Define Your End State
When preparing for your military-to-civilian transition war, you must first consider your end state: a set of required conditions that defines achievement. More than likely, succeeding in a new career is your end state. So, spend more time identifying what career you will pursue instead of searching for a job. Your first job is merely your first tactical objective leading to your end state.
In the military, an end state is a broad description of how things should look after a military operation. It is guided by your vision and defines the conditions for success. Defining a desired end state provides the essential focus even when things don’t go as planned.
When you use that thinking in your military-to-civilian transition preparation, your end state will orient you even if your application or interviews don’t go as planned. So if you don’t get
selected for a specific job or hired by a desired company, you can keep moving in the right direction.
Your personal career end state should have a “long-term” view.
TIPS FOR DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER END STATE
- Look beyond just successfully transitioning; that’s only the first step toward your new career end state.
- Don’t just orient on your first job after transition; that is too shallow of a focus.
"If you go to work and it genuinely makes you happy, you’re going to get more out of life, and the company will get more because you’re enjoying it and giving it your all. If it’s not a fit for you, don’t waste your time or the company’s time.”
DOMINIQUE MITCHELL
Human resources administrator, Georgia-Pacific
Despite terrific veteran unemployment statistics at the end of 2019, those veterans who did not prepare for combat and who had a short-term view confronted greater challenges.
Recent statistics confirm this:
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Veteran underemployment was rampant: Between 1/4 and 1/3 of newly hired veterans were underemployed (nearly 16% higher than their non-veteran peers).
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Veteran turnover was high: Nearly 50% of newly hired veterans left their first job within the first year; nearly 70% in 18 months.
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Veteran retention was poor: Around 15% of newly hired veterans remained in their first job.
Defining your career end state will help you reduce uncertainty in your military-to-civilian transition. It
will also increase your flexibility during this difficult and challenging time. And, it will help you keep focused
on what’s important – achieving your fullest potential, being sufficiently challenged and professionally satisfied.