First, Don't worry! Anyone can get a job, it's not impossible, it just takes the right attitude, and the will to do it. No matter what you have done, it can be converted into something you can sell to an employer. That's the basis of what you are doing, selling your skills and yourself.

Second, get everything you can from the forces on your way out. Don't ask for time off for resettlement, tell them you're taking it. Go to every briefing, job-fair, or interview you can, and use all the resources available to you, photocopiers, computers, printers, interactive learning centres, and education centres.

Third, get pushy! While you are still in you will get told wait till next month for this, can you put that off till next month. "NO" you can't, once you leave, the people that have asked you to give up this that or the other course will not run round to find you a job, you walk out the main gates and they don't give a damn. Unless you are lucky to have an employing officer like my last one Dai Haynes, who has written excellent references for me, once you're gone, "TOUGH SXXX".

• Decide what you want to do - Do something you are interested in, or that you are good at. I have watched so many people leave after doing a resettlement course that they never use, and then struggle to find a job in something else. What a waste of your time and resources, mainly CASH.
• Can you do WHAT you want to, WHERE you want to - There's no point learning to, or wanting to sell snow if you are going to live in the Antartic.
• Is there a skills shortage - Look at interests you have against all the local and national papers job sections. Why not get formal training for nothing and convert an interest into a specialisation in an employment area where they are crying out for people. Your resettlement course can do that.
• Build your network - Who do, you, your family, your friends, or anyone else you can claim an aquaintanceship with, Know who can help you get a job. It's a surprising fact but one that I've seen several times since I left the Army in April this year. If someone on the inside can have a word for you it's worth it's weight in gold.
• Use Agencies - Agencies often get the first sniff of some jobs. This is because it is often cheaper to pay an agency the equivalent of 10% of a years salary, and get them to do the running round, than it is to place adverts and do all the screening. It's also easier to let the agency do all that and interview the best candidates. It doesn't cost you anything to be on an agencies books either, if they try to charge you walk away.
• KEEP RECORDS - You need to keep copies of every document, form, CV, and certificate that you send and a copy of the advert. It may take up to three months to get an answer, if you go for an interview, or selection day, you need to know exactly what you have told them in your application. So keep a copy of everything you send with each application. Think how stupid you will look if you give conflicting answers to your application, or you are using the latest version of your CV, and they have the first version.
• Keep trying!! - I left the Army on April 21st 1999, and began full time employment on the 17th of May. I started Job Hunting on the 3rd of March and my first application form went to my present employer. Between that first application and starting work I applied for about 140 jobs, and had 12 interviews. If I hadn't had the interview experience I doubt that I would have got my present job. Keep trying, if you don't you'll fail.
• Failure is good for you...? - The first rejection is like a kick in the BXXXXXXX, Learn from it. Ring, write, or call and find out why you didn't get an interview or a job. LISTEN . Use it to polish your next effort.

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  I hope that the advice helps, feel free to contact me about any of the above, and send me any questions.. I will try to help. Just remember, anyone can do it.

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  Last updated 22:40 20/09/99 Created by Tony as a first attempt at HTML programming. If you have any comments use the form below to send them to me, or Email me at tony.holden@connectfree.co.uk

  
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