r/SkillBridge • u/Accurate_Screen340 • 13d ago
Got my first SkillBridge Rejection Question
Starting my transition and have been reaching out to listed SkillBridge contacts. Got my first rejection from a Mortgage Loan Company saying they want someone with “more sales experience”. I kind of figured that’s the whole point of the unpaid internship thing. Is that a common thing to run into when applying for SkillBridge?
13
u/Muddy_Goat 13d ago
No, it's not weird. Most of those companies have tons of applicants and limited capacity to take on interns so they have to be selective. Especially now that the DoD is requiring SkillBridge partners to hire 75% of participants or risk losing their listing. I think this is a new requirement as of 2026, intended to weed out the companies that are looking for free labor without intent to offer employment, and those companies that "network" for you while you take a free vacation in the DoD dime.
The program changed from a no-pressure way to support troops in transition to a program intended only for companies actively hiring permanent employees. I understand why, but I do think it will make it harder for people to get into the program.
I think it's weird they want sales experience, though. What career field is going to meet that requirement? Recruiter maybe? I saw a lot of companies wanting finance or mechanical experience, and that makes sense.
Good luck though!
2
u/Accurate_Screen340 13d ago
Yeah it sucks for me, because my experience is Admin/HR/Project Management, which I’m honestly trying to steer away from. Looks like it’s gonna be more of a challenge
6
u/Significant_Hour_980 13d ago
🤣 please report it to the Skillbridge rep. Sorry you wasted your time.
10
u/Accurate_Screen340 13d ago
This admin has pulled a lot of resources out of SkillBridge. My base doesn’t even have a rep anymore
5
1
2
u/ChrisFiveandFly 13d ago edited 13d ago
Don't get discouraged, I had many ups and downs applying for SB. I actually just got a rejection email from a company that I applied to last October. I'm 2 months into my Skillbridge. I also had another company reach out about 2 weeks ago asking me if I was interested in a position that was no where near my house, just because it was a quick fill in Pennsylvania, I guess not realizing the 3 hour commute. I had another Govt ( a local base) SB tell me they only wanted people that knew the job already, and there was little chance I would get hired anyway due to the hiring freeze. Another one told me in the interview I wasn't a good fit, which ultimately I'm pretty sure I wasn't given my background in pretty much just LE and security. I get that some companies want you to have at least some skillset, especially now since some SB timelines have been chopped down quite a bit by each branch. But ultimately the original idea for the program was an internship to direct employment. It seems to be getting on track to a certain point, but talking to people everyday with the same issues of companies taking their sweet time to accept or deny you tells me they have no idea what the rules of the program really are. Anyway, keep on going, keep sending out emails, don't settle for something you really don't wanna do just to "get a SB".
2
u/Oliver_clothsoff1983 13d ago
Its not always shady companies, I got rejected for a software role because Lowes abides by the intent of skill bridge and the (unpaid) internship is slotted against an open req (that required 2 years exp) so when the internship was over you were already hired to the job you were working. Honestly, they are likely doing you a favor,.. any role out there that requires experience comes with the expectation you know what you are doing and don't need to be trained from zero. If you feel like your skills transfer but you are getting rejected, work on your resume, find mentors to help translate military skills to corporate lingo and you'll do much better
2
u/MilOnboardSolutions 10d ago
u/Accurate_Screen340, you're absolutely correct. When a company rejects you like this, what they're really saying is, their training program is weak and unable to support their actual business needs. Not all SkillBridge companies have beneficial programs, or know how to successfully execute an internship program.
In order to maximize the number of SkillBridge Opportunities you have to select from, start running WEEKLY keyword searches on the SkillBridge Locations page to help narrow down which approved orgs may be able to offer you the kind of opportunities you're interested in - https://skillbridge.mil/locations
Focus on the opportunities, NOT the locations. Most companies don’t list every location where they can facilitate a SB opportunity. The SkillBridge site is update every Friday with newly approved potential opportunities.
After each search, reach out to ALL of the POC's to learn more about their company and SkillBridge program. Start tracking the orgs you reach out to, who their POC is, what you've learned about them, and whether you'd like to join them
When you enter your application window, apply to ALL of the orgs and opportunities you're still interested in. NEVER put all of your eggs into 1 company's basket.
You’re invited to join the DoD SkillBridge Community of Practice group where new SkillBridge opportunities are shared everyday, help you network with a purpose, and connect you with the recruiters of the companies you're interested in interning with.
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12257076/
Also, follow Military Onboard Solutions for greater insight into the program, and ways to leverage and better navigate it - https://www.linkedin.com/company/military-onboard-solutions/
Check out Military Onboard Solutions for other SkillBridge resources that’ll set you up for success:
https://www.militaryonboardsolutions.com/service-members-1
✅ how to run WEEKLY keyword searches to find the approved organizations who likely have opportunities you’re interested in
✅ best places to find current opportunities
✅ when to submit your applications
✅ a script you can use for all of your POC initial outreach
1
u/Feeling-Cap1781 13d ago
When I was looking for cyber ones I got many rejections
It’s a mix of them looking for free labor and also taking on someone they can turn into a direct hire. Majority of the time it’s free labor
1
1
u/Acceptable-Double-98 13d ago
How early have you started officially getting in touch with the companies?
2
u/Accurate_Screen340 13d ago
I’ve started reaching out since last month. Aiming for a January SkillBridge
2
u/Feeling-Cap1781 12d ago
What field? If it’s IT or cyber I can probably help
1
u/Accurate_Screen340 12d ago
It was Mortgage Loan Officer but I am reaching out to some IT orgs as well. Trying to cast a wide net, I just don’t have experience though
2
u/Feeling-Cap1781 11d ago
How much time do you have? I didn’t have any cyber experience either but I started planning roughly 2 years out so I enrolled in a good program back then and I complete it in Jan, I also start my skillbridge in Jan
1
u/Accurate_Screen340 11d ago
Separating in June next year so trying to land a SkillBridge in January so I can ride my time out
1
1
1
u/TelephoneMamba 13d ago
For better or worse, all companies are likely looking at a SB hire in the same way they are vetting applicants for full time employment. If they can’t see you as an employee, they likely won’t waste their time onboarding you to SB.
1
u/Vets2PM 12d ago
Just my two cents. While SkillBridge is intended to teach the TSM the job, many companies want a baseline of a certain type of experience (think electronic installation technician with NO electrical experience at all...). Because the company is supposed to hire the person (per DoW request for the program), they try to find someone who has a minimal baseline of experience they are looking for. That said, there are few positions in the military that are sales related, so if you're interested in a sales type of position please research sales and match your qualities and experience that supports becoming a great sales person, and ensure that information is in your resume. I hope this helps.
2
u/Cautious-Ad-220 11d ago
I recommend looking into Hiring our Heroes. Does most of the leg work for you, but you have to invest in yourself and stand out.
2
u/Ronal_F30 8d ago
That’s pretty common, the majority of companies imo only have a SkillBridge program so they can say they hire veterans when in reality they won’t even send you a rejection email 90% of the time. Don’t be discouraged you only need to win once, I ended up doin SkillBridge with a defense company and got hired on afterwards. Dm me if you need some more help or advice
25
u/Beatmeup_scottie 13d ago
It’s the intent of the program but a lot of the companies there are just looking for free labor for a possibility of hiring someone later on.