One of the biggest hurdles in transitioning out of the military is translating your military experience to a career in the civilian world. How do you capture the skills and experience of a “BRADLEY Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer (Army 91M)” so that a civilian employer understands your capabilities and potential? By following the steps below, you’ll be able to bridge the gap between your military and civilian experiences effectively.
As you re-enter the civilian workforce, you’ll want to start identifying your transferable skills by reflecting on your military roles and thinking about the skills you developed that can apply to civilian jobs — from technologies you are familiar with, how adept you are with various hands-on applications, and your ability to interact with peers and other personnel. Your specific expertise might include leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, technical expertise, project management, and decision-making if you led a team in high-pressure situations. This could translate into leadership and management skills in civilian roles.
Convert or rephrase your skills into civilian-friendly language by avoiding military jargon when writing your resume, cover letter, and during interviews. Civilian employers may not understand terms like “FOB,” “MOS,” or “OPSEC.” Instead, describe your experience in terms of the skills and accomplishments that apply to civilian industries. For instance, instead of saying "supervised a unit," you could say, "managed a team of [#] personnel." You can even find tools online to help you revise your skills and experience into more easily understood terms.
Next, you’ll need to highlight your achievements and the impact you’ve had in your work or military experience. Focus on accomplishments rather than job duties. Did you improve efficiency? Lead successful operations? Save resources? Quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, "increased team performance by 20%" or "completed 85% of projects ahead of schedule."
Be sure to leverage military networks and resources. Many organizations and programs exist to help Veterans transition to civilian roles, including Veteran support organizations, mentorship programs, and job fairs. American Corporate Partners and VetJobs - 107,000 Verified Hires can provide support and mentorship in your transition journey. Take advantage of networking opportunities and career counseling specifically designed for Veterans through organizations such as the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) on your nearest military installation.
Seek additional education or certifications if necessary. If the job you’re interested in requires civilian-specific qualifications, pursue relevant certifications or education. PM Pro-Learn and Boots to Books can help you add to your marketable skills and prepare for civilian world employment. Some military experience can also count toward certifications or educational credit, helping to reduce time or cost for additional schooling. For example, certain technical skills learned in the military can transfer to certifications in IT, project management, or other fields.
Don’t forget to maximize use of your active-duty education benefits before you leave service, another good reason to start planning one or two years ahead. CareerOneStop, available through Military OneSource, is a great resource for your education and transition needs.
We’re Here to Help
Wherever you are in your transition journey out of the military, we can help you prepare with information and support. Our Transition Timeline provides a month-by-month guide of what you should be considering and the actions you should be taking as you exit military service. Need our assistance? Reach out to Member Benefits at 800-522-5221 or [email protected].