Page 65 - AAPT March 2019

Transition

TRANSITION

SI MP LI FI ED

if you avoid language like “I have the lack of finances is preventing you how challenging it is to relate military
commanded teams of various sizes from seeking assistance. experiences to civilians and who has
on many deployments in different Defence invest significant time and also worked in commercial workplaces
situations”, or “I managed a team to money in training you to think and can understand you, your current
achieve the Commander’s intent at sea perform your military role to achieve the situation and help you through the next
and at shore”. While these examples military mandate. We all know that this few months of your transition.
aren’t using military-specific terms, they ‘regimented way’ of operating is different Its your choice to either find your
make statements that only you know the to most non-Defence workplaces. feet through trial and error (which will
context of. If you wish to use statements However, little is offered to help you take time), or seek assistance from
like these, then add examples of what know how it is different, how to adjust those who have gone before you. How
you refer to. For example; “on my when engaging with civilian employers much time do you have to learn through
last overseas deployment to Iraq, I and also with new team mates when trial and error on how to compete
managed a team of 10 staff for nine entering a non-Defence workplace. with other job seekers for commercial
months to provide close protection and When engaging with employers, you opportunities?
surveillance at airports, compounds and should know that typically the following Seeking transition assistance can
small villages.” Or “I managed a team traits are much stronger in Defence - be challenging, given there are so
of four highly skilled technicians over focus on safety, teamwork, work rate many organisations out there offering
six months to operate the ship’s combat and work ethic, professionalism and help. But think of it as learning a new
radar systems whilst under pressure on attitude to task completion. language, because talking in military
high-intensity operations”. The greatest transition challenge terms to a civilian employer won’t work
Bottom line - The effectiveness is in relating the commercial value in such a competitive environment.
of any written application is only you bring to civilian employers. You Would you prefer to learn Chinese from
determined by the ratio of applications know you can work hard, but just the Aussie bloke down the road who
sent to interviews gained. If you’re saying that isn’t enough. Most ex- has only ever taught from a book, or
sending out many applications, but not Defence members are already very would you prefer to learn from someone
getting at least 50% success rate of well equipped to get a civilian job in who grew up in China and now lives in
being invited to an interview, then your either Operations, Security, Work Health Australia? In both circumstances, you
written application needs adjusting. & Safety or Teaching. If you think will be taught Chinese, but you will be
Similarly; the effectiveness of promoting you have little to offer a commercial able to speak the new language much
yourself at a job interview is assessed organisation, think again. better from someone who knows both
by the number of job offers you get in There are any number of people languages and can help with the Aussie
relation to the number of interviews you and organisations wanting to offer help. dialogue. Choose wisely who you seek
attend. If either of these ratios aren’t But who is best placed to help you with help from.
what you’d like, ask for help. Right at your transition and find a job on a good For help in your smooth “Transition
this moment, in Australia there are a salary? Our experience is that only to Civilian”, contact Trans-Civ www.
number of funding sources available if someone who personally understands transciv.com.au.

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