'I have the best job in America!'

Why I did it: After six years in the Navy, Lear decided not to reenlist, figuring that another deployment would make starting a family tough.

"It was hard leaving the military, especially with the way the economy was, but I ended up having a lot of options," he says

How I did it: Lear's security clearance and language skills -- he speaks Farsi and Spanish -- opened doors. But he didn't rest on his laurels. "I tailored my resume to each job I applied for. You can't make one resume fit all. It'll just be turned down," he says. "That really helped, and I got multiple offers."

Why I love it: "The core values of my company are similar to the Navy and military services -- we have the same ethics. My job has a wide range of functions, and my skills are valued."

NEXT: Felicia Conlan