“Recruiters are just trying to hang on and do what they can now. There are definitely recruiters out there that just don’t care. That’s just like anyone in any job. But most recruiters are trying to do their very best.”
Drowning in the “sea of good will” while navigating the military transition is a serious possibility while there are so many resources at the service member’s fingertips – especially online.
Helping veterans fight this newer battle of transitioning from the military, on a battlefield that looks much different from the war they have come to known is something that Misty Moreno has dedicated herself to after serving her country herself.
Moreno served in the Air Force for 20+ years as a Human Resources Professional and achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. She is married to Retired Master Sergeant Johnny Moreno, and they have a 15-year-old son. Both retired September 1, 2020 and while her husband is a stay-at-home father, Moreno works full-time and is the author of Get Your Shit Together and creates the HR curriculum for Vets2PM.
MORENO’S MILITARY TRANSITION
Moreno walks us down her own transition and any obstacles or lessons learned you’d note from her own journey. She also shares her very important tips:
- Follow and connect with people you know so you are comfortable to ask questions.
- Accept the step you’re in and that retirement is imminent.
- Take the journey one year at a time – which will preserve your mental health.
- Define what success looks like for that year.
- Figure out how you want work / life after the military – involve family your family in these decisions.
- Define your minimum salary, narrow down your location, and other job specs.
CURRENT DOD HIRING PROCESS AND HR HOT TOPICS
Recruiters ghosting candidates is always a hot topic through the hiring process – Moreno shares some ways candidates could prevent this on the recruiter side, and what veterans should keep in mind of recruiter’s jobs. “I’ve been in HR, professional in the military for 20 years, and I’ve been in the HR world in the civilian sector for two years. And I will tell you that it’s 100% different,” Moreno says. What someone thinks they may know about the civilian sector, unless you’ve actually worked in HR in the civilian sector, you might not be aware of.
From the job seeker perspective, Moreno notes that she speaks for the recruiters who are out there doing their thing: for the recruiters who show up every single day, just trying their best to keep up with all of their open job postings. For the recruiter who, from cradle to grave, is really trying to take care of not only their applicants, but for the people who are in the queue. The recruiters who are catering to their hiring managers and everybody else that needs something from them. For the recruiters who are truly showing up every single day and trying to figure out how they can do everything.
“And so, I think it’s important for us to extend grace and give people the benefit of the doubt, including recruiters,” she continues.
Moreno still works in the HR and shares information around interviewing, employment laws, and discrimination that veterans should understand as they navigate through the transition.
Acronyms to know for interviewing:
- The STAR method: noting a situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing.
- The CAR method: Following up with context, action, and the result of the situation you are describing.
ANNOYED WITH CANNED EMAIL REJECTIONS?
Moreno shares insight on why companies are still using canned emails or canned rejection notifications to candidates (even though it may be frustrating). “I hate to say it, but that is a that’s a way to protect the organization – a way to maybe prevent or eliminate some litigation due to unfair or inconsistent hiring practices.” Any HR professional or recruiter would love to give everyone personal feedback, but quite frankly, there’s not enough time.
Moreno’s motto through this podcast is to extend grace and give the benefit of the doubt – perhaps my newest resolution for 2023. The conversation is empowering to anyone (but especially service members or recruiters feeling like they can’t make it through the day), and I hope you make it back to Cheyenne, WY to be wild and free again, Moreno.
