Find Your Next Job Through Service

Fighter pilots have a saying, “Lose Sight, Lose Fight.” If you lose sight of your target, you'll lose the fight. If you lose sight of your wingmen (or they lose sight of you,) you'll also lose the fight. In today’s saturated job market where opportunities are extremely rare, you can't afford to lose sight of a possible job (target). You also can’t lose sight of your future possible employer, or even worse, have them lose sight of you.

In this world of electronic résumés, computerized databases, and social media sites, it’s easy to blend in and do what everyone else is doing. You need to resist this temptation and do what you can to differentiate yourself from the competition and stand out. It’s crucial that you are seen in as many ways as possible so that you don’t lose the fight.

So, how can you be seen? Serve.

As former members of our military, nobody understands the meaning of service more than you. You have made significant sacrifices for your country and I want to personally thank you. However, in your transition to this strange and unfamiliar terrain called the civilian world, you must continue to serve. Not only will it make a difference for those you are serving, but it will also make a difference to you. This isn’t about being selfish. It’s about maintaining a connection with your community and reaping the benefits for your hard work.

Here are a few wingtips on how to serve in your community:

Join your chamber of commerce or a local association in an industry you are seeking employment such as Associated Builders and Contractors or the GA Association of Realtors. Google state “electrical contractors associations” or “IT Associations” or “sales associations” for other ideas. Invest in a membership and then get involved. Not only will it keep you up to date with industry knowledge and current events, but it will also help you build personal connections with wingmen in your field of work.

Join a local volunteer organization such as Red Cross, Food Bank, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way, or Habitat for Humanity. Lead a committee or join a focus group and invest your time.

Join a community board and/or volunteer to take on a home town project. Let your peers and neighbors experience your leadership and organization skills first hand. Show them how well you get the job done.

As the old adage goes, “Out of Sight, Out of Mind.” When you serve, you're seen. And when you're perceived as making a difference, you never know who will take notice. It could be a senior hiring manager of a company or a HR supervisor who will say, “Wow, this person is different. I really admire their work ethic and how they communicate with our team. My company could use a wingman like that.”

Finally, don’t be shy when it comes to asking for help. Let people know you're looking for employment. Remember, actions speak louder than words, whether they come from your mouth or the pages of your resume.