Job Opportunities & Advice
Thought police antagonist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Where I always have been...firmly in the real world
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I would echo racedo's HR managers advice here, albeit not the time scale.
Irrespective of whether you currently like / loathe the RAF ( and loathing is probably in your favour here ) the most significant problem most people encounter is the pyschological transition back to being, and living life, as a pure civilian.....not simply living off base and commuting in.
This is applicable to all ranks / trades and over the years I have met many who found this difficult ( I recall 3 F/O's and one Capt..no loss in his case...who returned after leaving, plus several engineers) who simply couldn't adapt to what is, a complete change of culture and lifestyle.
It helps, to an extent, if you stay in an aviation related environment but be prepared for the fact that a lot of civilians don't actually give a toss about the Military, your former rank and experience...and will happily tell you as much. Don't bother trying to counter them, just demonstrate your ability to do the work in a professional manner....and don't ever fall into the "when I was in / on etc we always did things this way" trap....on a daily basis...some do and most regret it. Learn (rapidly ) how to "suggest" ideas rather than impose your thoughts.
I would say the period of transition varies, but at least 12 months and even once you have made the transition, there are times when you revert and use the better aspects of Mil life to your advantage.
It's easy to be derisory about advice in returning to the civilian world, and there's plenty offered of course, but not so easy to extricate yourself from some very serious brown stuff....by virtue of not doing so.
Irrespective of whether you currently like / loathe the RAF ( and loathing is probably in your favour here ) the most significant problem most people encounter is the pyschological transition back to being, and living life, as a pure civilian.....not simply living off base and commuting in.
This is applicable to all ranks / trades and over the years I have met many who found this difficult ( I recall 3 F/O's and one Capt..no loss in his case...who returned after leaving, plus several engineers) who simply couldn't adapt to what is, a complete change of culture and lifestyle.
It helps, to an extent, if you stay in an aviation related environment but be prepared for the fact that a lot of civilians don't actually give a toss about the Military, your former rank and experience...and will happily tell you as much. Don't bother trying to counter them, just demonstrate your ability to do the work in a professional manner....and don't ever fall into the "when I was in / on etc we always did things this way" trap....on a daily basis...some do and most regret it. Learn (rapidly ) how to "suggest" ideas rather than impose your thoughts.
I would say the period of transition varies, but at least 12 months and even once you have made the transition, there are times when you revert and use the better aspects of Mil life to your advantage.
It's easy to be derisory about advice in returning to the civilian world, and there's plenty offered of course, but not so easy to extricate yourself from some very serious brown stuff....by virtue of not doing so.
Last edited by Krystal n chips; 18th Jul 2011 at 03:15.
As I go through transition (sounds a bit like therapy, doesn’t it?) I have found considerable good will in the City and elsewhere for service personnel and one specialist recruiter stressed the importance of a strong ‘operational’ flavour to the CVs. This, however, does not necessarily translate to a job interview or an appointment but it might be the edge over our civilian (and more experienced) competitors in non-flying appointments.
However, as I continue to network like mad, I have sensed a hint of a service person ‘victim culture’ which seems to demand precedence of ‘veterans’ (a dreadful expression) for jobs. Perhaps this is an Army thing but it is mirrored by the well-meaning but hopefully misguided thoughts of some HR/selection staff that fear that we are all potential PTSD/wife beaters/drug takers/homeless serial killers. In my case, I’ll just keep taking the medication…
Have any other recent job seekers sensed a similar feeling?
However, as I continue to network like mad, I have sensed a hint of a service person ‘victim culture’ which seems to demand precedence of ‘veterans’ (a dreadful expression) for jobs. Perhaps this is an Army thing but it is mirrored by the well-meaning but hopefully misguided thoughts of some HR/selection staff that fear that we are all potential PTSD/wife beaters/drug takers/homeless serial killers. In my case, I’ll just keep taking the medication…
Have any other recent job seekers sensed a similar feeling?
