Marine Gunner Association’s Post

As I mark the beginning of my final 12 months in the British Army after a dedicated 31-year career, I'm experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. While excitement for the next chapter stirs within me, there's also a tinge of panic as I contemplate life beyond the military. Having enlisted at 17, the Army has been my sole profession and identity. In terms of my resettlement plan, I'm exploring two potential sectors. Firstly, I'm considering focusing on UAS/UAV Ops and safety, aiming to enhance my qualifications and professional development in this field. Secondly, I'm looking into opportunities within the Health and Safety sector, aiming to leverage my existing knowledge and skills to attain civilian qualifications. My recent six-year tenure in a fast-paced safety role, spanning various UAS classifications, has been both enlightening and fulfilling. While I've identified these sectors as initial interests, I remain open to any overlooked avenues or advice. Over the next year, along with my allocated leave days, seven travel warrants, and £535, I'm determined to maximize my resettlement success. If you have any insights or advice to offer, I'd greatly appreciate it. As I've been advised, no distance is too far for a face-to-face chat over coffee, so if the opportunity arises, I'm willing to travel.

Reflecting on the past month, I've found myself navigating the space between full-time positions. While this period can certainly be challenging, I've come to recognize the invaluable lessons that temporary and contract roles offer. Exactly one month ago, I bid farewell to my previous full-time position. Since then, my journey has been marked by milestones: 😊 Applying to over 100 job opportunities. 😥 Experiencing rejection from 18 of those applications. 😩 Finding myself left on 'read' by 3 recruiters. 😇 Engaging in 4 interviews and phone screenings. 💖 Successfully completing my inaugural contract assignment with Tews Company. These experiences have underscored the significance of temporary and contract positions for professionals. They provide an avenue for expanding one's skill set in diverse environments while offering clarity on the type of work and workplace culture that align best with long-term career satisfaction. As I continue to explore new opportunities, I remain grateful for the insights gained during this transitional phase and am appreciative of any connections anyone may be able to throw my way! 🌻

100% Many Recruiting firms, hiring managers and the public think recruiting or search is so easy and you can immediately make a lot of money. You may get lucky once in a while but lo ng term success takes 1000s of hours of research, relationship building and maintaining those relationships. This is a relationship business; being transactional only gets you so far. It has taken me more than a decade to develop the 1000s of relationships that ensure success. These senior leaders who value proposition of having me in their corner, they understand what's required under the surface. These skills, the perseverance and understanding of relationships were honed over a 30 year Army career.

✨ Reflecting on a Year ✨ A year ago today, our lives changed with sudden layoffs. Despite the challenges, I’m filled with gratitude for my time with the Marketstar/Pinterest team. This experience will always hold a special place in my heart. ❤️ What Made the Pinterest Team So Special? Recruitment with Heart: Our recruiters looked beyond resumes to find individuals with the right traits for success. They saw potential in those without prior marketing sales experience, including myself, and nurtured us into top-performing partner managers. Comprehensive Training: -In-Depth Training: A month-long, in-person cohort that built a strong sense of community. -Emotional Support: Mentors guided us through the ups and downs of learning a new platform, recognizing the emotional journey involved. -Certifications & Mentorship: We had to pass product knowledge and call certifications, ensuring we were prepared to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Shadowing top-performing reps and engaging in mock calls with managers provided invaluable learning opportunities and honest feedback for growth. Inspirational Leadership: -Supportive Managers: Consistent 1:1 mentorship and genuine care for our development. They pushed me to be the best version of myself. -Compassionate VP: Focused on important causes like school supplies for children, suicide awareness, and employee support in times of need. Without such a leader, the organization could have easily crumbled. Unmatched Team Culture: Community Events: We celebrated all holidays, held raffles to test our knowledge and celebrate our wins, and embraced a mindset of always striving for +2. Record-Breaking Numbers: We hit milestones not by luck, but through hard work and a supportive culture. My manager once said, “We worked our butts off and earned those numbers.” This experience taught me the immense value of a strong workplace culture. Despite the rocky path since the layoff, I’ve found a place that upholds the same high standard at BambooHR. If you ever come across an applicant with Marketstar’s Pinterest team on their resume, consider yourself lucky – you’ve struck gold. 🏆 To my Pinterest family, thank you for the unforgettable journey and for shaping my career in ways I never imagined. Here’s to resilience, growth, and the incredible impact of an amazing team. 🌟 #CareerJourney #TeamCulture #Gratitude #Growth #Sales #Community #CelebrateWins

Some might wonder why I proudly display the green banner, symbolizing my search for the next opportunity. To some, it may seem desperate, but to me, it's a beacon of resilience and community support. I often think of the 'Iceberg Illusion'—how those who haven't experienced a layoff or a RIF can't fully grasp its weight. One moment, you're soaring, and the next, you feel the ground crumble beneath you. But I know this feeling is temporary. Having weathered this storm before, and witnessing my Queen 👸🏻, my home commander, Samantha’s journey to an amazing role at Lockheed Martin after a layoff, I have faith in the process. Yes, there are uncertainties—companies with their preferred candidates, mismatched expectations, or even qualifications. But through it all, I hold onto hope. Currently navigating interviews and referrals, I understand the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with each opportunity. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, I'm reminded of the strength of our community, The KEY Community—a beacon of support and solidarity for those facing similar challenges. To anyone struggling through a layoff or the job hunt, know that you're not alone. Reach out, ask for referrals, and stay resilient. In today's competitive job market, just applying won't cut it. But with perseverance and community support, brighter days are ahead. If you're facing similar challenges, don't hesitate to reach out. If I can offer a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness, then I've fulfilled my purpose. #oneteamonefight

To my lawyer and risk management friends and network (or others hiring for Legal or Risk positions): I know quite a few extremely high caliber team members in Legal and Risk that were impacted as our cuts in our back office functions went really deep. If anyone is looking for legal or risk professionals including senior leadership, attorneys, program managers, or analysts, please DM me and I am happy to give some insights on some key talent we let go this week that you would be lucky to scoop up.

As a highly skilled supervisor with extensive experience in customer service and production, I'm ready to take the next step in my career. After 20 years of hard work and dedication, I'm looking for an organization that recognizes the value I bring to the table. I'm not entitled, but I know my worth. One of the key responsibilities of a supervisor is to add value. Whether it's for customers, employees, or the community, adding value is essential for success. As I look for my next opportunity, I'm reminded of the importance of value over cost. An employer who recognizes this will not only benefit their bottom line but also create a culture of success and growth. In the words of John C. Maxwell, "Adding value to others is the most important thing you can do and it's the only way to achieve success." I'm ready to add value and achieve success with a forward-thinking organization.

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of my being an Artisan at Refined Technologies. Today, I had a “career conversation” with my boss Heather Broeder, P.E. — an annual part of RTI’s development framework. It’s not a performance review (that will come later), but simply a chat about how I feel about working at RTI, how fulfilled I am in my role, what I look forward to contributing, my greatest strengths, where I want to grow and develop, and more. It was a great moment to pause and reflect on the past 365+ days. That’s plenty of time for the newness to wear off or for the proverbial “honeymoon” to be over, but I am just as eager to get to the office (or to login on work-from-home days) as I was on July 17, 2023. RTI is committed to operating as a redemptive organization. Exploitative companies follow an “I win, you lose” mindset. Ethical companies take a “win-win” approach and strive to do the right thing. To operate redemptively is to follow the pattern of creative restoration through sacrifice in our life and work — to say “I sacrifice, we win.” (Read more: https://lnkd.in/gg-YDxfV) There’s no motive behind this post other than to share how grateful I am for God leading me to this “unicorn” of an opportunity. (And, for Him leading Dena Lee to tell me about it.) But, if my experience inspires you to take a look at any open job opportunities, that’s just an added bonus. 😉 I’m confident that on my two-year anniversary next year, I’ll be able to share this post and simply change the date.

Finding yourself at a crossroads in your career and life? I worked with a client who, after facing a sudden job loss, was feeling overwhelmed and confused, not sure how to move forward. After just 4 sessions, my client experienced a remarkable transformation. What made it work? -> Her commitment to finding clarity. -> We addressed the uncertainty and mixed emotions that arose from the unexpected job loss. -> We set up goals which we split into even smaller steps. And… …most importantly, she took action. Through our collaboration, my client gained valuable tools to organize her thoughts and prioritize her goals, leading to newfound clarity and self-awareness. The result -> Nailing a job according to her needs where she feels confident. P.S. If you find yourself at a similar crossroads in your life or career and you're seeking guidance and support, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Send me a message, and I'll be glad to share more about my program and what sets it apart. You've got this… go and shine! ☀️

Moving on from an established career is difficult, but sometimes it is necessary in order to gain new skills and experience, broadening your horizons. I am sad and heartbroken to have made the decision to leave my account management position at PinSource after 5+ years of rocking out in sales. However, my life has pushed me in a different direction which has forced me to ponder whether a different role is better for me. For the first time in 15 years, I do not have another job lined up. I do not have anything to fall back on. I am trusting the process of closing one door, hoping that I can at least crack open a window and greet what is to come. It's a big sacrifice to make, for the better of my health and future. Job seeking is a full-time job on its own, and it will be refreshing to be able to focus on interviews when I don't have to work. To my LinkedIn network: If you have any openings at your current company where my business, admin, marketing acumen would fit, in please send info my way. I would love to land a role in a support/coordinator position, or perhaps project management.