Recommended Professional Reading List for Transitioning Veterans

Feeling overwhelmed by your civilian job search?

Uncertain of how to learn about different industries and build new skillsets? 

Sandboxx has teamed up with Betts Recruiting to help you smartly navigate your career transitions and avoid common pitfalls. Get helpful content, tailored for where you are in your military journey, each week in the Sandboxx app!

Reentering the civilian world is tricky enough with all the unavoidable life changes that occur. On top of moving, changing pay or benefits, and dealing with the VA, might you also have to learn about a new industry?

We recommend researching a broad range of industries and opportunities. Without broadening your search, you may be unnecessarily closing doors on excellent, unexpected career paths.

And because we know you, we’ve included as many YouTube alternatives as possible. Enjoy and please share your recommendations too.

General Transferable Skills

• Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves

• 1. Watch the author explain why EQ is more important than IQ (9 minutes) on YouTube
  2. Buy or listen to audio on Amazon
• Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

1. Watch the author explain the YouTube

1. Buy or listen to audio on Amazon

Operations

• The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by E. Goldratt

The Goal is a management-oriented novel by Eliyahu M. Goldratt, a business consultant known for his Theory of Constraints. It provides a very readable introduction to the fundamentals of operations management, for example, leadership in a factory or logistics facility.

1. Buy or listen to audio on Amazon.

Team Leadership

• Leading Self-Directed Work Teams by K. Fisher

Concrete examples and direct advice on leading teams. You’ll find your civilian leadership challenges and culture will vary from the military environment and this is a good place to start.

1. Buy or listen to audio on Amazon.

Project Management

• Fundamentals of Project Management by J. Heagney

Project Management is probably part of your current military job. Like Sales, Project Management is a good fit for many veterans.  This book will apply to many different career fields, and will likely help you out in your military roles.

1. Buy or listen to audio on Amazon.

Sales

Are you a recruiter? Or do you enjoy competitive, fast-paced roles with lots of personal interaction? Sales might be a perfect place to start.

The following list includes Betts Recruiting’s “must-read” books for both the aspiring and experienced salesperson to succeed in today’s complex selling environment.

Watch these videos to learn the different tactics salespeople use to turn prospects into revenue:

1. Predictable Revenue by Aaron Ross & Marylou Tyler

• 4-Minute Video Explainer on YouTube

• 18-Minute Discussion with Author on YouTube

• 5-Minute Summary from HubSpot

• Buy the book or audiobook on Amazon

1. The Challenger Sale by Brent Adamson and Matthew Dixon

• 2-Minute Video Summary on YouTube

• 5-Minute Book Summary from HubSpot

• 3-Step Guide to Becoming a Challenger Salesperson from HubSpot

• Buy the book or audiobook on Amazon

1. The Sales Acceleration Formula by Mark Roberge

• 4-Minute Video Explainer on YouTube

• 20-Minute Discussion with Author on YouTube

• Buy the book or audiobook on Amazon

The Top Sales Industry Blogs to Read:

• HubSpot Sales Blog (subscribe to their weekly emails)

• Saleshacker – B2B Sales Tips (sign up for a free webinar)

• Sandler Training Blog

• SalesFolk Blog

Learn about 25 other sales blogs to read here!

Stay tuned

Stay tuned to this series to:

• Learn skills such as interviewing, networking and salary negotiation to help you achieve your career transition goals
• Be connected with civilian employers looking to hire Sandboxx veterans