Not every job you find is the perfect fit, so how you do connect the dots for yourself and the recruiter? While we like to think that job descriptions cover everything about a job, the reality is that they can be a list of tasks that the last person on the job performed that doesn’t give the full picture of expectations. So, look for overall job functions that you have experience in, and see how you can contribute right away. If you’re missing a key technology, then it won’t matter how great your soft skills are. However, if you have the main skills at your disposal, then do the work for those making the hiring decisions and talk to your skills gaps and why you’re still the right person for the job. You can start to respond to find the right keywords that will help the hiring team overcome what may not seem like a perfect match to the position description. So, whether you’re making a military transition or making some tweaks in your career, it’s important to know how to communicate your skills to match what a recruiter is searching for.
Contract Opportunities to Watch
| Peraton | Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded Peraton a fixed-price $497 million contract to provide infrastructure-as-a-managed service (laaMS) for storage and computing infrastructure facilities across the U.S. and globally.
Under this contract, Peraton will deliver an enterprise scale IaaMS solution that integrates on-premise infrastructure with the VA Enterprise Cloud. Peraton will support VA’s mission-critical workloads, including VistA Imaging, from legacy infrastructure to IaaMS. “Peraton is proud to build on our 20-year history as one of VA’s technology partners,” said Tarik Reyes, president, Global Health & Financial Solutions sector, Peraton. “This award demonstrates Peraton’s unique capabilities in health data management and storage, and deep understanding of VA’s mission. Our innovative laaMS solution simplifies infrastructure consumption into an easy-to-use managed service, enabling enterprise-level transparency across clouds and facilities.” “Peraton is uniquely positioned to deliver next-generation storage capability and services to the VA and the veterans who have proudly served our country,” said George Rollins, vice president, VA and Defense Health, Peraton. |
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Key Employer in the Cleared Industry
| CACI | Interested in joining a company that values your career mobility as much as you do, and advancing national security while advancing your career? Invent Your Future with CACI. |
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Cleared Job of the Week
| Network Engineer | In order to analyze network structures and model suggested changes, network engineers need to have knowledge of both hardware and software characteristics for network maintenance. The job doesn’t just require a bachelor’s degree. It also requires various security certifications, and a lot of on-the-job experience. Many start out low-man on the totem pole; however, as you gain experience and knowledge, a number of doors open into higher-level positions and greater salary potential.
A bachelor’s degree, typically in computer science, information science or management information systems (MIS) is required. As long as you have basic computer science or engineer training, other degrees may apply. Network engineers should expect a skills-intensive interview. If you have the skills and the certifications, you can get the job. |
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Growth Opportunities
The Emerging Technologies Institute (ETI) is a new nonpartisan organization focused on technologies critical to our nation’s economy and national defense. ETI had a formal launch with an event held by the National Defense Industrial Association.
In the midst of a technology race between the United States and peer competitors, ETI will provide leadership, bolster public awareness and create independent, reliable research about the technologies critical to our nation’s economy and national defense. Unlike in the past, most of these technologies will emerge and be developed in the private sector, and then be applied to our national defense.
“We are putting the full force of NDIA’s financial strength and our considerable expertise in promoting constructive dialogue between government and the private sector to create and support the Emerging Technologies Institute,” said Gen. Punaro. “As an independent affiliate, ETI will identify and promote the technological advancements most essential to our country’s economic competitive needs and success. And these technologies will be fundamental to any future conflict, both from a deterrence and warfighting standpoint.”
The subject matter focus of ETI will initially be the 11 technology priorities outlined in the Department of Defense’s National Defense Strategy: artificial intelligence (AI), autonomy, biotechnology, cyber, directed energy, fully networked command, control, and communications, hypersonics, microelectronics, quantum science, space, and 5G to next G. Executive Director Dr. Mark Lewis, former acting deputy under secretary of defense for research and engineering, will lead research staff, while Dick McConn, CEO of M International, will lead the advisory board. The board will provide guidance and expertise on a wide range of cutting-edge technologies, and will be a strong guiding light for ETI as it moves forward. ETI released its first report, “The Modernization Quandary,” in tandem with the launch event.
“The government cannot tackle these issues alone,” said Dr. Lewis. “Our role in this technology race is to create independent and objective research, and to broker collaboration among the government, industry, academia, and the American public. We will foster open discussion to inform leaders about emerging technologies, and how limited dollars can be invested to the greatest effect. In the end, we hope that ETI helps the U.S. maintain a sustained technological advantage at every level of economic and military competition.”
