#118 - From Uniform to Corporate: Leora Opstelten on Transferable Skills, Interviews, Job Search Strategy

John and Vic are joined by career counselor Leora Opstelten for a deep dive into the "boots-on-the-ground" reality of finding a civilian career. We discuss the culture shift between active duty and corporate environments, how to translate "military jargon" into "civilian English," and the power of the informational interview.

Whether you are navigating the current federal hiring landscape or looking to pivot into a new industry, Leora provides the roadmap to ensure your resume—and your confidence—are ready for the mission.

Key Topics and Timestamps:

[03:30] Federal Workforce Updates: Navigating probationary status, job security anxiety, and the "ping-pong" effect of current federal hiring policies.

[09:40] Networking in Uncertain Times: Why pressing the flesh at job fairs and establishing a LinkedIn presence is more critical now than ever before.

[11:16] Nonprofit Spotlight: Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) and their mission to help young military families in high-cost areas [11:42].

[17:07] The Culture Shift: Leora explains the night-and-day difference between military "mission-first" thinking and civilian workplace dynamics.

[21:46] The Art of Problem Solving: How to take combat-ready skills (like split-second decision-making) and show their value in a corporate context.

[25:02] The Two-Way Interview: Flipping the script—why you should be interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you [27:10].

[31:01] Informational Interviews: The "hidden" networking tool. How to reach out on LinkedIn to learn about a field before you apply [32:17].

[35:45] The "No Asshole" Policy: A real-world look at corporate culture and why being a "culture fit" is often more important than your technical certifications [36:21].

[44:40] Resume Masterclass: Why your civilian resume should be one page, how to cut the jargon, and why "fit-reps" don't translate to hiring managers [45:42].

[01:18:22] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Dealing with the "terrified" feeling of civilian interviews and realizing that if you're in the room, you’re qualified.

[01:33:05] Join the Newsletter: Get the "BLUF" (Bottom Line Up Front) updates at thegreenlogbook.com or militaryretirementpodcast.com.

#MilitaryToCivilian #Veterans #CivilianJobs #federaljobs #MilitaryRetirement #VeteranSupport

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