1. ACAP
MEADE
Insert “Spotlight” Headline News
4216 Roberts Ave, 1st Floor, Room 132
In this issue:
Why a Post-Interview Thank You
Letter is Important
 Why a Postinterview
Thank You
Letter is
Important
By Christian Larkins, Military Veteran
 Why Do You
Want To
Leave Your
Job
1 – If there were a lot of applicants
then it will remind them of who you
 Quick
Jobseeker’s
Strategies
 Veterans
Affairs
Acquisition
Academy
 Regional Job
Fairs
 Upcoming
ACAP Events
are and make you stand out from the
crowd (remember most people don’t
even think about writing a letter).

February 2014
acap.meade@serco-na.com
Smart Response to the Interview
Question: Why do you want to leave
or why are you leaving your current
job?
301-677-9871

People leave their job for a variety of
reasons. Today many military service
members are leaving due to the draw
down. Knowing how to properly
answer the question above is an
important part of your job search
preparation. First rule is you definitely
shouldn't badmouth your employer.
"It's ok to bring up a problem with
your current employer," says J. Patrick
Gorman, co-founder of the iFind
group, an executive recruiter based in
New York, "but you have to show
how you attempted to solve it so you
don't sound like a whiner."
2 – It can give you the chance to
include a comment/thought that you
forgot to mention during the
interview.
3 – If the interviewer(s) are having a
tough time deciding between you and
one or two of your competition then
this will put you to the front of their
minds. They will be thinking of you
more when making the decision to
hire. They will also realize that you
went the extra mile to write the thank
Rita Boyle, a senior executive search
consultant with New Jersey-based
Cornerstone Search Group, suggests
explaining how the change is the next
logical step for your career path.
"Explain why you're running to their
company instead of why you're
running away from your current one."
you letter and that will give you an
edge over your competition.
Remember there is very little traffic
on the extra mile i.e. less competition.
Plausible Response: “I honed a variety
of skills including…in the military. I
would now like to employ those skills
with ABC Inc to contribute to your
ability to achieve your goals.”
What not to say: “I want to work for
you because you have better pay,
benefits, and I love the location.”
Page 1 of 3

2. Did You Know?
You can view
recent job
vacancies, ACAP
Schedule of
Events/Seminars,
and useful
transition
information on
the Ft. Meade
ACAP Facebook
page,
HTTPS://www.fa
cebook.com/fort
meadeACAP
Quick Jobseeker’s Strategies
By Rob Riggins, clearedjobs.net
1. Only apply to jobs for which
you’re truly qualified. This can be
since it’s so easy to apply for jobs
online. You need to meet 80% of the
job requirements to apply. Only
exception is if you are being referred
or you know someone in the hiring
process. Think of it this way. Why
would a hiring manager want to
interview someone they have never
met who is clearly not qualified for a
position? Would you?
2. Get your salary expectations in
line. The cleared job market is
changing and you may not be worth
what you used to be worth. Contract
rates have been coming down–
hopefully not for your skill set, but
check it out via Glassdoor.com or
Payscale.com, your professional
association, people in your network.
3. Customize your resume for every
job. Review the job description and
compare how your skill set matches
up. Are you meeting that 80%
threshold? Using similar keywords
and phrasing? Is there anyone in your
network who can refer you or provide
more intel on the position?
Veterans Affairs Acquisition
Academy
There is an internship opportunity in
acquisition for those who have at least
24 credits that are business related or
have a Bachelors degree. Priority is
given to veterans.
http://www.acquisitionacademy.va.gov/
schools/internship/faqs.asp#aisq03
REGIONAL JOB FAIRS
Tech Expo Top Secret Job Fair
11 Feb from 10am –3pm
BWI Marriott
1743 West Nursery Rd
Linthicum Heights MD 21090
www.techexpousa.com
Veteran Recruiting/ACAP Virtual
Job Fair
25 Feb from 10am –12pm
Register at:
www.acapcareerfair.com
Fort Meade Technical Job Fair
19 Mar from 9am – 2pm
Club Meade
6600 Mapes Rd
Fort Meade MD 20755
www.dllr.maryland.gov/employ
mentjobfairs
4. Review all your job search
materials – resume, boilerplate
cover letter and online profiles – to
make sure they are up-to-date. Take
a newly critical eye to your materials.
Page 2 of 3

3. “Upcoming Events”
Event
Executive TAP Workshop*
Date
10 – 13 Feb
Time
0800 – 1600
Apply For A Federal Job
20 Feb
1330 – 1530
Dress for Success
21 Feb
1300 – 1600
Starting a Business Franchise
21 Feb
0900 – 1200
Executive TAP Workshop*
24 – 28 Feb
0800 – 1600
How to Work a Job Fair
27 Feb
1000 - 1200
Employer Day (mini job fair)
6 Mar
1300 - 1500
TAP Workshop*
10 – 14 Mar
0800 – 1600
Understanding Educational (GI Bill) Benefits for
2014
18 Mar
1330 - 1530
Apply For A Federal Job
20 Mar
1330 – 1530
TAP Workshop*
24 – 28 Mar
0800 – 1600
Apply For A Federal Job
2 Apr
1330 – 1530
Dress for Success
10 Apr
1300 – 1600
TAP Workshop*
14 – 18 Apr
0800 – 1600
Executive TAP Workshop*
21– 25 Apr
0800 – 1600
*Included in the 5-day TAP Workshop is Transition Overview, MOC
Crosswalk, VA Benefits Briefing, Department of Labor Employment
Workshop, Financial Counseling Seminar, and Individual Transition
Plan Briefing. NOTE: Please make appointment to ensure seat availability
ACAP Staff
 Countess D. Simiyu, Manager
 Denise Elliott-Bourdeaux,
ACAP Counselor (SFAC)
301-677-6318
Meade ACAP Phone: 301-677-9871
E-Mail: acap.meade@serco-na.com
 Paula McNeill
ACAP Counselor (Main Center)
https://www.acap.army.mil
Transition Services Manager
George E. Matthews, 301-677-9874
george.e.matthews.civ@mail.mil
 Carmella Foreman
ACAP Counselor (Main Center)
 Sharif Small, ACAP Financial
Counselor
Page 3 of 3