Staying motivated and engaged during your transition to civvy street
Category: Tips and Advice
Publish date: 30/06/2023
Each person’s transition from the military to the civilian market is different, and it won’t always be plain sailing. Job searching alone can come with a number of setbacks, and it’s understandable to lose a little faith when you put in all that work throughout the application and interview process, to find out an employer has decided to go with somebody else. But it’s important to remember that these experiences are all par for the course, and the best thing to do is get back on the horse and go again.
Therefore, staying motivated and engaged with the process is crucial, and so we wanted to share our advice on how you can maintain a positive mindset.
1. Have a clear goal Take the time to reflect on yourself and everything you’ve achieved in your career, using these insights to identify the things you’re good at and what you’re interested in continuing within a civilian role. You can then share these aspirations with your CTP Career Consultant who can help you understand what career choices will be best for you, and work with you to create an action plan that you can stick to throughout your journey.
2. Keep communicating Talk to your friends, family and wider network of former colleagues and managers. It’s important to remind yourself that you’re not alone on this journey, and you’ll likely find that most people will want to provide support, advice and guidance wherever they can. Also, keep in touch with us – we really do want to know how you’re getting on and what we can do to help; whether that’s identifying a relevant training course or arranging a civilian work attachment opportunity through our network of employers.
3. Take time out when you need it Make sure you take time away from your job search to manage your stress levels if you start to feel overwhelmed or frustrated. Even if it’s just for a short time, it can really help to just step away and do the things you enjoy in order to recharge. Make sure you always get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat well – all of which are essential to maintaining a healthy body and mind during times of change.
4. Always ask for feedback As we’ve said, setbacks are normal during a career transition. However, if your applications or interviews are unsuccessful on multiple occasions, it’s very easy to become disillusioned with the whole process, especially when you don’t know why it was a ‘no’ each time. Asking for feedback will help you understand where you went wrong and how you can improve in the future – ensuring you never fall victim to the same pitfalls twice.
Remember, job search is a marathon, not a sprint, and you’ll likely need to tweak things as you go in order to find the winning formula. However, remember to reach out to your CTP Career Consultant for support and guidance whenever you need it.