Service Officer News Update
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Service Officer News Update |
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by Cliff Griffiths, PDC
Winter 2009
Honor America’s Commitment to Veterans
The Job Front
by Wendy S. EnelowWeb sites to know
With thousands of online job sources, it can be difficult to determine which ones are the “right” ones to use. Furthermore, web sites that you use will depend on your specific career objectives for industry and type of position. The web sites appropriate for a telecommunications specialist are not the same ones that work for a senior-level contracts administrator.Following is a list of some of my favorite web sites. Some post job opportunities, some offer unique job-search support services, and others provide research, information and contacts. Use these sites wisely and in combination with job-posting sites that list opportunities for your specific industry and occupation.
Note that I am not endorsing these sites; I only recommend them from past experiences. Some are free; others charge a fee. Be a smart shopper and research before you spend any money.
• For employment statistics and information on specific industries and occupations:
Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov
U.S. Department of Labor: www.dol.gov• For veteran-specific opportunities, contacts and information:
The American Legion: www.legion.org
Hire Vets First: www.hirevetsfirst.gov• To research specific companies and contacts:
www.hoovers.com
www.infousa.com
www.profileresearch.com• For unadvertised management and executive opportunities:
www.theladders.com
www.execunet.com
www.netshare.com• To find a professional resume writer or career coach:
www.careermanagementalliance.com
National Resume Writers Association: www.nrwa.com• For free online portfolios:
www.visualcv.com• The essential social networking site I recommend every job seeker to use:
www.linkedin.com• My favorite online job-search management tool:
www.jibberjobber.comA final word of advice: don't let the Internet consume too much job-search time. The best way to find a new job is through networking and relationship development. As everything changes, some will always remain the same.
Wendy Enelow is the co-author of Expert Resumes for the Military-to-Civilian Transitions and Executive Resume Toolkit.
www.wendyenelow.comVeterans & Education
by Valerie Vigil
Transfer of GI Bill benefits
Q: How do I transfer my education benefits to my spouse or children?A: Congress realized the new GI Bill needed to include an incentive for U.S. service members to stay on active duty and extend their commitments, rather than leave the military and head straight to college. Thus, the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers education benefits to a spouse if the service member serves, or commits to serve, for at least 10 years. That transferability is available once a service member has served six years and re-enlists for at least four more. Spouses have 15 years to use the benefits.
A service member who wants to transfer the benefit to a child must serve at least 10 years. The child will have until age 26 to use the benefit. If desirable, the benefit can be divided between a spouse and children, with limits on the number of months that can be transferred.
Valerie Vigil is a Marine Corps veteran and member of Arizona Post 27 She has been director of veterans affairs at Mesa Community College, and serves as vice president of the National Association of Veteran Affairs and as an executive board member of the Western Association of Veteran Program Administrators. GI Bill questions can be directed to her by email: askvalerie@legion.org