The Marines -- and lots of bad advice

Wrapping up our look at jobs in 4 military services, the Marine Corps accepts applicants from ages 17 to 29. They say their starting pay is the same as in the other military services. Uh, which one, sir? They're all different.

Not sure why all the US military services choose black as their web site background.

Summarizing age ranges and beginning salaries:

US Army 17-42 $17,611
US Navy 17-35 $16,800
US Marines 17-29 unknown
US Air Force 17-28 $17,604

For comparision: French Foreign Legion 17 1/2-40 $25,000

Moving back home to parents after losing a great job is becoming more common.

Bad Advice:

One guy says never follow up more than once in a job search. Be patient. Oh brother. I disagree. Over and over again in business I've seen the "squeaky wheel get the grease". Sure, you can't be obnoxious or too frequent about checking back. But doing it just once is not patience--it's surrendering.

Like duck hunting, "it's fine to send out a hundred resumes", one author writes. Uh, no, it's not. That's simply a waste of time. Go buy a lotto ticket, then get down to real job searching. If you don't know what the company president had for breakfast, you don't know enough about that business. And how many firms can you know in that kind of detail? Focus, focus, focus is the word in this century.

A career specialist said you should frequently google your name--that will bring it up in the search rankings. Somehow, I type in my name and Google knows which "John Smith" I am and moves my entry up a notch. Dang, those people at Google ... top notch.

Good Advice:

How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook or instant PDF download

Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)

Image courtesy of Simon Howden

In the skies ...

The US Air Force pays $17,604 starting out, about the same as the Army. It has an eleven years window on age--you have to be between 17 and 28. This is the more restrictive than the Army or Navy.

Some of the Air Force training will gain you college credits. They'll pay 100% of the tuition towards an associate, bachelor or master degree.


Image courtesy of Tim Beach

Birds and the Navy

Here's an imaginative blogpost about how job searching is like a bird feeder.

Continuing the Memorial weekend look at job opportunities in the services, you have to be 17 to 35 for your new job in the US Navy (the Army will take you till 42.). The Navy lists the pay on their site (something the Army didn't do) and starting out it's $16,800 (about $800 less than the Army).

The Navy will pay 100% of your tuition when you pursue an undergraduate degree in your off-duty time. For an advanced degree, they'll cover all or most of your tuition. (To someone who graduated owing $50,000, this is just incredible.)

More job ideas at
How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download

Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)

Image courtesy of Bill Longshaw

Tweeting in the Army?

Tweeting about the awful boss or the interview from hell may be therapeutic--but it doesn't look good to future employers.

Sure, it's true but job searches aren't about truth. Employers are looking for "relentlessly positive". (Guess they didn't see that movie about the Titanic. "There are no icebergs so we don't need lifeboats.")

Thinking about the military? The Army site doesn't say what they're looking for. An unofficial site reports you have to be 17-42 and within weight limits, among other requirements. Starting pay is about $17,611 annually with housing and food free if you're on base.

As always, there's inside info on doing it right. Here's 10 secrets to visiting an Army recruiter.


Image courtesy of Image: worradmu

Add your photo

You interviewed and they loved you. But how do they remember you when looking at your résumé later? Print your photo on your résumé. It's unconventional so don't use it if your research indicates the company is traditional. But consider it elsewhere as one way to stand out from the crowd.

It's who you know more than ever. You need to meet people (online and in person) and build value for them. So when you're ready to apply, there's someone on the inside to vouch for you.

Persistence and follow up is a must today. You can't rely on the employer to make the next move after you apply. Let them know you're interested and excited!

Consider joining or starting a job club for encouragement and help.


More ideas on successful job searching: How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download

Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)

Image courtesy of jannoon028

Strange advice about your objective

The objective on your résumé must match the company's job description exactly or no one will read it, the Huffington Post says. That's a new one. If it were true, what would working for that company be like?

Susan Whitcomb, a superb job search author, argues here that Twitter is an essential part of the hunt.

Indian youth are surfing to find out about a company before the interview. But they're worried about what personal content online says about them.

Here's a good summary of lots of scams trying to separate new job seekers from their money.

If you're tired of job searching near home, they're looking for experienced hospitality and forestry people in Rotorua, New Zeland (that's on the North Island).

Want some structure to your search for job opportunities? Check out How to Find a Job. Available for just $1.50 from Kindle or Nook. Or instant PDF download

Job hunting expenses may be tax deductible. Check with your accountant. (Report: 4,566 words)

Image courtesy of Andy Newson

Know the answer (your competition does)

One panelist suggests the old rule about don't be the first to mention money is outmoded. With 24,508 applicants for 50 positions, salary requirements are used to screen out people.

An applicant says she'll deflect the question by asking "What's the salary range for this position?"

Lady, you don't know the answer? Why are you in the interview if you don't know what the job is worth? If your networking hasn't told you the range, at least you should have done web research on the market price for the position.

The modern job search is not like it used to be. You can't interview cold, in ignorance. Especially not when there are almost 500 people vying for your job.


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Somebody else is trying the sandwich board approach. Does this say "creativity" or "desperate"? He says he's gotten two interviews out of it.


Image courtesy of photostock