Month: June 2021

Five Tips to Find Part-Time Employment

Five Tips to Find Part-Time Employment

Kelsey Wolf-Wallace
Latest posts by Kelsey Wolf-Wallace (see all)

Okay, let’s set the scene. You’re in the middle of your job search, currently unemployed, looking for a full-time role. You separated from the military four months ago and you’re running out of money. Or maybe you’re a veteran who was furloughed in your current role and needs to supplement your income, or maybe you’re interested in starting a new career and need practical experience.

I’m here to tell you that it’s totally acceptable for you to find a part-time job or find an opportunity to supplement your income. If you choose to pursue a part-time role, you won’t be alone. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found 4.6% of men had multiple jobs, while 5.3% of women did in 2017.

If you need to find part-time work, you’ll need to pivot your job search and portfolio. Here are five ways to find part-time work or supplemental work: 

  1. 1. Re-evaluate your resume. For example, you initially targeted a sales account manager role when you developed your resume. Now, you plan to use your professional experience from your time in the military to obtain a part-time inventory specialist role until you can secure the management-level role. You will need to revise your resume and write it in a way that indicates experience and interest in an inventory management role. A hiring manager looking to fill an inventory management role will want to know you can handle inventory, so those are the skills your new resume should reflect.
  2. 2. Your LinkedIn profile should align with your resume. You’ve revamped your resume to apply for inventory specialist positions, and now it’s time to do the same to your LinkedIn profile. Make sure your LinkedIn presence and resume are aligned. This allows recruiters and hiring managers to better understand your focus and in turn, determine if you’re a fit for an open position.
  3. 3. Be flexible. What other skills do you have, and what would you enjoy doing? Click here to find some side job ideas to get you brainstorming. Just because it’s a part-time job, it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! For instance, I supplemented my income in grad school by dog sitting on Rover.com! Be open-minded and creative.
  4. 4. Maximize your network. If you need practical experience in a brand new career field, starting a part-time or side job could grow your network. The wider your network, you improve your chances of connecting with the right person in the future!
  5. 5. Avoid Gaps in Employment. Choosing to pursue part-time work while continuing to search for a full-time role can help you in the long run. Employment gaps stand out to employers! As someone who reviews and writes resumes every day, a part-time job stocking overnight at a retail store looks WAY better than doing nothing. 

A part-time position can be rewarding in more ways than one. Whether you’re gaining valuable work experience, pursuing your passion on the weekends, growing your professional network, or increasing opportunities for full-time job offers or promotions, part-time work can contribute to your professional goals.

Now that you’re interested, where do you look for part-time work? Here are some helpful sites to get you started!

Kelsey Wolf-Wallace is a Transition Specialist with Hire Heroes USA’s Junior Enlisted Program. If you’re interested in receiving free career support with Hire Heroes USA, click here to learn more.

Golf Channel Interviews Hire Heroes USA Board Member and Veterans Advocate Carl Meyer

Golf Channel Interviews Hire Heroes USA Board Member and Veterans Advocate Carl Meyer

Ahead of his 14th Independence Day of marathon golf in support of military families, Hire Heroes USA Board Member and longtime fundraiser Carl Meyer appeared on the Golf Channel’s “Golf Today” to discuss his 14th annual “100 Holes for Our Heroes” fundraiser. Watch the full interview in the window below.

This year, Meyer became the first individual to raise more than $1 million for Hire Heroes USA, marking an outstanding milestone in his efforts to support veterans and military spouses. Because of his tireless efforts, at least 600 veterans and military spouses have secured meaningful employment since 2007.

Weather permitting, Meyer will golf 114 holes at his hometown course in Chenequa, Wis. on July 4th this year. Click here to support Carl’s fundraising efforts and help him achieve his $150,000 fundraising goal this year!

Volunteer Spotlight: Mary

Volunteer Spotlight: Mary

Hire Heroes USA Volunteer Mary Hidalgo-Klein

The prospect of starting over again after a military career can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. It’s exactly why Hire Heroes USA Volunteer Mary Hidalgo-Klein returned to volunteer with Hire Heroes USA. Several years before she asked about mentoring our clients, she was a Hire Heroes USA client herself following four years of service in the U.S. Army.

Since joining our volunteer team last summer, Mary has spent more than 40 hours working with fellow veterans and their families on interviewing and improving resumes. In this month’s volunteer spotlight, we asked Mary several questions about her experience as a volunteer and why she found it so important to give back to the military community.

How did you learn about Hire Heroes USA and what made you want to volunteer?

“During my military transition, the military transition coordinator provided resource information for Hire Heroes USA. With the help and support from Hire Heroes I was able translate my military experience into a tailored resume and ace interviews to find a job that fit me best. After a few years in the civilian workforce, I wanted to give to others what Hire Heroes USA gave to me.”  

How do you apply your own professional experience to your interactions with clients?

“I recreate my personal interview experiences or salary negotiations for the clients so they leave the conversation knowing what to generally expect. I like to provide clients validation and confidence in these sessions. The majority of the clients I interact with already have the knowledge to land a job, what they tend to lack is belief in themselves.”

Is there a particular client interaction that sticks with you?

“Every client has left a lasting impression whether it be their personality, sharing personal victories (babies, fiancés, moves, etc…), the skills they unknowingly taught me, or providing insight into an industry I am not as familiar with. However, the interaction that has resonated with me the most was being able to connect two individual clients that share a mutual career interest that would have never met otherwise.”

What has been the most rewarding part of being a volunteer with Hire Heroes USA?

“The most rewarding part of being a volunteer with Hire Heroes USA is the email/call/LinkedIn messages from clients I have spoken with letting me know they landed a great job. There are times that clients don’t get back with the volunteers leaving us curious how things turned out. The ones who get back to me make it worth it and keep me involved.”

If you would like to make a difference in the lives of veterans and military spouses, please click here to learn more about volunteering with Hire Heroes USA.

Alumni Spotlight: Haley

Alumni Spotlight: Haley

Each quarter, we highlight a different member of our alumni community. We want to celebrate your victories and help you find long-term success in your civilian career. As part of the military community, we continue to root for our brothers and sisters’ achievements after service. This quarter, meet Haley.

Hire Heroes USA Alumni Member and Volunteer Haley Ramirez

Military Connection: Haley is a former military spouse and understands that while this includes opportunities, it also brings challenges that can impact a military spouse’s career.

Career Background: Haley is a school counselor at BASIS Independent Manhattan in New York City. Before moving to New York, Haley and her husband were based in Georgia and in Kansas. Haley completed her Master of Science in Counseling and Student Development and obtained her Professional Counselor license at Kansas State University.

Current Position: School Counselor 

Experience with Hire Heroes USA: Haley was a Hire Heroes USA client when her husband transitioned out of the military. She worked with her Hire Heroes USA Transition Specialist to build a clean, professional resume and to write professional cover letters. Haley also took advantage of Hire Heroes USA’s interview preparation resources to build her confidence and gain valuable feedback.

Alumni Involvement: After settling in NYC, Haley wanted to give back to Hire Heroes USA after working with us. She recently completed training to serve as a Hire Heroes volunteer, and has already spent 15 hours working with Hire Heroes USA clients. She also recognized the opportunity to stay connected to the Hire Heroes USA alumni network as a helpful support system that understands military spouse culture.

Most Important Career Advice: Don’t limit yourself. You might not be ready for something until you actually do it. Think big, and you will rise to the occasion.

Professional Goals: Haley has ambitions of getting her Ph.D. She also enjoys the career counseling opportunities through Hire Heroes USA and is excited to continue to help other military spouses and veterans achieve their professional goals.

If you’re a Hire Heroes Alumnus and you’d like to learn more about additional services, volunteer opportunities or the chance to share your story, visit the Alumni page and email Matt Kohler to get started: mkohler@hireheroesusa.org.

Top Jobs & Training Programs for June 2021

Top Jobs & Training Programs for June 2021

Every month, Hire Heroes USA selects several job openings from our job board to highlight. These job openings are posted by partnered employers who are looking to hire veteran and military spouse talent.

View jobs from our featured employer this month, Flyer’s Energy. Also, be sure to check out several of our training partners by downloading the document below.

Click here to download the newsletter.

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