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76 G.I. JOBS | OCTOBER 2016 | GIJOBS.COM Age: 32 Military Service: Staff Sergeant (E-5), Air Force (2002-2008) Air Force Reserve (2008-2010) AFSC: Security Forces What military skills transfer nicely into insurance? Professionalism, dedication, management of personnel, work ethic, to name a few. What worked best in your job search? Mostly online, and spoke to friends/ family back in the Midwest. Follow-up was the key on all the interest that I received back. What didn't work? Sending a résumé and hoping to get a call. What hours/days do you typically work? It varies, but I usually work seven days a week in some capacity. Hours are usually around 60 or so per week. Any transiঞon humor during your first days on the job? I kept using acronyms, and no one had any idea what I was talking about. But they were all too nice to say anything. What's the coolest thing about your job? Each day is always different. What's the biggest challenge? Managing personnel, not that I didn't before, but you have to be a lot more tolerant in the civilian world. Best advice for transiঞoning service members? Be aggressive. Our skills do transfer and are hard to find in the civilian workforce. Learn how to translate what you have learned into your résumé so others can understand just how much responsibility is placed on us and the number of skills we have obtained. JUSTIN SMITHERMAN Agent/Owner, American Family Insurance, Elburn, Ill. STAFF SERGEANT