The seminars normally last a week, each day consisting of a full eight hours. The counselor's job is to let you know about the programs and resources available. There are also exercises and course materials to help you prepare for the transition. The value of interacting with others going through the same process cannot be overstated.

While the seminar was designed to comply with the law regarding military members, it is also available to spouses. For them, the value lies in the focus on acquiring tools to make it easier to find a job. You may attend TAPS more than once; a spouse may want to go through the program whenever the family must move in order to refresh job search and interview techniques. Attending the program at each new unit will also create an opportunity for networking with individuals that have lived in the area for a while.

Many military members cringe at the thought of training or instruction. A lot of mandatory military training is dry — but TAPS is different, becasue it requires interaction. Highly trained, civilian career counselors normally run the seminars, though they often arrange for representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs or other organizations to participate during certain portions of the training.

TAPS is organized into sections, most of which deal with the professional aspect of the transition. No two seminars are alike, as the participants themselves frequently determine the pace and focus. Still, all seminars should cover the following topics:

• A Personal Appraisal
• Career Decisions
• Applying for a Job
• Interviews
• Reviewing Job Offers
• Benefits, Support, and Assistance

The personal appraisal will help you develop a plan for identifying a new career and finding a suitable position. To help you organize information that prospective employers may request, a detailed form is provided for you to fill out. There are exercises and surveys to determine your personality and work preferences, which should play a major role in your decision-making process. You will learn how to analyze your skills and identify your strengths and weaknesses. In addition, this portion of the seminar will address how to recognize and manage stress.

To help you make solid career decisions, a good portion of the seminar is designed to assist you in gathering information to assess options. You will be shown methods for identifying and researching career possibilities, as well as referred to other career exploration resources.

The importance of establishing goals as part of this process cannot be overstated. Jobs goals must be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Adaptable, Realistic, Trackable. The program shows you how to set realistic goals using these criteria. While there is no way of determining for certain how long your job search will take, you should prepare yourself to be without a paycheck for a while. Instructions on how to prepare a conservative transitional budget, as well as several worksheets to help with the process, are offered at the seminar.

Finding and applying for a job can require as much commitment as a full-time job. Like any position, you will need a regular schedule and daily tasks, as well as the ability to track your work and progress. Approaches to the job search process, networking, and locating open positions are covered at length. You will also discuss methods for researching companies. Finally, you will cover application situations and materials, including federal civil service jobs, employment tests, application forms, resumes, and cover letters.

Interviews are a critical part of the job application process and are therefore a focus of the seminars. To help you win the position, TAPS provides in-depth information on the various types of interviews, preparation strategies, common questions, successful answers, body language, and pitfalls.

If time permits, participants may have an opportunity to engage in a role-play interview. While this may cause some embarrassment, the experience can help immensely. The stress of getting up in front of the group is similar to what you may feel in an interview. Do you thrust your head when you talk, bounce your foot, or fail to make eye contact? Even if you don't fall into these common traps, you likely have other nervous habits that may undermine your eloquent answers. Role-playing will make you aware of these foibles, so that you can work to control them. After each interview, evaluate your performance and strive to improve in your next one. Instruction and forms for this self-review are provided.

Finally, the program will provide a wealth of information on support, assistance, and benefits that may be of use both during and after the transition process. Benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs normally make up the bulk of the discussion, as they provide many excellent services. For those of you who are tired of following orders and want to become your own boss, information on starting your business is also provided.

TAPS has quite a lot to offer, and the response from those who have participated has been positive. It is recommended that you attend the seminar at least six months prior to your separation date. If you are unable to attend TAPS prior to separating for any reason, or if you have already separated and are now rethinking your decision not to attend, contact your nearest military facility to see if they offer a program. You may still be able to participate, maximizing your chances for success as you complete your transition.