Will Gibson

So last week, I made a lighthearted post about my frustration with trying to explain my experience. Now, I want to make this a little more serious. It is mind-blowing the amount of work it takes to get your name out there and get noticed to receive job offers. I know I can always do more. I can connect with people more, write more resumes, and broaden my expectations to open more career paths. I can explain what I have done, the degrees that I have earned, and the certifications I've obtained. What I can't do in my resume: Tell you that 14 years of service has led to a loyalty that I have been willing to lay my life down for. I have a work ethic that says my work is my home until I complete the task. A desire to build teams and facilitate professional development because I'm only as good as the team I am a part of. Core values of integrity, service, and excellence have been drilled into me since I joined the military. I have the experience, the drive, and the willingness to do what your job descriptions ask. Maybe I get to explain that in an interview, but I need to be given that opportunity first. #hireveterans #hireme #veterans #jobs #recruiters

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When preparing to attend a hiring event (virtual or in-person) I recommend to research all attending organizations. Some organizations will provide specific instructions to follow to make your booth visit as smooth as possible. Prior to visiting the General Dynamics Mission Systems employment booth at a hiring event, I recommend that you do the following: -Visit https://lnkd.in/eFXT7yd8 to view our career opportunities. -Click on Show Advanced Filters and select the following: Job Categories, Locations and your current Clearance level. If you no opportunities are located near you, select Remote Full-Time under Remote Options. -Jot down the position ID# and title. Provide both to our staff members during your 1-on-1 chat. In the event you do not identify positions with organizations, utilize that time to network with staff. Keep in mind you may not know who is in my network. **Please note - the recruiters that manage the positions you target may not be attending the hiring event.

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On this special edition of Talking Beat, we're talking about the recruiting and hiring of military veterans. PPB’s Recruitment Officer Patrick Johnson sits down with officer Zach, to discuss his perspective of the bureau as a former marine. In this episode, he will review his firsthand experiences transitioning from the military to the Portland Police Bureau, as well as his views on training in the academies, the benefits of wellness time, making meaningful friendships, and using the GI Bill for job training. As a reminder, the Portland Police Bureau is currently hiring new and lateral officer positions. A six-figure law enforcement career with a $5,000 signing bonus in Oregon’s largest city is available. Top step officer pay is $117K. That is before the vast amounts of overtime opportunities, before guaranteed extra incentives that can exceed 30% in more pay and even before the chance to participate in our three-track promotional process (criminalist, detective and/or sergeant) after just 4.5 years of service. In 2022, criminalists made an average of $134,723, detectives made an average of $162,486 and those in the sergeant rank made an average of $183,041. PPB has the best training on the west coast, likely the country. We have the best-looking badge, best looking uniform, solid gear, a new batch of 70ish technologically advanced patrol cars being rolled out, a 4/10 schedule, over 40 assignment opportunities and we will even pay you while you work out during every shift. It goes without saying, but Oregon’s backyard is unmatched in its beauty…the ocean, the gigantic mountains, the rivers, the lakes, a desert, a gorge, the waterfalls, the forests, etc. We give you more paid time off than most know what to do with to enjoy life outside of work. Want to travel outside of Oregon? PDX was just rated #1 for on-time departures and is consistently rated the best US airport over the past decade. We will even reimburse up to $10,000 for your move to the Pacific Northwest while buying everything you need to work the street as one of Portland’s finest! The hiring process is streamlined and now takes about 5 months, sometimes quicker. To learn more, contact a recruiter or visit https://lnkd.in/gV3iRYMZ

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Resilience Building Leadership Professional (RBLP) Fundamentals course. Are you New to the workforce? Are you Interested in supervisor positions, but unsure about how. Learn the core competencies of leading a resilient team with this self-paced course. Initial pursuit of leadership positions in the workplace can be intimidating,. The flexibility of this self-study program allows you to continue being an effective front-line worker while you build the confidence to accept that first supervisor position!

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When preparing to attend a hiring event (virtual or in-person) I recommend to research all attending organizations. Some organizations will provide specific instructions to follow to make your booth visit as smooth as possible. Prior to visiting the General Dynamics Mission Systems employment booth at a hiring event, I recommend that you do the following: -Visit https://lnkd.in/eFXT7yd8 to view our career opportunities. -Click on Show Advanced Filters and select the following: Job Categories, Locations and your current Clearance level.  If you no opportunities are located near you, select Remote Full-Time under Remote Options. -Jot down the position ID# and title. Provide both to our staff members during your 1-on-1 chat. In the event you do not identify positions with organizations, utilize that time to market yourself. Keep in mind you may not know who is in my network. **Please note - the recruiters that manage the positions you target may not be attending the hiring event.

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At BirchTree Solutions, we know how important operational effectiveness can be. This is why we are committed to enhancing and updating important curriculums with attention and care. Congrats to everyone who worked on the upcoming JT-201 Planners course! #OperationalExcellence #BirchTreeSolutions #JIDContract

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3 Transition Myths I Was Overconfident About… 1. Transitioning isn’t that hard as long as you are prepared: FALSE - Although thorough preparation and a positive attitude can mitigate some of the challenges of military transition, they don't eliminate them entirely. Keep an open mind and expect some ambiguity in the beginning. 2. Instant Job Offers: Mostly FALSE - Some assume that veterans receive instant job offers due to their military background, but it often requires networking and skill translation. Start building your network outside the service long before you leave, utilizing platforms like LinkedIn. Personally, I utilized programs like Hiring Our Heroes, which not only aided me in finding ideal employment but also provided valuable free coaching. 3. No Mental Health Challenges: FALSE - There's a misconception that leaving the military means leaving mental health issues behind, but many veterans face mental health struggles post-service. For me that’s where it started to get hard because it was the first time I slowed down to face my internal challenges. Don't be afraid to use resources like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to ask for help. What was your transition like? #veterans #military #skillbridge #leadership #networking #linkedin

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"When's the "right" time to earn a certification, Matt?" 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝘁: It's not always 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 #militarytransition Honestly, that's not the easiest question to answer, so... I'm asking YOU -- my amazing network! Do these graphics look accurate? **𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱** ✅ 𝗘-𝟯 = 𝗣𝗠𝗜 𝗞𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗢𝗙𝗙™ Why? KICKOFF™ is a 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚, interactive project management course that only takes 45 minutes to complete. Use it to get up to speed on 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙨. ✅ 𝗘-𝟰 = 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗠)® Why? CAPM® certification demonstrates your 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚, terminology, and processes of effective project management. ✅ 𝗘-𝟱 & 𝗘-𝟲 = 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 (𝗣𝗠𝗣)® Why? PMP® certification is the gold standard in project management. Recognized by organizations worldwide, the PMP 𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 to perform in the role of a project manager, leading and directing projects and teams. ✅ 𝗘-𝟳 = 𝗣𝗠𝗜 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 (𝗣𝗠𝗜-𝗔𝗖𝗣)® Why? PMI-ACP® certification is designed for 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙨 in project management, requiring training, experience, and an exam. It covers methodologies like SCRUM, XP, LEAN, and Kanba. ✅ 𝗘-𝟴 = 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 (𝗣𝗴𝗠𝗣)® Why? PgMP® certification is designed for those 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙚, 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙭 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 to achieve strategic and organizational results. What do you think? What would you change/update? Would you want to see a similar chart for officers? US Army | United States Marine Corps | US Navy | United States Air Force | United States Space Force | U.S. Coast Guard #QuickNote #Military #ProjectManagement #FromServiceToCertified  

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It takes resiliency to show up for your team day in and day out, especially when you are facing adversity. But resiliency, like every other skill takes intentional practice. To be at your best you have to invest in developing your mental, physical, spiritual, and social well being. For me, boosting my physical and social fitness means swimming, biking, and running with 200 like minded people on a beautiful Sunday morning. How do you invest in yourself so you can be at your best for your team?

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This message is not a cry for help but rather a heads-up for those looking to make a smooth transition from military life to civilian employment. I'm sharing my experiences to possibly help others. It's a bit long TAPS is a joke (just my opinion). It’s mandatory, but honestly, everything taught in TAPS can easily be found on the internet. Though designed to aid transitioning military members, it feels outdated and the instructors often seem out of touch with today’s job market requirements, keep reading for another option. Need help with your BDD claim? There are plenty of people claiming they'll help, but it's crucial to find the right assistance. First tip: YouTube has numerous resources, but remember, these are mainly from people who separated over five years ago. They may not be relevant for recent or upcoming discharges under the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program. Don't sign up for VA boot camps or pay for services when you can get help from VSOs for free. Be wary when choosing a VSO—some will guide you thoroughly through your records and what to claim (these are the good ones). Others might just send an email asking you to fill out forms and make a quick phone call to submit them. If a VSO doesn’t want to meet in person, find another one immediately. Education and Certifications. I hold a BS in Aeronautical Engineering and an MBA in HRM, but degrees don’t carry the same weight as they used to outside the military world. Certifications are now key. For instance, despite decades of managing HR tasks and taking care of people, without a certification in HRM, my experience means little. The same goes for project management; regardless of how long you’ve been doing it in the military, without a PMP certification, it's not as valued. Skillbridge is a must! There are plenty of Skillbridge opportunities out there. Some are in-office programs where you learn how the civilian business world operates, others are online. The military has taken its toll in many ways, and Skillbridge is your time to focus on you. Here’s what I did: I spent four months with Allegiantvets. The first week was an Empowerment week, which was like TAPS on steroids! and actually useful, covering everything from BDD, job searching, resume building, to mentoring with civilians and negotiation tactics for salary discussions. After Empowerment week, I chose the project management track, earning certifications directly relevant to the industry, like a Google Project Management certificate and Six Sigma belts. Skillbridge offers a unique blend of learning and development, tailored to transitioning military members. Each week, you’ll attend a Zoom meeting covering various topics that aid in your transition. With over 2,000 members from all military branches participating, it's managed by military retirees who truly understand your needs. Just some thoughts from my experience, Dan Links VSO - https://lnkd.in/en4pmJ2f allegiantvet : https://lnkd.in/eMd_KMmY

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⬇️Here are three tips specifically tailored to help military spouses manage financial stress: 💸Understand Your Benefits and Resources: Military spouses have access to a variety of financial benefits and resources provided by the military community. Take the time to familiarize yourself with these benefits, including healthcare coverage, housing allowances, and educational assistance programs. Additionally, explore resources offered by organizations such as the Military Family Support Centers, which provide financial counseling, budgeting workshops, and other support services. 💸Create a Flexible Budget: Military life often comes with frequent relocations and changes in income, which can make budgeting challenging. Create a flexible budget that accounts for these fluctuations and allows for adjustments as needed. Prioritize essential expenses such as housing, utilities, and groceries, and allocate a portion of your income towards savings and debt repayment. Consider using budgeting apps or tools to track your spending and stay organized. 💸Plan for Deployment and Separation: Deployment and separation can bring about additional financial stressors for military spouses. Plan ahead for these periods by establishing an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses and ensure that your family's financial affairs are in order. Explore options for power of attorney and automatic bill payment arrangements to manage finances smoothly while your spouse is away. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and there are resources and support networks available to assist you along the way. #militaryspouses #financialmanagement #financialplanning #militarylife #financialstress #militarysupport

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Everything starts with relationships… The Army always taught me to have a battle buddy, you build a relationship, you work together, you take care of each other. As you grow in your career you find more battle buddies, they help you with more than the tasks in front of you. They become a sounding board, a voice of reason. What if we looked for battle buddies in every part of our world? What if we focus on taking care of other people? A person… or multiple…we look after in the office A person we look after at home, a family member, a friend. Go build strong relationships, take care of people. The rest will follow. #dad #relationships #battlebuddy

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Imagine…before July 4th, you could have a strategic, magnetic federal resume WORKING FOR YOU while you celebrate with your loved ones... A magnetic resume that conveys your value and includes the proven strategies that have helped thousands of our clients land interviews and job offers in over 400 federal agencies worldwide! Are you struggling to land high-quality interviews, or any interviews at all?  Ready for that promotion but can’t seem to get past the gatekeepers? There has never been a better time to get access to our propriety methods and get help from me and our Magnetize Your Federal Resume® Certified Writers! Let us help you get this done through this special offer. In honor of our military heroes, we’re excited to offer you an exclusive opportunity to fast-track your federal resume and job search with our done-with-you Magnetize Your Federal Resume Builder Online Course during our Memorial Day Promotion! Yes, we are going to do it WITH you! If you want to attract more interviews, watch this complimentary video training, "Your Federal Résumé: How to Get Hired in Federal Government," and discover the secrets to landing interviews that lead to lucrative job offers. In this 90-minute workshop, you'll uncover: - The #1 strategy your federal résumé needs to get through the gatekeepers - The biggest mistakes keeping you from landing interviews - Top secrets for getting hired faster, even without inside connections - How to navigate the federal hiring process Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer! Check the first comment on how to attend the workshop then register for the course so you get all the bonuses and the 2 SUPER BONUSES - only for a limited time. Limited-time bonuses are now available.  P.S. Imagine a magnetic federal resume that helps you land interviews…so you can start applying as early as 4 weeks from now (or less)! Transform your federal resume to speak to the 6 gatekeepers and land interviews that lead to lucrative job offers with our expert guidance and amazing exclusive, limited-time bonuses.  #FederalJobs #ResumeBuilder #CareerSuccess #MemorialDayPromo #JobSearch

Hill AFB Transitioning Service Members! I will be at the MFRC June 26th, 27th, and 28th. Please stop by if there is anything I can do to help with your career preparation. I stay at the MFRC for breaks and lunch each day and after our sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. Would love to check in on some of the topics we have discussed: - Tell me about your “tell me about yourself” (no pun intended 😁) preparation. You have to be captivating, relevant, and unique within the first seconds. - Tell me about your “Ss” (Situations) in your STARs. Only 6% of the US population has served in the armed forces so your “Ss” are very unique especially when you tie them to the job description. - Tell me about your resume preparation. - Tell me about your LinkedIn profiles. Wow! Very impressed with some of the profiles you have created especially with how easy and welcoming you have made it for recruiters to find you. - Tell me about your networking. The statistics show that 60% to 80% of the jobs are not posted for public view. Your dream career is out there and your networking will take you there. - Tell me about how you are "thinking like a hiring manager" and using that way of thinking to prepare. - Tell me about your interviewing experiences. I know some of you had interviews last week and some next week. Happy to help! #giveback

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Everyone wants to go faster and I'm all for being as quick and efficient as possible, especially when it comes to government contracting. We talk about speed a lot and address how to find fast contract opportunities and how you posture yourself for last minute money drops. What we don't talk about so much are the adverse side effects of moving quickly through acquisitions. In this week's Auxo post, I address some of the questions I think you and your USG customer both should be asking yourselves before rushing into an agreement. I'm not saying slow down and I'm not saying you have to have answers to these questions right away. However, you need to at least think about them in order to have the highest chance of success. Full link below in the comments! Megan VanHorn K. Austin DeLorme

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This morning, I'm addressing a topic that many people tend to overlook, hoping it will simply disappear. One of the most challenging scenarios within any organization is navigating conflicting visions from two bosses while still expecting your team to be onboard. So, what's the next step? Well, I'm not suggesting you ignore them and do whatever you please (just kidding). Let's delve into the specific challenges you and your team may face: 1. Feeling overwhelmed with tasks 2. Uncertainty about expectations 3. Mixed or contradictory messages To tackle this obstacle effectively, I recommend the following steps: 1. Reinforce the organization's overarching vision. 2. Open lines of communication: Schedule meetings with both bosses to discuss concerns. 3. Establish clear boundaries to manage expectations and responsibilities. If you're currently grappling with this situation, I wish you the best. Feel free to share your experiences and how you've navigated similar challenges in the past.

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