ACP

Employer’s websites

Newspapers, broadcast outlets, and digital publishers sometimes recruit directly from their company websites. Submitting an online application to work for your favorite news source is a good way to begin your job search. Here are some career pages for companies you might like to work for. You can use any of these links to start applying for jobs at that company. This list is nowhere near exhaustive. 

• Associated Press
• Reuters
• Bloomberg News
• New York Times
• Washington Post
• Wall Street Journal
• USA Today
• National Public Radio
• The Atlantic
• Politico
• The Economist
• Time Magazine
• Christian Science Monitor
• Forbes Magazine

Veterans job boards 

Job boards are an invaluable resource for any job search. It can be especially helpful for veterans to frequent military- or veteran-oriented job boards, in addition to traditional job boards like Monster.com and Craigslist. See below for a list of reputable military job boards, and note that this list is not exhaustive.

• Hirepurpose
• ACP AdvisorNet
• GI Jobs
• Hire Veterans
• RecruitMilitary
• Veterans.jobs
• VetJobs
• Silent Professionals

Journalism job boards 

Getting tied in to job boards specifically intended for journalists and producers is a great way to see what jobs are out there for you and get on the radar of hiring managers in the industry. To get the most out of these, you may want to make a complete profile and keep it up to date.

• Media Bistro
• Story Hunter
• StaffMeUp
• Production Hub
• Stage32
• Production Beast 

Translating your Military Skills to Civilian Terms

Translating your military skills into terms that civilian hiring managers will understand is a challenge but the better they understand your valuable skills and qualifications, the more likely you are to get the job! We’ve compiled a list of websites and organizations that can help.

• Career One Stop
• GI Jobs
• Military.com/Monster
• National Resource Directory
• Real Warriors

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you make introductions and expand your personal network of contacts

• Networking is a two-way street. Don’t merely focus on your own needs; try to find ways to develop a mutual support system. If each party has something to gain from the relationship, then both will have a reason to stay in touch.
• Form real relationships. Networking is about making quality contacts, not just meeting as many people as possible. Make it your goal to build genuine relationships with others and those connections will be far more fruitful.
• Have a plan. Know what you are trying to gain from networking. Are you looking for a job, a recommendation or just advice? Having clear intentions will help new contacts better understand your goals.
• Follow up. Ask new connections how to best stay in touch. Keep records of people you meet and take note of specific traits or conversation topics that will help you differentiate between contacts. Follow up within 48 hours for the next steps.
• Say thank you. Your contacts will appreciate that you recognize and value their efforts, whether your thanks comes in form of an email, a handwritten note, or a phone call.
• Share your passion. Don’t be intimidated to express your genuine interest in a company, industry or position. Connect with like-minded people to help build substantial relationships and show your enthusiasm to leave a lasting impression.
• Make connections with others in your situation. View your peers not as competition for jobs or opportunities but as a valued resource. They can be some of your best allies in exchanging advice, tips and even job openings.
• Ask permission. Always ask permission to use a contact’s name before attempting to reach out to someone in his or her network. For example, if you say “John Smith told me to reach out to you,” and it turns out that John Smith did not offer the introduction, you will risk permanently damaging your relationships with both parties.
• Update your contacts. If someone has given you advice regarding a certain situation, such as an interview or presentation, keep him or her updated about how it turned out. Even if you didn’t accomplish your original goal, keep the conversation going and thank them for their time and input.
• Don’t burn bridges. Stay on polite terms with contacts from college, the military, internships and previous jobs. You never know who end will up working at your dream company or as a hiring manager in the future.

Informational interviews are a great way to learn more about an industry or position. They are especially helpful for students debating a course of study or someone trying to enter a new industry. If you are unsure of how to arrange or conduct an informational interview, here are a few helpful tips:

Identify An Interviewer in a Company or Position of Interest

• See if anyone in your current network of friends, family, or colleagues can make an introduction. Your Mentor might be able to provide introductions.
• Search online directories, contact HR departments or veterans groups and search LinkedIn to find someone local you can meet in person.
• Don’t just look at job titles – they are different in every company. Use LinkedIn and the company website to try to get a sense for what they do.
• Remember, you can still get a lot of value from speaking to someone who works outside of your target company.

Requesting the Interview

• Send an email with a clear subject line, such as, “Informational Interview Request”.
• If applicable, explain who recommended them to you, and provide a short description of your professional background and goals. This can include service details, education and ultimate professional goals.
• Make it clear you are not asking for a job or an interview, and do not attach your résumé, but have it on hand when you meet them.
• If they decline the meeting, you can ask if they can recommend another person to speak with.

Prepare a Few Questions Beforehand

• Consider what you ultimately want to gain from this meeting, and work with your
• Mentor to brainstorm a few questions around that topic.
• Research the person you’re meeting with to craft more pointed questions about their specific background and find common ground.

Navigating the Meeting

• Though an informational interview can be more casual, you should generally treat this like a normal interview.
• Have your list of questions, a means to take notes and have your résumé on hand in case they would like to view it.
• Give enough background information on yourself to provide context, but remember that informational interviews are about listening and learning from the other person’s experience.
• Keep your eye on the time and check in about their schedule ten minutes before the scheduled end to give them the opportunity to either leave early or extend the conversation.
• End the conversation by asking if they can recommend additional people to interview and asking if you can connect with them on LinkedIn.

Following Up

• Send an email or note following the interview thanking them for their time and advice.
• Go the extra mile by highlighting something you enjoyed learning from them.
• If applicable, reach out to the person who introduced you to the interviewer to thank them and share some of the things you learned during the interview.

Before going in for your interview, read through the following steps to make sure you leave a positive and lasting impression.

Step 1: Re-read the posted position and job requirements.

Step 2: Research the organization/company in which you are going to interview, including reading the President/Founder’s letter in their annual report (usually found on their website).

Step 3: Research common interview questions and practice answering them out loud, or practice with a friend. Certain industries have different types of interviews. The most common is the performance-based interview but it’s possible that you will be going for a behavioral or case interview, which would require different preparation.

Step 4: Search for information pertaining to the industry and the job you’re interviewing for and read up on recent articles or studies in the field.

Step 5: Prepare four or five questions about the company/position to be able to ask the interviewer.

Step 6: Check your network to see if you know any current or past employees of the organization/company. If you do – reach out and let them know you’re interviewing!

Step 7: Visit Glassdoor.com to see what past employees and interviewees say about the company and interview process. Check Salary.com for an estimate of what the average salary is for that position in your area.

Step 8: Choose appropriate interview attire. Most in-person business interviews require a solid-colored matching suit, but you can research your industry and “proper interview attire” for more specific information.

Step 9: Print materials you will need for the interview, including your résumé, cover letter, and references. You may not be asked for a hard copy of these documents, but you should always have them available. Bring three copies of each and a pen and paper for note taking as well.

Step 10: Be early but not too early! Aim to arrive about 15-20 minutes prior to the interview. Map out your route ahead of time.

Step 11: Make sure to send a thank you note within 2 days of the interview.

Videoconferencing can help a new mentorship get started on the right foot or enhance an already strong relationship. When working with a Mentor or Protégé who lives a great distance from yourself, videoconferencing can make it easier to build a connection. It can also be a valuable learning opportunity! It is a commonly used method of communication in many professional environments.

Videoconferencing Do’s and Don’ts

• Do find a clean, quiet place to talk.
• Do dress professionally.
• Do consider your spacing on the screen. Your Mentor or Protégé should see your head and shoulders, not just your face or the entire room behind you.
• Do maintain eye contact.
• Do be aware of any online profiles you have set up. If they can be viewed publically, make sure that you are portrayed in a professional manner.
• Do treat your videoconference with the same focus and professionalism that you would if you were meeting in-person. Bring a pen and paper to make notes and have any material you may need for the meeting (résumé, cover letter, etc.) in front of you.
• Don’t send unexpected chat requests. Always schedule a videoconference in advance and agree upon a start and end time to keep the conversation on track.
• Don’t eat food or chew gum during your videoconference.
• Don’t “introduce” your Mentor or Protégé to other people via videoconference unless you have discussed this first.
• Don’t multitask, check social media sites or surf the web.

What should we talk about during a Videoconference?

• Treat it like an in-person meeting. Talk about the same things that you might talk about during any meeting: career goals, professional and educational experiences, jobsearching, skills related to résumé-building, networking, and interviewing.
• Try a mock interview. Videoconferencing is a great medium for mock interviews! A
• Mentor may be able to offer more meaningful advice if he or she can see how the Protégé is moving, behaving, and responding to the interviewer’s questions. Skilled verbal and physical communication are equally important during interviews.
• Provide Feedback. Mentors can provide Protégés with feedback regarding professional attire, public speaking and presentations.
• Review your résumé in real time. Email your Mentor a copy of your résumé and then discuss it live.
• Visit our resource center. Go online and visit ACP’s Resource Center together for conversation starters and suggested activities.

Videoconferencing Options and Instructions 

Google Hangouts: This is a great tool to use in your mentorship as it will allow you to video chat, view documents together, and network. Be sure to add ACP to your Google+ circles once you have an account!

Start by creating an account at hangouts.google.com. You can log in with an existing Gmail account. Google provides help and instruction along the way explaining features and options. Once you have logged in or created an account you can follow the following steps to start a hangout:

1. On the main page of Google Hangouts, click the “Video Call Option”
2. On the next screen, if the a Hangout has already been scheduled, you can enter the name to start the call.
3. To create a new call create a new name and invite attendees by clicking “Invite People”
4. Once you have started the video call, you can share a view of your desktop and collaborate on document by clicking the buttons on the left hand side of the screen.
5. Use the chat feature to share files with everyone on the call.

Skype: Skype is another valuable resource to use in your mentorship as it allows you and your Mentor/Protégé to videochat and network. Skype utilizes unique features such as voicemail, landline and mobile calling ensuring seamless communication between Mentors and Protégés.

Start by visiting www.skype.com and create an account, or sign in by using your existing Microsoft or Facebook account. Skype also provides assistance along the way detailing individual features and options.

1. First download and install the Skype application.
2. After Skype is successfully downloaded, refresh your browser.
3. Login to your Skype account.
4. Once signed in, you can contact your Mentor/Protégé through either your Skype Contacts or dialing directly through the Dial Pad.

FaceTime (Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch): Apple users can utilize the FaceTime application offered on the new iOS 7 software, making it easier than ever to stay in touch with your Mentor/Protégé. The FaceTime application allows users to make video calls from their iPhone, Mac, iPad or iPod Touch.

Start by visiting http://www.apple.com/itunes/ and download the iTunes application to the device(s) you will be using. Once the iTunes application is downloaded, create your Apple ID. Your Apple ID will be used to connect you with FaceTime.

1. Go to settings on your device and tap FaceTime. Turn on FaceTime and tap “Use your Apple ID for FaceTime.”
2. Enter your Apple ID and password.
3. Tap Sign In. (Your phone number and all email addresses associated with your Apple ID will be
4. displayed.) Tap Next.
5. Finally, choose the email addresses and phone numbers you want people to see in order to contact you for FaceTime calls.

All information on downloading, including the Facetime tutorial, can be found at: http://www.apple.com/ios/facetime/

Thanks for stepping up to help your Protégé achieve personal growth and professional development. Mentorship is the most important aspect of our program, and we are so grateful you chose to take on this responsibility. This page explains everything you need to know about your role as an MVJ mentor.

It is your Protégé’s responsibility to reach out to you. We will provide him or her with your email address and/or phone number so you can coordinate and schedule your mentorship sessions.

We encourage you to hold a total of three mentorship sessions during the course of the next three months with your Protégé. Each session should last about an hour. 

Of course every Protégé is unique, but we have found the following topics make worthwhile lessons for just about anybody you might mentor through this program:

1. Tailoring your resume for a journalism career
2. Building a portfolio website
3. Maintaining active and professional social media accounts
4. Joining professional associations like NABJ or Overseas Press Club
5. Exploring how college might help your Protégé. (Remember many of our members benefit from the Post-9/11 GI Bill.)
6. Preparing for a job interview
7. Negotiating a salary
8. Getting promoted and planning a long-term career track
9. Finding the right internship and/or job according to your Protégé’s stage of career development
10. Expand your professional network (which you might be help by introducing your Protégé to other journalists) 

We have compiled a bunch of great resources to help you succeed at being a mentor. One of the most helpful at this early stage of your mentorship may be First Meeting Tips.

And here are good ideas for you if you are located far from your Protégé.

Long Distance Mentorships

Video Conferencing Guide

Remember, you aren’t alone in this. If you have questions, you can email [email protected] and we will be happy to reach out to you by phone or email. We have an all-volunteer staff of working journalists, so please be patient with our response time. We are committed to providing a great mentorship experience, and you are the key to fulfilling that mission.

The most effective mentoring relationships are based on a foundation of trust and confidence, where the Protégé feels safe to openly share his or her goals, objectives, and concerns. While every mentoring relationship is different, the following general guidelines are essential for success:

Have Realistic Expectations

Both parties should understand and agree on their expectations for the partnership. Selfawareness is important, and both the Mentor and Protégé should identify what they would like to gain from the program and what they are able to deliver. Articulate these desires to each other and determine realistic goals.

Share Responsibility for the Relationship

Both the Mentor and Protégé need to take ownership of the relationship. Neither should assume it is the other’s sole responsibility for arranging meetings. Significant energy and time is required of both parties to create a successful mentorship.

Establish Concrete Goals and Develop an Action Plan

The mentorship should be focused on learning and development with clearly stated goals. Set objectives and benchmarks at the outset and review them frequently as they may change over time.

Communicate and Respect your Partner’s Time

No relationship can succeed without clear communication. Show respect for your partner’s time by confirming meetings beforehand and always letting your partner know if you are running late or need to reschedule. Protégés should anticipate what they would like to discuss in advance of each meeting.

Keep an Open Mind

Both parties need to be willing to be open and exchange information. Remain open-minded and flexible as your relationship evolves.

Take Ownership of your Career Development

While Mentors may help Protégés develop the necessary tools for success, Protégés must remember that it is up to them to implement these tools. Protégés will need to put in the time and effort required to advance toward achieving their career goals. It is important to keep in mind that success will not come immediately. And while the Mentor can be a valued guide, responsibility for the Protégé’s career always belongs to the Protégé.

Be Aware of Differences

Be sensitive to cross-race/cross-gender relationships, different social and educational backgrounds, and different career experiences (e.g., military vs. civilian).

Internships are a great way to acquire professional experience or even a reference while you are still a student. Whether your internship is paid, unpaid, or for college credit the experience and connections that you make an intern can be invaluable.

Determine which internship is right for you:

• • This internship predictor is a great tool to help narrow down the type of internship that is best for you (Note: you do have to create an account, but it is free).
• InternMatch.com also provides a great tool to focus your internship search (Note: you do have to create an account, but it is free).

How to find an internship:

• Your College/University: Talk to your school’s Office of Career Services for internships opportunities. If you are applying for a summer internship, it is never too early to get started on the application process.
• Internships.com: is a comprehensive internship search engine. Narrow down opportunities according to your major, field of interest, location and desired company.
• Idealist.org: is a great site for non-profit internships.
• Simplyhired.com: compiles internship listings from many sites and allows you to sort by keyword, industry and location.
• Research Companies which have specific programs for hiring veteran interns.
• Some of your favorite companies may have veterans initiatives.

Tips to enhance your internship search:

• The sooner you start, the better! Don’t wait until the end of the school year to start thinking about summer internships, start early.
• Read the book, All Work, No Pay: Finding an Internship, Building Your Résumé, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience by Lauren Berger for a how-to guide on finding an internship, and specifics on résumés and other tools you’ll need in the search.
• Use social media thoughtfully. Utilize your LinkedIn Profile and even your Twitter account to start a conversation about job opportunities.
• Check out the article The 10 Best Sites For Finding An Internship from Forbes for ideas on where to look for internships.

Can your Protégé describe his/her skills and professional aspirations within the time span of one elevator ride? In today’s competitive job market, it is essential to develop an “elevator pitch,” or a concise, verbal summary of what one does and what one wants to do.

Help your Protégé market himself/herself to prospective employers by evaluating his/her pitch based on the following checklist:

• Content: Did your Protégé’s elevator pitch include:
• Your Protégé’s name, origin, current position;
• Something unique about your Protégé;
• Your Protégé’s aspirations; and
• A clear request at the end?
• Did your Protégé’s speech flow logically from point to point?
• Did your Protégé seem sincere, confident, and passionate in his/her delivery
• while maintaining a conversational tone?
• Did your Protégé maintain eye contact and good posture throughout the pitch?
• Did your Protégé’s elevator pitch last 2 minutes or less?
• Was your Protégé’s elevator pitch memorable?

Which three elements were most successfully represented in the elevator pitch?

Which three elements could use more practice?

Provide any additional comments/observations for your Protégé to think about as he/she further develops an elevator pitch.

Your mentorship is an opportunity to build a relationship with an experienced corporate professional and refine your professional ambitions. Mentors can share their experience, knowledge, and resources to help you structure and organize your career path. Here are some tips to make sure your conversations are productive and meaningful.

Tell your Mentor more about you

• Give your Mentor context about your military and/or professional experience. This will help the Mentor better understand you as an individual and offer appropriate advice and guidance.
• As the mentorship progresses, be sure to share updates about your professional and/or personal life so that your Mentor can give customized feedback.

Be prepared for your discussions

• Come prepared to mentoring sessions armed with questions and discussion topics.
• Consider drafting an agenda and sending it to your Mentor prior to your meeting. Let your Mentor know what you would like to discuss before each session.

Be ready to work at the relationship

• Let your Mentor know when you can speak with him or her.
• Respond to emails and voicemail messages within 24-48 hours.
• Be curious and ask your Mentor specific and direct questions.
• Don’t be afraid to follow up with your Mentor if you haven’t heard from him or her in 1-2 weeks and don’t be discouraged if your Mentor appears to be very busy; they are there to assist.

Be open-minded

• Listen to your Mentor’s suggestions and experiment with them. See which ideas suit your transition best.
• Be prepared to receive constructive feedback from your Mentor regarding your résumé, interviewing skills, and approach to the job market.

Follow through on agreements

• Set calendar reminders for when to contact your Mentor next.
• Set deadlines and submit résumés, cover letters, business plans, etc. to your Mentor at a mutually agreed upon date.

Say “Thank you”

• Send a thank you note or email whenever you achieve one of your goals.
• Write a handwritten note at the conclusion of your mentorship.

Choosing between various higher education programs can be difficult. Use the guidelines below to make sure you are asking yourself the right questions.

How will you fund your Education?

• Military Funding – The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill entitles eligible veterans to affordable public higher education or equivalent funding to attend a private institution. You can also research schools that provide additional funding through The Yellow Ribbon Program.
• Read up on the Post-9/11 GI Bill at Military.com
• Check if your ACE credits, CLEP testing and other college credits transfer
• Find VA-approved programs at Military.com or search Military Friendly Schools by degree, location, or area of study
• Ask your Company – Many companies are willing to sponsor further education of their employees. Find out if this is a possibility, and if so, write a formal proposal. Remember to frame your request in terms of the corporation’s interest.
• Scholarships and Grants – Many schools offer scholarships to incoming students, but there are also a number of grants and scholarships given by external organizations that you can look into.
• Research the different awards that are out there, the amounts they offer, and see if you’re eligible to apply.
• Student Loans – Consider the pros and cons of federal student loans, private student loans, or building a portfolio of multiple loans to pay off your debt strategically.

Which type of program do you want to enroll in?

•  Do you want to take a Full-Time, Part-Time, or Online program?
•  What would you immediately rule out and what are the pros and cons of your best options?

Do you have a sense of where you would like to live or work after you graduate?

• Which schools have a strong network of alumni in your ideal industry?
• Are internship opportunities available at specific companies?
• Universities put their prospective employers’ recruiting schedules online. Go to the career services website of the university you’re interested in to see which companies are recruiting.
• Call a college’s career services department and ask for their recruiting records to get a sense of employment outcomes for recent grads.
• Would you live in the prospective city/town upon graduation? This is not necessary but an option to consider.

What is the return on investment?

• Look at the tuition of the schools you are considering. Are certain programs significantly more expensive? If so, what do they offer to make up for this price increase?
• What is the average salary for someone in your desired field? Will you need additional schooling after taking the first step?
• Accrediting bodies evaluate the quality and credibility of programs. Can you find an accreditation rating for your school of choice?

It is customary in the corporate world to send a thank you note to anyone who has done something to help you advance professionally.

• Who: Send a thank you note to anyone who does a professional favor for you.
• What: Examples include reviewing your resume, introducing you to a networking contact, conducting an informational interview, or helping you improve your online presence.
• When: Send the note within a day or two of the favor.
• Where: Send your note via snail mail or email. Either is acceptable.
• Why: Sending a thank you note indicates that you have good manners and that you are appreciative of the help that others have provided. It also helps to cement networking relationships.
• Go above and beyond: To maintain the relationship, keep your contact informed of your professional growth. Did their advice work? If so, let them know. You can also offer to return the favor one day. Building a reciprocal relationship with your contact will ensure the relationship’s longevity.

Sending a Thank You Note after an Interview

Sending a thank you note after an interview gives you the opportunity to express not only that you have good manners, but also that you have a genuine interest in the position.

What should the note say?

• This note should say more than just “thank you.” Use this as an opportunity to follow up on previous discussions and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position.
• Build on the conversations that you had during the interview. Try to talk about specific topics that were covered and use the note to strengthen your candidacy for the job.

What should you avoid saying in a thank you note?

• Avoid being generic or sounding like you used a template to write your note.
• Potential employers can sense when you have simply inserted their name into a previously formatted email.
• Don’t just say, “I am qualified for this job.” Tell the interviewer why you are qualified and be sure to back up your statements with specifics.
• Avoid saying, “I’m sorry for my delay.” Do not start your thank you note with an apology. You risk giving the impression that you have poor time management skills.

When and how should you send a thank you note?

• Send a thank you note within a day or two of the interview.
• Wait at least a few hours from the interview to send a thank you note. Give yourself time to reflect on the interview and what you learned about the company.
• You can send your note via email or snail mail.

If you don’t know where to start, here are some helpful questions to ask your Mentor upon introduction.

How did you get where you are today? Chances are you would like to someday be where your mentor currently is in their career.

• How did you get your first job post-graduation?
• What advice would you like to have heard when you were starting out?
• Do you have any recommendations with regards to useful courses to take or extracurricular activities to be involved with?

What qualities do you look for in the people you hire? Someday at an interview, you will probably find yourself face-to-face with someone very similar to your Mentor. Get the scoop on what these people are really looking for in a casual setting.

• What are the main or most important personal characteristics for success in the field?
• What kind of education/training do you have? How important is a graduate degree, designation, or additional certificate in this field?
• How is a typical job interview in this industry conducted?
• When should I start applying for positions and forwarding my resume?
• Is there anyone else in this field you would recommend I talk to? When I call them, may I mention that you referred me?

What else is out there? You may want to know what other positions correlate with your background, if there are any other organizations that are useful to be a part of, and how to go about finding the best fit for you.

• Are you a member of any professional orders or associations? Which ones do you feel are the most important to belong to?
• Are there any other fields or jobs you would suggest I research/explore?
• How do people find out about job openings in this field? Are they advertised? If so, where?

When do you want to meet next? Both you and your Mentor probably have very busy schedules so it is very important to plan ahead in order to stay on the same page. Do not let your time with your Mentor lapse.

Some civilian employers have a limited understanding of military life and the specialized language that goes along with it. It is important to know how to describe your military experience to a prospective employer to show that you have the right skills for the position you want.

Here are four tips to help translate your experience into “civilian-speak:”

Avoid Acronyms

Hiring managers may not know what MOS stands for or what it means to have worked at CENTCOM. It can be frustrating for them to figure out shorthand acronyms. Write the words out instead and put the acronym in parentheses.

Include and Explain Relevant Awards

It is natural to want to highlight your service record and the honors you earned. However, many civilian employers will not understand either the meaning or the significance of a Defense Meritorious Service Medal or a Silver Star. Therefore, follow two rules:

• Reference the highest-level award that pertains to the position you are applying for.
• Summarize what you did to earn your award.

Translate Your Rank

In the military, ranks are clear and understood by everyone. They indicate position in the chain of command and, to some extent, responsibilities. The civilian workforce also uses titles, but they are mostly job descriptors and, in some cases, indicators of rank. Different companies often use different titles to describe similar positions. Explain your basic duties and focus on the skills and responsibilities that can be applied to the position you are seeking. You may need to explain the level of responsibility that your rank and position required. It is good practice to provide the skills developed instead of just the number of people under your command.

Interpret Your Training

A civilian hiring manager may not immediately understand what it means to go through Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training or Basic Combat Training. If the skills and knowledge you gained in a training course are relevant to the job you are applying for, include it on the résumé with a simple summary of its value.

Extra Materials and Activities:

• Skill Translators – These sites offer a way to look up your MOS and identify civilian equivalents. They are especially useful if you are looking for civilian positions you are qualified for based on your MOS. Some of our favorites include Military.com and CareerOneStop.
• Community Feedback – You can log on to the free online forum, ACP AdvisorNet and ask other volunteers to review your résumé. Here is a link to a sample résumé review question: Résumé Critique.
• Discuss Your Skill Set – Speak with your Mentor about the skills you developed during your military service. Your Mentor will be able to give you advice on how to present those skills effectively. You can use Translating Military Experience to Civilian Employment from RealWarriors.net and Soft Military Skills That Deliver Hard Results for Military Veteran Careers from LinkedIn to start the conversation.
• Job Sites – These sites can offer suggestions in terms of formatting, wording, and structure of your résumé. One of our favorites is Job Hero, which finds sample résumés that other applicants submitted for different positions.
• Veteran Service Organizations – There are several veteran service organizations that help with skill translation. You may want to take a look at tools from organizations like Hire Our Heroes.
• Career Fairs – These events can be great for practicing how you are describing your experience and refining your elevator pitch. Check out Recruit Military for a veteran job fair in your area.

A résumé is a brief, informative summary of your abilities, education and experience. It should highlight your strongest assets and skills and differentiate you from other candidates seeking similar positions. Although a great résumé alone will not get you a job, this document is essential for obtaining an interview.

• A typical résumé is no more than one page long. Eliminate information that does not relate to the position to which you are applying. The hiring manager could be reviewing hundreds of résumés, so be sure to keep your descriptions succinct.
• Take time to make your format appealing, as this is their first impression of you. Keep the format uncluttered and consistent, and use a professional font such as Times New Roman or Arial.
• List your up-to-date contact information, including phone number, mailing address and email. Use a professional sounding email address. If your email contains an unprofessional nickname, slang, profanity, etc., create an account that is appropriate for job hunting.
• Describe your accomplishments rather than outlining your job description. Employers want to see how you’ve increased productivity, strengthened sales, balanced responsibilities, etc. Quantify and qualify your accomplishments when appropriate.
• Pay attention to the job posting and utilize keywords mentioned in the listing. It is helpful to print out the description and underline credentials that you can reiterate in your résumé.
• Avoid using personal pronouns such as ‘I’ or ‘we’.
• Use action verbs like ‘initiated’, ‘implemented’, ‘managed’, ‘launched’, etc. These words demonstrate that you are a proactive and engaged employee. Click here to see a full list of action verbs.
• Avoid using flowery or extravagant language. Over-selling your accomplishments can come off as disingenuous. Avoid using too many exaggerated adverbs, such as ‘successfully’ or ‘effectively’, as it is assumed that any task listed on your resume was carried out ‘successfully’ and ‘effectively’.
• Make a strong case for why you should be hired. Tailor each résumé to suit the position you are applying for. Highlight skills and accomplishments that prove you will be successful in the job at hand.
• Proofread your résumé and ask at least two other individuals to look it over as well.
• Grammatical errors and typos will immediately exclude you from the pool of candidates.
• Consider converting your finished résumé to a PDF to avoid formatting errors.

Many mentorships are long-distance. Here are some of our best suggestions for getting the most out of your long-distance mentorship.

• Be accountable to one another. Create a call schedule with your Mentor or Protégé. Schedule a series of calls or videoconferences in advance or reserve a specific day of the month to speak. If you are having trouble coordinating schedules, consider creating free accounts on Doodle.com. They can help you identify the best dates and times in your schedule to meet.
• Add structure to your mentorship by creating monthly or quarterly goals to work towards.This will help keep your mentorship on track and moving forward.
• Mentors: consider setting up informational phone interviews for your Protégé with colleagues in your network. This will help your Protégé expand his or her own network while learning about new career fields.
• Protégés: share job postings that you would like to apply to with your Mentor. Review them together to determine if you meet the qualifications. If so, start talking about how you can best represent yourself in a résumé and cover letter.
• Practice interviewing skills together. Conduct mock interviews over the phone or via videoconference. This will provide Protégés with constructive feedback to avoid making common interviewing mistakes. Pairs can also critique interviews on YouTube together, discussing the interviewee’s strengths and weaknesses.
• Network online. Connect on LinkedIn and join groups of mutual interest. You can also follow companies on Twitter to view their most recent job posts. Social media can be a great tool to network and stay informed.
• Mentors: help your Protégé network locally. Check if your company has a satellite office close to where your Protégé lives. Try to set up a “shadow day” for your Protégé with a colleague or department.
• Grab a book. Select a book about management, business or professional development to read together. Check our Recommended Reading List for suggestions. To save on expenses, you can always go to your local library to get started.
• Regularly assess your progress. Each quarter, look back on the progress that you have made together. Are you satisfied with your work? Are there areas to improve upon?
• As always, be honest with one another. Let your Mentor or Protégé know what is working in your mentorship and what you would like to change. The only way to make things better is to communicate your goals and expectations throughout the yearlong mentorship.

Building a solid foundation for your mentorship means establishing trust and communicating openly about your goals, accomplishments and objectives for the future. Use these prompts to start the conversation with your Mentor or Protégé.

Talk About Mentoring

Discuss what it means to be in a mentorship

• Why did you become involved with ACP?
• What does mentoring mean to you?
• Have you ever been in a mentorship before?

Talk About Your Careers

Discuss your career progression

• What professional experience, both civilian and military, do you have?
• What was the career path you took that led to your current role?
• How do you handle professional obstacles or roadblocks?
• What is the best way to obtain and respond to feedback at work?
• What part of your job do you find most challenging?
• What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
• What areas would you like to develop skills in or learn more about?
• What would you say are your best professional skills?
• What skills or competencies do you find that new professionals often lack?
• What are your short-term and long-term goals?

Talk About Your Personal Lives & Interests

Take the time to get to know one another

• Who do you talk to when you need advice?
• How do you deal with criticism?
• How do you stay motivated?
• What books or authors have been influential to you?
• What newspapers and magazines do you read most often?
• What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• What are your favorite weekend activities?
• Talk About the Structure of Your Mentorship

Discuss the logistics that will help support your mentorship

• How often do you expect to meet, talk or videoconference?
• Who should take responsibility for initiating meetings?
• What is the best way to get in touch?
• Consider establishing a monthly communication schedule.
• What should the focus of your second meeting be?
• Discuss tangible goals for your “12 significant discussions.”
• What do you hope to gain from your mentorship?

Writing a succinct and informative cover letter is crucial. Hiring managers generally scan through a cover letter, so grabbing their attention immediately can be the key to getting an interview.

Do

• Address the job announcement: Understand the requirements and job details and responsibilities. Cover letters should be specific for the job to which you are applying. One general cover letter will not suffice for multiple, unique roles.
• Speak to the needs of the organization: Start with an opener that shows you understand the industry and can meet their needs. Make specific reference to the company’s mission if appropriate to show that your goals align.
• Highlight key words from the job posting: Your cover letter could be scanned for keywords and dismissed immediately if appropriate words are not included.
• Promise to deliver results: Detail why past experiences and challenges make you the perfect fit for this position. If you’ve overcome specific obstacles to succeed, this is a great place to communicate those experiences.
• Show your passion: With hundreds of applicants to consider, hiring managers are looking for the person who will be enthusiastic and committed to the position and organization.
• Demonstrate why you are that person with concrete examples but avoid over-exaggerating.
• Keep the letter short: Three short paragraphs should cover what you need to say without overwhelming the recipient. Your cover letter should not exceed one page with 12-point font.
• Use traditional formatting: Research sample cover letters to learn where to place various required information, such as your contact information, the hiring manager’s contact information, signature, etc. Be sure to use a professional font, such as Times New Roman or Arial.
• Address your reader: Find out the name of the hiring manager if it is not already included in the posting. Avoid generalized greetings, such as “To Whom It May Concern.”
• Know what you are asking for: State clearly that you are interested in interviewing for the position. Conclude your cover letter with this message to drive home your intentions.
• Thank your reader: Be sure to show your appreciation for their time and consideration.

Don’t

• Reiterate your résumé: Make your cover letter a unique representation of why you are the perfect person for the job.
• Have a boring opening statement: “Please accept my résumé”, and “In response to the position…” will not grab their attention. Express what makes you a unique candidate in the first sentence to hook the reader.
• Ramble: The recipient will look to your résumé for more detail, so make your cover letter is expressive but easy to digest.
• Use jargon: Don’t confuse the recipient by using industry or military lingo. Try to translate your skills to demonstrate why they make you the perfect fit.
• Underestimate the importance of a good cover letter: A bad cover letter can negate a great résumé. Proofreading and customization are essential to making an impression.

Social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are becoming increasingly helpful to career development. Professionals can use social media platforms as a way to enhance their knowledge of technology, marketing, and news for their industry; network with other professionals; and provide an online space where clients can interact with them and provide feedback about their products or services.

Using Social Media to Find a Job:

Developing an online presence can be helpful to your job search as an increasing number of recruiters are logging on to sites like LinkedIn and Twitter to find potential job candidates. Similarly, many companies use LinkedIn to post job opportunities. Job seekers can view social media platforms as a space for online résumés or as a means to develop a professional online presence that may be attractive to potential employers.

To make the most of your LinkedIn profile during your job search, learn how to leverage your profile during a job search. Similarly, you can find a helpful guide on how to use Twitter to search for a job here.

Social Media Etiquette and Professionalism:

As employers increasingly search for and review employees’ and job candidates’ online profiles, it is especially important to maintain a level of professionalism regarding your online presence and to adhere to proper social media etiquette. Review some helpful tips for maintaining a professional online presence below, and consider removing any unprofessional profiles from the web.

DO:

• Keep your profile pictures tasteful and professional. Choose a photo that you would be comfortable sharing with your professional network.
• Utilize your privacy settings on all social media platforms to control how much of your profile can be viewed by the general public. A guide to Facebook’s privacy settings can be found here or here; Twitter’s can be found here; and LinkedIn’s can be found here.
• Use Twitter and LinkedIn to broaden your professional network. Engage others in conversations about your career and professional interests. For example, if you are interested in education, follow education-related conversations on Twitter via hashtags such as #education and tweet at people who are also within that community and/or industry.
• Use Twitter and Facebook to highlight your work and share it with others, but keep selfpromotion within reason. Be self-aware and share with professionalism and humility.
• Use proper grammar and spelling. Your personal contacts might not judge your grammar, but potential employers and professional contacts probably will.

DO NOT:

• Post disparaging remarks about your current or former employer, colleagues, or company. Be aware that professional contacts within your Twitter and Facebook networks may be able to see everything you post or tweet.
• Spam. Avoid posting repeated status updates and comments within the span of a few hours. Spamming will encourage your contacts to avoid you on social media and will hinder your ability to network.