Should You Stay or Should You Go?
1(8)
Considering All Your Options
2(1)
When You Don't Have a Choice in the Matter
2(1)
What to Know Before You Make It Public Knowledge
3(1)
The Hardest Thing About Leaving the Military
4(2)
Anticipating the Culture Shock
6(3)
Creating Your Overall Transition Strategy
9(42)
Your End Game and Transition Timeline
9(18)
The Ever-Burning Question Remains: What Do You Do When in the Transition Process?
10(17)
Military Transition Assistance
27(22)
Visiting the Transition Assistance Office
27(2)
Your Preseparation Counseling Checklist
29(3)
Stress
32(1)
Employment Assistance
33(1)
Relocation Assistance
34(3)
Education and Training
37(2)
Health and Life Insurance
39(2)
Finances
41(4)
Reserve Affiliation
45(1)
Disabled Veterans
45(1)
Individualized Transition Plan (ITP)
46(1)
Retiree Benefits
47(1)
Leaving the Service: Important Points to Remember
47(2)
At Your Final Out-Processing
49(2)
VA Benefits and Other Opportunities
51(12)
Veterans Benefits: A Closer Look
51(9)
Education and Training Benefits
52(1)
Life Insurance Benefits
53(1)
Home Loan Benefits
54(1)
Disability Compensation and Pension Benefits
55(2)
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits
57(1)
Health Care Benefits
57(1)
Family and Survivor Benefits
58(1)
Burial Benefits
59(1)
Other Benefits
59(1)
Job Training Opportunities
60(1)
Workforce Investment Act
60(1)
Licensing and Certification Information
60(1)
Entrepreneurship: When You Want to Be Your Own Boss
61(2)
Job Search Necessities
63(26)
Job Search Myths and Realities
64(1)
Establishing a Starting Point
65(1)
Effective Job Search Strategies
66(23)
Think like an employer
67(1)
Organize your job search campaign
67(3)
Tap into available job assistance resources
70(1)
Identify your work history, marketable skills, abilities, and experiences
71(10)
Identify sources of employment opportunities
81(2)
Activate your network
83(1)
Select your references with care
84(2)
Pitch yourself
86(1)
Be realistic and reasonable
86(3)
Building an Adaptable Resume
89(36)
Why You Need a Resume
89(1)
Five Easy Steps for Designing Your Resume
90(33)
Step One: Identify the focus for your resume
91(5)
Step Two: Identify the content and language for your resume
96(8)
Step Three: Select the best format to use
104(17)
Step Four: Identify additional experience and include as appropriate
121(1)
Step Five: Review, edit, and revise your resume as necessary
122(1)
What to Do with Your Resume After You're Hired
123(1)
Resume Writing Tips Worth Reviewing
123(2)
Creating Effective Job Search Letters
125(14)
The Parts of a Cover Letter
126(4)
The Heading
126(1)
The Dateline
127(1)
The Addressee
127(1)
The Salutation
127(1)
The Introduction
128(1)
The Main Body
128(1)
The Conclusion
128(2)
The Signature Block
130(1)
Thank-You Letters
130(3)
Networking Letters
133(2)
The Letter Resume
135(1)
Get It in Writing
135(1)
The Mechanics of Letter Construction
135(4)
Letter Size
137(1)
Typeface Recommendations and Enhancements
137(2)
Winning Interview Skills
139(18)
Understanding the Interview Process
139(2)
The Informational Interview
139(1)
The Screening Interview
140(1)
The Employment Interview
140(1)
Tips, Techniques, and Tricks of the Trade
140(1)
Before the Interview
141(11)
Get your facts straight
141(1)
Dress for the occasion
142(1)
Put on a good attitude
143(1)
Consider the interviewer's perspective
144(1)
Expand your knowledge of the company
145(1)
Practice answering common interview questions
146(3)
Know how to handle potentially illegal questions
149(1)
Show yourself the money---and the benefits
150(1)
Prepare your own list of questions
150(1)
Make up your mind to be yourself
151(1)
The Day of and During the Interview
152(2)
Arrive on time
152(1)
Be a spy
152(1)
Be cognizant of your body language
153(1)
Listen
154(1)
If you want the job, ask for it
154(1)
Look into the future
154(1)
After the Interview
154(3)
Send a thank-you note
155(1)
Follow up
155(1)
Continue your job search efforts
156(1)
Evaluating and Negotiating Job Offers
157(16)
Evaluating the Offer
158(12)
Do you really want the job?
158(3)
Can you and the employer come to an acceptable compensation package?
161(9)
Making the Decision: Using Your Gut
170(3)
You're Hired! Now What?
173(8)
Wise Words of Advice for Adjusting to Life on the Job as a Civilian
173(5)
Stop. Look. Listen. Learn
173(1)
Don't try to change the company your first week on the job
174(1)
Don't participate in office gossip---yet
175(1)
Be considerate of your new colleagues
175(1)
Don't feel like a task is beneath your level of expertise
175(1)
Make yourself indispensable
176(1)
Keep your eyes open for your next job
176(1)
Keep your skills current
177(1)
Be willing to admit to a mistake
177(1)
Keep your resume updated
177(1)
In Conclusion..
178(3)
Appendix: Career Transition Resources 181(6)
Index 187