An Army Captain in the Reme, the Battalion Plans Officer on leaving. Laura Clark had a five-year career in the military before she decided to sign off and get stuck into a new career.
We asked Laura about her experience signing off and landing a killer role at Grayce, as Business Development Manager.
Read on 👇
Tell us about your experience of signing off from the Army.
I buried my head in the sand for the first six months and aside from a little networking, did very little! I found I was very much left to fend for myself, with no real, useful guidance. Then I started researching lots of different job roles, seeing what interested me and where my skillsets lay, and lots more networking. But overall, it was tricky to find real direction.
What happened next?
I was introduced to Redeployable. From the outset, it was really useful speaking to Henry to bounce ideas off and it was good to have someone to talk to who understood the process and what you were going through, whilst also being able to actively help you. Ultimately, they ended up matching me with a job role that I wouldn’t have gone for myself, but they thought I’d be a great fit for - and they were right!
What was the role?
I’m now a Business Development Manager at Grayce, an emerging talent management consultancy.
How did your military experience help set you up for success?
In three key ways.
👉 Confidence: You know the great things you’ve achieved already, your ability to get things done, and how to present yourself.
👉 Communication: A key skill, it’s about being able to speak to people in a respectful way and get your point across.
👉 Discipline: Ranging from turning up on time, and looking smart, to meeting deadlines, and producing a high standard of work.
What’s your advice for Service Leavers?
LinkedIn is your best friend!
The military network is amazing and so supportive. Absolutely everyone is willing to talk to you, share their experiences, and help guide you. Chat with as many people as possible and explore so that you know your options and get in touch with Redeployable of course! It’s daunting leaving the military but there’s a whole other world to explore. There are so many opportunities out there. When you’re feeling overwhelmed (and you will!), talk to those who have gone through it already.
Also, don’t put too much pressure on yourself; your first job out of the military doesn’t necessarily have to be your dream job, just learn from it, and enjoy it.
Good luck!
