The Hunter for Technicians & Leaders - January 2019

In this Issue

Veteran Unemployment At Near-Record Low

Podcast: 7 Things I Wish I Knew When I Left the Military

Career Success with Orion

Exclusive Opportunities Through Orion

According to Your Peers

Upcoming Hiring Conferences

Podcast Series for Job Seekers

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

Companies Recently Hiring

Connect with Orion Online

Veteran Unemployment Rate At Near-Record Low

The Department of Labor recently released a report stating that the veteran unemployment rate was 2.9 percent, down from 3.7 percent in 2017, and 4.3 percent in 2016. This is the second time that the rate has dropped below 3 percent.

The veteran unemployment rate was at its highest in 2011 at 9.9 percent, but has been on the decline since then, according to the Department of Labor.

This is great news for the roughly 250,000 veterans who transition from the military into the civilian workforce each year.

Government initiatives like Joining Forces and other programs educating private sector companies on the skills that veterans bring to the workforce have helped explain the increase in veteran employment.

The low veteran unemployment rate is great news if you are seeking a career, as the market conditions could not be more favorable for veteran job seekers. Employers are hiring regardless of industry experience, and are willing to train and onboard you to succeed. The opportunities are endless, and Orion is dedicated to help you achieve your full potential in the private sector.

Orion has placed nearly 45,000 military members in civilian careers, in industries ranging from Oil & Gas, Food & Beverage, Semiconductor, and more. If you are looking for civilian employment, learn more about how Orion can help you in your transition, and register on our site to find your next career with Orion. In addition, we offer many different resources to help with the transition process. From resume writing help, interview prep, and even navigating civilian benefits, we’ve got you covered.

Podcast: 7 Things I Wish I Knew When I Left the Military

Transitioning from a military career to the corporate world can be a trying process for the nearly 220,000 U.S. veterans who leave Active Duty each year. Along with the common stressors of translating your military experience to a civilian career and adapting to a new environment, a military-to-civilian transition can bring some unique challenges that you may not have anticipated. Kyu Lim, an Orion Talent Recruiter, recently joined the From the Battlefield to the Boardroom podcast to discuss what he wishes he had known when transitioning out of the military. Listen to the podcast here, and read some of the highlights below.

The “Cost” of Leaving the Military
There are many financial benefits that service members receive that significantly add to their take home pay. Kyu advises military job seekers to seek assistance from an expert on base (or an official military program such as Soldier for Life) to help get a better idea of what to expect. “I wish I had known what my paycheck would look like on a month-to-month basis and how that would affect my family. During your time in the military you have basic allowance for housing, a Thrift Savings Plan and more affordable health insurance. All of these things are really important when determining what your budget will look like after the military,” explains Kyu.

The Importance of Self-knowledge
Researching yourself and determining the key drivers in your career search should be one of the first steps in your military-to-civilian transition. “Corporate America is so vast. There are so many industries and types of positions you can pursue, so doing some reflection and understanding your value will help you have the same level of career satisfaction you had in the military,” says Kyu. “Understand where your priorities are for you and your career, as well as for your family. That can change what opportunities you target and your timeline for your transition,” he adds.

The Benefits of Working with a Military Recruiter
While most civilian employers value the skills and experience military candidates bring to the table, it can be difficult for a transitioning service member to make connections that will lead to a job opportunity. Working with a military recruiting firm can help match military job seekers with a variety of companies and industries that you may not have considered on your own. “When I was transitioning I wanted to reach out to a Recruiter because you don’t know what you don’t know. I tell everyone that I work with that Orion is here to serve as a resource and we will be completely transparent with you to help you make the best decision for your family. Recruiters can give you insight into the company or industry, and also serve as an advocate for you with the companies you’re interviewing with.”

Listen to the podcast to hear the rest of Kyu’s “7 Things I Wish I Knew When I Left the Military.”

Career Success with Orion

Exclusive Opportunities Through Orion

According to Your Peers

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.

West

Seattle, WA January 10 - 11 - Contact Jay Koranda, 858-267-4233, for more information. 

San Diego, CA January 20 - 21 - Contact Jay Koranda, 858-267-4233, for more information. 

Seattle, WA February 7 - 8 - Contact Jay Koranda, 858-267-4233, for more information. 

Northeast

Northern NJ January 13 - 14 - Contact Annette Stephens, 757-998-8520, for more information. 

Philadelphia, PA February 17 - 18 - Contact Annette Stephens, 757-998-8520, for more information. 

Norfolk, VA February 17 - 18 - Contact Annette Stephens, 757-998-8520, for more information. 

South Central

Dallas, TX January 13 - 14 - Contact Doug Bell, 737-209-3361, for more information. 

Houston, TX February 7 - 8 - Contact Doug Bell, 737-209-3361, for more information. 

Southeast

Columbia, SC January 14 - 15 - Contact Kristin Zimmerman, 984-208-3987, for more information. 

Atlanta, GA February 10 - 11 - Contact Kristin Zimmerman, 984-208-3987, for more information. 

Midwest

Chicago, IL January 13 - 14 - Contact Jarrod McGinnis, 513-644-3345, for more information. 

Cincinnati, OH February 17 - 18 - Contact Jarrod McGinnis, 513-644-3345, for more information. 

Virtual

Nuclear Technicians January 30 - February 1 - Contact Chris Hurst, 757-998-8524, for more information. 

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:

62. Top 10 Myths About Working with a Military Recruiter

61. Career Opportunities for Veterans with Concrete Polishing and Restoration

60. Career Opportunities for Veterans with Schwan's

59. A Financial Advisor's Guide to Protecting Your Finances When Leading Active Duty

58. To Move, or Not to Move? Deciding Where to Live When You Leave Active Duty

Visit us online to listen to all the episodes! You can 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!  »

           

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

Did you know that Orion candidates have earned $82,000 in referral bonuses in 2018?

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

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.