Plan your pathway
‘I left the Armed Forces injured and lost. Here’s what I learnt about forging a new career’. Veteran and Bolt Burdon Kemp solicitor, Natasha Mason, knows first-hand how difficult transitioning into civilian life can be.
Service-leavers and Veterans have a lot to offer civilian employers. For me, it was a struggle, particularly carrying injuries. But 11 years on, I enjoy a fantastic career as a solicitor as well as a network of friends from the Forces. Here I share my top three tips with Service-leavers making the transition into civilian employment.
Prior preparation and planning
Everyone’s circumstances are different, and no transition pathway is the same. Planning could include meeting with CTP, obtaining a pension forecast, children’s schooling, careers fairs, insight days and registering with a GP. The list is endless and it’s important to think about your family too – they may need to adjust to you being home all the time.
Consider planning how to pay living expenses, debts or maintenance – remember, your civilian salary may be less and living costs may be higher.
Socials and networking
Create a professional look to all your accounts; a smart profile picture and a creative bio that shows you as an employable person.
Translate your Military experience into civvy speak and connect with former colleagues, potential employers and recruiters.
Employers often recruit via social media – those pictures of getting drunk many years ago and dancing on tables, delete them! Clean up your accounts and delete previous posts that could be seen as contentious.
Networking in person is vital. Check out networking groups in the area you wish to settle in. As well as careers fairs there are regular events for businesspeople, such as networking breakfasts. The website, Eventbrite, lists lots of local networking opportunities which can get you started. Veterans help Veterans and many of them run successful businesses.
See: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Employment and training
Annual education grants are often forgotten but they can be used for small courses in advance of leaving the Forces. Explore the ELCAS website and HEFE funding. CTP is also a wealth of knowledge.
www.enhancedlearningcredits.com
Keep an open mind when attending careers fairs. If you want a job in IT for example, explore wider options such as IT departments in law firms or NHS settings.
Make each application individual to the role you’re applying for. Have they signed the Armed Forces Covenant? Mention it if they have. Before applying, check out social media and consider whether their workplace culture fits with you.
Here at BBK, we understand the challenges faced by Service-leavers, particularly those who leave the Armed Forces with career changing injuries. We have put together our own Veterans Resettlement Hub which we hope you find helpful. Visit: www.boltburdonkemp.co.uk/our-insights/campaigns/veterans-resettlement-hub
