In the real corporate world, we are not hiring your team, squad, platoon, section, department, etc. We are looking to hire the one most qualified candidate for the one single role. If that is you, you need to show that you are the most qualified of the bunch of applicants. And it usually starts with a quick introduction. “Tell me about yourself” in about 30 seconds or less. 30 seconds is about the time it takes for an elevator ride from the ground floor to the C-suite. Next, the Cambridge Dictionary defines “pitch” as a noun (persuade)…a speech or act that attempts to persuade someone to buy or do something Hence the name, ‘Elevator Pitch.’

In this week’s post, we are going to advise what to do when you do get the unexpected phone call (or email or notification or text). Whichever, you will end up on a phone call; the dreaded phone interview otherwise known as the “screening interview,” where our goal (HR corporate’s) is to screen out the massive pool of hundreds of applicants to a more manageable number...like to about a dozen to eventually five or six. Yes, that’s it. About FIVE or SIX to be invited for the real interview with the actual hiring manager and team.

February is Black History Month. Over the last two centuries, many black Americans not only have served the United States military with distinction, in every conflict in US history but have also had to do it in a national climate which was not always accepting of their backgrounds or skin color. They have not only fought bravely the common enemies of the US and our allies but have also had to confront the individual and institutional racism of their countrymen.

If you took advantage of the down time and applied to job openings, good on you for taking the initiative. As the best learning generally comes from failure and what would you do if you could do it all over again, here are the Top 5 missteps from our population that we’ve seen from a few of our recent holiday campaigns. These examples apply to CORPORATE positions; not federal jobs, not defense, not law enforcement, not medical or the like but only to corporate job openings.

January 18 marks the 26th anniversary of the day of service that commemorates Dr. King’s life and relentless commitment to building an inclusive world. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is an opportunity for people to learn about Dr. King and to serve in their communities to honor his legacy.

Last week, he hoped to have inspired you to Carpe Diem, Seize the Day. You are at the crossroads once again. Time to make hard decisions because your time is limited; your obligation to the military WILL END. In part 2, here are some steps to get you started in your decision-making process. A few of the best ways to start off the new year is to set goals, get focused and more productive by following the 80/20 Rule and learning 10 life lessons from a fellow military veteran.

Today is a new day of a new week in a new month starting a new year of the new decade. Literally, hindsight is 2020.

So many questions. So many variables. So many decisions. So. Little. Time. You must seize the moment. NOW. Don’t wait for things to get easier. Life will always be complicated. Learn to be happy right now. Otherwise, you’ll run out of time. “Make your lives extraordinary” while you still have the time. Carpe Diem. Seize the Day.

The holidays does not mean companies are NOT recruiting during the holidays. They may not be actively interviewing and making offers but do a job search and check on the new job postings. Companies are RECRUITING; they’re just not HIRING. And while those job descriptions on the company career pages or social media or internet job boards are posted, they are ripe for collecting resumes. So go to your dream company or go to job board and check out those openings. And apply!

In all sincerity during this complicated year, wishing all of you a Happy Holiday. So however you define this season, stay your authentic self and to those who really matter. Find your True North in whatever shape, size or spirit that moves you. Just keep moving. Grateful to those who served before US, Remembering those who continue to keep our country safe 24/7 for US, and Honoring those who did not return or are no longer with US. From our families to you(rs), Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Yes, you served. And honorably, thank you. And you most likely achieved far greater ranks than your peers who decided to opt out earlier. That is why you are senior enlisted and/or officer material. You had the wherewithal and foresight to be invaluable to your country and remain in the game. And we thank you. But please, don’t reinforce this prima donna stereotype so it reflects on all of us.

We did it (PT) for Country and Command; why not continue to do it for YOU and your love ones? Do you owe them less than what you were willing to give to Platoon Sergeant, Gunny or Chief? If not for them, do it for you. There are quite a few positives when you exercise regularly.

Resiliency is the ability to bounce back in the face of adversity. As Veterans, we can say with certain confidence that after we separate, we will never be as hot or as cold, or as hungry or thirsty, or as tired or dirty (and smelly) as we were at least once in our past lives.