Veterans: Transition Military Experience into a Civilian Job
In the US, we just celebrated Veterans Day. This got me thinking about the challenges former military personnel face when translating their military experience to the civilian job market. Undoubtedly, military experience is valuable. But it can be difficult for a civilian employer to grasp how it can translate into the private sector. It is the jobseeker’s responsibility to convey their qualifications in terms prospective employers will understand.
Transitioning from years in the armed forces to a civilian lifestyle is a significant change. You need to conduct ample up-front research on the private sector, then develop a strategy by which you connect the skills you’ve gained to the private sector.
Remove military terminology from your resume. At a high level, use terminology that will be both compelling and comprehensible to non-military personnel. This will help the hiring manager see that you can bring your military skills to civilian jobs.
Identify transferable skills. Many hiring managers are busy, untrained, or just not creative thinkers. Therefore, it is incumbent upon you to highlight how your military skills will be an asset to their civilian jobs. One thing the military has in common with the private sector is its focus on efficiency and results. Use this to your advantage when selling your military skills and experience. The military is a business!
Create a complete picture of your military experience. If you’ve spent years in the military, chances are that you have leadership and technical skills. You have likely managed and reported on multimillion-dollar budgets, trained teams, and handled a lot of challenges. Create a bridge between your military skills and the civilian job market.
Build your network. Fellow veterans can refer candidates to jobs, pro-military companies, and particular recruiters or online resources that are the most helpful. They can also be enormously beneficial in offering guidance on how best to position your military skills for civilian jobs.
Practice interviewing. This is good advice for anyone, especially those transitioning out of the military. This will allow you to refine your description of how your military experience translates into civilian jobs. Get comfortable talking about yourself in civilian terms.
Tap your resources. The VA’s vocational rehabilitation and employment center is an excellent place to start. But don’t stop there. Look to your local veterans’ organizations and the multitude of online resources available to help you transfer your military skills into the civilian job market.
Starting a new career is daunting. Adjusting to life outside of the military can be challenging. You will have to change your mindset and adjust your expectations so you do not grow frustrated by the challenges you face. Focus on your superstar accomplishments, and reframe them in a manner that a civilian employer can easily understand. Above all else, identify the business problem that a potential company has and position your military experience as the best solution to this particular civilian job.