Complete The Skillbridge Steps Below So We Can Help You Get Hired Quickly
Step 1
Attend Orientation Welcome Call
Learn how to use our proven process to get hired.
View Schedule
Attend ONE of the 45-minute Zoom sessions below.
Step 2
Apply For Jobs
1 - Prepare your materials
Determine your ideal job
- If you’re unsure EXACTLY what you want to do, take time now to figure it out.
- Selecting the wrong path is the #1 career pitfall that Vets make. Hiring Managers prefer candidates who are dialed into what they want.
- Hiring Managers prefer candidates who are dialed into what they want, and you’ll have an easier time getting hired if you have this clarity.
Playlist
Target your resume
- Revise your resume in seconds with ChatGPT or Best Military Resume for free so you make a great first impression!
- Remember, a tailored resume is crucial for landing your desired SkillBridge position, especially if you’re pivoting.
- For instance, if you're an Intel Analyst in the Army and now want a SkillBridge position as a civilian Dog Trainer, ensure your resume's Summary section highlights this career change, so the hiring manager is not confused.
Record your video intro
- Unlock your secret weapon and showcase your personality, confidence, and passion to hiring managers with a compelling Video Intro!
- Our simple instructions and unlimited recording options ensure you’ll feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
- When you're ready, CLICK HERE to record your video intro.
If you’re having trouble with our site. Please record it on your device and upload it here.
Here’s a sample:
Optimize your Linkedin profile
- Use our tips below to build a profile that showcases your strengths and is tailored to your ideal career.
- Ensure your Resume and LinkedIn profile align.
- Leverage LinkedIn's AI Builder tool for added support. Below are some of our suggestions on building an amazing LinkedIn Profile.
Headshot
- Load a smiling professional picture of yourself from the chest up (no tee-shirts, baseball caps, etc).
- A shirt/top you’d wear to a job interview is best.
Banner
- Upload an attractive background image that relates to the civilian career you want.
- Example: an airplane if you’re seeking a job as an aviation mechanic.
Contact Info
- Include your cell and email in this section so it’s easy for hiring managers to contact you.
Connections
- Strive at least 500 quality connections of professionals in your chosen industry so you look credible.
- Also connect to every Veteran living in your metro area.
Work Experience
- Make sure this section aligns with your printed resume.
- Avoid all military jargon.
2 - Schedule Informational Interviews with your Top 7 target companies
How to identify prospective companies
Click here to download our spreadsheet so you stay organized.
- Use Google.com/maps to identify roughly 20 companies you’d like to work for and add them to your spreadsheet. i.e. seach “construction companies Tulsa”
- Expand the radius once you run out of local companies, or if you’re working remotely.
- Make sure to include some smaller, less-known companies too. If you only focus on the big brand names, you may have a hard time. There are some great opportunities at start-ups and small companies.
- Don’t only focus on companies currently hiring. The majority of companies do not publicize theirs openings.
- Then visit each company’s web page to determine if it’s a good fit and you want it included on your Top 7 list.
- If you follow our instructions, one or more of your Top 7 will provide an OJT host opportunity. If not, you’ll build a second list and then a third—whatever it takes! Don’t stop until you’re hired.
How to identify POCs
- Once you finalize your 7 companies, identify the most appropriate person you feel will influence your hiring decision. I.e., if you’re a techie, it’s the Chief Information Officer.
- Remember that the titles of employees doing the same job vary at each company, so you’ll have to use your judgment.
- If you spot a Veteran working there, that’s always a great initial POC.
- If you get ghosted by your first POC, simply approach a different POC. Don’t stop until you’re successful.
Informational interview strategy
- Ask professionals working at companies on your Top 7 target list for their advice, and guidance (don’t ask for a job!)
- Extremely powerful networking strategy that will outperform simply applying to open jobs.
- 85% of all openings in America are filled via networking.
- Limit the call to 18 minutes, and hold it on Zoom, not over the phone or in-person. POC needs to see you so you can build rapport.
- Set a goal to complete one per day if your SkillBridge start date is within 3 months.
- After hearing feedback, adjust your target job if it makes sense.
Message templates you can use
LinkedIn Connect Message
- The more personalization you can include, the better.
- Limit sending “Connect” messages to 20 per day to avoid getting blocked by LinkedIn.
- Always proofread your message before sending it to avoid typos, grammar mistakes, or forgetting to replace information if you’ve copied and pasted a prior message.
Message template to Veteran POCs
Best Option – 2-step approach
Step 1 – Connect Message (300 character limit)
Hey, {FIRST}. Congrats on your impressive journey from the {POC’s BRANCH} to now working as a {TITLE} at {COMPANY}. I’m getting out of the {YOUR BRANCH} this {MONTH} after {# OF YEARS} years as a {YOUR MILITARY JOB}. It would be an honor to join your professional network.
Step 2 – Message after the POC Connects
Hi {FIRST NAME}…Thanks for connecting! I’m currently exploring opportunities in the {INDUSTRY}. I admire your career path and the success in the {INDUSTRY} industry. I was wondering if you’d be open to a brief 18-minute Zoom conversation where I could ask for your insights on your professional journey and gather any advice you might have for someone aspiring to excel in this field. I’m not looking for a job—just guidance and perspective. Thank you so much, {FIRST}. I greatly appreciate your time and insight!
Second Option – 1-step approach (300 character limit)
Message template to Civilian POCs
Best Option – 2-step approach
Step 1 – Connect Message (300 character limit)
Hey, {FIRST}. Congrats on your impressive career as a {TITLE} at {COMPANY}. I’m getting out of the {YOUR BRANCH} this {MONTH} after {YEARS} years as a {YOUR MILITARY JOB}. It would be an honor to join your professional network.
Step 2 – Message after the POC Connects
Hi {FIRST NAME}…Thanks for connecting! I’m currently exploring opportunities in the {INDUSTRY}. I admire your career path and success in the {INDUSTRY} industry. I was wondering if you’d be open to a brief 18-minute Zoom conversation where I could ask for your insights on your professional journey and gather any advice you might have for me. I’m not looking for a job—just some mentorship. Thank you so much, {FIRST}. I greatly appreciate your time and insight!
Second Option – 1-step approach (300 character limit)
Informational Interview Talking Points
- Greet warmly: “Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today. I appreciate it.”
- Briefly introduce yourself: “Let me tell you a little about myself. I’m a [military job] in the [branch]. I’m due to get out [exit date] and I’m exploring opportunities in [specific field/area] and value insights from experienced professionals like you.”
- State the purpose: “I’d like to learn more about your experience in [their field/role], hear any career advice and mentorship you might have for me.”
- Set expectations: “I want to respect your time – I’m limiting the call to 18 minutes. I have a few questions prepared, if that’s okay.”
- Ask about them: “Before we dive in, I’d love to hear about how you got started in [their field].” [if POC is a Veteran, ask questions about their military experience]
- Listen actively and respond with curiosity: “That’s fascinating! It sounds like you’ve had an incredible journey.”
- Career Journey: “What skills or experiences have been most critical to your success in [their role/industry]?”
- Industry Insights: “What trends or changes do you see shaping [their field] over the next few years?”
- Opportunities for Growth: “If you were doing it all over, what would you do differently?”
- Advice for Transition: “Given my background in [your experience], how would you recommend I position myself for success in this industry?”
- Networking Help: “Are there any organizations, resources, or people you’d recommend I connect with as I navigate this transition?”
- Summarize key takeaways: “I appreciate you sharing your experiences and insights about [key points discussed]. It’s been incredibly valuable to hear about [specific topic].”
- Describe SkillBridge: “I have this incredible opportunity to participate in a Department of Defense-sponsored program called SkillBridge. I can spend the last three months of my service working for a company full-time in an On-the-Job-Training environment. The best part is the military covers my salary and benefits. Can you recommend a company that might benefit from having me complete this program with them? They get to ‘test-drive’ a potential hire for 90 days before deciding if they want to hire me permanently. It’s an amazing program!”
- If there’s interest: “7 Eagle Group is sponsoring my transition. Would it be okay if I have my Veteran Success Coordinator reach out to explain all of the details?”
- Ask for further connections: “Is there anyone else you’d recommend I speak with who might benefit from having me do my SkillBridge with them?”
- Thank them: “Thank you again for your time and generosity. Would it be okay if I keep you in the loop on my transition journey?”
- After the meeting, send a hand-written thank-you note, if not an email, reiterating your appreciation and mentioning one or two helpful insights. If they offered a connection or advice, acknowledge how you plan to act on it.
3 - Apply to openings on Job Boards
How to apply to companies ACTIVELY hiring
Search job boards to identify companies currently hiring for the position you want. Below is a list of job boards you can browse.
Use the sample scripts and strategies below.
How to apply to companies NOT advertising positions
- Be proactive and contact any company you’d like to work for.
- Companies are consistently on the lookout for exceptional talent, even when no job openings are publicly advertised.
- Current employees get fired, quit, or retire all the time. Maybe the company just won a big account and now need to staff up? Maybe the boss will realize that you’re a stronger candidate than the current employee in the role and want to make a switch.
- If you can’t find application instructions, go to the “Contact Us” page and apply via their contact form or a published email like “info@” or “support@”. If the prior strategies don’t work, check LinkedIn.
- Contacting more than one POC at the same company will increase your chances of getting noticed.
How to apply to our open jobs
Communication Tips & Strategies
ALWAYS personalize your messages to make a lasting impression when reaching out via email, website forms, or LinkedIn.
If the hiring manager senses that you’re sending a bulk generic message, your application will go immediately in the trash.
Here are some of the best practices:
- Address the POC by name.
- Mention the company name and job title you want.
- Describe the company’s products, services, or mission.
- Reference the company’s location.
- Always use your personal email address to ensure you receive responses (i.e. @gmail, not @mil)
- Double-check your spelling and grammar before hitting “Send.”
- Write a personalized email “Subject” line that will get opened: Example: (POC’s FIRST NAME) – (COMPANY NAME) / (YOUR FULL NAME) i.e. Jim – Apollo Cyber / Sara Jones
Sample Email or Text
Tailor this message to fit your unique situation.
This is ONLY for situations where you want to go right at the POC and apply for a job. This is NOT the strategy for the Informational Interviews.
Before hitting “Send,” review your message to double-check all merges, grammar, and context to guarantee a professional tone.
Remember the common pitfall of copying and pasting a previous message only to forget to update the recipient’s name or company. A careless mistake undermines your credibility and can cost you the job.
Hi (POC FIRST NAME),
As a transitioning (YOUR BRANCH) service member with a proven track record of leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to (COMPANY NAME) as a (JOB TITLE YOU WANT).
During my (# YEARS OF SERVICE) years of honorable service, I developed a strong foundation in (JOB RESPONSIBILITIES) and a passion for (INDUSTRY).
Now, I’m eager to leverage my skills and experience to drive success in the civilian sector.
(COMPANY)’s mission resonates deeply with me, and I’m excited about the opportunity to join a high-performing team that shares my values.
I can offer you (YOUR BEST STRENGTHS INCLUDING INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, COLLEGE DEGREES, ETC.) I’m confident that my dedication, grit, and work ethic can significantly benefit your company and make me a valuable team member.
What’s more, the military offers a unique opportunity for your company to “test-drive” me risk-free.
They’ll cover my salary for the first three months, allowing you to assess my fit and performance without any financial commitment (and saving you about $15,000).
I’d welcome the chance to discuss my application and how my skills align with your needs.
Can we schedule a call to explore this further or can you point me in the direction?
Thank you!
Sample LinkedIn message
Write a personalized “Connect” message. Never use the option of “Send Without a Note.”
Navigate to the company’s LinkedIn page and click “People” to see their employee roster.
It’s okay to send your message to multiple POCs within the same company
Hi (POC FIRST ) – After (#) years in the (BRANCH) , I’m excited to launch my career as a (JOB TITLE). (COMPANY) is perfectly aligned with my skills and passion. How can I apply for a spot? Military even covers initial 3 mos salary!
After you receive a Connect back (but no instructions) send this:
Hi (POC FIRST) – Thanks for connecting. I’m highly interested in exploring career opportunities at (COMPANY).
I would appreciate any advice you have on what I can do to stand out as a strong candidate. Your guidance would help me showcase my skills and demonstrate my value to the team.
Thank you in advance for pointing me in the right direction. I’m confident that my skills and passion would make me a great fit for (COMPANY).
Sample Voice Mail
Hi (POC FIRST) – This is (YOUR FULL NAME). After (#) years in the (BRANCH) , I’m excited to launch my career as a (JOB TITLE). (COMPANY) is perfectly-aligned with my skills and passion. Can you suggest how I can apply for a spot? The military offers this amazing government funded program that covers my initial 3 mos salary! This way, you’ll save about $15,000 and be able to evaluate me in action without the risk. Thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction. You can text back or call (YOUR CELL – speak slowly).
Follow up with Email, LinkedIn, and Phone
If your initial message is ignored, and it’s been about four business days, send one casual follow up message like this.
Hi (POC FIRST) – I’m still interested in joining your team at (COMPANY) and would appreciate guidance on proceeding with my application. Could you kindly provide instructions?
Phone POCs to stand out
In a world where email is the communication method of choice, a simple phone call can be a game-changer.
By phoning your POCs, you’ll distinguish yourself from other applicants who all feel email is easier or less awkward and dramatically increase your chances of getting noticed.
This strategy works extremely well because so few people take the time to make a more meaningful connection.
It’s a surefire way to bring your application to the top of the list!
Remember to smile as you speak – your enthusiasm and excitement will shine, making a lasting impression.
If you’re having trouble reaching your POC, connect with someone in a different department and request an introduction. Maybe there’s a veteran already on the team who will be eager to help?
Printed Flyer
If you need a printout or PDF to share with a POC, Click Here
Step 3
Attend LIVE Webinars to Help You Get Hired Quickly!
We host a series of LIVE webinars on Zoom to give you a huge competitive edge. Please register today.
How to Apply for SkillBridge Positions (REQUIRED!)
Webinar Schedule:
Tuesday
Thursday
How to Identify a Rewarding & Lucrative Career Path
Unsure of exactly what you want to do in your next chapter? We’ll help you discover your true calling in this insightful webinar held every Tuesday at 12 PM EST! Combine your unique military skills and experiences with fulfilling and well-paying career opportunities. Gain clarity, direction, and the tools to confidently navigate your post-military journey.
Webinar Schedule:
Tuesday
How to Become More Marketable
Discover how to position yourself as a top candidate in the civilian job market by becoming a subject matter expert in your field. This webinar, held every Wednesday at 12 PM EST will teach you how to impress hiring managers so you can secure higher-paying roles with greater responsibility—faster than you thought possible.
Webinar Schedule:
Wednesday
Step 4
Interview Prep
Confidence starts with preparation! Since landing a job interview is inevitable, let's get ahead of the game and learn effective interviewing strategies.
Start practicing now!
With just a few hours of practice, you’ll enhance your interviewing skills, dramatically boost your confidence, make a lasting impression, and most importantly, significantly increase your chances of getting an offer.
Watch these 15 short videos to help you (about 23 minutes total).
Playlist
Step 5
Complete This Form After Every Bite
It’s crucial to immediately notify your Veteran Success Coordinator after any company expresses interest in hiring you. This will alert us to coach you through the next steps.
Fill out form
Make sure you see a “Mission Complete” image after you hit submit to confirm your form was processed correctly
Step 6
What Happens After You Get Hired
Your Path to Success Starts Here! Let’s navigate every step of your SkillBridge journey with confidence and clarity for a smooth transition to your new role.
Learn More
Get familiar with every step of your SkillBridge journey, from receiving your Offer Letter to onboarding with your host company, to ensure a seamless transition to your new role.
Your dedicated 7 Eagle Veteran Success Coordinator will collaborate with you and your SkillBridge host company to secure the optimal offer.
We meticulously review salary range, location, and all essential details to ensure alignment before accepting the SkillBridge position.
With a strong potential for internship conversion to permanent W-2 employment, we need to ensure mutual understanding and set the stage for a successful outcome.
Once everyone is good to go, we’ll send you an Offer Letter form AFTER to complete.
Your host company will complete an Onboarding form to ensure they will abide by the DoD Skillbridge requirements (i.e. pay you overtime if you work you more than 40 hours/week, cannot send you outside of the country, must consider you for a permanent W2 employee position if you meet their performance requirements, etc).
Once 7 Eagle Group receives both forms, we email you an official SkillBridge Training Plan to present to your Commanding Officer.
Once the Commanding Officer approves your SkillBridge participation, you’ll send us the authorization letter.
You’re now ready to report for work on your SkillBridge Start Date.
Step 7
Tips To Convert Your Skillbridge To A Permanent Hire
Turn Your Internship Into a Career! Master the strategies to secure a full-time position and build a successful future with your host company.
Learn More
This valuable advice will help you shine and increase your chances of securing a full-time W-2 employee position with your host company upon transitioning to veteran status.
Please watch our video series. You’ll discover proven strategies and insider tips to impress your host company, build lasting connections, and position yourself for long-term success.
