Category: Articles

Volunteering is a great way to ease yourself into employment, especially if you have never had a civilian job before or been out of employment for an extended period of time.

Think about volunteering as training for your next job. If you are unsure of what role you would like to go into, volunteering is an excellent opportunity to try out different roles to see which one you enjoy. In fact, a 2021 study by the Royal Voluntary Service found that 20% of volunteers in their thirties and 17% in their forties used volunteering to retrain or gain experience for a career-change.

For military spouse Birdie, she used volunteering to change careers during a very turbulent time in her life. “When I registered with the Forces Employment Charity I was in-between moving from London to Plymouth and was juggling being on furlough from my previous company with both moving and looking for a career change in a new city. One of the biggest challenges was identifying what type of role I was looking for and where to look for those specific opportunities. Volunteering has enhanced my skills and I have gained lots of experience.”

If you already know what career you would like to go into then volunteering is a great way to build on your skills and get more experience in the field. Remember, that volunteering is still professional experience, so include any volunteering experience and achievements in your CV and cover letter when applying for a permanent position.

Additionally, volunteering in the sector that you would like to get a permanent job in is an excellent way to network with like-minded individuals who may have a similar job to the one that you would like. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about your desired field and make a useful connection. You never know, the connections you make volunteering may know of permanent employment opportunities that you can apply for.

Saidou, who formerly served in the Royal Navy, used volunteering for The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) as not only a way to get full-time employment, but also to boost his confidence. “Volunteering with The Royal Navy Royal Marine Charity is wonderful as it could lead to full time employment with the charity, and it has increased my confidence in getting a job,” Saidou says.

How do I apply for a volunteering position?

Applying for a volunteering position is just the same as applying for a job. You will more than likely have to submit a CV and cover letter that identifies your strengths and skills in relation to the position and how you can be of benefit to the organisation.

If you have a list of organisations that you would like to volunteer for, but none of them have any volunteering opportunities open, then don’t hesitate to get in touch and enquire whether they would be open to having you as a volunteer or when they may have opportunities open. It’s important to be as proactive about volunteering opportunities as you would be about applying for a job.

Remember, the best way to succeed in applying for a volunteer position is to show that you are eager to help, hardworking, trustworthy and reliable. Despite volunteering positions being unpaid it is important to treat it as you would a permanent, paid, position, so, to be successful, you should commit to the time the organisation needs.

If you want help finding volunteering positions or a permanent job, then register with us today.

Stress is a part of life and something we all experience. We understand that searching for employment can heighten feelings of stress, whether you are writing your CV, applying for jobs, or preparing for interviews.

When you feel stressed, it’s important to address it rather than let it fester and grow into something uncontrollable. If you don’t address it, it can lead to health problems such as frequent headaches, high blood pressure, and depression.

Dealing with your stress won’t always make it go away, but it will help calm you down, clear your mind, and make you think more rationally about your next steps.

These are just 5 ways that can help you deal with stress.

1) Prioritise your tasks

When you are stressed, it can feel like you are drowning in tasks that need to be completed. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and being counterproductive and may cause you to procrastinate rather than completing your tasks. When you feel like this, write a list of your tasks and prioritise them from most to least urgent. The tasks that you put at the top of your list are the ones that you should prioritise, and the tasks closer to the bottom are less essential to worry about. This will help prevent you from procrastinating and help you to assign your time more efficiently.

2) Take some time for yourself

Self-care is essential in maintaining positive mental health. Taking a few minutes every day to do an activity that you enjoy can boost your mood and limit feelings of stress. When we are stressed, we often forget to prioritise ourselves. Take some time every day to step away from overwhelming tasks and situations and enjoy some time to yourself doing something that makes you happy.

3) Stay active

Positive mental and physical health is essential in maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Staying active can help keep you fit and healthy, as well as reducing feelings of stress. When we are active, be that going to the gym, for a walk, or on a bike ride, our body releases endorphins which trigger feelings of happiness. This helps relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve your sense of wellbeing.

You should aim to do some form of exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to improve both your physical and mental health.

4) Reach out

Stress can be difficult to navigate, and it can make us retreat inside ourselves until we feel isolated and alone. It is vital that if you ever feel like that, you reach out and talk to someone. Talking won’t get rid of your stress, but it may lighten the load. You can reach out to a trusted friend or family member or call a free support helpline. It doesn’t matter who you reach out to, all that matters is that you let someone know how you feel.

5) Think positive

It is a lot easier said than done, but when you are feeling stressed, it can be helpful to think positive thoughts. Rather than fixating on whatever is making you feel stressed, think about the positive things in your life and the things that you feel grateful for.
Ask yourself: what or who in my life makes me happy? It might help to write down a list of three things that you are grateful for every day to help draw you away from the negative feelings that stress can cause. These could be simple things such as: a warm shower or time in the sun.

 

If your employment search is causing you stress, then register with the Forces Employment Charity today. We can give you tailored, life-long, life-changing, employment support and guidance that will help you progress in your career.

We face stress every day of our lives and finding employment can intensify the way we feel and respond to these pressures. Whether you are navigating the civilian jobs market, writing job applications, or climbing the employment ladder. When we are feeling stressed, it can be easy not to prioritise ourselves, but it is essential to practise self-care to give yourself the best chance of finding and securing fulfilling employment.

What is self-care?

Self-care is taking time out of your day to focus on yourself. It could be used to do an activity that you enjoy, or to do nothing at all. It is your time to use, however you choose to use it.

How can self-care help me?

Taking time to focus on yourself and do an activity that you enjoy, will boost your mood and help make you feel relaxed, which in turn combats stress. A relaxed and positive mood can help you focus more clearly on your career goals and make it easier to prioritise your tasks.
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to look after both your physical and mental health. Self-care will help you to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing by giving you the time to check-in with your emotions.

What does self-care look like?

Self-care looks different to everyone. Some people practice self-care by being active, such as going to the gym or taking part in a sport. Others use it as an opportunity to have some quiet, reflective time. Sometimes self-care might even be taking a nap in the middle of the day.

How can I practice self-care?

There’s no limit to how often you should practice self-care. It may look different to you on different days, so don’t limit yourself to only one activity. It’s good to have a mixture of active self-care acts, such as going out for a walk, which motivate you to move your body and enjoy some fresh air, as well as quieter acts of self-care, such as having a bath or reflecting.

How often should I practice self-care?

Self-care should be woven into your everyday life. It doesn’t necessarily have to take up a lot of your time, it could be 5 minutes or 5 hours, depending on what you have going on that day. Just make sure that you do make time to focus on yourself.

How can I start practicing self-care?

You can start practicing self-care right now. There is no preparation or warm-up that you need to do to begin practicing self-care, just think about something small that you would enjoy doing and do it.

Self-care looks different to everyone; however, some popular forms of self-care include:

• Going to the gym
• Taking a walk
• Having a bath
• Practicing mindfulness
• Listening to music

 

Taking these steps to practising self-care should place you in the best possible position to find and secure your next job. For tailored, life-long, life-changing employment support and guidance, register with the Forces Employment Charity today.

Career choices can often feel huge, daunting prospects. To people who have served their whole working life, or even just part of it in the military, this can feel even more so; but in fact, they are better prepared to tackle career change than they think.

A ‘job for life’ is no longer the norm. Indeed, research by LinkedIn shows that the average person will have 12-15 jobs in their lifetime and that career switching can happen as much during a person’s 20s and 30s as later in life.

We have seen, particularly over the past 18 months, that life is not a linear path but a continuous series of new experiences and challenges. There is no longer a precise destination; rather, the most important element is the constant pursuit of learning and minimising regret.

Deciding to leave the Forces is a significant one, which can feel high risk. To imagine that those accustomed to placing themselves quite literally in the line of fire are risk-averse may seem paradoxical but stepping into the unknown of ‘Civvy Street’ may feel like the riskiest decision they have ever taken.

Is there a risk in leaving? Of course, but it would also be a risk not to explore other opportunities outside the military environment. If you do not try, you will never know and may lose an opportunity to learn, develop and find your next career passion. Another essential stage of transition is to have no regrets. Explore everything – An approach Laurence Whittingham adopted when he was ready to leave the Army after seven years with The Queen’s Royal Lancers.

Laurence had enjoyed a varied career that saw him undertake two tours of Afghanistan and operations in Australia, Canada and Europe.

He found leaving military life a challenge but having studied Economics at University; he began researching civilian roles in the City, securing a role at Citi in a position that was junior to that of his role in the Army.

Laurence said, “I now work in a front office job, dealing foreign exchange, structuring derivatives, and discussing how to manage FX exposures with multinational companies; for me, this meant starting at the bottom to learn my trade.”

Laurence believes the transferrable skills you gain from your time in the military are sound but if you want a technical role – you will need technical training, which can mean taking a step back to learn the role. This can put many Service leavers off applying for schemes like Citi’s, opting instead for more typical ex-military roles like management consultancy and project management. Laurence comments, “I would argue that many write themselves off unnecessarily. Having helped run Citi London’s military recruitment for the past 4 years, I have seen ex-military go into some of the most demanding roles on the trading floor and excel.”

The military environment is always changing. Those serving learn to be flexible, adaptable, to go with the flow and yet consistently deliver. The key here is to leverage the dynamism these changes engender – learn as much as possible and develop and refine a core set of skills. This way, we can associate constant change with constant opportunity.

During transition, military personnel often worry that they are a ‘Jack of all trades; master of none’ or that their varied military career means that they have no specialism that would appeal to a civilian recruiter. However, the key is to look at this experience differently and find recurrent threads. The skills you will have built up over your career will be diverse and have common themes.

Demonstrating that you can continue to deliver no matter what the environment or circumstances will show that your skills are solid and resilient and highly likely to withstand whatever a new career can throw at them.

The variety of career choices can seem overwhelming, so it is helpful to turn to others who have trodden this path to improve your knowledge about different sectors and how your skills might fit. However, exploring those familiar directions others have followed, it is worth looking to the future to less obvious but more current areas such as AI, robotics, cyber, logistics and renewable energy. These are the growth sectors where military talent is increasingly sought.

Groups such as the Armed Forces Sustainability Network supports those interested in industries active in these areas. A network of former service members across multiple industries such as finance, consulting, renewables, clean energy, utilities, policy and academia is willing to provide advice, referrals and opportunities.

Caspar Bossom, a former officer in the Royal Engineers and founder of the network, says, ‘The military’s collaborative culture means service members gain exceptional interpersonal skills; having to adapt under pressure within dynamic teams whilst delivering multiple projects at pace.’

Maria Larsen is a case in point. Having left the Army in 2018, she has enjoyed a varied career, initially taking up a role in a humanitarian aid organisation for two years as a disaster responder, leading deployments to an earthquake, a tsunami, cyclones, flooding and bush fires. As an engineer and team leader, Maria developed her collaboration and leadership skills immeasurably. On her return to the UK, Maria qualified as an Agile Project Manager and gained a Project Management Qualification (PMQ). She now works for MI-GSO | PCUBED as a Senior Consultant, where she has a client-facing role for the central government, operating in response to Covid-19.

Throughout Maria’s career, variety has been the key to holding her interest, given her innate ability to solve complex and demanding problems. Sound familiar? It echoes in the stories of many Service personnel.

Whether you have managed a defence programme at a strategic level, helped rebuild a school in Somalia, or run a workshop supporting armoured vehicles, the challenges you overcome, the solutions you delivered, and the skills you developed will be of value to a future employer. In a world where no one can predict what will happen next, change is the only constant.

Evaluating your worth isn’t easy, yet discussing your value and salary aspirations with a civilian employer is a crucial part of securing a new role. Former Army Major Laura Blair, and Director of Employment at the OA, highlights how best to prepare for this next stage.

If you are still serving in the military but looking to transition to civilian life, negotiating a salary package may not be something you have considered before. However, when transitioning to a civilian career, where the market dictates your value, it literally pays to be well-prepared and do your research.

Finding the right career opportunity after leaving the armed forces is a major step, but you also want to ensure that you get the best salary package possible. Alternatively, you might already be in a civilian job role where the salary no longer reflects your experience and qualifications or your current market value.

Job candidates and employees often believe that there is little room for negotiation – but there might be more than you think.

 

Know your worth

Knowing your own value is the most important step towards negotiating a good salary package. Think about what you can offer an employer such as your experience and skills relevant to the role, and include your educational qualifications, training and the value of your leadership experience.

Browse similar roles in the industry and review what other companies are paying their employees. Consider things like the qualifications and experience required, company type and geographical location to ensure you are comparing salaries for similar roles. You should also identify the position’s relative level within the organisation as job titles can be misleading. For example, a ‘manager’ at a Fortune 500 or FTSE 100 organisation may be equivalent to a director or VP at a smaller company.

Looking at web-based job adverts and websites like Glassdoor can help you find the average salary for similar roles. Speak to people in your network who have moved into similar roles or organisations and may have some information on salary expectations for your sector. The OA can help you here with its Network Contact list.

Recruitment agencies are also a good source of information as their fees are based on market demand, and they will be able to advise on what your background and skills are worth. Also, check any salary surveys published by relevant trade and professional associations for up-to-date information.

If you plan to relocate to a new region or if the position would require relocation, research the cost of living and salaries for that area by visiting locality websites.

 

Research the market

Understanding the employment market that you are entering is vital to negotiating a competitive salary package. Know the average salary of the role you are applying for and where your skills, qualifications, and experience are likely to be positioned within a salary/pay range.

Employers will pay what the market dictates to attract the right people. Organisations usually categorise remuneration into salary ranges, with new recruits offered at the lower to mid-range. Researching your market value will help you to establish any ‘bargaining area’ (the overlap between the employer/candidate salary range). Remember, though; you should be looking at the total package, not just the proposed salary.

Sometimes an employer may not know that they are paying below the national average and would be willing to raise the salary if you brought this to their attention. Negotiating near the higher end of a salary range can demonstrate your confidence in the skills and experience you will bring to the role.

 

The right time

Your bargaining power is highest at the point when you receive a firm job offer. By negotiating in a prepared, professional manner, you can increase both the employer’s interest in you and your remuneration package.

You may feel uncomfortable with the idea of negotiating a remuneration package once you have received a firm offer, however, statistics show it could be well worth the effort. While not wanting to pay more than the market rate, most employers expect to pay more than their initial offer. Our experience has shown that, in general, employers would have paid more to their recruits if the candidate had asked.

 

Evaluating an offer

Always remember to consider the whole package rather than just focusing on the final salary figure. A whole package could include; the base salary, bonus or commission scheme, incentive payments, profit share and any subsidies or other low-interest loans, stock options and equity share.

Look at the benefits offered, such as holiday entitlements, private medical insurance, sick pay scheme, health insurance, accident insurance, expenses policy, professional/club subscriptions, pension, company car, relocation package, and other benefits such as sports/leisure facilities or meals provided.

Other factors to consider could include contract conditions, the scope of the role and immediate priorities, resources (both financial as well as staff), degree of autonomy, authority, title/status, criteria for success, boss compatibility, colleagues, management style, location, office environment, travel and accommodation policy, flexible working arrangements, equipment provision and overtime allowance and importantly for a former-service person, the culture of the organisation.

When evaluating an offer, it may help to use a two-step process. First, determine whether the offer matches your expectations or sits above or below them. Once you have done this, pick the six most important items to you and see how it affects the balance of your expectations. This will give you a clear indication of where the problems and opportunities lie.

 

Preparing for a salary negotiation

Always express appreciation and enthusiasm over a job offer first, before you begin to negotiate. Request the offer in writing and for time to consider the whole package and don’t accept or reject it until ready to do so. If you have another job offer pending, you may want to ask for additional time to assess and compare both offers.

Before you enter the negotiating phase with an employer, be clear on the reasons for your salary request and organise the supporting evidence into a cohesive pitch. Go through your ‘pitch’ with a friend or colleague before your meeting or call. Consider the different responses and scenarios that may arise from the negotiations, such as questions, refusals or counter-offers. As well as quantifying your additional value, outline any work-related expenses that may justify your need for an increased salary, such as travel expenses.

Be flexible and open to negotiation during the salary discussions so that you can collaborate on a solution or compromise. It could be that there is no flexibility in the salary range, but they may be able to offer more holiday pay, different working hours or other benefits that are of value to you.

Sometimes an employer may not be able to meet the salary you are looking to achieve. If you have explored all the options and the package still doesn’t work for you, you might have to think about walking away from the negotiations. If you must refuse a final offer from an employer, be sure to express gratitude and thank them for their time. Extending respect and professional courtesy is important for any ongoing working relationship.

 

Top tips for preparing for a salary negotiation:

• Know your value
• Research the market
• Start negotiations after you receive a formal job offer
• Only negotiate if you really want the job
• Prepare your reasons and justifications
• Rehearse your negotiation pitch
• Explain your work-related expenses
• Do your figures and know your bottom line
• Be flexible but don’t be afraid to walk away
• Always thank the employer for their time

Talk to anyone about finding your first or next civilian role and inevitably, networking is mentioned, but what do we mean by ‘networking’, and how should you set about doing it?

‘Networking’ is often raised as an essential job seeking tool as soon as you consider a civilian career. The word fills most of us with dread because it can be difficult to know what it involves. But does networking really matter? In a nutshell, yes! So, how can you network effectively to impact your civilian job outcomes?

 

What is networking?

Before getting started, we need to be clear on what networking is. There are several misunderstandings around the topic; it is neither ‘schmoozing’ nor asking lots of people for job opportunities until somebody says yes. Instead, think of networking as building a group of contacts that can help you through the different stages of your career journey.

There are three parts to networking:

• Identifying potentially helpful people
• Communicating with these people
• Unlocking opportunities.

Fortunately, with access to the Internet, social media and informal networking groups, it has never been easier to achieve all three.

 

Why network?

There are so many reasons to network. It can shorten your job search and help you discover roles suitable for your skills and experience. Networking will also increase your visibility amongst people who can help you access the ‘hidden job market’.

In addition, networking enables you to actively build your next career, rather than passively applying for jobs and hoping for the best. Put simply, the more people you know, the more people you can engage to help and support you. And thanks to the Internet and veterans’ groups, there are already people looking to help you build a network.

Sam Tillotson, a former Army Major who now works for the Bravo Group, says: “Networking is the most valuable way to spend your time. While it may not lead directly to a job, it will help you identify the right sector, the right entry level, and the right company culture for you to approach. It’s equally valuable in helping you find out where not to apply too!”

 

How to get started

You already have! Everyone has a network: your friends, family, colleagues and associates all count and they all want to help you succeed. So talk to them about your career plans and listen to their advice. They may even be able to introduce you to valuable contacts or recommend organisations.

Many organisations can assist military personnel and veterans with building their civilian careers. For example, the Officers’ Association has Career Consultants who can help with everything from industry advice to interview guidance. You can find and contact many of these organisations via the Veterans Gateway.

Meeting people online has become increasingly acceptable, especially since COVID-19. LinkedIn is the most popular business social network and the perfect place to find contacts. You will need to create a profile, learn how to ‘civilianise’ your military experience and know-how to approach people. There are many guides and tutorials online to help you with this and at the OA, we run training workshops aimed at getting you to speed on LinkedIn.

When you have identified the organisations you would like to work for, go to their LinkedIn page and find their list of employees to contact. However, do not message everyone. Instead, aim to message employees who are also veterans as they are more likely to help and can share insights from their career journey.

Of course, now that in-person employment and industry events are happening again, you can register to attend these, but as they take up more time and effort than online activities, do consider what you want to achieve from the event before signing up.

 

First contact

Before you contact someone, know what you want to achieve but be realistic about what you’re asking from them. Asking people for paid opportunities, for example, puts them under immediate pressure given they have not yet met you. If there are no immediate positions available, your burgeoning relationship is starting on a negative footing. Ask instead for an informal meeting to discuss their work to learn how to get started in that sector?

If they agree to meet – either in-person or via Zoom – then treat it like a job interview. You want to appear professional, enthusiastic and willing to learn. Avoid speaking in military jargon and speaking too much about yourself. It is better to ask lots of relevant questions and listen to the answers. Remember, always thank them for their time. Even if the meeting does not lead directly to a work opportunity, the person will have shared valuable insights and contacts that could still pay dividends into the future.

Building meaningful connections takes time, so don’t rush the networking process. Keep in regular contact with people from your network – update them on your progress and ask about their latest developments.

 

What can you expect?

It is doubtful that someone will offer you a job after just one conversation so be realistic. Often, it is better to consider each interaction as one further step along the road towards building a new career. Gradually, you will gain enough momentum to discover and access better job and career opportunities, which is why you can never start networking too soon.

Networking is not just about meeting someone who can offer you advice and open doors. The whole process is your chance to discover more about yourself, the civilian career you want and how to achieve it. In addition, the best networks are where everyone gives, so consider how you can support people in yours. Does an employer want to employ veterans but is unsure how to communicate with them? Is there someone you served with needs support in their post-military career? Reach out. Never underestimate the impact of small helpful gestures.

 

What if you feel nervous?

Feeling nervous is normal! Talking to strangers and asking for help does not come easy but it’s why you should first get to know your contacts and talking becomes easier over time. It really is a case of practice makes perfect.

You might also feel nervous about how civilian employers perceive you. If you have spent your whole working life in the Armed Forces, it is natural at times to doubt how your skills and abilities translate into the civilian world. However, you have strong transferable skills which are highly desirable to employers and learning to communicate their value will help you. Again, veteran organisations can assist you in identifying these skills, and communicating your experiences in business-friendly language.

 

When do you stop networking?

Never is the short answer! You spent a lot of time and resources building your network; why close it once you have secured a job? Maintaining your network could open opportunities within your current role or help you find the next one. You can also use your network to help other veterans and pay back those following in your footsteps.

Whatever career path you choose, networking will help get you there. Remember, you cannot network alone. Best of luck!

 

Essential networking tips

In summary, here is our advice to networking success:

1. Start now. It is never too early to begin building your network. Build it before you need it. Plus, growing your network might even help you decide when to leave military life.

2. Ask friends and family for help. From bouncing ideas to introducing useful contacts, they can be more helpful than you might realise.

3. Join LinkedIn. Almost everyone in a civilian profession is on LinkedIn. Take the time to build a good profile, find useful contacts and build your network.

4. Contact veteran organisations. There are several key charities, veteran organisations and military employment groups able to offer employment support.

5. Treat every conversation like a job interview. Who knows where a conversation might lead? Always present yourself as hardworking, curious and eager to learn. Ask lots of questions instead of talking about yourself.

6. Feeling nervous is okay. This is a big step so doubts and nerves are to be expected. Try to focus on the opportunities instead. Remember, nobody enjoys talking to strangers but you are contacting people with a clear purpose.

7. Never stop networking. You really are as strong as your network, so don’t stop building yours. The more useful contacts you have, the more opportunities you can create.

8. Pay it back. It goes without saying, if people contributed to your success, you should do the same for others. Camaraderie is one of the military community’s greatest strengths and everyone benefits if you apply that mentality to your civilian career.

Covid-19 hit the economy hard. As a targeted response to the impact the pandemic had on employment, RFEA (part of the Forces Employment Charity) is now offering a brand new programme, the EM3 Veterans and Families Programme, to provide support to veterans, military partners and, for the first time, their children. Joanne McLeod, EM3 Programme Manager for RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity, explains what the programme involves and how it can help.

The skills needed for a career in the Armed Forces make ex-servicemen and women an incredible addition to the civilian workforce, but veterans, as well as their families, can face a unique set of challenges that can sometimes make it difficult to fully make the most of their potential.

The pandemic has also added an additional level of complexity, with huge swathes of industries having been massively disrupted. The good news is that there is help and many new options becoming available, and RFEA is there to support people with finding an opportunity that is right for them. Everyone has skills and the key is recognising what they are and how they can be transferred to a role.

Tapping into new industries

The EM3 Veterans and Families Programme focuses on growing a skilled population in digital enterprises, medical technology, medical science, gaming, sustainable construction and the space and satellite industries. It aims to provide specialist employment support to aid economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Specialist knowledge and insight

As an Enterprise M3 initiative, EM3 Veterans and Families programme supports those in the Surrey and Hampshire areas and as such the team are based in and operate around the M3 corridor.

RFEA teams understand the needs of the Armed Forces community and caseworkers, therefore, work to provide support that is tailored to the individual participants’ needs.

The EM3 team is vast and comprises a range of specialist advisors who all have tremendous amounts of life experience as spouses and veterans, as well as professional experience within the Forces employment sector. As such, they are able to draw upon their own life experiences whilst raising the aspirations of others.

For instance, children from Armed Forces Families often face challenges in their schooling such as frequent relocation – the EM3 team can help them upskill and gain employment in areas that they might not be aware of, like gaming!

Team specialists include:

• young persons caseworker
• veterans caseworkers
• spouse caseworker
• skills and curriculum liaison
• schools liaison
• employer liaison
• programme manager

What the programme offers

A combination of practical employment support, accredited training, corporate mentoring, and work experience is offered to participants to provide the best possible routes to accessing sustainable employment in emerging technologies and peripheral sectors.

What to expect

• Anyone seeking support or further information about the EM3 programme can find out more by visiting www.rfea.org.uk/EM3
• An Advisor will be in touch to find out more about your situation and how your job search is going.
• Your advisor will carry out a ‘needs assessment’ which will help them understand any barriers to employment relating to issues such as health, housing, debt etc. If any additional needs are identified, your Advisor will then be able to refer you to other organisations that can provide the relevant help required.
• EM3 Advisors can then help develop your employability to present you to employers in the best possible way. That can involve advice on what to apply for, how to find work and develop a good CV, interview skills, training, etc.

Partnership working

To deliver the programme and to offer the best opportunities and outcomes for participants, we are working with a range of partners including TechVets, Building Heroes, X-Forces, and the University of Winchester. We are also working with employer partners in skilled sectors such as construction, digital and technology, and space and satellite organisations.

The programme has so far facilitated Microsoft Skills virtual classes, Python language workshops, start-up skills classes, cyber skills training and self-employment discovery.

Top tips for finding a job in a new sector

Looking for a role in an entirely new sector can be daunting and it can be hard to know where to start, but it’s important to know that you aren’t on your own and that there is plenty of help out there to get you started. Here are just a few tips to get you thinking:

1. Think about when you were last happy at work. This is a really helpful exercise as it often generates some unexpected results. When asked this question, I have heard of clients having to think back to 20 years ago, or more, to come up with a time when they felt happy in their job. It’s a simple question that can make for a terrific starting point, as it helps you recognise the factors that give you a feeling of job satisfaction – and they may not be status or salary.
2. Identify what it is you want to do so you can pinpoint what skills you need. Now that you have identified when you were last happy at work, research sectors that allow you to do the things that make you happy. For example, if you really enjoyed the sociability of your last job perhaps a job in the events sector is the right place for you now. So research available jobs in the events industry and identify what skills are needed for those jobs.
3. Engage with the sector and find organisations with connections to the area you’re interested in. Doing this can give you an unprecedented understanding of the intricacies of the sector, allowing you to deepen your knowledge and hone your skills. You can do this by following organisations and connecting with others on social networking platforms such as LinkedIn.
4. Engage with a careers advisor so they can help you tailor your CV. Did you know that you need to tailor your CV for each job you apply for? A careers advisor would! Careers advisors help you tailor and sometimes rewrite your CV to boost your chances of being contacted for an interview. So find a person or an organisation (like RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity) who can do this for you.
5. Be honest about your qualifications and be honest with your interviewer. Always be honest about your qualifications and skills. Job descriptions can make it seem like it’s impossible to land a job without specific qualifications but that is not always the case. So always be honest and clear about the qualifications you possess and the ones you don’t.
6. Don’t forget to ask questions. Interviews can seem like a one-way process, but they aren’t! An interview is about you and about the organisation interviewing. Questions help to get a conversation going and allow you and the interviewer to get to know each other better. Some useful questions could include “Are there opportunities for training and progression within the role/company?”, “What is the working culture of the company?” and “Can you tell me about the team I would be working in?”

Military spouse Jenny Monaghan sought support from RFEA and has since secured a new role. She says:

“My biggest challenge was the lack of confidence I had on returning to work after being on maternity leave and out of employment for two years. My CV was out of date, and I was struggling to find a job that would fit in around our military lifestyle and family. I was so anxious about returning to work, but my Advisor gave me the confidence to pursue the career I have always wanted.

She completely understood my concerns, given her Military background, and empathised with my situation. She really listened (which was so refreshing), helped give me the tools to give my CV an overhaul and adapt to the job I was applying for. Not only was she my personal cheerleader when I was feeling nervous for my interview, but she gave me everything I needed to prepare for it.

Not only did I get a job that I’m passionate about, but my mental health has significantly improved. This is something I never thought would be possible, but my confidence is going from strength to strength. I’m so excited for what our future holds.”

Further information

Are you ready to take the first step? Sign up at www.rfea.org.uk/EM3

This promising new initiative was created by Enterprise M3 Initiative (EM3) and funded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) with the European Social Fund.

 

This article appeared in the July 2022 edition of Pathfinder magazine

Our Armed Forces is a young workforce by both necessity and design and to ensure a continuous flow of new talent through the ranks, most of our senior personnel must leave by the age of 55. Finding yourself searching for your first civilian position after a lifetime of military service is a challenge we recognise.

It does not make economic or social sense to have highly skilled military personnel economically inactive when older workers are crucial to the future of the UK economy.

The Officers’ Association was therefore delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT), which funded much needed research by the Centre for Research into the Older Workforce to identify the unique challenges faced by 50+ Service leavers, and ways in which employers can support them into work.

The findings of the research allowed several recommendations to be made to help overcome the barriers and challenges Service leavers face. Some of the recommendations concern organisations which support Service leavers into civilian work, but others focus on the Service leavers themselves.

 

Read the 50+ Job Seekers Guide

 

The Forces Employment Charity works closely with employers to champion the talents across the business community. We are experts in mapping military skills to in-demand roles, ensuring that employers understand how best to recruit and retain military talent. This guide aims to address some of the challenges highlighted by the research and looks at how 50+ Service leavers can best plan and prepare for a successful transition into the civilian career of their choice.

 

 

For more information, check out Holistic Coaching for the 50+ Service Leaver from Outstanding Global.

Supporting veterans, spouses and partners

On the EM3 Programme, we’re making employment more accessible for Forces families.

Through mentoring, apprenticeships, and training opportunities we can help you fast track your personal development and find the right pathway into employment.

If you’re looking for support with your CV, returning to work after a break or need advice on transferring skills and qualifications from the military, we can help!

Our expert employment advisors offer advice and guidance and work one-to-one with you providing tailored support to help you uncover strengths and aspirations and find a career to suit you. We work with Forces-friendly employers across all sectors including those making exciting advances in industries including environmental, renewable energy, medical technology, gaming, sustainable construction, and space and satellite.

When you register with us you have access to free, accredited courses and qualifications through our specialist partners TechVets, University of Winchester, Building Heroes and X-Forces. Together we help you to build confidence, upskill, reskill, and future-proof your career.

 

Supporting Service children and young people

As a charity with the military community at its heart, we understand the importance of supporting the whole family unit. Young people from Service families face a unique set of challenges. From being separated from parents, moving house and schools, disruption to education, leaving behind their social networks, to being young carers – we understand! That’s why we offer extra support in all aspects of education, training and employment choices.

Each person on the EM3 Armed Forces Veterans and Families programme is assigned a dedicated caseworker, who’ll help discover interests and aspirations, discuss a possible future in education and training and highlight the different pathways into employment.

Whether you’ve decided on your dream job or you haven’t got the first idea what you want to do (yet) we can help. From creating CVs, interview coaching, to linking with mentors and employers such as IntoGames and Amazon, our team is here to support you.

If your parent/guardian/carer is serving or is a veteran, and you’re in the Surrey or Hampshire area, this programme is for you.

Ready to take the first step? Register today!

 

Guest: Arca Blanca Data Scientist Anna Mackenzie

What is data science is a broad question, where every person you ask will likely give you a different answer, but Anna defines it as the practice of bringing together statistics and data to try and understand and describe systems in the real world, or the art of fitting a mathematical model to complex data.

Take the example of determining the cost of a flat in London, you can bring together a set of variables, what area of London the flat is in, how close to a tube stop it is, historical pricing of similar flats, and begin to build an equation that will tell you how much the flat might cost. This is where data science becomes a keystone to artificial intelligence and machine learning. See, you could go through thousands of equations, trial and error style, until you find a formula that finds the right price for the flat, or you can use the processing power of a computer to do these calculations far quicker than an individual can.

During a career in the military, there are numerous skills that an individual will learn that are transferable into data science. Alongside the communication and leadership skills learnt, any technical and analytical roles provide you with the base understanding of the logic and problem-solving required to succeed as a data scientist. Also, the adaptability of hitting a roadblock and collaborating toward a creative solution is key for finding models that make sense of the data being presented. But Anna’s biggest belief about the value of veterans in the workplace is the diversification of thought they bring. The unique experiences a veteran goes through are unlike anything a civilian will experience and is extremely important in trying to analyse and interpret real-world data. As Anna puts it, if everyone on the team is the same person with the same education, then everyone will have the same opinion and there will be no one to challenge the decisions and push the team forward.

Anna’s journey into her role as a data scientist at Arca Blanca began at university where she studied engineering, dipping her toes into data science, and building up a set of skills that she finds useful in her day-to-day role now. After university Anna worked as a data analyst in the financial sector, before retraining to move into a data scientist position. Part of her efforts to change her career involved attending a data scientist boot camp that gave her the hands-on skills required to be successful. The joy of her new role, says Anna, is that data scientists have become integral across virtually all sectors, with any company using data most likely needing a data scientist to sort through it. This gave her and gives anyone else interested in becoming a data scientist, the option to pursue a position in any industry that piques their interest, from cutting-edge advances in technology, and solving world crises such as climate change, to horse betting software, Anna’s pet project.

As Anna’s journey shows, there is more than one path into the field of data science. Of course, you can study a STEM subject at university, and come into a role with a PHD or master’s in machine learning, but that is by no means the only way. One alternative may be to start as a data analyst, as Anna explains that there is some level of overlap between the roles, and teams tend to consist of a mix between data analysts and scientists, giving you exposure to those in the role you are attaining to. One of the best opportunities for veterans is the Arca Blanca collaboration with TechVets to provide a six-week-long training boot camp in the world of data science. Over the six weeks, Anna, and the team at Arca Blanca will cover the fundamentals that underpin data science, with hands-on activities to help our veterans build up their own projects and portfolios they can use to demonstrate their skills when applying to jobs.