The Hunter - December 2019

For transitioning military members looking for a civilian career, it comes as no surprise that veterans possess the leadership qualities that companies are looking for. However, companies do not immediately recognize these intangible qualities, or “soft skills,” that veterans possess.

A report by The Center for a New American Security found that one of the main barriers to hiring veterans is a lack of understanding how military skills can translate into a tangible, sustainable hire. As a veteran, it is extremely important to translate the skills learned in the military for the civilian sector.

Recently, the Center for Creative Leadership completed a study to reveal how a typical Army leader would compare against an industry leader. They analyzed over 260 Army leaders across the course of three years. The results indicated that Army leaders showed a greater proficiency of core leadership qualities than their industry leader counterparts.

Army leaders had a higher proficiency on competencies such as building collaborative relationships, leading employees, strategic perspective, taking initiative, and held both a participative and change management style. All of these qualities align with what companies are looking for when hiring.

View the infographic below for a full recap of the findings:

These findings should give you the confidence that you need as a military job seeker. While this study highlighted just Army leaders, veterans from all branches of the military have the same leadership qualities and skills, a clear advantage in the civilian workplace. It is important to highlight these characteristics in your job search. Here at Orion we want to help you reach your civilian career potential. Learn more about Orion’s services, and register today to get started.

Veteran Spotlight: Robert Sickmiller

We’re proud to profile Robert Sickmiller, a former U.S. Navy Nuclear Machinist Mate who is now a Facility Manager with Bridgestone. After an almost 24-year career in the Navy, Robert Sickmiller decided to retire and pursue a career in the civilian world. Like most veterans, Robert really enjoyed his time in the military and was worried he would not find a career as rewarding as the one he experienced in the Navy.

Luckily, Robert’s transition was smooth. He connected with an Orion Recruiter to help him find his next career. He attended a Hiring Conference in Atlanta, and was hired as a Chief Engineer for a facilities management company. After a little over three years in his position, Robert reached out to Orion again to help him find a new career.

“I have been with Bridgestone since March of 2016 as a Facility Manager in their tire plant in LaVergne, TN. I am responsible for a 52-acre plant, and I have been very successful maintaining an older building with a limited budget and resources,” Robert said.

According to Robert, the best part about his current position is his ability to help people, and the fast-paced environment of the plant. “I meet multiple challenges on a daily basis, and that keeps me motivated. I may not have a solution for everything, but I will give 110% daily,” he explained.

Robert’s time in the military has been beneficial in his new career. “I have a very unique position with very little oversight or assistance; I am expected to figure it out on my own. This can be very stressful for a lot of people, but stress was an everyday thing in the Navy. I live for it!”

In his new role, Robert has the opportunity to hire veterans like himself, and understands the benefits of hiring military. “I have been in the civilian world for just over seven years. Veterans are just different people,” he explained. “I may be a little biased being a retired veteran, but you just don’t get the same caliber of person. Qualities like honor, integrity, pride, and loyalty are a priority with veterans.”

Robert left some lasting advice for transitioning military veterans, encouraging them to think outside the box. “I could have gone into a nuclear field like a lot of other Navy Nukes, but I chose a different path and I have no regrets,” Robert said.

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

Career Resources for USAFA Grads, in Partnership with Orion

Orion Talent is proud to announce our partnership with the Association of Graduates (AOG) and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), on their newly updated Career Center website which launched on September 5, 2019. The Career Center provides USAFA graduates with expert guidance and valuable tools, including:

- Resume Writing
- Mentorship
- Employment
- Education
- Networking
- Resources for Military Spouses

AOG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving USAFA graduates and members. This new Career Center from AOG offers top resources garnered from experts in their field and eliminates the need to wade through multiple websites to glean the information listed above.

Liz McLean, Air Force Veteran and Entrepreneur, worked alongside Orion, the AOG and USAFA to develop and launch the updated Career Center website. Liz recently joined Orion’s From the Battlefield to the Boardroom podcast to discuss her military background and transition, as well as her role in this venture.

“I was very fortunate to be asked to help create this transition program because there has never been one place for transitioning service members to go and get help from A-Z. There are so many great resources out there but we haven’t had a one-stop-shop,” says Liz. “Academy grads will now be able to go to one location where they’ll have access to resume writing services, a mentorship platform, employment links, entrepreneurship resources, and so much more. It takes all of the guessing out of where people need to go,” she explains.

In addition to Orion, the online Career Center is powered by other reputable organizations such as Military.com and Northrop Grumman. “These are the absolute top resources out there with organizations that have brand notoriety and respect with service members, and it will help this population to grow and feel secure in their next steps,” adds Liz.

Listen to the full podcast and visit us online to learn more about careers for Air Force veterans through Orion.

Careers for Veterans in the Data Center Industry

A Data Center is typically a building, a dedicated space within a building, or a group of buildings used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. Data centers centralize an organization’s IT operations and equipment, as well as where it stores, manages, and disseminates its data. They house a network’s most critical systems and are vital to the continuity of daily operations.

The Data Center industry presents an exciting and challenging opportunity for the right candidate. As a military veteran, you are aware that Officers and Enlisted Technicians possess unmatched training in electronic, mechanical, and electrical systems as well as proven leadership skills. Additionally, the training and experiences honed in the military ensures that veterans are well-versed in adhering to the strict operating procedures and protocols that are critical to the success of Data Centers and Mission Critical Facilities. So, it comes as no surprise that these qualities and skills sets make veterans an ideal fit for a career in the Data Center industry.

More than 1,200 veterans have been hired into various roles across Data Centers and Mission Critical Facilities through Orion. Typical career opportunities we see in the Data Center industry include Data Center Technicians, Facility Engineers, Electricians, Production Leaders, Engineers, Project Managers, Maintenance Technicians, and more. Click here for a more detailed overview of each position.

Listen to our podcast, featuring Orion Recruiting Manager Jay Koranda, for more insight into this booming industry and the careers within it:

Check out a few of the recent careers we’ve helped military professionals like yourself find in the Data Center industry:

Visit us online to learn more about Data Center Industry Careers for Veterans.

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, 180 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 - Philadephia, 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 Tuesday, 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:

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

105. Overcoming the Soft Skills Gap

104. Careers for Veterans in the Data Center Industry

103. Former Navy Nuke Excels in Career as a Manufacturing Facility Manager

102. Depot to Depot: The Transition Transformation ft. USMC Col. Ted Studdard

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

Philadelphia, PA December 8 - 9 - Officers please contact Ben DiTota, 757-998-8544, for more information; Enlisted candidates please contact Amy West, 757-998-8520, for more information.

Midwest

Cincinnati, OH December 8 - 9 - please contact Dan Young, 513-644-3355, for more information.

South Central

Houston, TX December 8 - 9 - please contact Doug Bell, 737-209-3361, for more information.

Southeast

Atlanta, GA December 8 - 9 - Officers please contact Mike Wood, 984-208-3986, for more information; Enlisted candidates please contact Michael Block, 984-208-3981, for more information.

Western

Seattle, WA December 8 - 9 - Contact Jay Koranda, 858-267-4233, for more information.

San Diego, CA December 8 - 9 - 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 and Austin, TX 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.

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 New River - November 21
JB Charleston - November 21
MCAS Beaufort - December 13
MCAS New River - December 19
JB Charleston - December 19

Midwest

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

Fort Campbell - December 4-5
Great Lakes - December 17

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

Did you know that Orion candidates earned $16,000 in referral bonuses in the third quarter 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

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Johnson & Johnson

Rees Scientific

Conduent

Lutron Electronics Company

Vestas

Bridgestone Firestone

Komatsu America 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.