Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN)

INTRODUCTION

The Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide employment readiness, job training, and placement assistance at NO COST to military spouses, transitioning Military, National Guard, Reserves, Veterans, War Wounded, and Caregivers of War Wounded (i.e. military-affiliated applicants). The MSCCN was founded in 2004 by a Navy spouse and is operated and managed by a team of geographically diverse military spouses, veterans, and caregivers located near military installations across the country. MSCCN is the only nonprofit organization that works as an employment partner to the Armed Forces through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) from every branch of service, working with Headquarters on down to the military family centers. Additionally, we bring employers and military applicants together through a unique partnership MSCCN has with DirectEmployers Association, Inc. a group of Charter Members, and numerous sponsors and donors.

Since 2004 MSCCN has assisted over 3 million military affiliated applicants in the areas of career focus, employment readiness, and job placement assistance.

Through the Career Corps Volunteer Program the MSCCN offers our military-affiliated job seekers the opportunity to serve in positions that allow them to keep their work experience current while they hone and expand their skills. Want to stay competitive? Join the MSCCN Career Corps.

Social Media Career Corps volunteer positions are virtually served.

DUTIES

The volunteer who serves this position will actively participate in a wide variety of social media activities such as blogging, community development and management, social bookmarking, commenting, etc. and becomes well connected with the broader social media world. This person should be able to think strategically, but be willing and able to roll up their sleeves to help implement the programs we structure for FaceBook, LinkedIn and the Career Navigation blog.

SKILL, ABILITY AND KNOWLEDGE

Individuals who apply for this position should have experience in social media tools and techniques. They will gain additional knowledge and career experience in: social media tools and techniques, marketing, strategy, product marketing, press and analyst relations, business development, operations, and more.

Please send your resume to Stacy Bayton, Executive Director at

s_bayton@msccn.org.

Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN)

INTRODUCTION

The Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide employment readiness, job training, and placement assistance at NO COST to military spouses, transitioning Military, National Guard, Reserves, Veterans, War Wounded, and Caregivers of War Wounded (i.e. military-affiliated applicants). The MSCCN was founded in 2004 by a Navy spouse and is operated and managed by a team of geographically diverse military spouses, veterans, and caregivers located near military installations across the country. MSCCN is the only nonprofit organization that works as an employment partner to the Armed Forces through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) from every branch of service, working with Headquarters on down to the military family centers. Additionally, we bring employers and military applicants together through a unique partnership MSCCN has with DirectEmployers Association, Inc. a group of Charter Members, and numerous sponsors and donors.

Since 2004 MSCCN has assisted over 3 million military affiliated applicants in the areas of career focus, employment readiness, and job placement assistance.

Through the Career Corps Volunteer Program the MSCCN offers our military-affiliated job seekers the opportunity to serve in positions that allow them to keep their work experience current while they hone and expand their skills. Want to stay competitive? Join the MSCCN Career Corps.

MSCCN Human Resources – Gateway Job Specialists Career Corps volunteer positions are virtually served.

General Description:

The Talent Management Gateway Applicant Specialist is responsible for handling a variety of tasks in support of our corporate partners, our applicants, and the MSCCN Team. Working under the direction of the Gateway Manager, the Talent Management Gateway Specialist will work with other team members to ensure the successful delivery of MSCCN services to customers (corporations and applicants).

Key Responsibilities:
1. Contacts applicants via email and telephone to obtain additional information, schedule interviews and appointments, provide information, and introduce them to MSCCN services.

2. Provides reports and statistics that track and measure applicant progress.

3. Assists new team members by training them on functionality of the Talent Management Gateways.

4. Completes daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as required by Gateway Manager.

5. Develops and maintains relationships with applicants, corporate partners, and military family centers.
Education Requirements
Minimum: High School Diploma or GED, Associates Degree preferred. Two to three years of customer service / administrative experience, preferably in a non-profit setting.

Competencies:

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

2. Knowledge, training, and practice of superior customer service skills.

3. Organizational and time management skills.

4. Ability to work independently, maintain confidential information, multitask and follow-up.
Individuals who serve this position will learn:

Use of new software – Kenexa – that is used by thousands of companies throughout the world

Employment mapping and other human resource skills

SQL data querying and reporting (a skill almost every company wants its employees to have)

Networking and relationship building as you work with the applicants, recruiters, and the National Guard Bureau in regards to positions for National Guard Commands nationwide.

Please send your resume to Erin Voirol, Gateway Manager at

e_voirol@msccn.org.

When trying to get the interview, your resume needs to be on point. Here are several tips that can help bring your resume to the top of their stack.

Cover Letter: What is the purpose of a cover letter? The purpose of a cover letter is to compliment your resume, not repeat it. Make it a part of your resume; never send a resume without a cover letter. It can make the difference between you getting the interview or having your resume, your life, tossed into file #13 (the trash can). You need to give as much time and considerations to your cover letter as you do your resume. A cover letter is not only used to convey your interest and qualification in a job but it will also give the employer an opportunity to observe your attentiveness to detail, spelling, grammar and the overall qualify of your written communication. If you want you cover letter to speak to the recruiter, you need to explain the reasons how your relevant skills and experiences will benefit that company. It needs to be job specific, no generalizations.

Interview Tricks: You need to understand how the system works from the inside. There are interview question traps that you have to be able to see coming and learn the ways to get around them. You can’t avoid them but you beat them. It is illegal to ask certain questions that do not pertain to your ability to do the job, two being health issues and children. These are things they try to find out without coming right out and asking you. Take kids for instance. They can say something as simple as “Oh, thank you for waiting. Sorry, I had to take a call from my son’s school nurse. It seems he’s got an upset stomach and I might need to be picked up. Aren’t kids great?” What may seem as a normal situation that we all may go through, it could be a ploy to see what you would say. The norm would be understanding, empathetic, and talk about their own situations with their kids, feeling like it’s an ‘ice breaker’ when in all actuality, it could be a deal breaker. What one should say in response is “Oh, how wonderful. You have children.” You want to deflect it back onto them. Never divulge personal information, it’s not necessary and it’s illegal.

References: Do not expect that any information on your application is a substitute for your references. Those are you past employers and they can only discuss your things like your title and your dates of employment. They are bound by law to not give out any information that could be determined as personal or their personal feelings toward a previous employee. There is a very fine line that they can not cross. You need to hand-pick your references to people who know you professionally or personally and can vouch for character and/or your work ethic and will help propel you over the rest of the applicants. I would not attach them with your cover letter/resume you upload or emailed to the employer. I would bring a copy of all three in with you to the interview. You can give them the cover letter and resume at the beginning of the interview and at the close of the interview, or when asked for it, hand them the list of reference or letters of recommendations.

Gaps on Resumes: If you have a gap in your work history more than 6 months, fill it. Add volunteer work, consulting (taxes, financial advice for friends-depending in what you’re applying for) making it relevant to the job. Any jobs that you weren’t with for a long time leave it off your resume. The can not check something that isn’t there, only what is on your resume. It’s better to omit then to lie. They will check what is listed and if it does not match what the employer is stating then it will hurt you.

There is one trick to all the trick questions, stay positive! Every trick question comes from a negative place. They will trick you into seeing if you would say something negative about your former co-workers, employer, and company. They know that they can not out right ask you to tell them something negative, it’s unprofessional and down right dirty. But, if you offer it, they’ll sit back, listen and take notes on how unprofessional YOU are. If you’ll talk bad about one person, you will talk bad about anyone. It makes you lose all credibility and integrity. Even though they seem interested and probably will make it seem ‘off the record’ you’ve just killed that chance of getting that job. Always stay positive, always seek the silver lining, and always present you as the star of the interview.

BrendaLee Winans
Navy (Retired) Spouse
Sr. Gateway Applicant and Recruiter Connect Specialist

I have heard that this is the best time to look for work. Many candidates slow down or stop their job search because of the holidays. So, you have a better chance of making network connections (holiday cheer), getting an interview, and even getting hired. So it’s time to network and get the word out that you are looking for a job.

This time of year you can also find a stepping stone position as a temp or seasonal worker. Treat your temp or seasonal work like it is your dream job. Work your schedule, do a good job, be a problem solver, do a more than what is asked of you, and make a lasting impression.   A seasonal job can become a permanent position. Great places to check out are department stores, packing agencies, doctor’s offices, etc.

For additional ideas of jobs check out this week’s Find Work Anytime.  All the positions and thousands of other positions for military-affiliated applicants can be found at our Job Seeker’s page.  The first five opportunities can be found by clicking on “Search for Opening with MSCCN”. The remaining jobs can be found by clicking on “Search for Job Openings with JobCentral National Labor Exchange”.

1. Driver Helpers Seasonal, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas 54397BR
2. Customer Care Professional Any City, Alabama 54080BR
3. Project Manager, Louisville, Kentucky 53329BR
4. Part – Time Retail Sales Consultant Redlands, CA 55279BR
5. Retail Sales Consultant, Bi-lingual Spanish, Garland, Texas 55273BR
6. Store Seasonal Employee, Lowes, Mira Loma, CA
7. Claims Professional Trne – IAP Sedgwick Claims Management Svs. , Inc. Riverside, CA
8. Data Entry Clerk, Adecco, Fallbrook, CA
9. Floater Teacher, Knowledge Learning Corporation, Hemet, CA
10. Seasonal – Retail Sales – jewelry  – Galleria at Tyler, Nordstrom, Riverside, CA

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble! It’s that time of year again to get out the cookbooks, family recipes, and make a nice thanksgiving feast for the family. You bought your turkey and all the fixings yet and ate your heart out.  Have you ever wondered who prepares the food that we purchase each holiday or the types of jobs people take around Thanksgiving.

Some men and women actually hunt for their family bird and others just help process and package it at different food companies. Many men and women make pies from scratch while others go the easy route and purchase them from their local bakery. If you are looking for a fun job to help contribute to putting food on everyone’s table.

This week’s Find Work Wednesday position and thousands of other position for military-affiliated applicants can be found at our Job Seeker’s page.  The first four opportunities can be found by clicking on “Search for Opening with MSCCN”. The remaining jobs can be found by clicking on “Search for Job Opening with the JobCentral National Labor Exchange”.

1. Driver Helpers Seasonal, Rockland, Maine  54290BR
2. Forklift Opr/Warehouse, Dunedin, FL  53972BR
3. P/T Route Sales Rep, Denver, CO 53823BR
4. Barista, Madison, Alabama 54983BR
5. Executive Chef, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY
6. Regional Wildlife Biologist, National Wild Turkey Federation, Edgefield, SC
7. Wheelin’ Sportsmen Coordintaor, National Wild Turkey Federation, Edgefield, SC
8. Farms Worker (Turkey Processing), Sara Lee, Storm Lake, IA
9. Baker/Pastry Cook, Hyatt, Coral Gables, FL
10. Bread Manager Speciality & Seasonal, Pepperidge Farm, Inc., (USA)
11. Restaurant Server, Penn National Gaming, Lawrenceburg, IN

It’s that crazy time of year again!  Everyone is in search for the best deals, whether you are buying food to make Thanksgiving dinner or getting an early start on your Christmas shopping. With so many people shopping this time of year, more traffic means more opportunities for employment. It’s also a good time to volunteer and help out at local shelters or food banks to lend a helping hand to those in need.

This is one of the best times of year to look for employment. Because there are a wide variety of jobs available and fewer job seekers, you can get hired for anything from a cashier or teller to logistics. If you are looking for seasonal work or just trying to make a little extra cash this holiday season check out this week’s Find Work Wednesday position and thousands of other position for military affiliated applicants can be found at our Job Seeker’s page.  The first five opportunities can be found by clicking on “Search for Opening with MSCCN”. The remaining jobs can be found by clicking on “Search for Job Openings with JobCentral National Labor Exchange”.

1. Cashier I, Quincy, IL  54278BR
2. Teller Part Time, Los Angeles, CA  53112BR
3. Shopper Technology Manager, Atlanta, Georgia 53954BR
4. Customer Service Associate II, Hillsborough, NJ 54261BR
5. Customer Care Professional, Wyoming, Any City 54126BR
6. Retail Team Leader, Adidas Group, Cabazon, CA
7. Tax Office Manager, Liberty Tax Service, Hamden, CT
8. Data Analyst, Robert Half Technology, Kansas City, MO
9. Part – Time Creative Project Manager, True Value, Chicago Retail headquarter, IL
10. Team Lead Transportation, FedEx, Miami, FL

This picture went viral back in August. You may have seen it. It was a picture of a lone Sentinel, “walking the mat” and standing guard over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the midst of Hurricane Irene. Since July 1, 1937, through every type of weather, there has been a Sentinel from the 3rd U.S. INF Regiment – The Old Guard guarding the Unknown Soldier Tomb, every minute of every hour of every day. They consider it an honor to stand their watch, regardless of the weather the Sentinels never budge. And they never allow any feeling of cold or heat to be seen by anyone. It is an act of service, in honor and respect for the unknown soldiers buried in the Tomb and for everything they have sacrificed. We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have stood in front of this nation and fought to protect and defend the freedoms and liberties that we so easily take for granted.

For over 235 years, courageous men and women have stood up for our individual rights to disagree with our government, peacefully protest, bear arms, and the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness at great personal sacrifice to themselves and their families. But, who stands behind the soldier? Who supports the men and women who have given so much to protect and defend this country? In a sense, we all do – or should be. Certainly, the family – the parents, spouses, siblings, and children who are left behind to fill in the blanks and face, each day, with the threat of losing a piece of their family’s foundation. Certainly the friends, acquaintances, and neighbors who share a meal, mow the lawn or care for a beloved pet of a deployed service man or woman.

This week’s edition of Find Work Friday Veterans Day Edition focuses on careers which support and serve our nation’s heroes. As we enter our 11th year of conflict, the toll on the lives and families of our service men and women has been significant. This nation and our military need men and women in civilian and public sector jobs who can stand behind our military and their families as the one percent of our population soldiers the burden of 10 years of war in two countries. Companies, businesses and organizations have committed to serving our military, recognizing the challenges of our military as they transition from military to civilian life, assist with financial planning, family counseling, career assistance, physical therapy, and emotional support. It may be a matter of opinion, but to me, no paycheck is greater earned than one that is earned by supporting the men and women who have served this country. Except, of course, the one earned by the serviceman (or woman) himself.

All of this week’s Find Work Friday positions and thousands of other positions for military-affilitated candidates can be found at our Job Seeker’s page. The all opportunities can be found by clicking on “Search for Openings with MSCCN”. Additional jobs can be found by clicking on “Search for Job Openings with JobCentral National Labor Exchange”.

1. Warrior Outreach Coordinator, Wounded Warrior Project, San Diego, CA 53796BR
2. Coordinator, Family Support, Wounded Warrior Project, San Diego, CA 53795BR
3. Legal Assistant, Wounded Warrior Project, Jacksonville, FL 53793BR
4. Assistant, General Counsel, Wounded Warrior Project, Jacksonville, FL 53792BR
5. Welcome Coordinator, Wounded Warrior Project, Fayetteville, NC 53791BR
6. SVP of Programs and Entertainment, USO, Arlington, VA 53790BR
7. Coordinator, Donor Services, USO, Arlington, VA 53789BR
8. Director, Major Gifts & Planned Giving, USO, Arlington, VA 53788BR
9. Center Director, USO, Honolulu,  HI 53787BR
10. Administrative Assistant, USO, Dallas, TX53785BR

It’s a time of the year many Marines look forward to and treasure, The Marine Corps Birthday on November 10th! They take their finest uniform “dress blues” out to get cleaned, shine their dress shoes, and medals.  You will hear exuberant shouts of “Happy Birthday, Simper Fi and Oorah” to their fellow brothers/Marines. There is always a sense of pride and acomplishment in the air when you are surrounded by a room full of Marines, they are happy, proud and ecstatic about what they have done, what they stand for, and the opportunity to reconnect and reminisce with their fellow brothers about the good old days.

This is one of the best times of year as they celebrate another year of greatness and the beginning of the Toys for Tots Program. If you are looking for to do something good for the Marines and make a difference; consider thanking them for their service, donating to Toys for Tots, or even helping to make a special night better. You can start by looking for work at resorts, volunteer with family readiness officers to help plan and coordinate fundraising efforts, catering, babysitting, etc.

If you are looking for opportunities to  make a difference this season  and helping out a selfless group of warriors that put their lives on the line then check out this week’s Find Work Wednesday position and thousands of other position for military-affiliated
applicants can be found at our Job Seeker’s page.  The first three opportunities can be found by clicking on “Search for Opening with MSCCN”. The remaining jobs can be found by clicking on “Search for Job Opening with JobCentral National Labor Exchange”.

1. SR Assistant, Office/Program FT, Detrick Maryland 52532BR
2. Facility Technician, Las Vegas, NV 53259BR
3. Account Executive, Raleigh, NC 52241BR
4. MarketingGreeter/Receptionist, Daytona, FL
5. Catering Manager, JC Resorts, Temecula, CA
6. Assurance Entertainment & Media Manager, PWC, Los Angeles, CA
7. Reservations Agent, Destination Hotels & Resort, USA
8. Quality Assurance Representative, Wyndham International, Las Vegas, NV
9. BanquetStoreroom Clerk, Luxury Resorts & Hotels, Boca Raton, FL
10. Slots/Beverage Service Supervisor, The Palazzo Resort, Bethlehem, PA

November 11th is Veteran’s Day and in honor of all of those who have served we will be dedicating all Find Work Wednesdays in November to Veteran’s Jobs.

If most troops are like mine, they have a steady paycheck, a job they love, and no immediate plans to get out, so they have not given much thought to what they will be doing after they get out. When probed they probably say “I will worry about it when the time comes”. In this economy, you need a plan. First, think of what you want to do. Once you have an idea you can research job requirements needed, experience, education, and certifications. Veterans need know local resources to choose from to get help, who to contact, and how to use their military experience to add skills to their resume to achieve career goals in the civilian world.

A common occupation area chosen by Veterans is law enforcement, because it is similar to their military training, duties, etc. Some specific job titles veterans look at are: private contractors, physical fitness trainers, security officers, overseas contractors, recruiters, weapons experts, etc.

If you are a veteran and need some assistance with finding job postings check out this week’s Find Work Wednesday positions and thousands of other position for military-affiliated applicants can be found at our Job Seeker’s page. The first five opportunities can be found by clicking on “Search for Opening with MSCCN”. The remaining jobs can be found by clicking on “Search for Job Opening with JobCentral National Labor Exchange”.

1. Sr. Industrial Security Spec., Goleta, CA 525523BR

2. Assistant COMSEC Custodian, El Segundo, CA 52527BR

3. Engineer I/II, Newport, RI 52539BR

4. Tanker, North Carolina 52255BR

5. Van Regional/OTR, Illinois 52242BR

6. Security Officer, AlliedBarton Security Services, Milpitas, CA

7. Government Services Security Officer, AlliedBarton Security Services, San Francisco, CA

8. Radio Frequency Engineer, ConocoPhillips, Bartlesville, OK

9. Correctional Officer, Corrections Corporation of America, Woodville, MS

10. Personal Trainer, World Health Club, USA