Head Hunter
 

Has anyone used a head hunter to find a job outside aviation and been able to hold a 9-5 type job and also fly in the ANG/AFRES?

I used Lucas Group...

Good: I knocked out 6 interviews in a day, 3 of which I had no interest in whatsoever, which was great training. They prep you pretty well for how to handle an interview. Also got me to look at companies I wouldn't have on my own. And Lucas is free to you.

Bad: The don't match you up with the job of your choice or are best suited for. They support their clients (companies) first and you second; nothing like walking into an interview with 5 people there, and the first question is "so, why do you want to work in construction?? Um......". Heck I (and others) had trouble with them trying to work locations right - I was stationed in LA but wanted to come back East and they were totally unresponsive to that, as the head hunter I was working with had all their clients on the West Coast. I found out who I was interviewing with at their fair about two nights prior, so not much time for research or prep. I blew the last two I did at the fair because I was worn out. Also, all the jobs pay $50-60k - the client companies pay Lucas about 1.5 times your first year salary, so you're not going to see anything higher than $70k... to be honest, it seemed most of the jobs were a better fit for an E-7 than an O-3 or 4.

I ended up working my network to find a consulting job, working for NAVAIR, that pays a base of $85k (bonuses run $10-15K), I work from home 1-2 days a week and they are cool with the reserve thing (Managing Director is a reserve P-3 guy, and the company will make up the difference in pay and keep your benefits if you get recalled). Not in a reserve unit now, but working it - but I'm limiting myself to Del/DC/MD/VA so I don't lose days commuting to the gig. I make enough where I'm doing it because I want to fly and serve, not make money.

So, good experience, but I think the military stars or service academy job fairs are probably a better way to go.

HTH
Spongebob

Thanks for the info Spongebob. I'm finding the same about 50-70k starting w/ bonuses in the 10-20k ranges with room to triple after 3 years and no caps on commision, company car, home nearly every night, weekends off, good benifits...that's why I'm considering it for QOL and family. Still want to Serve and Fly, so just wondering if anyone has had success with this type of work and also stay in the Reserves/ANG flying.

Is 1 weekend...2 weeks/year even possible anymore for Pilots?
Thanks again.

Watch out for the sales jobs, if that is what you are looking at. For the most part, you won't make much off of commissions the first couple years unless you are taking over someone's territory and inherit a client base - otherwise you'll work your arse off building one and your QOL will degrade to the regional level. Coming out of the military you should be able to turn your leadership experience around into a management or management consulting job - shoot me a PM and we can talk more.

AFAIK, 1 weekend/2 wks isn't enough to keep you current, but works fine for a non-flying job. You'll need to look at where your real job is, and what you can support without screwing yourself there - they can't fire you, but if you're on 2 4-work-day trips each month, you aren't much value to them and they won't promote you. If you're in sales, that's client face time you are losing....

But each job is different...