From Service to Success: US Marine Corps Veteran’s Hard Work Helps Him Find a New Career in Accounting

Juan Ruiz, a US Marine Corps veteran who retired in 2016, dedicated the past nine years to raising his two children while pursuing a college education to prepare for a career in accounting. Although he had no previous experience in the field, Juan was determined to succeed. Seeking guidance, he turned to veteran readiness and employment services at the Employment Development Department (EDD). That’s where he was connected with Noe Reyes, an Air Force veteran at EDD’s Oceanside regional office.

“Noe was very helpful in getting contacts and networking with employees to help me land some job interviews,” Ruiz said. “I was really worried, because it was getting harder to find a job, especially as a new guy with zero accounting experience, and the job market was not too healthy during this year. It was nice to have someone to help me during my journey to the civilian world as a new college graduate.”

Reyes provided Ruiz with valuable support, helping him reformat his resume, navigate online job searches, and access available US Department of Veterans Affairs counseling resources. He also offered practical advice to strengthen Ruiz’s interviewing skills, boosting his confidence and readiness for the job market.

“I understand a lot of the different insecurities that many veteran job seekers experience, including the fear of not landing the job even after getting the required knowledge,” Reyes said. “There are lots of employers who will value younger candidates who’ve had several years of experience under their belt that recent graduates just don’t have. I found that one of the best ways to overcome that obstacle is to illustrate how you are qualified for the job by highlighting relevant skills to the hiring manager. That’s not only done during the resume writing and interview processes, it also must come across from the job seeker’s state of mind by knowing their value and speaking their worth.”

Reyes was able to point him to the State’s CalCareers online employment portal, which had multiple openings for entry-level tax auditor positions. Working with Reyes throughout the process, Ruiz was able to obtain a position as a staff tax auditor for the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

His hard work, dedication, and willingness to seek assistance has set him on a promising career path with endless possibilities.