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"I created documents and procedures that I thought would help. I did this completely myself on my own time. I let people know that I did these things and put them into the company folder for everyone to access. It was more of a "I think this could work. It's available if you'd like to use it".
I think the above, right there, is your problem. When you start working for a company it is definitely NOT YOUR PLACE to create "procedures" that you think would "help".
That is exactly the way to peeve off any supervisor and company hierarchy.
When you start a job, your job is to follow existing procedures. To the letter. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Next job you get, just follow the existing procedures exactly. Do not invent your own procedures and inform others about them.
After you've worked at a place for at least a year, and understand the company culture, possibly at that time you can SUGGEST some procedures. Do not even THINK of putting anything into the "company folder" until you are well known and well liked and well understood in your company.
It is a very real thing. Just because you don't do it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. No one said anything about perfect employees or walking in as the director. Only you. I've been in the room where hiring managers were asking how to avoid even the chance of a vet coming up on the hiring list.
That's because managers in the FED are tired of having no choice and being forced to hire the VET.
The game going on in the FED vs private sector is completely different and can't be compared.
Lots of times vets have very stern and/or rigid authoritative attitudes and most people in the private sector don't like it. Lots come across very stiff.
When confronted, most will say they are just confident, hard workers, all business etc..... but your personality plays a bigger part in how well you do in the private sector than how well you get the job done or how right you are.
Not saying this is your problem, just something I have ran across lots of times and something people should keep in check if it is becoming an issue for them.
Also, another thing I have seen that rubs people the wrong way is if the vet talks with a lot of military jargon.
For example, if someone is interviewing you and asks what you did in the military, don't spit out a bunch of acronyms and numbers. Explain in plain english what you did and how it relates to the job etc..... Also, concentrate on the experience more than the title if you did something that might scare off an employer. They will relate much more to how you where a leader and solved issues than someone saying they where an anti tank gunner or rifleman.
You need to learn the language of the industry you are going to be working in and use that, not military speak.
Maybe you are just on a run of bad luck. Get another job, maybe something slightly different, and see how it goes.
IMO, get a government job, most give vets hiring preference and they have no choice but to hire you if you qualify and it is very difficult to get fired.
Last edited by High Altitude; 08-11-2016 at 02:05 PM..
It's really hitting me hard today and I feel like a complete and utter failure. Previously, I was relying on my job as a sense of identity. I already felt bad about being almost 30 and still single. Now, I'm single and unemployed, possibly without a career. I moved to a new city for a new start so I don't know anybody. And I'm short. So what woman is going to want to date me now that I'm poor too? I feel like a total loser and I'm devastated.
Everyone, everywhere, screws up now and then. We all have to learn how things work. Life is unfair. We all learn to get over it and move onward and upward. You can too!
Sounds to me like you are someone who has a lot of good ideas. So maybe you'll make a great entrepreneur someday soon!
Here's what I'd do if I were you. 6 months of unemployment is nothing when you've come out of something like the military. Leave all three of these jobs off your resume. Just put your service on your resume. When asked in an interview, tell them that you were spending the time getting close to your family again, choosing a new place to live, and searching for the perfect job for your future. None of that is untrue.
Then for a few years in your new job, do everything that is asked of you. Come in half an hour early and leave 10 minutes late. When you come up with ideas for new forms, policies, procedures, and products, write them down but do NOT share them with superiors or coworkers until the time is right (maybe you can use these in the new business you're going to create!) Try to maintain a cheerful attitude even if you're not feeling it.
I don't buy the idea that someone with a vendetta against you is causing problems with you finding work. You've just come out of the military at a time when jobs can be tough to find - just ask recent college grads.
If you don't find something really soon, start volunteering in any capacity anywhere at all. It will make you feel better, and will look good on your resume and you'll build good local references. If you have to, take any kind of crap job so that you can build more good local references. Handymen are incredibly hard to find - if you can do anything from lawn mowing to changing light bulbs and aren't a drunk and will show up and work there are a whole raft of us old retired people who would love to hire you and will give you great references for your professional life.
You'll do fine, don't worry. Life's an adventure and this is just a part of the whole fun trip.
And don't worry about being short. Most women don't care. Just be a really nice guy with a good attitude and many women will be happy to date you.
I have to tell you, I was living in Houston TX when I had a Proe job interview 55 miles north, way past the Woodlands. I was interviewing and doing good in the interview when some guy in the back says, "He wouldn't be a good fit...."
Were you wearing your tinfoil hat during the interview?
I updated the thread the next day. I did get more details in the second job as to what exactly happened. It seemed to be due to a third party audit and a policy that they have to get rid of anybody at any time on the spot if certain aspects of this audit are not up to par. I was not aware of the audit, nor was I aware that I was not meeting certain criteria that I needed to remain employed.
Is this true? Well, the explanation was pretty detailed, but they could just be using it as an excuse. I'll never know.
I was never charged with anything or arrested. I've done multiple background checks on myself and they're all clean.
I created documents and procedures that I thought would help. I did this completely myself on my own time. I let people know that I did these things and put them into the company folder for everyone to access. It was more of a "I think this could work. It's available if you'd like to use it". People seemed to appreciate this.
Beyond that, I did my work and followed directions.
I smile all the time and I'm friendly. I don't have a temper. I get to know people. I didn't get the impression that I was disliked or that people were uncomfortable around me, but who knows? Maybe they are and I just don't know it.
I never borrowed money from anyone or took anything from the office at all.
I don't order anybody to do anything. I'm very polite. I say please and thank you. I participated in all of the group lunches and joked around with the staff. I helped people out with things. People commented to me that I'm a good team player (though, I do acknowledge that they may have been saying something different when I wasn't around).
Nothing questionable in my background check. Honorable discharge. Multiple tickets, but all paid. No criminal convictions. "Excellent" credit score.
No thefts that I'm aware of.
I cut my hair regularly, shower twice daily, and wear clean clothes.
I agree.
Nothing inappropriate. Only work-related subjects. I would never look at porn from a company computer.
Unfortunately, I was not there long enough to build these kinds of relationships. In this company, there was a weird dynamic, as I found out from the office manager during my last interaction with her that many of the other employees there that were thought by the staff to have quit were actually fired in a similar manner that I was.
Then they gave me extra money on the way out, which I interpret as a way to satisfy me and discourage me from making waves.
The first company wasn't. The second company was when I pressed the issue.
This is so perplexing.
It sounds like it may have been the audit thing. That you were making some serious mistakes and didn't know it (I assume you're talking about financial audits for financial work you were doing and not audits of supplies or such). Maybe...I can see that happening, if it's not possible for someone to check and catch that work after you do it. It has to be done by someone who does it, and then proofs it and verifies it's correct. That would be why no one else talked to you about it before: because they didn't know it until the audit was done. ????
Wow...that's so hurtful, I'm sure. I hope you can get unemployment in the meantime. I hope you can find another job. It's a good thing that the terminations came sooner, so not much time was wasted there.
The right job will come along, and things will just click. It sounds like you're a great person and good worker. It will happen. Horrible those companies weren't specific with you and talked to you about issues earlier.
Sometimes they also get rid of people who are new hires to save money, someone else wanted a say-so on who was hired, or someone internal wants that job. That DOES happen. I've seen it.
You say you are a healthcare provider, have you ever considered Kaiser Permanente? I have a relative who is a nurse practitioner there and it rocks, both for salary and benefits and the way they treat their employees.
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