As a military talent manager and Veteran, Mindy Jaffar has a unique understanding of military life and the challenges of transitioning to a civilian career. This Veterans Day, she reflects on her journey to Oracle and shares the tactics that helped her land her dream job with the global cloud leader.
U.S. Military Talent Lead
I retired from the U.S. Navy on September 28, 2014, and didn’t re-enter the workforce until September 2021. Today, I’m proud to lead military talent recruitment for one of the world’s largest business software and cloud providers.
New beginnings
As we honor our country’s heroes on Veterans Day, I wanted to share some truths about transitioning from military service to civilian life. No matter how long you’ve served, the reality of leaving the military requires both ‘unbecoming’ and ‘becoming’. You’re letting go of the deeply ingrained identity you’ve lived for years while simultaneously growing into a new civilian role—all without losing those core values you lived by every day.
Some people will say there’s a formula for a successful transition. Planning, of course, is essential, but life circumstances also play a crucial role. Whether you’re just beginning this journey or still searching for your next place after years of separation, remember that it’s more of an art than a science. Success lies in authenticity, balancing humility with determination, and seizing the right opportunity to belong.
As a Veteran and military spouse, I can share what this journey looked like for me and why Oracle is still my employer of choice.
New challenges
After a 20-year career in Navy Healthcare and career management, I retired with a resume filled with accomplishments. I thought my transition would be seamless. But as my husband received permanent change of station orders and I prepared to leave the service in 2014, the reality of my civilian journey began to sink in. At the time, remote roles were rare, and moving around while seeking employment created challenges. I assumed I’d immediately find a company that valued my experience and was willing to trust and invest in me. But that wasn’t the case.
Each year that passed, I engaged in volunteering, pursued writing, photography, and even taught yoga. As technology evolved and time passed, I began to question my value in a corporate role. Then, through an unexpected connection, I received a call.
The power of indirect networking
Though I wasn’t actively networking for a corporate role, I continued volunteering with a local non-profit and stayed in touch with leaders I had served with. Eventually, word-of-mouth led my resume to Oracle’s military recruitment team.
During my interviews, I found that they felt more like conversations than interviews. I quickly realized that Oracle was deeply committed to hiring Veterans and supporting them as they transitioned into civilian roles. By the end of the day, I wanted the job—and I got it! My transition to becoming a sourcing recruiter, and eventually leading military talent efforts, was an honor that took me by surprise.
Tips for success
Everyone’s career journey is unique and it’s always best to leverage your personal strengths to secure the job that you want—even if you don’t check every box. That said, I believe there are some common ingredients to success and the good news is that they’re all things you can control:
- Personal inventory: I started by identifying my non-negotiables. I wanted a flexible schedule, an impactful role where my voice mattered, and a place to grow without feeling I had to set aside my military background. Oracle offered all of this and more.
- A humble approach: Entering the civilian world meant a different starting point. It’s important to embrace each step with confidence and humility, knowing that each experience can lead to growth.
- A flexible mindset: I hadn’t planned on a career in recruitment, but I realized that the opportunity to affect lives directly was exactly what I wanted, and this was the perfect opportunity set before me.
- Networking (especially indirect networking): I stayed connected with leaders and friends from my Navy days, listened to those who had gone before me, and connected with others, not for an immediate outcome, but out of genuine interest.
On Veterans Day, I encourage you to keep pursuing what excites you. Never stop honoring those who paved the way for our freedom, and never stop believing in your ability to find the place where you belong. You can also find even more tips on landing the job with our six step plan to getting hired at Oracle. Good luck!
Do you want to work somewhere that values your service and sets you on the path to success? Explore opportunities for Veterans at Oracle and create the future with us today.