Operations Analyst

South Central
US Army, O-4

I am very happy to be starting soon with BHP Billiton.  I think it's an organization that really values people, and, from what I've seen, the team that I will work with is comprised of a lot of smart, energetic professionals. I'm excited!

 

I left the military in April 2008, and I took a civilian job here in Houston (without recruiting help). Last summer, that company filed for bankruptcy, so I had to leave. I was given an active duty Army position for a few months, until October 2009, and, at that time, I began to look for another civilian position.

 

I was surprised that Orion would still assist me in my job search, since I had been previously released from active duty, and I already had civilian sector experience. I didn't think that JMO recruiting firms would still want to work with me. The opposite was actually true—a JMO with corporate experience is even more desirable.

 

I left the military as a Captain. Throughout my time on active duty, I served as a warehouse platoon leader, convoy commander, personnel manager, and commander of rear detachment.  I think that my background prepared me through my leadership skills, hard work, and organizational skills. Having developed leadership techniques in highly stressful situations, such as leading convoys in Iraq, I think that I now have more of an inherent ability to influence people, build relationships, and motivate.

 

As a commander, I was able to have responsibility over a lot of property, which will definitely fit into the facilities operations position at BHP Billiton. The emphasis on preventive maintenance measures that were a part of my platoon leader and commander experiences are key in being able to run any type of facility. The familiarity that I have with safety initiatives constantly exercised in the Army are also a key aspect of my background that relates to successfully functioning in the facility operations arena.

 

At Orion, I worked primarily with both Bob Berkholz and also with Mike Harvey. I felt that they both listened to my needs. I feel that Bob did a good job matching my skills to the positions that were available. He accepted my input when I told him that I wasn't interested in a particular position and was understanding about it. Essentially, I didn't feel pressured into interviewing for a position with a company which with I wasn't interested in working.

 

When it came time for BHP to make me an offer, Mike did a good job negotiating and expressing my needs to them, in terms of the offer. I am now a Facilities Operations Analyst, which is a multi-faceted position that has room for growth and creativity, which is quite exciting.

 

I was impressed with the way in which the Orion recruiters able to understand my resume and skills and attach me to the positions that were relevant to my experience. I also found Orion to be more aggressive in facilitating one-on-one interviews for JMOs than the other JMO recruiting firms with which I have been in contact. This is the most important factor that we younger JMOs need assistance with, since many employers can look at our resumes and not completely understand the extent of our abilities. Because of this, it can be more difficult to be granted an interview. But once the initial interview is coordinated, the rest is up to the JMO candidate, and that's all that we can ask for.