Bud Whitehouse

Every week, I have several people who reach out with questions about the federal employment application process. For example: 1. What is preference, and what kind? 2. Where can I find “this form”? 3. What is a KSA? 4. I dont have my DD 214 yet…what can I do? 5. What documents do I need to provide? 6. I hear about spouse preference(s)….am I eligible? 7. Is the questionnaire important? Why? 8. Do you have any federal contacts? In the comments, there are several things. ✅ A link to the FAQs on the main website. ✅ Links to posts I’ve made these last few months about the application process that address: 1️⃣ SF 15 2️⃣ 10 Point Veteran Preference 3️⃣ Statement of Service 4️⃣ Required Documents 5️⃣ Veterans FAQ 6️⃣ Federal Resume + Questionnaire 7️⃣ Federal Internships 8️⃣ Spouse Preference 9️⃣ Extra Info ✅ A great Federal Agency Contact list! You better call Tyrone

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🎖️ Attention Veterans! 🎖️ Are you finding it challenging to showcase your military experience on a resume? You're not alone. Many veterans face this hurdle, but we're here to help! At Operation Hired, we've developed an innovative, no-cost resume generator specifically designed to translate your military skills into civilian terms. This tool is crafted by veterans, for veterans, ensuring your unique experiences are highlighted effectively. 🔗 Visit https://lnkd.in/gf5r2Uvu and start building your winning resume today! Why choose us? - Tailored to highlight your strengths - Easy and free to use - Built to bridge the gap between military and civilian language Don't let your valuable skills go unnoticed. Take the first step towards your new career now! 🚀 #Veterans #CareerTransition #ResumeBuilder #OperationHired #MilitaryToCivilian

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Transitioning from the military can be challenging. By coming together, we have discovered that participants greatly benefit from the following: 1. Knowledge Sharing Expert Insights: Gain in-depth knowledge and innovative solutions from subject matter experts. Learning Opportunities: Expand understanding and perspectives on challenges. 2. Collaborative Problem Solving Diverse Perspectives: Foster creative and effective solutions through group discussions. Brainstorming: Generate ideas collaboratively that may not emerge individually. 3. Networking and Relationship Building Professional Connections: Build valuable relationships for future collaborations and support. Community Building: Create a supportive network among participants facing similar challenges. 4. Enhanced Motivation and Engagement Inspiration: Motivate through success stories and strategies from guest speakers. Commitment: Increase commitment to solutions through face-to-face discussions. 5. Practical Applications and Resources Actionable Advice: Apply practical strategies provided by experts. Resource Sharing: Exchange tools and contacts to address challenges. 6. Real-time Feedback and Iteration Immediate Feedback: Refine ideas with instant feedback. Adaptive Solutions: Tailor solutions based on collective input. Conclusion: If you are in the Greater Tampa Bay area, don't miss the Veterans Networking Group that meets this Tuesday, June 11th, from 10am - 12pm. On hand will be experienced speakers and networking opportunities that enhance knowledge, problem-solving, and community building, leading to effective solutions for shared challenges. #CareerSourceTampaBay #JobHaus #militaryhiring #militarytransition #militaryspouseemployment #tampabay #MilBayUSA

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Military Veterans, A VA (Veterans Affairs) advocate plays a crucial role in assisting individuals with their VA business by providing support and guidance through the often-complex processes involved in accessing benefits and services. Here are some ways in which a VA advocate can help: Available at every medical center, Patient Advocates are highly trained professionals who can help resolve your concerns about any aspect of your health care.  Click link: https://lnkd.in/eN5PMigQ 1. Navigating VA Benefits: VA advocates are knowledgeable about the various benefits available to veterans, including disability compensation, pension programs, healthcare services, education benefits, and more. They can help individuals understand eligibility criteria, application processes, and required documentation. 2. Claims Assistance: One of the primary roles of a VA advocate is to assist veterans in preparing and submitting claims for disability benefits. They can help gather necessary medical evidence, fill out paperwork, and ensure that all required documentation is submitted accurately and on time. 3. Appeals Process: If a veteran's claim is denied, a VA advocate can assist in navigating the appeals process. This involves understanding the reasons for denial, gathering additional evidence, and preparing a strong case for reconsideration. 4. Benefit Maximization: VA advocates work to ensure that veterans receive the maximum benefits to which they are entitled. They can assess a veteran's specific situation, identify applicable benefits, and help with the application process to optimize the overall support provided. 5. Understanding Regulations: The rules and regulations surrounding VA benefits can be complex and subject to change. A VA advocate stays informed about these regulations, ensuring that veterans are aware of their rights and entitlements. 6. Communication with VA Officials: Advocates can act as intermediaries between veterans and VA officials. They may communicate with VA representatives on behalf of the veteran, seeking clarification, addressing issues, and advocating for fair treatment. 7. Accessing Healthcare Services: Veterans may need assistance in understanding and accessing healthcare services provided by the VA. Advocates can help navigate the healthcare system, schedule appointments, and address concerns related to medical care.   Michelle Miller Jacob Mousseau Lynn Higgison, MA, SHRM-CP, PHR, ACRW Alfredo 🤘 Torres Tyrone Hewitt Paul Lawrence #militaryveterans #military #navy #army #marines #marinecorps #veterans #veteranshelpingveterans #veteransupport #navyveteran #armyveteran #vetshelpingvets #veteranshelpingveterans #airforce #spaceforce #coastguard #frago22 #VeteranSupport #VABenefits #VeteranAdvocacy #VeteranCommunity #militaryspouses #militaryspouse

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HbM loves our veterans........... Recruiting candidates with military experience brings unique strengths and qualities that are invaluable to any organization. Military veterans have been trained to work under high-pressure situations and maintain resilience in fast-paced environments, enabling them to handle challenging roles with composure. Their ability to adapt quickly and respond to changing conditions makes them particularly effective in dynamic workplaces, where flexibility and quick problem-solving are essential. One of the standout qualities of military veterans is their commitment to discipline, teamwork, and leadership. Veterans are accustomed to working within structured frameworks and understand the importance of adhering to standards and protocols, ensuring reliability and consistency in their work. They bring strong communication and collaboration skills, having often worked in team-based settings where clear, effective communication and unity were crucial for mission success. These skills transfer seamlessly into corporate and professional environments, where cross-functional collaboration and teamwork are key to achieving business goals. Additionally, many military veterans come with specialized technical training and certifications that can complement a variety of roles, from IT and engineering to logistics and operations. Veterans often have a strong sense of integrity and accountability, as well as a drive to contribute meaningfully to a mission-driven environment. Incorporating veterans into your team not only enhances diversity but also strengthens the organization’s culture and capability. Their resilience, adaptability, and commitment make military-experienced candidates a tremendous asset to any business focused on growth, innovation, and operational excellence. Hire a veteran today!!!

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It's Monday! It's a new week full of potential for you, your team, and your organization. You just have to decide how you are going to show up... 📌 Bring positive energy and the drive to the help your people and organization succeed. 📌 Bring compassion for those you serve. 📌 Bring your authentic self and embrace your personal leadership style. The way you show up today sets the tone for your team. So drink that coffee, crush that workout, or do whatever else it is that gets you ready so that you can show up ready to lead. How are you going to lead today?

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𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗯. That’s a lie. Nearly 2 million Americans are currently building successful careers in the federal government. 𝗜𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘁, 𝘀𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂. Stop telling yourself it’s impossible. Yes, the federal hiring process is notorious for being long and complex—more marathon than sprint. But here’s the truth: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽. 𝗜𝘀 𝗜𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲? Or do you just need some help? If nearly 2 million Americans can navigate the ‘impossible' federal hiring process, so can you. Persistence, preparation, and patience are your best allies. Remember, impossible is just a challenge in disguise. 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁? 📧 Check out free resources, sign up for my newsletter, or book a free consultation here: https://lnkd.in/gRkfmpXr

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As EVP/COO for his previous company, NICK hired a transitioning service member to be the Director of Human Resources for a company with $100M+ annual revenue Why? He knew Sterling Croft from previous assignments...and more importantly knew that he was an extreme high-performer that would "hit the ground running" while filling the experience gaps quickly It was a low-risk hire because of that personal knowledge And because Nick was in a position to make it Sterling is still there rocking it 2 1/2 years later #quinnsights If you just want someone to "take a chance on you," you'd better have #relationships at the right level And be a high-performer ⭐Because nobody is going to take a chance and hire a low-effort person they don't know⭐ And just being a #veteran doesn't automatically make you a high-performer (Sometimes I think veteran status means the floor is higher) #militarytransition High-performers: Put in lots of effort on everything they do Network like crazy (here and/or in person) Learn what they need to do in order to be successful Then do it Because they set realistic, achievable goals and... People that know them SEE it (and hire them if able to...refer them if not) High-performers can be 400% more productive than a typical employee Think about the financial impact of that hire 😲 #careerexploration So if you believe yourself to be a high-performer... Do you have the network you need? Or are you working hard to build it? Have you figured out what you need to be successful? And have you set realistic post-military goals that align with it? 🤔 Be careful how you answer if you just basically say "yes" 🤔 Thoughts?

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Let me write you a professional resume to help you in your career search!

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An Air Force leader asked me how many months before hanging the uniform he needed to start preparing for the corporate journey. While this was a personal question, I see it as relevant for almost every transitioning military person. One common observation I have seen often in the last 11+ years of my veteran hiring experience is that all those who start their preparation two to three years before their transition are the ones who have multiple job offers in hand. On the other hand, for those who start their journey towards the fag end of their military career, many of them take a few months even after their transition to get an offer. And if having a job offer is the barometer of a successful transition, then I would say starting a minimum of two years prior would be an ideal time. (Say the last posting of your military tenure) If I write this in military vocabulary, Time is your friend if you start preparing two to three years before transition and it would be your enemy if you start a month or two before transition. How many months prior you start your transition and what advice you would give to a military person reading this post? MilitarytoCorporate

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QA North America We want to celebrate the United States Marine Corps 249th Birthday. I share a quote from General Jim Mattis. “Conviction doesn’t mean you should not change your mind when circumstance or new information warrant it. A leader must be willing to change and make change. Senior staffs sometimes need pruning. It’s easy to get into a bureaucratic rut where things are done a certain way because they’re done a certain way. That seems absurd when you read it in print — but it’s the norm in large organizations. Every few months, a leader has to step back and question what he and his organization are doing.” Modernizing how your organization attracts, retains, develops and empowers employees with QA North America and our mission to ensure your organization has the tools, to learn, master and apply your internal technology stack. #USMC #Microsoft #AWS #Google #CompTIA #RedHat #Veterans #Cybersecurity #Leadership #Digitaltransformation David Kay, MBA Tommy Capalbo Matt Stager Toby Barnard Will Thomas Steve Cargill Jonny Townsend Joe Ventura Duncan James Lawton King Jim Cupples Derek Herrera Joey Mac Dizon Richard Burke Xavier Clarke Don Tomich Cameron McCoy, Ph.D. Rodolfo (Rudy) Quiles Bobby Lee Dominic J. Al Rawding William Lietzau Daniel Morales David Hansen Lewis C. Alison Betsinger Rachel Tyler Lucas Hanback Anthony G. Joseph Zoleta Dan Biga Dawn Gilley Steve Cheatham, M.B.A. David J. Carlson, M.S., CAIA Kurt Stahl Doug Douds Timothy Lesane Joshua Sutton, MBA

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𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 Transitioning from military to the civilian world is more than just a change in jobs—it’s a shift in 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮. After 18 years of service, I’ve walked that path, and I’ve seen firsthand the challenges veterans face in finding their place in a new world. The skills we honed in the military—leadership, resilience, teamwork—are invaluable, yet translating them into civilian terms can be daunting. But remember, the journey is not one you have to walk alone. Support systems, whether through coaching, mentorship, or peer networks, are out there to guide us. As we take off the uniform, we don’t leave our values behind. Instead, we bring them forward to build new legacies. Let’s embrace this transition as an opportunity to redefine success on our own terms. #VeteranTransition #LifeAfterService #VeteranSupport #MilitaryToCivilian #ResilienceInTransition #NewBeginnings #ChristianLifeCaoch

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Everywhere I turn, I hear people voicing frustration over their job searches - from transitioning service members to recent college graduates. Here's a critical piece of advice I share consistently: Don't let a slow job search process shake your self-esteem. A tough job search doesn’t diminish your value. However, tweaking your approach might just open new doors: 1️⃣ Consider jobs outside your immediate geographical preferences - expand your horizons! 2️⃣Keep polishing your resume and refining the stories that showcase your abilities. 3️⃣Put the 'work' in networking. Tap your friends, family, and professional contacts for career and industry insights. 4️⃣ Seize every chance to meet recruiters face-to-face; these personal connections can set you apart. Strategic changes to your job search can not only improve your prospects but also transform a daunting process into an empowering one. Stick with it - and stay grounded in your worth.

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Are you a transitioning service member struggling to get your resume put together? Check out this post from Abigail G. Manning. Brad Tachi CEO from Best Military Resume is on a mission to ensure you are taken care of. Check out how you can get your federal resume and a private sector resume done using AI. #VeteransHelpingVeterans #MilitaryResume #TransitioningServiceMembers #SFLTAP #TRS #MilitaryTransition

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As the young folks say… ”I SAID WHAT I SAID!”🗣️🗣️🗣️ I’m ready for the smoke and counter opinions. This is my opinion, but it is an… 🔥INFORMED OPINION🔥. Having been around this GOVCON space, and sat in multiple seats, now for over 30 years, the lack bid and proposal capacity hasn’t been a problem I’ve witnessed. Instead, it’s the combo platter of lack of understanding and awareness of the actual mission requirements AND the missed opportunity to share corporate capabilities with the buying agency BEFORE the RFP release — which is the kiss of death. Moreover, I believe the plethora of AI-enabled proposal generating tools out now will exacerbate the problem of receiving “elegant proposals that don’t say anything”. Again, in my opinion, if a company is interested in increasing their P-win (percentage of wins), the best strategy to deploy is write fewer proposals and write to opportunities you have a competitive advantage for. That exciting, large dollar, emergent RFP you just saw on SAM.gov —YESTERDAY!!- that you just want to see if you can win it, somebody’s been doing that work and activity for years and has been tracking that requirement for months. RFI MORE….PROPOSE LESS!! #acquisition #contracting #govcon #procurement #governmentcontracting #smallbusiness

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STOP! If you are a Veteran, you want to pay close attention to this: "Don’t worry, I took notes for you: 💻 VET TEC: This VA program helps Veterans develop high-tech skills without using GI Bill benefits. VET TEC covers tuition for full-time training programs and matches Veterans with training providers. 🛡️ FedVTE: Offering over 800 hours of free cybersecurity training, FedVTE is your go-to for courses on ethical hacking, risk management, and malware analysis. 🎓 GI Bill: Covering education and training costs, the GI Bill is perfect for pursuing a degree in computer science or certifications like CompTIA A+ and Network+. 📚 Interactive College of Technology: Get hands-on training in IT and business information systems, gaining practical skills for the tech industry. 🤝 Networking & Mentorship: Leverage groups like VetsinTech and American Corporate Partners for mentorship, job resources, and networking events. 🎯 Hiring Preferences & Job Fairs: Many tech companies offer hiring preferences for Veterans. Look out for Veteran-focused job fairs to connect directly with employers." Make sure to check out these amazing resources and take the next step in your tech career! 🚀👩‍💻👨‍💻 #Veterans #TechCareers #CareerDevelopment #GIBill #VETTEC #FedVTE #Networking #Mentorship #JobFairs #TechCareers

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