Maxim Viel’s Post

It's been two weeks since i got my walking papers. I was musing earlier this year about how I had never gone through a WFR event, well at least one where I'd been affected. Sure I've changed jobs of my own accord and was fired once or twice in the early years (every one has, if you've never been fired you've never really been a kid), but i've never been told to leave because, "we can't afford to pay you anymore." I would like to say that it has been an "eye-opener", but really it hasn't; Well not in the way many would normally think. I grew up broke, because poor is a state of mind as much as a financial one. We were told, 'No." a lot of the time. We grew to understand that sometimes the money just isn't there--no amount of wanting it to be changes that--and at any given moment everything could be gone. One benefit of this event is that it has reminded me of who I have always been. Another benefit is that it has shown me that I am desirable as a potential employee, and that i don't have to go back to tier one when ever I choose to move on to the next position. Compared to the OCONUS days, i,m am drowning in call backs, inquiries, and recruiter interest. Is it the time? Is It me, now vs then? Is it a broader cultural shift? I don't know but I do know it is nice to not be worried and trapped and feeling terrified of not being able to feed and care for my family. Finally and probably most importantly it has allowed me to be the dad I want to be. Growing up, Dad never had much money to give us, what he had was time. Boy, did he have time. In evaluating myself against his example as I father my own kids, I always felt as though I was constantly failing my kids because I never had the kind of time for them he had for me. Lucky for us, this opportunity for growth happened to coincide with their 2 weeks of fall break. We haven't been able to travel but we have been able to interact and grow our connection. As this period stretches on, we will no doubt further grow tighter together. I am still who my life since leaving Boise in 2009 has made me, but I am also happier than I think I have ever been.

Joined as principal

TSG is back in Florida! 🌴 My fiancé and I recently relocated to Florida for his job. While leaving 'home' and our families was tough, we're excited about this new adventure together. Since arriving, we've immersed ourselves in the local culture, enjoyed delicious foods, and spent many weekends at the beach. We've faced a few challenges with our new home and his job (because what move is complete without a few hiccups? 😉), but these experiences have brought us closer. We've learned to rely on each other and value our strengths even more...We couldn't have done it alone! I wanted to share this with the LinkedIn community because life is constantly changing. Every day people reach out to The Syverson Group, sharing they are in career transitions, companies are searching for new role hires within the organization, or simply inquiring about our current opportunities. Life is always changing, and it's natural for us to feel uneasy (or alone) when you're not where you want to be, or if you don't have the right people helping you during the process. At TSG, we understand the importance of support and adaptability during times of change. That's why we are committed to helping our clients and growing network navigate their career paths with confidence and resilience. Our community ensures that no one faces these transitions alone. If you're looking for a place that values growth, community, and support, consider partnering with TSG. Together, we can help you navigate a new transition and come out stronger.

T.S. Eliot famously coined April the "cruelest month." Although his April takes a dark turn into a new cycle of sadness and lament, it evokes the imagery of spring's promise of life and the birth of possibility. As April approaches, so does my new journey into the unknown. It signals: ▶ My return from maternity leave to an unprecedented job market filled with mass layoffs, strikes, and the wide adoption of AI tools ▶ My return to a job market where thousands of qualified marketers are vying for the same opportunity ▶ A time of tension and unease ▶ A reminder to focus on my belief in a higher order and that there are no mistakes ▶ Gratitude for the opportunity to take six months off to bond with my third and last child ▶ The grace to focus on my mental and physical health and the gift of time with my family and friends ▶ The space to network with individuals and grow my tribe of like-minded and remarkable creatives ▶ The opportunity to lean into my professional, personal, and spiritual values I look forward to the next opportunity and excited to see where I'll land in April and beyond. If you see a job that might remind you of me, send it my way! Not sure who I am? Here's a little infographic that might help.

You wise old sage! You haven't gone soft and started pouring your wizened insights into ill-prepared youths, have you? Tsk tsk. We all know real learning has zip to do with test scores. Old Einstein was dropping some serious wisdom with that "what you remember after forgetting it all" quote. Because honestly, who really remembers the civics or geometry textbooks? But the lessons that stick are the ones that set your mind racing with possibilities. And you, buddy, are out there proving it daily. Swapping dry lectures for real-life career escapades? Now that's how you light a fire under the next generation's curiosity. Your tales from the trenches aren't just data dumps. They inspire those kids to constantly ask "How can I shake things up and run things better?" So forget stuffing their brains with dust - you're giving them courate to dream the unimaginable and unthinkable: "What if?" "And why not me?!" That restless, innovative spark? That's real education, amigo.

Armed Forces Aspirants- If I were to decide today whether to join through Permanent Commission (PC) or Short Service Commission (SSC), this is how I would approach the decision in 4 clear steps-   1. Understanding the Difference   Permanent Commission (PC) A lifelong career in the armed forces, opportunities to rise through the ranks, specialize, and take on leadership roles, post-retirement benefits   Short Service Commission (SSC) A defined tenure (10–14 years) in uniform, the flexibility to transition into a civilian career post-service   2. Understanding Myself To make an informed decision, I’d begin by asking myself three basic questions-   What is my long-term vision? Do I dream of serving the nation for life, or I want to explore both, the armed forces and civilian careers?   What are my personal goals and priorities? Am I drawn to the stability and growth? or I value the freedom to pivot mid-career?   What are my family and lifestyle considerations? Would I embrace the frequent relocations and dynamic life that a long-term service entails? Or would I prefer to settle into civilian life earlier?   3. Comparing the Options  With these primary reflections in mind, I’d then weigh the merits of each path-   Permanent Commission (PC) Lifelong growth, leadership roles, continuous learning, financial security, and the honour of serving for life, however, requires a deep, lifelong commitment, which may limit flexibility for other career paths.   Short Service Commission (SSC) A chance to serve the nation, build leadership expertise, and pivot into a civilian career after service, however, fewer post-retirement benefits compared to PC and a shorter career span in uniform.   4. Making the Choice Based on the above inputs, here’s how I would decide-   If I see the armed forces as my lifelong calling- PC would be the natural choice. If I want to serve and then transition to a civilian career sooner- SSC offers a flexible yet rewarding path. If I value both, the honour of serving with financial security and flexibility to transition - PC allows for a transition after completing 20 years, ensuring pension and other benefits, with experience and leadership skills, I would have a wealth of opportunities in the civilian world.   𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞!!!                                Advice to Aspirants- Whether you choose PC or SSC, the armed forces promise unparalleled growth and leadership opportunities. Each path demands commitment, discipline, and strategic preparation.   Still unsure? Take the time to reflect on your aspirations, research thoroughly, and seek guidance from mentors who’ve lived the journey. Align your decision with your personal goals and vision for the future.   Feel free to DM me for further guidance to help you make this life-changing choice!   #ArmedForcesCareer #PermanentCommission #ShortServiceCommission #MentorshipMatters #CareerChoices #ServiceAndBeyond

The next 2 weeks mark the beginning of a brand-new adventure: a new company, a new city, and a new country. 🌍✨ It’s exciting, challenging, and a little scary at the same time—but I’m ready for it! Seeing the recent restructuring news at Cisco brought back some of those tough memories from earlier this year. After over 20 years with the company, I was also impacted back in February, along with 4,000 others. For anyone who’s currently going through a similar experience: I get it—it’s tough, and the path forward can feel uncertain. But I promise it gets better! The trick is to have a clear idea of what you want to do next and not let the “No’s” along the way bring you down. Take your time to process it all, plan your next move, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your network for support—that’s what it’s there for! Cisco has been more than just a workplace for me. It’s been a place to grow, learn, and meet so many amazing people—some of whom have become close friends. Now, it’s time to turn the page and start this new chapter. 🚀 Let’s see where this new adventure takes me. Stay tuned for more updates… 🌟

Excellence in every way

TransitionHack for Friyaay 🙌 Leading Without Titles & Adapting Military Lessons to Civilian Life I wanted to revisit my original post from this past week because I've had several conversations with the individual since then. When he unpacked what he was trying to jump into, and we took a step back and looked at the big picture...he realized he had a better chance at promotions from within and that his situation allowed him the freedom to choose that. He said he thought about it, and taking a position that paid him $48K was essentially a $35K promotion once he looked at his numbers. WHY? Here is a few numbers he wasn't considering. He is medically retired and will receive a Veterans Compensation on top of his retirement. His pension combined with that meant he has to find a post-service #job in a new #career that closed the difference between what he was earning to know which was $12K. He accepted a position while not in "leadership" but it was a $48K offer AND it gets his foot in the door for opportunity and learning his new life after service. He feels WAAAAYYYY better after thinking about this and I kept referring back to Col Rob Campbell's book about not rushing into a decision post-service. Here's what he said...and wow this hit like a 6'3" trooper in combatives class "As I pivot into a new career, I bring a commitment to integrity and a track record of leadership by example, which I’m ready to carry into any civilian role." 👏 ALL of that AFTER he stepped back and looked at the AO...Clarksville/Hopkinsville or MtgCo in general does NOT have very many #jobs that pay what a 22Yr E8 on Ft Campbell earns (Base Pay $63,861/BAH $27,468/BAS $5,615=$106,645.80) I am by NO means saying you have to settle and everyone has their own economic needs. The GAP Calculator helps you see in real-time what you need and I'm only off a few dollars in actual numbers when you retire. The link to my shared folder which contains the gap calculator is in the comments below 👇. I will start updating the 2025 version in January, once the new rates are released. Now go out there...relax this weekend 5th Squad. I'm cheering for you. If you're around Nashville, go see the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center Christmas Tree lighting tonight. If you see me with my daughters come say hi.

2023 started out as a rough year. I was laid off from a company and role that I loved and thrived in. After 4 months of resumes, interviews and the dead silence of rejection (including from recruiters) I decided to take a role for less money and honestly it felt like a demotion. Instead of feeling entitled I decided to just be myself and give this company the very best of me not the worst. As someone that has done my share of hiring, 2 traits always seem to shine above the rest.... having a tenacious work ethic and being a team player. These are 2 traits that I hold close to my heart. They are 2 things that are untrainable in my opinion. You either are or you are not!   Having a tenacious work ethic doesn’t mean that you spend more time working than you do with your family. It is having an attitude that I am going to give my best by being persistent no matter what obstacles get in the way.   Being a team player doesn’t necessarily mean you do everything and make yourself available to do more. It’s a fine line of making oneself available to help others and a willingness to care about the overall company not just your role.   As I approach my 1 year with my current employer, I am super grateful that I took the position. In fact, in doing so I have been promoted, received a generous raise and bonus. I even won the Apex Award, which is awarded to the employee of the year.   I am thankful for my boss and this company for giving me the tools, encouragement and wisdom to be myself and do more! Don’t let a step or steps going backward keep you from reaching goals and helping others. Be yourself and strive to become more!