometimes. That's why it's so important to have an actionable game-plan. To survive in Corporate America, one needs to have access to and a mastery of a number of important tools.
 
You need to understand how to effectively use the Internet to search job boards and career websites.
 
You need to have a number of strong skill specific resumes. Each resume customized to the specific industry jobs you target. Be sure to write out your entire job/life experiences and skills inventory. You will need them as source material for your resumes, cover letters and job interviews.
 
Work on your job interviewing skills through practice.
 
Remember that a job interview is essentially a sales presentation. Research the business you're interviewing for, and what the company is looking for in an employee. The best salespeople invariably know a lot about the product and about the needs of the customer. In any job interview, the product you're selling is yourself. The more prepared you are by studying your life/work skills/experiences inventory, the stronger your sales presentation will be.
 
You need to know how to network. You need to continue to grow your Rolodex, and how to take full advantage of all professional and social opportunities to further your career ambitions.
 
Establish a support system. Even though you're ultimately the one responsible for landing your dream job, it helps to have friends, family and loved ones offering support during this time of transition.

As a Soldier, you know full well what it means to have pride in yourself and to persevere. Both are essential qualities that will help you to rise to the occasion while on your mission to find the job you want.
 
For those of you currently employed, congratulations! But remember, it's still very important in these uncertain economic times to remember that no job lasts forever. It's a smart idea to always have some back-up plan in place. If possible, have more than one exit strategy in mind and make sure they are viable career alternatives not just pipedreams.
 
Good Soldiers know how to adapt and survive. These are essential skills to remember whenever the going gets tough on the job front.