The Hunter for Military Officers - November 2018

In this Issue

Ghosting - A Growing Trend Among Job Seekers

Changes to the 'Forever' GI Bill - What It Means for You

Exclusive Opportunities Through Orion

According to Your Peers

Career Success with Orion

Podcast Series for Job Seekers

Upcoming Hiring Conferences

Join the Orion Team

Career Transition Planning and Base Visits

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

Companies Recently Hiring

Connect with Orion Online

Ghosting - A Growing Trend Among Job Seekers

Though it typically finds its meaning in the dating world, “ghosting,” or stopping all forms of communication and contact with someone without any warning and for no apparent reason, is becoming an alarming trend in the corporate world.

Potential candidates are practicing this bizarre phenomenon during the interview and onboarding process, and even after accepting a job. Some employees are even ghosting after being employed for a few days - they simply stop showing up to work altogether.

Job Seeker ghosting seems to be a relatively new trend. “I have been a Recruiter for over seven years, and only within the last two years have I noticed an increased number of candidates who use the ‘ghosting’ tactic,” said Nora Liles, an Orion Talent Recruiter. “It is incredible how you can have consistent communication with a candidate in the early stage of the interview process, and surprisingly at the final stages of the interview process, they disappear.”

Why the sudden increase of candidates employing this unusual tactic? Nora believes it has something to do with an increase of millennials in the workplace. “I personally believe this is how most millenials handle pressure,” Nora states. “They simply avoid contact with a Recruiter if they have doubts about the career opportunity, or if they believe they have other or better options. Instead of a confrontation or having a direct conversation with the Recruiter, they choose to ‘ghost’ the Recruiter.”

Still others believe that this behavior is a direct result of poor communication from the companies themselves. Peter Cappelli, a management professor and director of Wharton’s Center for Human Resources, stated in an article that employers may have only themselves to blame for this alarming trend. “I think they (candidates) have learned it from the employers,” he said. “Employers were notorious for never getting back to people, and only letting them know what was going on if it turned out they wanted them to go to the next step.”

Regardless of why this trend is increasing in the corporate world, Hiring Managers, Recruiters, and Human Resource professionals all agree that this form of “communication” is not professional. Job seekers should exercise professional etiquette throughout the job search by being clear and communicative with their intentions, and staying in contact throughout the hiring process.

“Remember that open and consistent communication is beneficial to all parties involved,” Nora advised. “Ghosting is only a sign that the candidate lacks the communication skills that employers desire for employees that hold key roles within their organization.”

Nora also warned of the implications that ghosting can have on a job seeker’s future career options. “This interview may not turn into a career, but maintaining a positive relationship with a Recruiter or Hiring Manager may come in handy the next time you are searching for a job. Don’t be afraid to communicate, regardless of how tough you feel the conversation may be, because ghosting will only reflect poorly on your own professionalism.”

Listen for more on the topic of ghosting in our podcast episode ‘Ghosting’ - What it Is, What it Means for Your Job Search.

If you are looking for assistance in navigating the job search process, Orion offers a multitude of resources to help make the next step easier, including interview preparation, receiving an offer and negotiating, and even advice on job performance.

Changes to the ‘Forever’ GI Bill - What It Means for You

Created specifically for returning WWII veterans, the GI Bill provides tuition expense benefits for service members to attend a college or vocational/technical school. The Bill underwent a change after the events of 9/11. While it still funded a public undergraduate education to veterans who have served four years on active duty since 9/11, a monthly living stipend while pursuing a degree was added, and as well as the ability to transfer benefits to a spouse or children, to be used within 15 years of service.

In 2017, the ‘Forever GI Bill’, officially named the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, removed any and all time limits on the time span in which veterans are required to use benefits, enabling them to be used at any time - and to be able to be transferred to a dependent - forever, as long as the service member had served at least six years before using the GI Bill benefits.

With the newest changes announced last month by the DoD, the bill is being changed again. Now, while veterans must still serve at least six years before the transfer of GI Bill benefits, only veterans with less than 16 years of active duty service or selected reserve service are able to transfer their benefits, or risk losing the option to transfer the benefits. Veterans with 20 years of service or more are no longer eligible to transfer Bill benefits, but may still use the Bill for their own education.

In addition, veterans must have signed up for an additional four years of service to meet the requirements of the benefit exchange. This change will go into effect a year from now, and it is expected to impact almost 10% of veterans, many of whom have chosen a military career.

Why the change? “After a thorough review of the policy, we saw a need to focus on retention in a time of increased growth of the armed forces," said Stephanie Miller, director of accessions policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. “This change continues to allow career service members that earned this benefit to share it with their family members while they continue to serve.”

However, veteran advocate groups are criticizing the policy changes. “This is a benefit, and any time you take away a benefit, that’s not a good thing,” said retired Navy Capt. Paul Frost of the Military Officers Association of America’s transition center.

American Legion spokesman retired Lt. Col. Joe Plenzler called the changes “the curtailment of veterans’ earned benefits,” going on to say that “we understand the minimum time-in-service for transferability eligibility, and that makes sense from a retention perspective, but the 16-year transfer or lose rule makes no sense to us as DOD has articulated it, and [the change] disadvantages the veteran when it comes to the use of this earned benefit.”

Learn more about the current GI Bill, and view the upcoming changes on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Exclusive Opportunities Through Orion

Each of these companies are specifically seeking Military Professionals and Veterans for open career opportunities. Click on the logo to learn more about each company and positions for which we are currently hiring.

To learn more about these careers and see even more opportunities, please visit our Featured Employers page.

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:

56. Ask the Right Questions and Close the Interview Like a Pro

55. Write a Resume That Will Get You Noticed

54. Distinguished Candidate Conference FAQs

53. VA Loans: Myths and Facts with BBMC Mortgage, Part 2

52. VA Loans: Myths and Facts with BBMC Mortgage, Part 1

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!

LET US ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!  »

           

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

Northern NJ October 28 - 29 - Contact Chris Hurst, 757-998-8524, for more information.

South Central

Dallas, TX November 8 - 9 - Contact Bob Berkholz, 737-209-3362, for more information. 

Midwest

Chicago, IL October 28 - 29 - Contact Bob Berkholz, 737-209-3362, for more information.

St. Louis, MO November 4 - 5 - Contact Bob Berkholz, 737-209-3362, for more information.

Southeast

Atlanta, GA October 8 - 9 - Contact Samantha McRimmon, 984-208-3969, for more information.

Columbia, SC November 4 - 5 - Contact Samantha McRimmon, 984-208-3969, for more information.

Western

Seattle, WA November 1 - 2 - Contact Jay Koranda, 858-267-4233, for more information.

Virtual

November 7 - 9 - Contact Chris Hurst, 757-998-8524, for more information.

Read more about what our candidates have to say about an Orion Hiring Conference.

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 Cincinnati, OH; San Diego, CA; and Virginia Beach, VA offices.

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. 

Watch the video below from Dave Lehmkuhl, our Raleigh Regional Sales Manager, for more info about this position: 

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 our Senior Vice President of Operations, Brian Henry.   

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! Click here or on any of the base visits to receive more information about the base visit you are interested in attending. You can also fill out this base visit form for more info.

South Central

Fort Bliss (Virtual) - October 26
Fort Polk (Virtual) - November 6
Fort Hood - November 16

West

For all base visits in the West, contact David Short, (858), 267-4240, for more information.

MCRD San Diego - November 2
Camp Pendleton - November 2
MCAS Miramar - November 6
Camp Pendleton - November 9
SWRMC San Diego - November 14
NB Point Loma - November 14
NB San Diego - November 15
NAS North Island - November 16
MCAS Miramar - November 27
SWRMC San Diego - November 28
Camp Pendleton - November 30

Northeast

For all base visits in the Northeast, contact Steven Shawgo, (757) 998-8535, for more information.

Norfolk NS/JEB Little Creek - October 30
JEB Little Creek - November 2
Norfolk NS - November 6
Ballston Spa - November 8
Groton/New London - November 9
Norfolk NS - November 13
Norfolk NS - November 20
Norfolk NS - November 27
JEB Little Creek - November 28

Southeast

For all base visits in the Southeast, contact Doug Haynesworth, (984) 208-3951, for more information.

MCAS Beaufort - November 2
MCAS Beaufort - November 7
Camp Lejeune/New River - November 28
King's Bay - November 29

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

Did you know that Orion candidates have earned $42,000 in referral bonuses in 2018?

For every job seeker you refer to us who is subsequently hired through Orion, we will give you a $100 gift card to a retailer of your choice!

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

Companies Recently Hiring

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.