Apply

Follow these instructions to apply to your target companies.

Apply to Lots of Companies to Increase Your Chances

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Now here’s the most important part of this process. You’ll need to reach out to your POCs to present the extremely valuable opportunity: the chance for their companies to add a highly talented military service member (you) to their team.

Remember, you have enormous leverage, and here’s the best part: that company does not have to pay your salary or benefits for the duration of your spill route. That’s going to save them roughly $10,000 to $20,000, even after paying our nominal sponsorship fee. Even better, they get to evaluate you in action before deciding if they want to hire you as a permanent W-2 employee. You’re offering them a try-before-you-buy scenario. They can now make smarter hiring decisions and eliminate their financial risk.

It’s truly an amazing program for you and for them.

So, you’ve got four ways you can approach your POCs: stop by their office, call them on the phone, email, or send them a link to the message.

We have placed Skillbridge interns at some amazing companies like the San Diego Padres, Amazon’s Blue Origin, the Memphis Grizzlies, Lionsgate Studios, Lockheed Martin, rap artists, equestrian therapy centers, tech and cyber companies, music producers, you name it.

Hundreds of other Skillbridge members have successfully found an exciting position, and you can too.

This is not going to be easy, but who cares if it helps you launch a rewarding and lucrative career? You have to just go for it and don’t give up until you reach every POC on your list. Keep your eye on the prize.

Remember, there are 200,000 service members who leave the military every year. They are all eligible for Skillbridge, and the competition for positions at the big-name Skillbridge providers—Facebook, Amazon, Raytheon, Home Depot, Wells Fargo, all the companies everyone knows—is fierce. If, however, you take this advice and you help us identify your own company, and not one of those big ones that everyone applies to, you will really stand out and increase your odds for a great outcome.

Let’s get it done.

2 Ways You Can Apply

1. Apply Directly on Company Websites

Visit each company’s website on your Target List and follow these steps:

Navigate to the “Careers” or “Jobs” page, if available, and follow the application instructions.
If no application link or instructions are found, proceed to the “Contact Us” page and submit a query through their contact form, if available.
If the prior strategies are not doable, search for an executive’s email address, preferably a hiring authority such as the CEO, VP, or the person who would likely be your supervisor. Alternatively, use a general email address most companies publish on their site like “info@” or “support@”.
Use the provided message template below as a starting point and tailor it to your situation.

Use This Proven Message -- it Works!

Personalize your messages to make a lasting impression when reaching out via email, website forms, or LinkedIn.

It’s essential to appear to communicate directly with the recipient rather than sending a generic bulk message.

Ideas for personalization include:

Addressing the POC by name
Mentioning the company name and job title you’re interested in
Describing the company’s products, services, or mission
Referencing the company’s location

Best Practices:

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”
Avoid typos, as they can cost you valuable opportunities
Write a personalized email“Subject” line that will get opened: (POC’s FIRST NAME) – ( COMPANY NAME) / (YOUR FULL NAME) i.e. Jim – Apollo Cyber / Sara Jones

TEMPLATE

Edit this template when applying or writing cover letters via email, LinkedIn, and in-person. Before hitting send, meticulously review your message to double-check all merges, grammar, and context to guarantee a polished and 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 can undermine your credibility and 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 (INDUSTRY OR 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?

Thank you!

You can also attach the printed flyer and Email it. Click Here.

2. Apply on Job Boards

In addition to company websites, cast a wider net by applying to relevant positions on popular job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and other military-focused platforms.

The more applications you submit, the higher your chances of landing a SkillBridge position.

Here are the top civilian and military job boards you can check out:

Follow Up Suggestions

Following up on your job applications is crucial in today’s competitive job market, as it not only shows your enthusiasm and interest in the position, but also helps you stand out from the crowd and remain top of mind for the hiring manager.

1. Send LinkedIn Messages To Your POCs

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your Target Companies – it’s a simple yet powerful way to gain a competitive edge.

On LinkedIn, crafting a personalized “Connect” message that makes a lasting impression only takes a few seconds.

Here’s how:

Navigate to the company’s page
Identify an appropriate POC – use your judgment to ensure your note is read by the right person
If it’s a small company (less than 25 employees), consider sending a message directly to the CEO
For larger companies, target a VP, Director, or potential hiring manager in your desired department
Feel free to send your message to multiple POCs within the same company
Make sure to message any Veterans currently working at the company

Sample "Connect" Message

Write a personalized “Connect” message letting POCs know you’ve applied to their companies. Here’s how:

Connect Message: To ensure delivery of your message, send a free “Connect” request instead of “Message.”
Your objective is to receive a “Connect” back, enabling you to send additional messages and foster a meaningful conversation.

Use this template at your first “Connect” request message:

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 aspirations. I just applied for a spot and I would love to join your professional network.

After you receive a Connect back, use this template as your second message:

Hi (POC FIRST) – I’m highly interested in exploring opportunities at (COMPANY). I would greatly appreciate any advice you might have on what I can do to stand out as a strong candidate. Your guidance would be invaluable in helping me showcase my skills and demonstrate my value to the team. Thank you in advance for considering my request. I’m confident that my skills and passion would make me a great fit for (COMPANY), and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the team’s success.

Call Your POCs

In a world where digital applications dominate, a simple phone call can be a game-changer. By phoning your POCs, you’ll distinguish yourself from other applicants and increase your chances of getting noticed.

This unconventional approach works because so few people take the time to make a personal 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 through, making a lasting impression.

If you’re having trouble reaching your POC, try connecting with someone in a different department and ask for an introduction. It’s a great way to expand your network and get your foot in the door.

After you complete all of your outreach, go to the next Step

APPLY