posted
Last drill weekend I had a chance to talk to some of the guys in my unit. Up here in Washington State there seems to be trend of members in the Guard and Reserve not finding jobs. It seems employers are leery about hiring someone who might have to deploy for a year or more. I have had at least three guys in my unit tell me that employers have told them they are "not hiring members of the Guard or Reserve at this time." Me, I went from a comfortable 85k a year, to 40k a year (take home) when I deployed, to being told I need to take a job that pays 12.00 an hour by the unemployment folks. I have worked almost 40 hours a week looking for a job and have only had one interview in two months. I was told by a representative from my state's human resource office that I need to "demilitarize my resume". That's kind of hard since I was on active duty for almost three years.
-------------------- If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all. Posts: 1529 | From: Tacoma WA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
I'm not sure of your situation but you do have certain rights as a member of the Reserve and/or guard pertaining to job discrimination. I do not believe they can legally not hire you because you are a member.
Posts: 559 | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
i've seen data that suggests unemployment rates at 15% for the returning troops... The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that for the first three quarters of 2005, nearly 15 percent of veterans aged 20-24 are jobless -- three times the national average.
i think you guys should be writing letters to your senators and congressmen...
name names give specifics
i've also noted that a lot of returned troops are planning to run for office next election...
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise. Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
Also, Houston Texas..Always looking for a few good men in the Oil Patch..
I've driven down there with just enough cash to make the trip, and landed good jobs within hours...
If you really want to go to work, there is plenty of good paying jobs out there..
Focus on military compatible industries..
Being a Vet, especialy a Combat tuffened one is a major plus...Period!
Just let your military record stand, and don't talk about it..Remember you will be working with other Vets, and most of us don't like a whole lota past military scuddlebutt and stories around the job site.
Posts: 10729 | From: oregon | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
You said before, I think, that you had worked for an insurance company. Have you tried some of the larger ones in Seattle and Redmond. Some of these companys have jobs available and programs for training, if you want to go into a different area than you were in. Of course you might not have liked that industry.
Posts: 3875 | From: ca. | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
You know what really sucks,some businesses and people say they support our troops, but when it comes right down to it ,if it costs them anything (time,money etc) they want no part of it. These same people will be the first to complain if there is a National Disaster and they are not protected by these same troops, if needed. Yes, it could be a little more burden to take a chance hiring them, but it would be nice to see them step up to the plate for a change. I wish they would draft these people. The unemployment rate should be less for these veterans-soldiers, not more than the national average.
Posts: 3875 | From: ca. | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by glassman: Dusty is probably right, Hilander,
maybe some of US that aren't looking for a job should do the letter writing thing, i am....
Who could some of US write to, in addition too senators and congressman. I have the time and it is a great and worthy cause.
Posts: 1235 | From: Anacortes, WA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Thanks for the input guys. We have tried talking to elected officials but the only ones they want to talk to are the ones who lost their businesses. The VA reps I have talked to have indicated that there may be some problems finding work (duh) but to keep trying. When it comes to the insurance industry.....I swore I would never go back; Til about two weeks ago. Got resumes in for entry level positions. The ones I used to train new adjusters in. Still no word. We shall see. I have to go away to a school for the Army in a month and if I don't have a job when I get home I'll probably just go back to Iraq and work for a buddies company over there. Promised the old lady and family I wouldn't, but I have bills to pay. Thanks for the advice and support guys.
-------------------- If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all. Posts: 1529 | From: Tacoma WA | Registered: Apr 2005
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Hopefully you find something before you go back to Iraq. I hope the New Year brings you great things, you deserve it. Job hunting always was horrible for me, I hate the process. Again good luck and have a Great New Year.
Posts: 3875 | From: ca. | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
You could check the oilfield on the North Slope. Most jobs are two weeks on, two off. Prudhoe Bay is about an 1 1/2 hour from here, SeaTac's 3 1/2. Some guys go home after every hitch.
-------------------- "Keep your stick on the ice, we're all in this togeather!" Posts: 367 | From: AK | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Damn Tex, you hearing what I am about jobs down there? in the Oil industry..
I know of Captains that are getting some heavy pay increases..I'd go in a heart beat, but the Doc's won't release me for Sea Duty..YET!
Posts: 10729 | From: oregon | Registered: Feb 2005
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Also check for jobs under the Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment, on the Dept Of Vetereans Affairs Website. The VA. Rep. might have told you about this site, but a lot of the Reps. have no clue. Some of the jobs are listed under unlikely titles, so you might have to search awhile. It use to be a pretty good website, I have not used it for some time.
Posts: 3875 | From: ca. | Registered: Jul 2005
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I checked a litter further on the VA. website. Once you get into the first part hit on the Chapter 31 Job Bank (AJB) I hit Business& Financial Operations, then I hit on a state , that got me in to where I could enter keyword and city , I put insurance and Tacoma and came up with many recent listings, there are also many other fields, Good luck .
Posts: 3875 | From: ca. | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Thanks, IWISHIHAD, got a really good tip on a defense contractor looking to hire ex-military guys with Armored Vehicle experience. I hold 19k (Tank) and 19D (Bradley) MOS's. Two of my buddies already work there so hopefully I get an interview. Thanks again to you and Dusty for your help.
-------------------- If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all. Posts: 1529 | From: Tacoma WA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
I hope that job works out or you find someting else. At least now you are past the holidays and the job market starts to get better again. Nov-Dec are always bad months to look for full time jobs. I am glad you posted what you did, because a lot of people like myself were unaware what you guys are going through in the job market. Now we can spend some time trying to change this.
Posts: 3875 | From: ca. | Registered: Jul 2005
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