MSCCN Blog

The Mentality of New Years Resolutions

1/16/2020

What is your New Year’s Resolution? This is a question I loathe… not because I am not trying to better myself and my life, but because it adds so much pressure to something you are already anxious about working on. So, how do I handle goals, resolutions, changing and enhancing my own life?

For me, the best way I have found to set and keep goals is to not set them only because it is a new year or because it's expected. When I set a new year's resolution or new year's goal I tend to psych myself out a bit. So, in order to combat that feeling of drowning in new goals, I try to set goals periodically throughout the year, giving myself time to reflect on the previously accomplished goal.

Once I have reviewed where I have been and what I have accomplished, I reflect on what is going on in my life, what could make it better? This goes for both personal and professional life. I'm a list maker-- so I write all of these things down in a notebook, and I choose ONE. Even if I think, "oh yeah I got this, I can do 3 goals, easy!" Chances are I can't do them all as well as I could if I focused on one. Now, that doesn't mean that I don't refer back to my list once I complete goal 1, it just means I don't bite off more than I can chew, something I learned the hard way years ago.

What about those goals that don't seem to be moving forward, do I just give up on them? No- not just on a whim. I chose that goal for a reason but, like we all know and feel, life happens. And that's okay. It's okay to say, "wow I need to refocus my energy on this goal" or maybe even, "this goal isn't as helpful as I once thought it was, how can I change it to make it a better fit for my life?" If I can't get behind a goal or refocus a goal I don't beat myself up. I go back to my notebook, I reflect on this goal, on my life, and choose a new goal. Some goals can fit your life and situation one moment and not the next, it's how you adapt to that change that will give you successful reflection and growth. Not to mention, just because I didn't fully complete one goal doesn't mean that I didn't learn from that goal, which is why I reflect on the goal itself even if incomplete before moving on to a new goal.

What about you? How do you handle goals, resolutions and changing for the better?
Written by: Phylicia Vallier, Training Specialist

Post-Retirement Career Options

1/7/2020

Retiring from the military can be an overwhelming and emotional transition. You have dedicated your life to this country and now, in what feels like a matter of days, it’ll all be over. Have you been wondering what you should do when you retire, but aren’t quite ready to start a second career yet? Or, maybe, you’re looking for something that is a slower pace, or even something to fill an employment gap?

Here are a few options for post-retirement careers sent in by Sharon from Senior Friendly Info.

Many military retirees have a desire to return to the workforce due to finances, loneliness, or an urge to continue contributing. Regardless of your motivation, here are some lucrative positions for retired military personnel that can easily be found in a computer or mobile search.

Become a freelancer.
Many retirees have decades of experience in a particular field. Whether you’ve been working as a salesman or an engineer, you can continue this work as a freelancer. Instead of being hired for a full-time position, you could perform jobs for different clients. As a freelancer, you set your own hours and don’t have to answer to a boss. If you do follow this career path, make sure to invest in a smartphone that can help you maintain a busy schedule and stay in touch with customers. You can always upgrade your phone if your current one isn’t cutting it. Look for current deals to help you save on your purchase.

Find a position in the insurance sector.
The insurance sector is a great place for retirees to find work. It’s a profitable industry that has a low barrier of entry and hundreds of open positions. You don’t need a degree in a related field in order to make a living wage, either. When pursuing a position in the insurance industry, you can start by researching the highest-rated companies for which to work. For example, Glassdoor has reviews from prior employees to help you get a good idea for which businesses are good fit. You’ll also be able to find information regarding benefits and salaries for companies like LHLIC.

Land a consulting gig.
Every retiree has something in which companies would pay big money for--experience. Don’t be fooled into thinking that young graduates have something more valuable to offer. Companies in every sector are interested in finding retired professionals with decades of experience in their particular field. The challenges you faced in the past are still present, and your solutions are invaluable pieces of information. Feel free to ask around your prior company to see if any consultation positions are open. There’s always a chance you can find your first client before even entering into retirement.
Military personnel who are reaching retirement don’t have to settle for the standard retirement plan. Whether you need the money or still feel a desire to give back, returning to the workforce is a viable choice with many options available.

Written by: Sharon Wagner, Senior Friendly Info

Merry Christmas from team CASY & MSCCN

12/25/2019

It's our favorite time of year, and we use this time as an opportunity to unit our remote team, and check our everyone's creative chops.

Below you'll see the entries from our amazing team members for our 2nd annual decorating contest! Our passionate team have transformed their work areas into winter wonderlands and they've recruited kids and pets to be their helpers doing this extra busy season.

3rd Place Office

Krista Hill-Kane

2nd Place Office

Lindsey Pfannerstill

The Winning Office

Ashley Bowman

Suit Up For Success

12/19/2019

Pittsburgh, PA — December 6th, 2019 Veterans, hiring professionals, nonprofits, and military stakeholders came together for the first Suit Up For Success Veterans Event on Friday afternoon. Organizations such as Military Community Support Project (MCSP), Corporate America Supports You (CASY), Luttner Financial Group (LFG), Veterans Breakfast Club (VBC) and PA Serves contributed to the event’s successful execution. Nearly 20 veterans were equipped, encouraged, educated, and connected with the skills and resources necessary from attire to hire.

One hundred percent of attendee evaluations articulated this event met or exceeded their expectations, while Likert scale ratings also displayed an increase in attendees' feeling of being job- ready based upon pre-event and post event ratings.

Veteran men and women walked away receiving high end suits, ties, and professional wear while having measurements taken and tailoring services given on site. They were equipped with benefit education sessions and connected directly with successful professionals from our region.

These veterans spent time in small group sessions with hiring authorities and workforce mentors from Luttner Financial Services, Giant Eagle, Grad Orbit, and Cortron Media. Attendees also received a special lesson and hands-on practice in tying a tie properly, while being given Giant Eagle gift cards to ensure gas to their next interview or networking event. These attendees have also been afforded an opportunity to highlight their skills in a militar- friendly employer networking mingle in January, as a follow up to the professional skills and resource knowledge gained in this event and weeks to follow.

Veterans left the event with evaluations saying, “I came out of the session with a renewed confidence in my skills.” “I didn’t have a lot of expectations, but this was awesome!” One attendee shared, “prior to the event, I was ready but not as comfortable about my ideal field as I was after the event… this event exceeded my expectations with a wide array of knowledge, resources, services, and veterans in one space who all genuinely care.”

Written by: Crystal McFadden, Pittsburgh Vets Program Manager

Training in Review

12/12/2019

With 2019 coming to a close and 2020 fast approaching, the CASY & MSCCN training team has had some time to really reflect on our program, candidates, and ourselves.

Over the course of the 2019 year, we have had the privilege of working directly with nearly 3,000 candidates, enhancing their self-marketing materials as well as their job search process. Being able to say that I had a hand in changing the lives of those 3,000 candidates and their families is beyond words. As a trainer, my sole purpose is to help candidates reach their full employment potential. And we understand that it can be difficult to see when you feel like every door you approach has been slammed in your face. So, with the closing of the year, we reflect.

Going into 2020, our team has decided to make some enhancements and improvements to our training program as a whole. We want to increase your chances of finding and landing your dream job and, to do so, we know that changes need to be made. But, what does that mean? Well, instead of a 4-week series we have condensed the training into a 3-week series, allowing time for specialty training. This means that topics like the federal resume and process, and working from home will be rotated every month! We have also had a large and steady influx of candidates requesting assistance with the targeting of their resumes and cover letters and, to meet those needs, we will be offering additional assessment options throughout the year. We believe that these changes will allow for a smooth and effective employment readiness program for all of our candidates, which means a seamless transition, re-entry into the workforce, or general employment change.

Thank you for allowing us to be your guidance and support throughout your employment process. We look forward to continuing to help you grow and find your full employment potential.

Have a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

Written by: Phylicia Vallier, Training Specialist

Following Up Through The Application Process

12/5/2019

I get asked the question “how do I know when to follow up” at least a dozen times a week and, to be honest, it all really depends. It depends on the company and position, the stage of
the process that you’re in, and even what time of year it is. There are generally three stages where follow-up could happen and we’re going to discuss each stage, how to follow-up in that stage, and even when not to follow-up.

For any stage it’s important to recognize that it all really depends on the type of position: is it civilian or government, is it a large corporation or small local business? The bigger the corporation the longer the hiring process tends to be, which means that the longer you’ll need to wait before hearing back. And don’t forget to think about what is going on around you. Is it the holiday season, spring break, summer break, did your entire town just go through a massive storm? Chances are, if you are dealing with out-of-the-ordinary circumstances, the interviewer and HR team are as well.

Stage 1: I’ve submitted my application, how long do I wait before I reach out?
If you submit your application and don’t hear anything within 2 weeks you can reach out to the company. For government positions, you’ll want to wait until the posting date has closed as they often don’t begin to review content until the end of the posting date.

Typically, you will need to reach out to HR directly unless you know the direct hiring manager or recruiter contact information. You can do this either by email or phone. Often times you won’t hear specifics back about your application but you can get a status update on where they are in the review process, which can give you an idea of how much longer the wait could be, but be prepared to receive no response or a generic response that tells you that if you are a fit for the role they will reach out.

Stage 2: The HR assistant and I spoke, when should I follow-up?
Did you get the follow-up details before you ended the call? If not, make a note to do this with all future meetings. This will allow you to know exactly when to reach out, who to contact, and what to expect, potentially.

I like to wait a full 24 hours after the day the HR rep told me that I’d hear back. Why is that?! Well, working in HR can be chaotic and things, including time, get away from us too. Waiting that extra day gives the HR team a little bit of a buffer to catch up if needed. If you are unsure of the timeline after speaking with the HR assistant, it is a good rule of thumb to wait 5-7 business days before reaching out again. The HR assistant is typically screening many candidates which can take up to a week, or more, depending on the position and company.

Stage 3: I had an interview, how long do I wait until I contact my interviewer?
You should always end your interview knowing what to expect. Always ask what the timeline is and who to contact-- GET BUSINESS CARDS. For post-interview follow-up there are two separate messages that you’ll send. The first is a thank-you email and the second is only needed if you haven’t heard back by the timeline set out in your interview. If, by chance, you forgot to get a timeline of what and when to expect to hear back, asking the interviewer in your thank-you email is 100% acceptable, BUT make sure that you thank them first and foremost, and then ask for that information. If you haven’t heard back by the end of the timeline, or 5-7 business days after your interview, reaching out via email is the best option.

Remember that, when applying for jobs, checking your email daily is a must; don’t just check your inbox, check those junk or spam mail folders. Even your updates and social folders can filter important emails, so make sure you didn’t miss any emails BEFORE sending an "I haven’t heard back yet" email.

The hardest part of the process, when following up, is knowing when not to reach out, when enough is enough, and being able to read between the lines.

“He’s just not that into you”; when should I bow out gracefully?

Yes, it's really frustrating when employers ghost you. If they don't have the time our courtesy to get back to you, should you be investing more time in them?

It’s a good rule of thumb to be present and persistent BUT not pushy. Here are a few ways to avoid coming off as pushy or even annoying.

Don’t reach out when you have heard back and they have said thanks but no thanks, or we aren’t ready to make a decision yet, or we’ve decided to postpone hiring at this time, etc.
Don’t reach out repeatedly on the same day/week. If you haven’t received a response and you keep emailing or calling, trust me, you won’t receive one.
Don’t try to force a relationship (working or not) at any time. If they aren’t into you, chances are your follow-up emails and calls won’t change that— it is possible to not be a good fit and that’s okay!

It’s okay to want answers and have questions or concerns about the process, where you stand, and why you weren’t chosen. But it can be tricky to judge when it’s appropriate to ask those questions. If you need help gauging appropriate follow-up protocols, or just juggling the process as a whole, our Employment Specialist team is here to help!

Written by: Phylicia Vallier, Training Specialist

Nutrition & Job Interviews

12/4/2019

Deb Kloeppel, CASY & MSCCN President & Founder, offers her advice to ultimately prepare for an interview.

Your resume is printed on linen paper and placed neatly inside of a folder. Your attire is professional, including your sensible shoes. Your hair is groomed and nails manicured. You performed a
drive-through of your interview location the night before. You remembered everything, right? Not so fast. What you eat and drink 90 minutes before your job interview matters a great deal. In fact, what you eat and drink 24 hours prior to your interview matters the most. In order to give you the best source of energy and metabolism boost possible, follow these recipe ideas to land the job you so richly deserve.

Nutrition Countdown to the Job Interview:
The Night Prior to the Job Interview:
6 pm Dinner: Salmon with light seasonings: watch the salt and butter - you don't want to bloat. Salmon is a brain food and high in Omega Fatty Oils, which keeps your heart healthy and your brain energized.

Asparagus with lemon. Asparagus cleans the heart valves to keep your blood pumping perfectly. One spear of asparagus is only three calories and loaded with soluble and insoluble fiber. Fiber gives you the sense of being full. This is a great thing when trying lose weight and maintain good information in your brain.

Roasted sweet potatoes with a dash of low fat yogurt condiment - again watch the salt intake. Do not prepare these wonderful sweet potatoes with any type of sugar. You don't need it. Sugar makes your blood sugar rise and then crash quickly, making you hungry again. Eat these roasted sweet potatoes in their natural form. Roasted and slightly salted. Sweet potatoes are low-glycemic and high in water content. Yes, they are high in carbs - but it's the good kind of carb, if you don't add sugar, sour crème and tons of salt. Drink room temp water with lemon. Lemon is a natural diuretic.

8 pm Citrus Snack - preferably an orange. A whole orange and not orange juice. Whole oranges are a power-food, low-glycemic and high in fiber, which means your blood sugar isn't going to rise and crash. Oranges are a major digestive tract cleaner. The Vitamin C and citric acid found in oranges increase your body's ability to absorb iron and fat from the digestive tract. In Japan, they follow most meals with an orange for this very reason. Oranges not only absorb iron, but fat as well FROM your digestive tract.

Chamomile Tea - no dairy
Absolutely zero alcohol intake 24 hours prior to your job interview. Why? Dehydration. Alcohol dehydrates every part of your body - and in particular, your brain and eyes. No matter how well you think you react to alcohol while you're drinking it, you have zero control of the after-effects of the hangover. No matter how slight the hangover, you can count on alcohol (in any form) to dehydrate every tissue, organ and muscle in your body - especially your brain and eyes.

90 minutes before your job interview:
Drink one full glass of water with a lemon to flush out the toxins. I do this EVERY morning by the way. After 15 minutes, drink only one cup of organic coffee. Add Cinnamon.Cinnamon literally warms the blood for better flow to the heart and brain. Do not add cream, sugar, or milk. Coffee makes the mind and heart react faster.

Too much coffee can cause your blood to rise and then crash, while dehydrating you. Dehydration will make you forgetful, fatigued and cranky--not a good state of mind in front of a hiring manager. If you don't drink coffee, have one cup of organic matcha green tea. Again, no milk, or cream. Milk and cream will cause you to bloat.

One cup of steel cut oats with a sliced apple. No butter, sugar, milk or cream in the oats. All of these fatty and high calorie condiments will cause your blood sugar to rise and then crash. Steel cut oats are a superfood in the way of a powerful soluble fiber called Beta-Glucan. Beta-Glucan reduces the bad cholesterol, reduces blood sugar and cleans your gut of bad bacteria. These superfoods provide extreme focus and awareness necessary under the stressors of a job interview. Do add walnuts - lots of walnuts - to your steel cut oats. Walnuts are also a superfood. They assist in digestion, decrease inflammation, and contain loads of antioxidants. All of which helps you concentrate during your interview. You can make the steel cut oats the night before. Refrigerate and microwave the morning of your interview.

Carry in your car, one piece of whole wheat toast, brushed with a little olive oil and a dash of oregano in case the interview goes long and you're starving by the time you get to your car. Some interviews take morning and afternoon hours with a break inbetween. Prepare for this event as well.
Carry two bottles of water with you. Sip some of the water on the drive. Arrive at the job interview 20 minutes early. Use the restroom. Carry one bottle of water with you inside the building. As you wait to be seen, sip the water thoughtfully as not to get dry mouth for the interview.

Never chew anything during an interview, like gum or mints. The only exception here are throat lozengers, should your throat be sore, or you have a cough. Explain to the Recruiter that you're trying to keep your throat and/or cough under control. Never shake the recruiter's hand if your not feeling well. Let them know why you are not shaking their hand. Truly, they will appreciate your thoughtfulness when not spreading bad germs.

Use chap stick right before the interview. Sip some water.

Literally, take 3 deep breaths. The air in your lungs will help clarify your speech and annunciation of words. The sips of water will keep your thoughts flowing and your body hydrated.

You are what you eat. Nothing comes shining through to a recruiter like a well rested, and fully alert candidate. A candidate who took the time to remember that nutrition is a very important element of a job interview.

As an employer, I can always detect a worker or applicant who rushes everything - including their nutrition. Your health, well being and nutrition must come first, 24/7.

Written by: Deb Kloeppel, Founder & President

A Note of Thanks for Our Mission

11/28/2019

During this Thanksgiving Season, I’m thankful for the privilege to serve our military community. It's an honor to work with dedicated team members who believe in our mission, the way that Dan and I do.

During this time, please let us be mindful of those less fortunate and struggling in our country and around the world. Thanksgiving is a perfect time to rededicate ourselves in our own special way that could make a difference to the most vulnerable members of our communities.

In closing, we express our gratitude to the men and women, and their families, who selflessly serve to protect our country and our American way of life.

As 2019 comes to an end, with continued success for our mission, I’d like to reiterate how grateful Dan and I are to this team.

God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!

Written by: Deb Kleoppel, Founder & President

Deb and RADM Dan Kloeppel (ret),
founders of CASY & MSCCN

Thanksgiving Is A Time Of Appreciation

11/21/2019

Thanksgiving is a time of appreciation. A time to appreciate family and friends, and the many wonderful things in your life that bring joy and happiness.

Sometimes the busyness of the holiday takes over and the reason we take this time for Thanksgiving is lost. No one is immune to stress, and I’m sure that the holiday season doesn’t change that. Whether it’s the stress coming from the fact you have a full house of guests to please, or it’s the stress in knowing that you are going to be overindulging in sweets and jumping off your healthy track, or even the stress of the official start of the holiday season. Whatever the case, the purpose of this article is to help you overcome that feeling of stress, and simply enjoy the time and holiday.

What is my trigger?
In order to properly deal with any stressful situation, we must first identify what triggers our stress. Is it the people, the process, the planning/schedule? If it’s the meal, plan ahead, here is an article to help with your plan. Plan out the menu days, even weeks ahead of time, allowing for a smooth shopping and prep phase. Select dishes, drinks, and even meal substitutions should anything be unavailable to you, etc. Purchase groceries as early as possible, without risking food spoilage. If you can, prepare dishes ahead of time. Let go of the reins a bit and ask (or allow) others to contribute to the meal. Lastly, but certainly not least, plan out the actual day. This way you will be able to appreciate the people you are with and enjoy the meal. To do this, organization is key. With Thanksgiving only one week away, now is the time to act so that you’re not flustered the day of.

Just taking a few moments to relax and organize your plan will do a lot to reduce stress down the road

How can I deal?
Now that you know what causes your stress-- try to implement things that allow you to alleviate that stress. Do you enjoy working out, taking a bubble bath, reading, or even just phoning a friend? When it comes to prepping and taking time out for yourself, do so before the day has really begun. If you read my last article, I mentioned I love to workout. I believe it clears my mind, body, and spirit, and helps me focus. Specifically in times of added stress and anxiety, working out allows me to refocus my energy, and get an endorphin booster. Plus, if you work out beforehand, that is just a cherry on top, or in this case, the gravy on the turkey, allowing for a little less guilt in that second or third helping.

Make it a group effort!
Don’t spend Thanksgiving alone in the kitchen while everyone else is in the living room. Delegate a few tasks to family and friends - this way you can all be together. It will make the task less daunting, it will be more fun, and it will keep everyone together. Remember, it’s okay to let go of the reins a little bit.

Keep your priorities in order!
Did you burn the turkey? Did the pie not come out as great as you planned? IT’S OKAY. Thanksgiving is about the people, not the food. People coming together to appreciate one another and all we have. Besides a little burnt turkey never hurt anyone.

So, remember, know your stressors, compartmentalize tasks, adapt and overcome and, whatever you do, do not lose the true meaning of Thanksgiving; appreciation. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Written By: Alexandra O'Neil, Communications Manager

Why I Almost Walked Out Of An Interview

11/14/2019

Interviews are exciting and stressful all at the same time. We want the employer to like us and make an offer; constantly checking our phone for the “call.” But, we rarely talk about what happens when we have a terrible experience. Have you ever had an interview where you hoped you didn’t get an offer? Let me tell you about the time I was this ===> | | <=== close to walking out of a job interview, and what I learned as a result.

I was just starting my job search, so I was excited to get interview requests after submitting my resume. While the majority of employers were great, I want to focus on employer B.

Employer B started the interview process with, “Please come in for an interview at XYZ time.” I was a little concerned that I wasn’t asked if that worked, or given options, but since my day was open at that time, I arranged childcare and happily accepted the time slot.

On the day of the interview with Employer B, I walked into the reception area where two other candidates were waiting and realized that they were doing batch interviews. One of the people ahead of me was called back 15 minutes after my scheduled time, so I could tell they were behind. Even though I wasn’t notified I was forgiving about it, understanding that things come up and that, sometimes, interviews run long and time gets away from us. After 35 minutes I asked for an update, and it was an hour after my scheduled appointment before I was called back.

Sitting in the waiting room, watching the interactions between employees, gave me time to observe and learn. When my name was finally called to interview, I was no longer as excited as I once was. I was concerned, they left me feeling unappreciated, and the atmosphere in the office wasn’t a positive one. My hope dropped and my enthusiasm for the job waned as I realized I didn’t really want to work for this employer.

I almost walked out, but instead, I decided to use this experience to learn from… here are a few lessons that I thought would help others.

First Impressions Are Really Important: Practice Makes Improvement
Even though I was “just” a candidate waiting and preparing, I was also observing interactions in the company. This was my opportunity to see if the environment was where I wanted to spend the majority of my week. Getting there early, and having extra time, gave me insight into how the organization treated others. My impression was negative, my gut was telling me that this isn’t the right job for me, so I resigned myself to make the best of a bad situation and practice my interview skills without the pressure. I had already made up my mind about working for them before I sat in front of their interviewer…but I almost changed my mind because he was courteous and professional.

A Little Consideration Goes a Long Way, So Be Courteous
As with any relationship, personal or professional, appreciation and communication go a long way. While giving full details is not necessary, when things do not go as planned, it is important to keep people informed and give the benefit of the doubt. Maybe this job isn’t the right one, don’t burn the bridge by being inconsiderate. Continue communications until you are 100% sure about what you are going to do. Don’t GHOST or be rude to the employees, they are doing the best they can.

You Don’t Have To Accept A Job, Just Because You Got An Offer
You are a job seeker, the company is an employer, and BOTH parties have to agree prior to starting a job. Going to an interview, or continuing the interview, doesn’t mean you are LOCKED into that job. You do not have to accept the first offer. This isn’t like the military where you have to accept whatever assignment you get, you can negotiate or hold out for a better position.

Trust your GUT: Know Where You’re Valued
It isn’t always easy to recognize your value, especially if you are in the middle of a tumultuous job hunt. It is better to find a reputable employer, who offers a fair wage and environment for you to work in. If you feel like there is something “off” about what they are offering you, DO RESEARCH, and think carefully before getting yourself into a bad situation.

It is currently a jobseeker’s market, meaning that there are more open jobs than people to fill them. I know that it isn’t always possible to be selective due to financial constraints... but I hope that you don’t feel like you have to accept an offer just because it’s there. Accept an offer if you can see yourself fitting happily into that workplace, and where your time and talents are appreciated. If you feel like you need help with finding a job you would be happy in, practicing your interview skills or even just general guidance through the job hunt process you can sign up for one-on-one services with our dedicated employment specialists here.

Written by: Zaneta Padilla

We are a military-affiliated nonprofit organization and reserve the right not to serve civilian job-seekers

Privacy Statement

Our MSCCN Safe Place Work Space Policy:
We reserve the right not to serve candidates who become rude, aggressive, and threatening to our Team Members. Candidates who use profane language in ANY regard will not be served. We strive to keep our work environment joyful, impactful and transparent. Appropriate behavior by candidates ensures positive reactions and positive outcomes.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of MSCCN.