5 People Veterans Will Meet While Networking for a Job
It is well-known that networking is the key tactic for any successful job search. Both civilians and veterans will obtain the information, access and referral to other helpful people they need by assiduously following the principles of effective networking. Each person the veteran will encounter along the way will be unique, of course, but experience teaches us that many fall into archetypal categories. Each has its own quirks and characteristics. By learning to spot these behaviors, the successful veteran job seeker will know how to position themselves for maximum personal benefit.
These are the five personalities that one may encounter as a veteran networker.
The Military Wannabe
This man or woman will tell you shortly after meeting them how they "almost" served in the military. Sometimes this claim is accentuated by a reference to a grandfather who served in World War II or Korea or an uncle who fought in Vietnam. It can be amusing to hear, "I was a varsity swimmer in college and almost became a Navy SEAL." Of course, that "almost" experience invariably did not include a visit to a recruiter or any time spent at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.
These people can be of great service to the veteran job seeker because they will seek to help you as absolution for their non-service. The implied social contract is that you will conversationally accept their "almost service" as close to the real thing in return for their help in forwarding your career. If you can keep a straight face, this is a good trade.
The Old Salt Veteran
This veteran is one who genuinely wants to help because he was once in your shoes. The price of his cooperation is as simple as entertaining his sea stories and his nostalgic tales. The challenge here can be keeping him on task to support your career search after allowing the conversational diversions.
The old salt may want to hear some of your stories and may incredulously ask out-of-date questions like, "Wait, there are women sailors on combatant ships now?" or "What do you mean drill instructors are not supposed to swear in boot camp?" Again, you will have so much in common with this fellow veteran that you should have little trouble advancing your job search if you both stay focused. In this case it is perfectly alright to say something like, "Sir, I am enjoying this conversation and would love to continue it over a beer, but can we get back to discussing how I can break into a marketing job in your industry?"
The Hostile Hippie
Whereas there is generally a tremendous amount of goodwill in our society for veterans and their service, there are still those individuals who are indifferent or hostile towards veterans. Informed by ignorance and bias, these "hostile hippies" may at first present a barrier to your networking efforts. They may object to your service on political, philosophical or even medical fears of post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injuries. You may need to endure tactless questions like, "What could you possibly have done in the military that could help any real business?" or "Did you kill a lot of people in Afghanistan?"
The best way to respond to the hostile hippie is to stay calm, smile a lot and call them on their ignorance. Many of these people will recant when their bias is exposed for what it is, ignorant prejudice. "You might be surprised to learn, ma'am, that my infantry platoon was an amazingly diverse group from a socio-economic, racial and geographic perspective. I learned a lot about managing and motivating when I served as platoon sergeant for the team. That is why I know I will make a great manager." Using words like "diversity" and "management" are calming to some people who want to be hostile to veterans.
The Hard Guy/Bully
This persona is like the evil twin to the military wannabe. The hard guy, who could also be a woman, wants to show how tough he is by belittling your ambition or plan. "So why do you think you can make it in sales at a company like mine?" might be his challenge.
Like any bully, the best way to deal with this person is by sticking up for yourself. Stay courteous and composed but also firm and determined. Sometimes the "hard guy" is just testing you to see if you are worthy of his assistance. If you do your homework, you will exceed this person's low expectations.
The Coach/Mentor
The final type of person you may meet on your journey is the coach or mentor. They want to help you simply because they derive satisfaction from the act. Their ulterior motives are not important. Simply take them at their word and be grateful for the assistance.
The best way you can take advantage of the beneficence of the mentor is to be prepared and follow up on their suggestions. You must have a solid elevator pitch and know exactly what you seek from this relationship. Is it introductions, insight or feedback? In all cases, you need to nurture this relationship and seek to reciprocate where and when you can.
Networking is hard work for the veteran job seeker but it is the surest path to success. Learn to spot these types of people on the way. All can help, but at the end of the day, it is up to you to make each relationship work in support of your career development.
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