The Hunter - February 2020

According to a recent LinkedIn report, veterans are more likely to be underemployed than their civilian counterparts. While the unemployment rate for veterans is 3.2 percent (and lower than the national average for civilians), veterans still struggle to find a career that matches their qualifications gained in the military.

In fact, a 2017 study by ZipRecruiter and the Call of Duty Endowment revealed that nearly one-third of veteran job seekers were underemployed, nearly double the rate for non-veterans.

While this can seem daunting to the veteran job seeker, Orion Talent has been able to help veterans find jobs that are a match with their background, skills, and preferences.

The Montgomery Advertiser recently profiled Mike Intregila, a recently transitioned Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate who used Orion Talent to help find a career that utilizes the skills and talents that he acquired in the military.

After transitioning in 2017, Mike started working at different production jobs, looking for a position that would afford him the opportunity to advance. After working long hours for little pay, Mike decided to reach out to Orion Talent with help in finding a new career.

It was not long before Orion helped him find a position as a Production Supervisor with Genpak at their Montgomery, AL plant. His new position offers reasonable hours, great benefits, and a competitive salary, but was not something he would have considered himself a fit for having had previous experience as a Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate.

However, the Recruiters at Orion knew the potential and recognized his skill set. “I came from working on aircraft as a jet mechanic,” Mike said. “If you had told me when I first started with the military that I would be working at a place that manufactures to-go boxes for restaurants, I would have told you that you were crazy,” he continued. “But taking those skills that I harnessed while I was in the military and being able to utilize them here, it’s actually (translated) pretty well for me.”

At Orion, we understand that the job search can be overwhelming, and hard to know where to even begin. As the nation’s largest military recruiting firm, Orion Talent is equipped to help make your military to civilian transition as seamless as possible. Learn more about how Orion can help you find a career that is a fit with the skills and experiences that you gained in the military, while also keeping your personal preferences a priority.

LinkedIn Veteran Opportunity Report

LinkedIn recently released their Veteran Opportunity Report, which highlights the current state of veteran employment and how challenging it is for veterans to find a career that properly utilizes all of the skills and talents that they received in the military. The report, pulled from LinkedIn data and additional insights, is helpful for both veterans and employers.

The purpose of the report is to help veteran job seekers gain a better understanding of how their skills, personal network, and employers’ understanding of a veterans’ military service impact the job search process.

The findings revealed that while veteran unemployment has decreased over the last decade, down to 3.2 percent last month (and lower than the non-veteran unemployment rate), veterans are more likely to be underemployed than their civilian counterparts. However, veterans remain with their initial companies longer and are promoted earlier than non-veterans. Veterans are also, on average, more likely to have a graduate degree or higher and have more work experience.

As a veteran job seeker, the knowledge gained from this report can help you understand how employers hire, what they are looking for, and how you can leverage the skills that you have gained in the military to find a rewarding career.

The first step is to become familiar with how your military training and knowledge can transfer into a civilian career. One of the greatest advantages that veterans have over their civilian counterparts are the intangible skills, or “soft skills,” that you learned while in the service. Identify those skills in your own experience, and consult our transition resources page, which offers a guide on how to effectively transfer your military skills.

Next, take advantage of your network. Resources like LinkedIn are extremely important in your job search. You can look for jobs, build your network, advertise your skills and achievements, and can let Recruiters know that you are looking for a career. LinkedIn even offers veterans a one-year free subscription to LinkedIn Premium. Listen to our podcast for more tips on how to leverage LinkedIn in your job search.

Lastly, bridge the gap between the employer and your military experience. The best way to do this is by tailoring your resume and utilizing the STAR format when interviewing.

You don’t have to navigate the job search alone! Orion Talent is here to help with resume building, interview preparation, and getting you in front of the companies that want to hire veterans and understand the advantages that you bring to the workplace. Register on our website and start discussing career opportunities with a Recruiter today!

Veteran Spotlight: Vallery Carolus

We’re proud to profile Vallery Carolus, a former U.S. Navy Sonar Technician who is now a Production Controller with Siemens. Vallery began looking for a career about six months prior to her end of active service, and was having trouble finding companies that would consider her for a career that far in advance. She decided to contact Orion for assistance.

“My recruiter gathered information about my skills and interests, and then set me up with phone interviews for a Hiring Conference in Cincinnati, OH,” Vallery explained. Vallery was looking to move to the Cincinnati area after her service, but was stationed in Hawaii and could not attend in person. “My recruiter set me up with a schedule that worked for me and the time difference. It was such a stress-free and valuable experience!”

Vallery was offered a position with Siemens as a Production Controller in a motor manufacturing plant. “I actually interviewed for a different position with Siemens than the one I currently have,” Vallery stated. “Siemens offered me another position that they believed was a better fit, AND it paid more money!”

Vallery’s experience in the military has been essential to her success in her new role. “Having had experience in coordinating projects and programs in the Navy, the fast-paced and wonderfully dynamic environment of controlling production schedules was a natural and exciting transition from the fast-paced and dynamic environment of operations on board a Navy warship,” Vallery explained.

For Vallery, using a military recruiting firm like Orion Talent was invaluable to her post-military career search. “My biggest apprehension about leaving the military was the possibility of not finding a rewarding career on the civilian side, but thanks to Orion, securing exciting new employment ended up being the least of my worries. Separating from the military is a leap of faith, but Orion was there to break the fall in a HUGE way!”

If you are transitioning soon and looking for a civilian career, join Vallery and the thousands of others like her who have found rewarding careers through Orion Talent. Begin your career search with Orion and register today.

Maintenance Electrician Career Opportunities in Florida

Orion Talent is seeking transitioning or former Military Electricians, including those with Nuclear training for Maintenance Electrician careers with the safest, highest quality, lowest cost, most productive, and most profitable steel and steel products company in the world.

Position Details: As a Maintenance Electrician, you must be able to interpret drawings and manuals for the repair, maintenance and installation of complex equipment and machinery such as: Programmable Logic Controllers (including programming), Hydraulic Systems, Relay logic circuits, High voltage systems, AC and DC drive systems.

Location: Frostproof, FL

Shift: 4 on/4 off, 12-hour shifts. 7am to 7pm for 4 days, then 4 off, then 7pm to 7am for 4 days, then 4 off, etc.

Benefits: Our client offers an outstanding benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, wellness and health care spending accounts, profit sharing, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, and more.

Requirements: You must be able to perform the physical requirements of the job, have the ability to work at heights and be able to use various pieces of electrical equipment to include: Volt/Ohm meter, Ammeter, Meg Ohm Tester, and others.

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, visit us online to learn more and apply to be considered or contact Kerry Miller at kmiller@oriontalent.com.

Military Officers Connect with Civilian Careers at Orion’s Distinguished Candidate Conferences

Orion Talent hosts a number of Distinguished Candidate Conferences each year across the country, featuring Engineering, Sales, Project Management, Leadership Development, and Operations Management positions available nationwide.

Distinguished candidates include graduates of Military Service Academies or Top Universities, those with an advanced education, and those that have consistently ranked above their peers in Officer Evaluations.

Our DCCs offer a unique format, designed to maximize our candidates’ chances of receiving a job offer, consisting of interview preparation, briefings by the interviewing companies, and a President's Reception to network with hiring managers and other candidates, culminating in interviews the next day.

You can view a complete guide to our DCCs in this video featuring Orion Regional Recruiting Manager Mike Wood:

The feedback from candidates attending our DCCs is consistent every year, with veterans saying it is by far the best way to find their next career.

In 2019, nearly 200 Military Officers found their civilian careers through our Distinguished Candidate Conferences, with companies including Corning, Honeywell, Ingersoll Rand, Siemens, and many others. See below for our upcoming DCC schedule:

February 24 - 25, 2020 - Philadelphia, PA

March 9 - 10, 2020 - San Diego, CA

April 6 - 7, 2020 - Atlanta, GA

Orion only holds a few DCCs each year, so opportunities to attend are limited. If you would like to be considered for one of our special special hiring events, please complete a form above or contact Chris Hurst at churst@oriontalent.com.

Exclusive Opportunities Through Orion

Video Series: Minute with Mike

Check out our weekly video series, Minute with Mike! Every Wednesday, Recruiting Manager Mike Wood offers a brief review of the current job opportunities nationwide, along with advice for your job search. Watch the video below, and keep an eye out on social media for the weekly editions!

According to Your Peers

Career Success with Orion

Podcast Series for Job Seekers

Have you tuned in to From the Battlefield to the Boardroom, our podcast series dedicated to supporting military job seekers? We have a variety of episodes covering everything from the civilian transition process to valuable insights and guidance from other Veterans and business leaders.

We've recently added new podcasts, including:

110. JDog Franchise Owners Share Valuable Insight for Prospective Franchisees

109. Job Search Tips to Leave in 2019

108. Resources for Veterans and Employers through PsychArmor

107. Is a Government Contract Role Right for You?

106. Recruiter Provides Valuable Insight on How to Perfect Your Resume

If you are ready to enter the interview process, visit our Interview Essentials page to sharpen your interview skills!

Visit us online to listen to all the episodes, and explore our new podcast categories on each stage of the transition process. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast platform or RSS feed, to automatically receive new episodes as they are released.

We'd love to feature your questions in our upcoming episodes. If you have any questions you'd like to hear us answer, click below to email us!

Upcoming Hiring Conferences

If you will be separating from the military and preparing to begin your civilian career within the next 90 days, be sure to attend one of our hiring conferences. After a full day of preparation, you'll interview with hiring managers for only those positions that are a match with your needs and preferences.

Northeast

Norfolk, VA January 26 - 27 - Officers please contact Ben DiTota, 757-998-8544, for more information; Enlisted candidates please contact Chris Dove, 757-998-8516, for more information.

Philadelphia, PA (Military Technicians) February 23 - 24 - please contact Amy West, 757-998-8520, for more information.

Philadelphia, PA (Distinguished Candidate Conference) February 24 - 25 - please contact Chris Hurst, 757-998-8524, for more information.

Midwest

Chicago, IL January 19 - 20 - please contact Dan Young, 513-644-3355, for more information.

South Central

Dallas, TX January 19 - 20 - please contact Matt White, 737-209-3377, for more information.

Southeast

Atlanta, GA January 20 - 21 - Officers please contact Mike Wood, 984-208-3986, for more information; Enlisted candidates please contact Sarah Rodd, 984-208-3976, for more information.

Jacksonville, FL February 20 - 21 - Officers please contact Mike Wood, 984-208-3986, for more information; Enlisted candidates please contact Sarah Rodd, 984-208-3976, for more information.

Raleigh, NC February 20 - 21 - Officers please contact Mike Wood, 984-208-3986, for more information; Enlisted candidates please contact Sarah Rodd, 984-208-3976, for more information.

Western

San Diego, CA January 19 - 20 - Contact Jay Koranda, 858-267-4233, for more information.

Seattle, WA February 9 - 10 - Contact Jay Koranda, 858-267-4233, for more information.

Join the Orion Team

Account Executive Careers with Orion

Orion Talent is currently seeking transitioning or former military officers with a strong record of achievement to join our Sales Team as an Account Executive. We are hiring for our San Diego, CA office.

As an Account Executive, you will be responsible for identifying and working closely with America's leading companies in order for them to hire transitioning military veterans and develop smarter hiring programs. Average total first year income for Account Executives is $80K+, with a goal of $100K+ in your second year and beyond.

To qualify, you should have military experience, a Bachelors degree, and a desire to succeed in sales. You do not need prior sales experience, as we will provide you the training, tools and resources needed to succeed.

Visit our Account Executive Careers with Orion Talent page to learn more about working at Orion, including a video, podcast, and webinar on our Account Executive positions.

Once you are ready to apply, the next step is to complete an online sales assessment.

If you're looking for a quick way to introduce yourself, please send an email that includes your resume to Isabel Jessee.

Career Transition Planning and Base Visits

When our Recruiters visit a location near you, it's a chance to get a jump start on your career search, regardless of your ETS date. Our Recruiters will discuss your goals and preferences with you and present a realistic picture of what to expect in your search. You'll get resume advice, interview preparation tips, and much more! Please send an email to the Regional Recruiter listed for the base visit in which you are interested.

Southeast

For all base visits in the Southeast, contact Mike Wood for more information.

MCAS Cherry Point - February 7

Midwest

For all base visits in the Midwest, contact Dan Young for more information.

Great Lakes - February 13

Earn $100 for Every Referral that Finds their Career through Orion

Did you know that Orion candidates earned $22,500 in referral bonuses in the first three quarters of 2019?

For every job seeker you refer to us who is subsequently hired through Orion, you'll receive a $100 gift card to a retailer of your choice after they reach 90 days on the new job!

It's simple - just click here to refer a friend. 30 seconds of your time could be $100 in your pocket!

Companies Recently Hiring

Siemens

Genpak LLC

Exact Sciences Corporation

Digital Realty Trust

Smiths Dectection

Elite Line Services

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas

Preferred Freezer Services

Continental Automotive Systems

Johnson & Johnson

Rees Scientific

Conduent

Lutron Electronics Company

SMA America

Hines Interests

Calpine Corporation

Connect with Orion Online

Follow us to keep up-to-date on all things Orion, including hiring events, base visits, webinars, and news pertinent to veterans through our social media listed below.