The military-to-civilian transition can be an overwhelming experience as you readjust to civilian life. But finding a job shouldn’t be something that you worry about because you’ve already proven that you’re a hardworking and devoted person.
Military-to-civilian jobs are something that every former service member will need to find. Using a robust military-to-civilian resume builder or doing some research can help you figure out where to start. Read on for five easy tips to help you craft a winning resume and find your next career easily!
What is a Military-to-Civilian Resume?
The military transition to civilian life can be a bumpy road as you leave your structure and stability to find footing in a new career. For many, military enlistments last several years and even decades, so your skills for writing a resume may be a bit rusty.
A military-to-civilian resume is a document that you can create to show all the transferable and relevant skills you learned during your time in service. Most traditional resumes include your education, professional experience, skills, and other relevant information like certifications and awards. A military-to-civilian resume will have a similar structure with a little more emphasis on your service.
5 Tips for Creating a Military-to-Civilian Resume
Your military experience gave you valuable skills that can quickly transfer to the civilian world with some careful consideration. To craft a winning resume, consider these five steps before you start.
1. Carefully review the Job Description
Any position you apply for will have specific requirements for the skills and knowledge they seek in a candidate. Take some time to consider what you did in the military that would match what they’re looking for and mirror your skills for civilian consideration. Corporate recruiters and human resources personnel look for these keywords when they peruse applications and resumes, so the more targeted your text is, the better.
2. Avoid Military Talk
Military personnel have specific language to clearly and concisely convey precise details, but these terms could confuse civilians. Avoid military-specific terms and acronyms to ensure all your content is easy to understand. If possible, have a civilian friend, or family member read through everything to ensure it’s clear what you’re trying to convey.
3. Keep it Succinct
When you apply for a job, there are likely dozens of other applicants that the hiring professionals have to sort through. Because of this, the quicker and more straightforward you can be about who you are and what you have to offer, the better!
Keep descriptions short and make your resume easy to skim so the person reading it can easily find the essential details they want to identify. Ideally, your entire resume should fit on one page. You can add any additional content or explanations to your cover letter.
4. Highlight Your Accomplishments
There are many unique experiences and accomplishments that military personnel achieves that can help you stand out against your competition. In simple civilian terms, highlight your achievements in a way that translates to your applied position.
5. Mention Volunteer Experiences
Whether you were “volun-told” or if you chose to volunteer on your own, your time spent can show a potential employer that you are hardworking and devoted to helping your community. Volunteer work shows you have character and that you’re available to lend a helping hand.
Where to Start
If you want to write a targeted military-to-civilian resume, it’s best to do a job search and find a few roles that appeal to you and fit your specific skill set. Once you have those job listings, read through them, and identify what they’re looking for in an ideal candidate.
Once you have that content, you can write up your resume and focus on how you’re the right fit for the job. Follow the five steps before and have at least one other person read through it and proof it for you before submitting it for consideration.
For more tips and tricks about crafting a winning resume, check out these other informative articles on our blog. To learn more about our resume building services or to ask a question, contact us.
