Brendan Aronson on LinkedIn: Our clients are hiring and we have a ton of fresh roles for veterans -… | 11 comments (2024)

Here's the playbook I recommend for transitioning veterans (applicable for all job hunters) looking for their first job after the military 👇 1. OUTREACH PHASE‣ Think of your network in concentric circles - schools, branch of service, other natural networks that you belong to‣ Find folks on LinkedIn who sit at the intersection of multiple circles (for example, if I find someone from the Naval Academy, Wharton, and Marine Corps, that's a lot of overlap)‣ Reach out to folks with a simple message asking to connect‣ If you have interest in a specific industry, target folks in that industry"Hi X, I am a transitioning vet who is looking for my next opportunity. I'm also a USNA grad - would you have 30 minutes to connect so I can learn about your career in the coming days?"2. CONNECT ON A CALL‣ Prepare good questions ahead of time‣ Gather intel - ask questions you can't google, ie - "What do you like and dislike about this career"‣ Conclude the convo by asking who else you should connect with in their network AND if their company is hiring or if they know of opportunities you'd be a good fit for3. RUTHLESS FOLLOW UP ‣ Follow up with your cold outreach a few times - do NOT feel awkward‣ It's only annoying if you overdo it - it's perfectly reasonable to be persistent with your follow up4. THANK YOU NOTES & UPDATES‣ After a call, send an email thank you note. You wouldn't believe how many people skip this step‣ Keep folks updated with your transition / job search - every 2-3 months is probably ideal. ‣ Create an email list and keep folks posted - be top of mind!5. RINSE & REPEAT‣ Do this a lot‣ Like way more than you think - it might take 100s of calls. ‣ I talk to a lot of folks who think they've networked hard after 15 calls - try 150!🖼 PHOTO CRED: In-person networking is great too! This shot is from a veterans in startups breakfast we hosted in LA last year - our events are at themilvet [dot] org/events--------------------------------👉 Transitioning vets are TERRIBLE about asking for help. Oftentimes we worry about being annoying to busy folks. ‣ People in the business world are more than capable of saying "No" to you if it's not a good time. ASK for help and to connect. It makes a world of difference, I promise!‣ Leave your best advice for transitioning vets and networking in the comments below!

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I need to do a better job of using AI to grow our business and I'm looking for some advice. What are your favorite AI tools for automation? Looking for best no-code platforms for automating admin work below 👇 We spend a lot of time on behind the scenes admin - here are some examples‣ Writing job descriptions‣ Copying over open roles on our job board to newsletter + LinkedIn posts‣ Pulling together prep documents for our open roles to align the full team ‣ Defining workflows / building SOPs‣ Chasing invoices ‣ Predicting cashflow, updating financial spreadsheets, etc. We use the following tools that can train up an AI for our business:1. Otter AI - records a lot of our calls with clients, candidates, etc. 2. Notion - knowledgebase with SOPs, info about our clients, etc. 3. Xero - invoicing, accounting, etc. 4. Google suite - docs, sheets, etc. 5. Hubspot - CRM 6. Loxo - Applicant tracking system & job board-------------------------What are your favorite AI use cases? Anyone tried to build an AI agent to work as a personal assistant? Let me know in the comments below!

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I had an awesome time at Fed Supernova hosted by Capital Factory in Austin yesterday. 3 takeaways from this National Security focused innovation/investing event 👇 1. The DOD is doubling down on innovationWe heard from General James Rainey (CG of Army Futures Command), Doug Beck (Director, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)), and dozens of DOD, startup founders, and investors. It's critical for the DOD to continue to innovate as we face new and emerging threats. 2. Veterans are supporting the national mission in a variety of ways - ‣ Investing‣ Starting companies‣ Leading growing defense-first companies‣ Going back into gov't service (shoutout to Michael J. Frank)3. AI is a gamechanger for every industry AND for defense!Speakers painted a future where AI models help with everything from targeting to logistics. We're not far off - this technology is already being deployed. -------------------------------In the words of J Pierpont Morgan - "I'm always bullish on America"👉 Veterans - we have new roles in Defense Tech companies coming online every day. Subscribe to our newsletter to never miss out on in-person networking opportunities AND new hot jobs each week at themilvet [dot] org

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We have a ton of *NEW* open roles for veterans! Opportunities span PE Ops, VC-backed startups, and Defense Tech Companies - check these out for you or a buddy 👇 1. GMs/CEOs in PE-Backed Companies🗺 Locations: Fredericksburg, VA | Richmond, VA | Charlotte, NC | Hilton Head, SC | Charleston, SC | Athens, GA | Tampa/Clearwater, FL | Detroit, MI | Santa Barbara, CA | San Francisco, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Fort Wayne, IN💰 Comp: Mid $100k - High $200k OTE (some include equity)⚠ Requirements: Check out the individual job postings at themilvet [dot] org/careers to learn more about each individual role. In general, looking for sales and/or past P&L ownership. 2. GM for a New Vertical at a VC-Backed Startup🗺 Location: Remote, LA Preferred. If not, travel a few days a month to LA💰 Comp: Mid-$200k OTE + Equity⚠ Requirements: Post-MBA (M7) + Consulting. Will also consider post-MBA + tech/startup experience. 3. Defense Tech Roles🗺 Location: Northeast preferred - remote OK, 50% travel 💰 Comp: Senior Roles pay high $100s, Transitioning JMO/Enlisted Roles pay low $100s. All roles include equity. ⚠ Requirements: All roles client/DOD facing, so must have strong interpersonal skills. Senior roles are good for graduating MBAs or vets in Defense Sales roles. Previous startup experience preferred. Junior roles are open to transitioning JOs or enlisted vets with strong engineering/technical chops. 4. Aerospace & Defense GM Role🗺 Location: Baltimore/DC Area OR Boston area - expect some travel between these two locations. ⚠ Requirements: You've owned an 8-figure P&L. STRONG interpersonal/leadership skills. Change agent - someone who can build culture, hire/fire, and has a full business leadership toolkit. Experience in A&D req'd----------------------------👉 There are dozens of jobs on our job board at themilvet [dot] org/careers. More coming soon!TO APPLY - send resume, geographic preferences, and which roles / what you want to do to recruiting@themilvet.org - You can also apply directly on the job board above!📨 Sign up for our newsletter at themilvet [dot] org to never miss out on a new job. These jobs fill quickly - don't wait!

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Our friends at The Veteran Fund are hosting a pitch competition for military veteran entrepreneurs for $100k! Here are the details 👇 👩💼 WHO: US-based startup that has a veteran or military spouse on the exec team and has raised less than $4m. 🗣 WHAT: A pitch competition ⏲ WHEN: Apply by Oct 20, event will be Nov 14🗺 WHERE: Online/Remote💭 WHY: Fun + Support the veteran startup ecosystem + highlight amazing veteran & milspouse founders/execs----------------------------------Shoutout to Mike Sherbakov, Ryan Micheletti, Lisa Song Sutton, and Justin Nahama for organizing! 👉 Subscribe to The Veteran Fund newsletter at www.veteran [dot] fund----------------------------------Judges include Tim Hsia, Ryan Micheletti, Mike Sherbakov, and Jason Calacanis! 👉 Register for this event at www.veteran [dot] fund/pitchVeterans - subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss great opportunities - jobs, networking events, pitch competitions - we have it all at themilvet [dot] org

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The team culture we're building at The Military Veteran fires me up! Christina Womack is one of our teammates who embodies all of our core values - more about Christina 👇 🤝 Name: Christina Womack🏡 Home: San Antonio, Tx🎖 Military Connection: Christina is a military spouse - this is the hardest job in the DOD, but Christina makes it look easy!🌿 Favorite Activities/Hobbies: Traveling, time with family, spin classes, volunteering, binge watching Parks & Rec, Running & Eating!👓 TMV Focus Area: Christina is a utility player - I ask her to do marketing, operations, and sales enablement. Christina has one of the strongest "can do" attitudes I have ever encountered - no task too big or small for her! ❤️ Favorite Part of the Job: Working with veterans - here's what Christina has to say, "You guys are some of the best people in the world and I love being able to serve the community"--------------------------Having Christina on our team has been a real treat. She embodies the TMV core values of Ownership, Empathy, Follow Through, and Professionalism. Christina, thank you for your hard work!--------------------------👉 Great culture attracts great Americans like Christina. What's your best advice for creating great culture at your work? Let me know in the comments below!👉 Veterans - subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all of our in-person events + hot jobs each week at themilvet [dot] org

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I truly struggled in my transition out of the Marines. I've interviewed 100s of veteran business execs, student vets, and transitioning vets ➼ here are the top 3 challenges & how to overcome them 👇 CHALLENGES:‣ Loss of tribe‣Loss of purpose‣ Loss of financial securityHOW TO OVERCOME:🤝 Invest time to build your network and maintain relationships📈 Reinvent your purpose - not all work NEEDS to be as meaningful as serving our country. Purpose comes from an opportunity to GROW and build a new skillset.🧘♂️ Discipline & Gratitude - I spend time journaling, writing the things I'm grateful for, and getting some movement in every day. It is extremely helpful. 🖼 PHOTO CRED: In-person events have been unbelievably helpful for me personally and professionally. This pic is at The Military Veteran Startup Conference in SF - join us at milvetstartups [dot] com---------------------------------Leave your best advice for transitioning/student vets in the comments below. If you're a transitioning veteran, I believe in you wholeheartedly. You have the raw ingredients to thrive in business - if you're going through hell, KEEP GOING. 👉 Veterans - subscribe to our newsletter for access to our in-person happy hours (help you rebuild a tribe) and open roles.

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Building a network in business takes time, but it is a ton of fun! We're hosting in-person networking events across Texas in the coming months - here are the details 👇 🚶♂️ WHO: Transitioning & Student Vets + Veterans in Business! We get CEOs, investors, and late-career folks to join us at these events alongside those earlier in their careers. ⁉ WHAT: An in-person happy hour⏲ WHEN/WHERE: ‣ San Antonio (8/30)‣ Dallas (9/20)‣ Austin (9/27)🤝 WHY: Have fun, build your network, make new friends, support one another in business and life🖼 PHOTO CRED: Last time we hosted a happy hour in Texas it was a ton of fun!---------------------------------------👉 Register for these events at themilvet [dot] org/eventsSign up for our newsletter at themilvet [dot] org to never miss an event and see the open roles we're recruiting veterans for👉 Leave a comment below if you're joining us OR if we need to come to your hometown!

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If you're a veteran or military spouse founder, here's an incredible opportunity to pitch for $25k! Here are the details 👇 👨💼 WHO: Company must be 15% Veteran or Military Spouse owned⁉ WHAT: A pitch competition⏲ WHEN: Sept 27, 1200 - 1500 PT (applications due 8/31)🗺 WHERE: In Person at Andreesen Horowitz's office in SF🧘♂️ WHY: Support veteran & spouse founders!----------------------------Shoutout to VetsinTech and J.P. Morgan for sponsoring the event! CC: Tim Hsia, Matthew Jeppson, Joshua Pacheco, Jeff Balka, Carina Cho, Lenore Karafa, Art Salindong, Lee Mills, Jake Pimental, and Katherine Webster----------------------------👉 Register as a spectator (and learn more about submitting an application) at URL below - zip2 [dot] it/pitch👉 Veterans, sign up for our newsletter at themilvet [dot] org to stay up to date on open jobs + live events for veterans

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