So you had a long career in the U.S. Military, and now, you’re moving into the civilian workplace. Rainmaker Resumes has had the honor of helping clients make this transition. And guess what? We’ve made some observations along the way. Here are some tips to help those of you on that path right now.
Ready, aim, fire
Choose your target. This is important for any job seeker. You may have worked in many different capacities, on the battlefield, in the office, as a specially trained expert in communications, and you may be qualified to do a variety of things. Identify the job you want and the skills most important in that role. Then, use your resume to present those facets of your experience that are most relevant to this target.
Have more than one target? No problem. We recommend you create a separate resume for each target presenting your relevant experience in each.
Recently, we created two sets of resumes for one such client, and she since reported that she landed interviews with each of them. Success! (Since she’s in a pretty good job situation currently, she’s still holding out for the ideal job opportunity and offer.)
Murder your darlings
It’s a saying among writers, a reminder to not get so married to your own words that you fail to cut the detritus. Here’s the reminder to you: You performed many important tasks in the military, but not all of them are related to the job you want. So remember that leaving out irrelevant items is nearly as important as highlighting details that are pertinent. You want a message that is sharp and free of clutter. In fact, this holds true whether you’re transitioning from the military or simply from one field to another.
And speaking of murder, kill the jargon, too, OK? You speak a language of acronyms and military shorthand that is hodgepodge to the rest of us. Decode your titles by noting parallel civilian titles. To shape your resume to the target job, read through the description and highlight key words. Then find truthful and applicable ways to insert them in your own accomplishments and experience.
Hint: These key words will differ from one industry to another, so review your resume each time you’re shooting it to another potential employer.
If you need a great example of transition, The Real Warriors Campaign has an outline of how a soldier in the infantry can easily move into logistics management in the civilian world. They offer this snippet:
… A sharpshooter would have led small teams to carry out high-priority objectives with minimal room for failure in high pressure situations.
You’ve likely heard the advice about jargon elsewhere, so we won’t belabor the point. Another idea to ensure you won’t make a recruiter’s eyes cross? Have some friends who aren’t in the military give a read for a gut check.
Don’t bask in the glory of battle
Some soldiers love combat and excel in it, and of course that can be an asset in war. But a recruiter for a corporation might not want to know the details. Monster.com put it like this here:
Defending your country and its interests is among the most admirable pursuits, but the sad truth is actual references to the horrors of combat leave many employers squeamish.
Sad or not, Rainmaker agrees a resume and cover letter aren’t the place to get into the nitty-gritty when it comes to the war zone.
Awards count
The military honors people for their achievements, and this attribute may be helpful in your shift. In any environment, recruiters want to hire the best. So if you’ve earned an award, showcase it on your resume. If it’s directly related to the job you’re pursuing, don’t hide it at the bottom of the page, either. Find a way to tout it high up. Rainmaker typically includes a section of “Key Accomplishments” with bullet points that are tied specifically to the position. That’s a great place to highlight an honor bestowed by your superiors.
Off duty counts too
Mine your volunteer work for experience as well. Sometimes, the work you did off the clock and off duty are just as germane to the job you’re chasing as your professional experience. If that’s the case, give yourself credit for it in your resume.
Finally, thank you for your service. For more information on entering civilian life, take a look at the U.S. Department of Labor’s VETS page, for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. https://www.dol.gov/vets/index.htm