quote:

Originally posted by ae1awusn:
Sure, I'll give it a try:

1. If you want to work in aviation maintenance, then having your A&P and/or FCC is very desirable. Not saying it is mandatory, but it does help. Civil Service does not require either, so maybe look to an aviation depot for work. Consider a technical college that lets you test for your A&P upon graduation.
2. Location, maybe your area in NJ is lacking in well-paying jobs that you are qualified for. Consider moving to another area of the country, do it while your young !
3. Education: do you have a degree ? That helps a lot. If you know the career field that you want to work in, do you at least have a certain number of college credits that are related to that specific career field ? Example: If you want to work in aviation, do you have some credits from Embry-Riddle, showing that you are working towards a degree in an aviation-related occupation ?
4. Not a big market for AO's. As for the CDI/QA stuff, I have that stuff,too. It gets coded in my work experience as a civil service employee, but it had zero to do with me being hired. Most likely you will have to start at the bottom, and work your way up. Usually there are not a lot of QA/QC position available.
5. Look for a defense contractor, they love (usually) vets.
6. Security clearance. Do you have one ? If yes, get a print out of your JCAVS and add it to your resume, contractors also love people that have a clearance.

Frankly, if you can move, do it. Especially if you want to work in the defense / contractor industry. Consider Florida, Texas, California, Utah (Ogden), Oklahoma (Tinker), all have robust
DOD & contractor positions. What about UTT/Sikorsky in Connecticut? Pax River in Maryland? Dover AFB in Delaware? Where there is a base, there are contractors, too. These are all in your neighborhood.
Go to school, be a cop, paramedic, nurse. The medical field is begging for good people, too.