Employment Strategies for Executive Leaders
Successful military-to-civilian career transition
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"From the start, the presentation that ESEL provides to the transitioning service member is top-notch. These ladies have a true passion and drive for what they do, and demonstrate it daily. Even after the course (and through today) I am able to message them and get on-target information about the civilian hiring process. This makes me very competitive and makes my family feel very secure. If you have a choice on who to see regarding the transition from career military to employed civilian, seek out ESEL!"
- William Wando, Colonel, USMC
"This workshop provided an initial framework for me to navigate the transition space. Without it, I would have been lost, or overwhelmed with options and pathways. Through the workshop, I was able to understand what I was looking for, and how to find it. This was absolutely invaluable!"
Member US Army
"Michele and Cyndi are a dynamic duo when it comes to helping transitioning service members and getting the crash course on how to get your foot in the door with interviewing and prep work. They give you the tools to excel, but it is up to you to use them."
- Nate, US Army
"I had heard many positive comments about the value provided to transitioning military service members through the ESEL seminars, but my expectations were exceeded! Cyndi and Michele thoroughly and patiently unlocked the mysteries surrounding developing and successfully executing a career transition plan. This seminar is an absolute must for anyone making the leap from a military to a civilian career!"
- John P. Sullivan, Jr., Colonel, Marines
"Highly recommended!! I thought the information provided and the networking opportunities were top-notch! Most importantly, Michele and Cyndi are truly passionate about helping service members through that major transition to life after military service."
- Member USMC
"Cyndi and Michele are amazing human beings. The information, resources, and delivery of the program are amazing. I felt the connection that I could count on both of them during my transition."
-Brooks, 1SG, US Army
"I retired from the Marine Corps after 37 years of service. I previously attended two other transition seminars at the 20 and 32-year marks, neither of which provided such organized, comprehensive, informative, and applicable content and tools for a transition into the civilian sector. I only planned to attend the transition seminar and workshop to get my check in the box, but I walked away with a brand, resume, professional picture, social media accounts, an insane amount of resources, and an expansion to my network. While my retirement from the military was planned and executed in detail, I did not know what would come next, and honestly thought permanent retirement was next, but Michele and Cyndi helped me look beyond the service and helped prepare me to start writing my next chapter. Michele and Cyndi, "Thank You" and please keep helping others navigate the mil to civ workplace transition."
-Bernard Hess, Colonel, US Marines
"ESEL was a great confidence builder. Better still, is the amazing support after the class ends. This team goes above and beyond any transition course I have attended."
- Creighton Scott, MGySgt, US Marines
"Cyndi and Michele's seminar was the most valuable thing that I received from attending TAPS."
-Nicholas M., Commander (O5), Marines
Michele and Cyndi truly care about the transitioning service member! Furthermore, with their military spouse insight, they can relate to the needs of the service member and provide relevant information and guidance from a place of experience and gratitude. Specifically, the topic of transitioning from the military to the corporate world was presented at a master’s level in which they explained everything from dress and etiquette to negotiating the employment offer; this topic alone sets their curriculum apart from others and is well worth attending. Additionally, the tips and tricks on using LinkedIn and the value of branding yourself for potential employers were the best I have attended. I wholeheartedly recommend Michele and Cyndi’s class to anyone who is considering transitioning from the military to the next step of their journey.
-Christopher Docherty, SGM, US Army
"Cyndi and Michele are current, informative, energetic, and best of all, passionate about helping service members successfully navigate their transition. From the guest speakers to the interactive elevator pitch session, every portion of the workshop seemed designed to help the service members build confidence and acknowledge that they were ready to succeed as a civilian. I learned so much during the short three days we spent with them and can't wait to go back to attend another session in the fall."
- Se Kim, CW05, US Marines
"ESEL was critical in my transition from the Marine Corps. Michele and Cyndi provided personalized assistance and realistic advice on what to expect when choosing my next career. Exceptional work by dedicated professionals who want to see veterans succeed."
- Steve White, US Marines
"Cyndi and Michele were phenomenal in putting on a great workshop for my organization's transitioning and retiring servicemembers. The information, best practices, and guidance they give during these seminars is monumental in helping talented servicemembers make the jump into the civilian workforce. I know that if I hadn't attended their seminar, I wouldn't be in the favorable position I am in now during my military transition."
Chris, Staff Sergeant, US Army
"There are so many great things about this seminar. I have referred COUNTLESS transitioning servicemembers to this seminar as I truly believe it is the best in the business that I have come across. As a servicemember that has broken time (and has completed multiple seminars), this workshop was outstanding. Cyndi and Michele were excellent facilitators that maintain a deep knowledge base on effective strategies to prepare transitioning servicemembers to be successful. I fully incorporated their strategies and recommendations into my transition preparations and serve as a testament to their guidance and work as I was able to secure MULTIPLE post-retirement employment opportunities WELL BEFORE my retirement from the Marine Corps. I can't say enough good things about this workshop! Highly recommended!!"
- Matthew Pearce, LtCol, USMC
"My military transition preparation was jump-started by the ESEL team. Cyndi and Michelle provided invaluable insight into how to successfully transition from a military career. I'm thankful for their expertise as I know I will certainly benefit from it!"
- E.J. Healey, Colonet, US Marines
"Besides combat and becoming a Marine transition is a monumental task. I was fortunate enough to attend Michele and Cyndi's class in Dec 2020. They are knowledgeable but more importantly, mentors that go the extra mile to navigate you through transition. What they do best is give you the tools to succeed to land the best possible position. Between resume development, interview prep, and personal branding they are the benchmark for what right looks like. I would gladly recommend them to any of my peers or any transitioning veteran. They are that good. Thanks again ladies I have already landed my second job with greater pay and responsibility since retirement. They are that good. Semper Fi"
- Mike Roach, Col, USMC
"Cyndi and Michelle's workshop is a sterling example of professional instruction and corporate insider knowledge. The information I learned has been a critical part to my transition plan from networking events, informational interviews, and compensation negotiations."
- Dustin, Major, US Marines
"ESEL provided exceptional assistance for myself as a senior leader, to begin the first steps in seeking employment in the corporate world. From helping to translate job experiences into relatable terms, to crafting an introduction, to resumes and interview prep, the ESEL team was able to assist in doing so. ESEL also helped tremendously in establishing a LinkedIn profile and beginning to expand my network. I believe it is a valuable tool for any transitioning military leader or government civilian leader who is taking their first steps into the private sector."
- Lieutenant Colonel, US Army
"ESEL workshop was fun and educational. Cyndi and Michelle presented tools and strategies that can help any transitioning service member succeed in finding a new path forward. Attendees can expect to learn a lot and engage in hands-on experiences."
- Raj, SSG, US Army
"Phenomenal training that should be mandatory for all Field Grad Officers and Senior SNCOs. Materials were of excellent quality and we're designed for the core audience. The instructors have a wealth of practical, hands-on experience and are excellent trainers and educators. I hope to have a chance to take the course again, and I wish I had taken it years earlier."
- Mike Shand, Colonel, US Marines
If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done.
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ESEL 3-Steps for a Successful Transition
Build
Build a personal transition plan that will focus on professional self-analysis. Answer questions about your professional preferences and learn how to effectively research industries, companies, and careers to find your perfect professional fit.
Brand
Create a personal professional brand that will make you marketable in your career search. Craft a memorable professional introduction. Develop a network of professionals. Create an executive resume and professional portfolio. Dress for success. Use LinkedIn and other technologies to your advantage.
Benefit
Once you have created your transition plan and developed your personal professional brand, it is time to train in the art of the interview. Learn what to expect in an offer and how to negotiate like a pro and finalize a win-win job offer.
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YES, I Want To Know More!LATEST FROM THE BLOG
Level Up Your Transition Skills
Our comprehensive blog has everything you need to better understand your current career transition situation and plan for a successful launch into the civilian workplace.
NICE TO MEET YOU
Your ESEL Executive Coaches
Michele Lewis and Cyndi Po grew up as "military “brats." Their fathers decided to retire in the same area, Ft Bragg, NC, where they met and became friends n middle school. Later, both became military spouses. Their lives took unique turns, with one family opting to stay in the service for the next 30 years and the other family opting to join the civilian corporate world. Both embraced their life choices, became successful in their established fields, and were afforded the opportunity to travel and live worldwide.
READ OUR STORY
"Michelle and Cyndi are exceptional at providing transitioning executive service members with beneficial classes, advice, and real-life examples of how to best transition. There are literally thousands of career options to choose from and they are experts at providing sound guidance for any chosen path. I also attended a DoL transition class. Michelle and Cyndi ARE THE GOLD STANDARD for the executive transition readiness seminar. "
- Brady Wentlandt
"Simply put, the ESEL workshop was outstanding! I attended executive TRS 5 years ago. I had to go again since it has to be done within two years of the retirement date. I thought I would be bored and not learn anything new. I was wrong. Michele and Cyndi know their stuff. They brought relevant and current information about networking and the job market to class. They discussed things like electronic business cards, how to tailor a resume using the TagCrowd website to determine key words in a job posting, and LinkedIn tips. Their knowledge should be shared with anyone looking to find employment after life in the military. I have recommended the Henderson Hall Executive TRS to countless colleagues since I attended last year."
- COL Bill Gray, (USMC)
"Transitioning from the military can be an overwhelming experience; however the ESEL workshop positions service members to be in the absolute best possible position for a post-military career. As the former Deputy Commander for Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH), I have personally witnessed and had oversight of the two separate TRS programs on the joint base: The Army's TRS program on the Myer Campus of JBM-HH and the Marine Corps program on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base. I can say with absolute certainty that the Marine Corps program is THE PREMIER program, not only on JBM-HH, but within the National Capital Region; specifically as a direct result of the instruction provided by the ESEL workshop. From my personal observations, conversations with ESEL alumni, and have had personally attended the ESEL workshop prior to my own retirement, the ESEL workshop at Henderson Hall is a far superior TRS program than its sister service counterparts around the National Capital Region. "
- Mark Paolicelli (LtCol Marines)
ONLINE COURSES
The Successful Career Transition
Take control of your professional future with these comprehensive courses.
Additional Seminar Resources
This module offers additional resources discussed in the seminars.
LinkedIn for Job Search
Create a compelling LinkedIn profile for a successful job search.
Tell Me About Yourself
Develop a professional introduction to use on any occasion.
Preparing for the Interview
This module will prepare you for a stellar interview.
Suggested Reading for the Successful Military Transition
Our team thinks these books and articles are helpful and insightful for the transitioning service member. Read our reviews and thoughts.
What Color Is Your Parachute?: Your Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success
by Richard N Bolles
A "soup to nuts" book on transitioning from one career to another. The original concept for the book started in 1970, but since 1975, this book has been updated and revised every year with the latest "best practices" for finding a job that fits your personal skills and preferences.
Separating From Service: The Mental Health Handbook For Transitioning Veterans
by Eric Burleson
Before transition when (not if, but when) you start to have a bit of concern, worry, or possibly anxiety over the change of your identity from an active member of the military to the civilian world, this is the perfect book of advice from a veteran who has walked in your boots. This a bottom-shelf reading with top-shelf content.
Mission Transition: Navigating the Opportunities and Obstacles To Your Post-Military Career
by LTC Matthew J Louis
This book shares many of the same concepts you have received from attending an ESEL seminar. But what our team loves about this book is the emphasis it places on networking from beginning to end. A great supplemental book to the ESEL course
The Power of STAR Method: How to Succeed at Behavior Job Interview
by Martha Gage
Executive leaders must be able to share their expertise in story form and, ultimately, be the hero at the end of the story. Using the STAR format helps you consider which accomplishment statements should be used for resumes and handling behavior questions in the interview. This book gives excellent examples of STAR statements and helps the creative juices as you begin writing resumes and participating in interviews.
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Military-to-Civilian Career Transition
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