In this episode, Derek Wilson interviews Philip Dana, a Veteran with an impressive career in HR and talent acquisition. They discuss Philip's transition from the military to civilian HR roles, his experiences at various companies, and his current job search. Philip emphasizes the importance of networking, self-discovery, and building relationships outside of the Veteran community to advance in one's career. He also highlights the value of programs like The Honor Foundation in helping Veterans find fulfillment in their post-military lives. In this conversation, Derek and Phil discuss the challenges of finding a job in a tough market, the importance of career planning, and the transition from the military to civilian life. They also touch on the role of non-profit organizations in providing career support for Veterans, the concept of luck in the employment process, and the value of assessments in understanding one's work attitudes and motivations.

keywords: Veterans, HR, talent acquisition, career transition, networking, self-discovery, The Honor Foundation, job market, career planning, transition, non-profit organizations, luck, assessments

Transitioning Veterans should invest in professional assessment tools and find a coach to help them understand their strengths and find fulfillment in their careers.

Building relationships and networking outside of the Veteran community is crucial for advancing to senior leadership roles.

Programs like The Honor Foundation provide in-depth support and guidance for Veterans during their transition and help them find fulfillment in their post-military lives.

Veterans may face challenges in finding employment at the SVP and EVP levels due to a lack of relationships and networks outside of the military community.

Being known as the 'Veteran guy' can limit career opportunities, and Veterans should strive to establish themselves as thought leaders in their industries. Finding a job in a tough market can be challenging, especially for Veterans who are competing for a limited number of positions.

Career planning is essential for long-term success and should include setting goals, revisiting them regularly, and seeking guidance from mentors and coaches.

Non-profit organizations play a crucial role in providing career support for Veterans, but it's important to research and choose the right ones that align with individual needs and goals.

Luck in the employment process can be influenced by proactive networking, trying new things, and being open to opportunities.

Assessments, such as the IWAM, can provide valuable insights into work attitudes and motivations, helping individuals make informed career decisions.

"No, that's a great point. And, you know, it seems to be the case, right? Networking is usually important."

"I've looked at probably more resumes than most in the world and most of those opinions are dead wrong."

"If you want to go beyond a director level, you got to stop being the one in rooms of other Veterans or other peers."

"The advice for finding a role right now is, it's a tough market, right?"

"I believe in manifestation of vision boards and writing your goals down, revisiting them, sharing them with everybody."

"What am I going to do for the next 20 years? I have no idea. So here I am. I should scare the heck out of everyone."

00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties

04:21 Introducing Philip Dana

05:11 Philip's Career Journey and Transition to HR

08:31 Career Progression and Roles at Various Companies

23:21 The Value of The Honor Foundation and Cohort Model

25:19 The Importance of Self-Discovery and Coaching

30:07 Challenges in Advancing to Senior Leadership Roles

34:04 Building Relationships Outside of the Veteran Community

35:02 Navigating the Tough Job Market

36:26 The Importance of Career Planning

37:22 Uncertainty and the Next 20 Years

38:19 Balancing Personal and Professional Priorities

39:14 The Reality of Work-Life Balance

45:25 Making Informed Career Decisions

46:10 The Challenge of Job Search Advice

47:14 The Role of Non-Profit Organizations

49:38 Choosing the Right Career Support

53:25 The Importance of Due Diligence

54:52 The Value of Investing in Career Support

58:13 The Challenges of Metrics and Unemployment Rates

01:00:37 The Influence of Luck in Employment

01:03:00 Understanding Work Attitudes and Motivations