Networking
Build on your network throughout your transition —and after. For suggestions, download the Networking Self-Study Guide.
Start a where to live list.
Build on your network throughout your transition —and after. For suggestions, download the Networking Self-Study Guide.
Start a transition fund that will cover three to six months’ living expenses. Decide how much money you'll need by creating a finance budget and then saving a portion of your earnings from each paycheck until you reach your goal. Throughout the year — live and virtual — to create awareness and encourage conversations about social and economic issues.
Create a finance budget
Financial checklist for transitioning military members
Identify the qualifications you'll need for your perfect job.
Check out the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP). It provides Active Component Service members (including AGR, AR and FTS) four major components:
Select one of the following paths.
Get a civilian job
Get a federal job
Start a company
Go back to school
Find out which companies have a good reputation for hiring veterans, such as Bank of America.
Explore your career potential.
Determine if you need more education or training.
Add people to your network in the job or companies you are interested in.
Gather information from the internet on salaries for potential career choices using websites like LinkedIn, Indeed and Glassdoor.
Identify civilian jobs that are commensurate with your position in the military.
At Bank of America, we’re proud to be recognised as a great place to work. We’re committed to providing our employees and their families with support to be at their best at work and at home.
As a bank employee, you’re part of a diverse, inclusive workplace where employees are valued for their individual strengths and perspectives. You’re also provided with benefits to support your emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing.
Start your research on government jobs.
Review application forms and start a resume.
Determine if you need more education or training.
Add people to your network who have government jobs.
Gather background information on working for the government.
Read this article, for example, to get some basic information on how to get a job in the federal government.
Check out the SBA (Small Business Administration) site.
Check out the VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization site.
Add people to your network who have started their own business.
Start gathering information about the financial aspects of starting a business including start-up costs, ongoing costs and potential return. Research programs for funding veterans' businesses.
Research entrepreneurial skills and lessons for starting a business.
Bookmark the SBA and VA sites. Explore them often. Download useful resources. Be sure to start a list of potential clients, vendors and suppliers for your business.
Use the VA’s decision-making tools to help you get the most from your benefits.
Determine what educational training is required for your career.
Check our your eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Add people to your network who are considering enrolling or are enrolled in an education program.
Gather information on the internet about which jobs are going to be in high demand and potential salaries for careers in those fields.
Start to refresh skills needed for tests, such as the GMAT, confirm schedules for testing. Take preparation classes.
Search the internet for schools and states that have special benefits for veterans returning to school. Be sure to bookmark the sites.
Select one of the following paths.
Get a civilian job
Get a federal job
Start a company
Go back to school
Review your talents, skills and knowledge and identify companies that could use them.
Begin translating your talents, skills and knowledge into civilian language.
Work on your networking etiquette by using civilian language to describe yourself. Be sure to carefully maintain your social media footprint.
Continue to refine the description of your skills in civilian language.
Get photos in civilian clothing and a civilian email address. Be active on LinkedIn or other professional websites. Build out your profile on these sites.
Determine your job category.
Begin translating your talents, skills and knowledge into civilian language.
Work on your networking etiquette by using civilian language to describe yourself. Be sure to carefully maintain your social media footprint.
Continue to refine the description of your skills in civilian language.
Get a civilian email address and photos. Join LinkedIn or other professional websites. Sign up for notifications of open government positions.
Document your talents, skills and knowledge.
Determine if you need more education or training.
Begin completing the ten steps to starting a business.
Add people to your network who have started businesses in the area you are targeting. Utilize Local Assistance offered by the SBA.
Gather information on franchise fees and costs for renting space for a business in the area to which you’d like to relocate. Create a budget for your personal expenses.
Review the skills which require additional education or training and make a plan for improving these skills. Determine if you are eligible for training under the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
Get some photos in civilian clothing and a civilian email address. Be active on Linkedin or other professional websites. Build up your profile on these sites.
Check out schools that offer appropriate education or training.
Complete applications and financial aid paperwork for the schools you have selected.
Identify mentors who can provide concrete advice on what you need to be doing at this stage concerning applications, tests and other items.
Create a rough budget based on your plans for the future. Gather additional information on costs and educational benefits for veterans in different areas.
Schedule any tests or certifications you will need for acceptance into a program. Prepare to describe your education goals clearly and how you will use what you learn.
Get some photos in civilian clothing and a civilian email address. Be active on Linkedin or other professional websites. Build up your profile on these sites.
Select one of the following paths.
Get a civilian job
Get a federal job
Start a company
Go back to school
Determine which benefits you’ll have to replace, including medical and life insurance, direct savings plan (TSP) and banking services.
Finalize your resume.
Conduct practice interviews with people in your network.
Identify mentors with whom you can have practice interviews and informal conversation.
Make a plan for transitioning your resources. Begin identifying what benefits you’ll have to replace. Refine your where to live and where to work lists.
Identify civilian jobs that are commensurate with your position in the military.
Even if you will be covered by a transition medical plan, do some research on health insurance benefits. Search for jobs on sites like Bank of America, Monster and CareerBuilder.
Determine which benefits you’ll have to replace, including medical and life insurance, direct savings plan (TSP) and banking services.
Finalize your resume.
Conduct practice interviews with people in your network.
Identify mentors with whom you can have practice interviews and informal conversations.
Make a plan for transitioning your resources. Begin identifying what benefits you’ll have to place. Refine your where to live and where to work lists.
Make sure that you are ready to being applying for government jobs.
Even if you will be covered by a transition medical plan, do some research on health insurance benefits.
Determine which benefits you’ll have to replace, including medical and life insurance, direct savings plan (TSP) and banking services.
Continue with Ten Steps to Starting a Business.
Identify mentors in your network who can provide feedback on the documents you are creating for your business.
Make a plan for transitioning your resources to a new bank or credit union. Begin identifying what benefits you’ll have to replace. Refine your where to live list.
Make sure that the documents you’re creating for your business use civilian language rather than military terminology.
Even if you will be covered by a transition medical plan, do some research on health insurance benefits.
Determine which benefits you’ll have to replace, including medical and life insurance, direct savings plan (TSP) and banking services.
Refine your list of potential schools.
Ensure that you’re completing admissions tasks on time.
Fill in your online bio on sites like LinkedIn. Make sure that the rest of your online footprint reflects you in a good light. People will check your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Begin identifying what benefits you’ll have to replace. Make a plan for transitioning your resources. Refine your list of schools to attend list.
If you don’t ace the admissions test on the first attempt, schedule to take it again. The school will take your highest score.
Even if you will be covered by a transition medical plan, do some research on health insurance benefits. Stay in touch with your school’s admission office.
Select one of the following paths.
Get a civilian job
Get a federal job
Start a company
Go back to school
Double check your resume.
Continue interviewing with companies in the area where you will live.
Check out resources that will help a military spouse find a job, go to school or get a certification for a new career.
Stay in touch with your network, keeping them informed of your status. Ask one of your mentors to review the details of your transition plan.
Finalize your personal financial plan for your transition and the six months following. Begin transitioning your resources.
Continue to monitor what other people can find out about you online and carefully control your social media footprint.
Search the internet for information on fun and interesting things to do in the location to which you will be moving.
Double check your resume.
Continue interviewing for government positions in the area where you will live.
Check out resources that will help a military spouse find a job, go to school or get a certification for a new career.
Stay in touch with your network, keeping them informed of your status. Ask one of your mentors to review the details of your transition plan.
Finalize your personal finance plan for your transition and for the six months following. Begin transitioning your resources.
Continue to monitor what other people can find out about you online and carefully control your social media footprint.
Search the internet for information on fun and interesting things to do in the location to which you will be moving.
Finalize your Ten Steps to Starting a Business.
Visit the area where your business will be established.
Check out resources that will help a military spouse find a job, go to school or get a certification for a new career.
Stay in touch with the people in your network and add local leaders from the area in which your business will be located.
Finalize your personal finance plan for your transition and for the six months following. Begin transitioning your resources.
Make sure that you’re ready to manage – financially and emotionally – any employees that you hire.
Utilize every opportunity you find for free advertising – online, in the local newspaper and at community events.
Be prepared to succeed at school.
Be ready to meet other students and professors.
Check out resources that will help a military spouse find a job, go to school or get a certification for a new career.
Continue to monitor what other people can find out about you online and carefully control your social media footprint.
Finalize your personal finance plan for your transition and for the six months following. Begin transitioning your resources.
Review the information related to your area of study.
If you pre-register for classes, do some preparation such as previewing texts and checking past class blogs. Make sure you have a personal email address at the school.
Select one of the following paths.
Get a civilian job
Get a federal job
Start a company
Go back to school
Double check your resume.
Continue interviewing with companies in the area where you will live.
Check out resources that will help a military spouse find a job, go to school or get a certification for a new career.
Stay in touch with your network, keeping them informed of your status. Ask one of your mentors to review the details of your transition plan.
Finalize your personal financial plan for your transition and the six months following. Begin transitioning your resources.
Continue to monitor what other people can find out about you online and carefully control your social media footprint.
Search the internet for information on fun and interesting things to do in the location to which you will be moving.
Double check your resume.
Continue interviewing for government positions in the area where you will live.
Check out resources that will help a military spouse find a job, go to school or get a certification for a new career.
Stay in touch with your network, keeping them informed of your status. Ask one of your mentors to review the details of your transition plan.
Finalize your personal finance plan for your transition and for the six months following. Begin transitioning your resources.
Continue to monitor what other people can find out about you online and carefully control your social media footprint.
Search the internet for information on fun and interesting things to do in the location to which you will be moving.
Finalize your Ten Steps to Starting a Business.
Visit the area where your business will be established.
Check out resources that will help a military spouse find a job, go to school or get a certification for a new career.
Stay in touch with the people in your network and add local leaders from the area in which your business will be located.
Finalize your personal finance plan for your transition and for the six months following. Begin transitioning your resources.
Make sure that you’re ready to manage – financially and emotionally – any employees that you hire.
Utilize every opportunity you find for free advertising – online, in the local newspaper and at community events.
Be prepared to succeed at school.
Be ready to meet other students and professors.
Check out resources that will help a military spouse find a job, go to school or get a certification for a new career.
Continue to monitor what other people can find out about you online and carefully control your social media footprint.
Finalize your personal finance plan for your transition and for the six months following. Begin transitioning your resources.
Review the information related to your area of study.
If you pre-register for classes, do some preparation such as previewing texts and checking past class blogs. Make sure you have a personal email address at the school.