AND IMPACTS MANY OF THESE ARTICLES. they are correct at the time they are written. however, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO RE-WRITE EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE AS EACH LAW CHANGES. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU RESEARCH THE LATEST RULES REGARDING YOUR INTENDED FINANCIAL DECISION. IT IS ALWAYS BEST TO CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL (CPA, CFP, ESTATE ATTORNEY, ETC.)
RETIREMENT IS TOO BIG AND TOO IMPORTANT TO SCREW UP
“Are You Networked? Devoting Time and Resources to Your Next Career – NOW!” by Alan Malinchak
(This is a guest post by Al Malinchak, who is a specialist in transitioning from the government to the private sector. His contact information is at the bottom of this article. )
Expanding your Law Enforcement / Public Safety Network
All current, former and retired law enforcement / public safety, as well as the professional staff that supported them learned at each juncture of their career the importance and meaningfulness of being part of the “law enforcement / public safety family”. Your law enforcement / public safety family connection, those who were prior to, during and since your law enforcement / public safety career provide a myriad of networking connections as you transition to a career from law enforcement / public safety service to private industry. It is important to develop, maintain and nourish a network of your trusted friends and associates both within your current law enforcement / public safety branch and all professional law enforcement / public safety associations you belong. As well, with other law enforcement / public safety branches – even leveraging your “strength of weak ties”.
Your “Connective Power” provides you insight from others into current or near-future position openings and networking with them provides you with “Connective Intelligence” – those with it have a greater likelihood of success in attaining a private sector position. Just as the training within your career field was a key to your success in the law enforcement / public safety, your expanded network of other law enforcement / public safety service members and their connections is paramount to you identifying and acquiring a position in the private sector.
STRATactically approach this aspect of networking. Prior to tactically engaging in actions to obtain a post-law enforcement / public safety career, you must develop a strategy to provide the framework and direction. What geographic location have you targeted to seek employment? Is that your current location? Or, have you identified a geographic location that is appealing both now and when you finally make the decision to leave law enforcement / public safety service? Have you determined if you want to work in a large or small organization? Have you determined the specific industry – government contracting, commercial, non-profit, or entrepreneurial – you want to be employed? Does that industry exist within the geographic location you want to live? Within that industry are there positions available in the functional role, project or program you want to work? Are there specific companies that you have identified that are in that location, within that industry and have the position you believe your capabilities will transition well? Have you determined the probability of being hired?
Pragmatically utilize your connective and intelligence powers and begin to collect the data. First, contact those prior trusted law enforcement / public safety professionals who have already transitioned from the law enforcement / public safety to a private career. Identify and reach out to them. Develop something as easy as an Excel spreadsheet to track your data and progress, as offered in the chart below:
While you are engaged in the above, simultaneously build a new professional network.
Building Your Post Law enforcement / Public Safety Professional Network
Now that you have identified where you want to live, what you want to do in the private sector and the specific position you believe your capabilities warrant, it’s time to join professional associations, establish a LinkedIn account, attend professional networking functions/events, volunteer at non-profit associations, establish relationships with recruiters – simply make as many connections in as many industry spaces you have identified as you can. Making connections, professionally and socially, is a key discriminator in people knowing you are looking for your next career and knowing you have something to offer. You understand and know the benefits of building rapport – start now to strengthen your professional networking skills beyond those in or related to your current law enforcement / public safety branch. Your law enforcement / public safety career is a door-opener for hiring managers – most people will be fascinated by “your story”.
Where to start? As an example, you have identified Tampa, Florida as a desired location. You know your skills as a project manager during the last few years of your law enforcement / public safety career were both exciting and rewarding and you want to continue in that field. You know you are interested in working for a large government contractor. Below are suggestions of next-steps in developing and building this network:
Obtain a list of the top 5 government contractors in Tampa, FL
o Review their website for information regarding the company, their executives, there position openings in project management
· Determine who is on their Board of Advisors, who their executives are, and who their current project managers are
· Data mine all the social and professional associations, charities and other organizations they belong to
o Data mine all of their connections and do the same as above
o Join those organizations and attend their events – virtually or in-person
· Develop rapport with individuals first
· Soft sell your desire to obtain employment
· Establish yourself on social media sites, in particular
o LinkedIn
· Develop a succinct and targeted profile focused on your next career, using your current or former law enforcement / public safety KSAs as relevant but not exclusive information
Establish relationships with Recruiters who are connected to the companies you have targeted
Data mine public information regarding networking opportunities, e.g.,
Alan A. Malinchak is the CEO of Éclat Transitions LLC, a career transition services company www.eclat-transitions.comwith over 40 years of professional experience in government, industry, academics and is a U.S. Navy Veteran (DAV). Al can be reached at al@eclat-t.comor contact him through LinkedIn.
