Dan Wilkinson’s Post

Bursar wanted! This is a great chance to work in a beautiful part of the country in the far North West of England. If you are a #veteran looking for a rewarding role in a fabulous school with a dynamic leadership team, drop me a line to learn more about it. #hireaveteran #bursar

What advice would I give my younger self? Part 3. Work out what you don't want to do! When I left the Army in 2008, I felt I could do almost anything and it was a challenge for me to define what I wanted to do. I struggled to identify and articulate where my generalist skills could be used to best effect. The employment world ahead of me was enormous and confusing. So I needed to make more sense of it. I identified industries that I didn't want to be part of. For instance, the Defence sector; I knew I didn't want to be a part of this. Leaving the Army was hard but half leaving...? Not for me. I also ruled out Financial Services; I had, at the time, little or no interest in this area so it was easy to rule it out. Once I'd eliminated certain areas, it made it much easier for me to hone my job search. Even though my skillset would have been of value in these areas, shrinking the employment market to something more manageable was a great step towards working out what I could do as a civilian. More employers in 2024 recognise the skills of #veterans, so this is easier than it was for me. They seek to attract ex military personnel, placing a value on our training, resilience, resourcefulness and ability to get stuff done. But if you're an employer (not the enormous corporate bodies like Amazon, JP Morgan or KPMG) that can see the benefits of bringing veterans into your business, perhaps you should get in touch? If Amazon are doing it, why shouldn't you #hireaveteran?

Exercise regularly, rain or shine! Even though it's a grim day in Yorkshire today, I always advocate taking the opportunity to get away from your desk and take some air, get some light exercise and clear your head. I find I'm much more productive after a short stroll. And it makes me feel good, as it's hard not to appreciate the green fields around me. I always watched smokers (now vapers) get up and down from their desk many times a day and so this is my equivalent. It's also good for your mental health and, as a brand new ambassador for Combat Stress, this is very important to me. This wonderful charity supports #veterans with their invisible injuries. Head clearing, heart strengthening; what's not to like? Rosie Gibbons MInstF(Cert) Andrew Robson Caroline Welsh Will Hairsine James Paul Watson BA (Hons)

Yesterday was my wife's birthday. For years, it's been a tough one for me to get right! She is the most wonderful person but has a tendency to steer me towards a certain present that she has her eye on. As a result, it's been hard to surprise her. Equally, when I've not read these signs, and buy her something I think she'd like, it has often ended in disappointment! But not this year!! Off my own bat, not only did I manage to surprise her, but she also loved it! And then, instead of going out and spending a small fortune on dinner in a restaurant, I cooked a gorgeous meal for her, washed down, predictably, with a decent bottle. Or two! So this morning, I feel I am embodying the "happy wife, happy life" expression and I'm pretty chuffed with myself. I've also got three candidates interviewing this morning, so today is a good day! Fingers crossed! #hireaveteran #happywife

What advice would I give my younger self? Part 2. Knowing what makes you tick is a really important piece of the move from military to civilian. There are many things that might attract you... a chunky salary for one, but I wish I'd thought more about this when I left the Army. I've always known I'm firmly a 'people' person. For a while I thought it was all about how much money I could earn. I also like to think I have 'purpose' in my career. People, Purpose, Profit is just one way of working out what motivates you. I'd love to hear of your drivers; let me know in the comments. #hireaveteran PS Beware of "purpose-washing" companies!

Linked In – we need your help! I had a superb candidate contact me the other day, looking for the right company for him to join and bring his energy, intellect and experience to drive them forward. ‘Finn’ served in the Army for six years. In his short military career, he was hand picked from 100 officers to re-establish and lead the prestigious Guards Parachute Platoon. He left in 2015, and, like many ex military, he has proven himself across a few different sectors. Having gained experience in two Private Equity backed companies and a FTSE 100 business, he is now looking to turbo charge his career and I am asking Linked In for help on his behalf. As he seeks his next role, he has found his CV is too varied for many employers, but the quality of his experience is beyond doubt. At a well-known restaurant chain, he managed 24 restaurants with a turnover of £19M. He then worked regionally for a nationwide student accommodation company and produced the best audit results in the country. Most recently, he drove a change programme for a PE owned veterinary business, increasing profitability by £1M from a £12M turnover. His children are now at school and he sees the next 5-10 years as his chance to go to the next level in his career. He is looking for either a senior role in a small to medium sized business, a Chief of Staff type role, or a regional director role in a larger business, all with an appetite for growth. If you’re looking to find a real gem that wouldn’t necessarily get past the recruitment bots, please drop me a line to learn more about ‘Finn’. #hireaveteran

More job opportunities from Hire a Veteran! This is a great opportunity to work for a company that embraces the skills that #veterans bring! Please share far and wide. #hireaveteran

What advice would I give to my younger self? Be realistic. When you hand your notice in to the MOD, your mind will catapult forward to all the opportunities that may come your way. You might envisage a big job, big house, happy family. The reality of leaving the #armedforces is that you will have to learn new skills, new vocabulary, new ways of operating and many other aspects of life as a civilian. Some of you will get a pay rise, some of you will be paid less than you were in the military. I always suggest to ex-military personnel to work out what your financial baseline is. How much you need to earn to pay your bills and live. Any job that matches or exceeds that is an option. Don't close doors unnecessarily by having a fanciful salary in your head. Back yourself, in the event of taking a pay cut, that your qualities will come through and your salary will increase with hard work and the right attitude. Many former Servicemen and women earn two or three promotions in quick succession in their first job. Employers are often surprised at what #veterans bring to their business. Be realistic in the first instance and then prove to your employer that you're worth more than they realise! #hireaveteran

What an opportunity! Ideal for someone with drive and a sense of fun.

I received this message from Thomas Kirkham yesterday; it made my day! It is always fantastic to hear that I made a small impact on the journey of someone who served in our #armedforces. Tom has clearly proven his worth and his quality been recognised by his employers. Like so many #veterans, he simply needed the opportunity to prove that, although he may not have had the requisite experience when he left the Army, Tom backed his own ability and is now forging a career in the #energy sector. If you're a business looking to grow, why not get in touch and find out how Hire a Veteran can help you find some great people to drive your business forward. Maybe you'll find your own Thomas Kirkham? Thanks Tom. #hireaveteran