As an individual with a military background, you possess a plethora of skills and experience which are highly valued in the civilian job market. Skills such as leadership, discipline, adaptability, teamwork, and ability to work under pressure are in high demand among employers. However, the key to landing a great job post-service lies in effectively presenting these skills on your resume. This article focuses on Military Resume Writing, explaining how you can transform your military experiences into a winning civilian resume.
The Importance of A Tailored Military Resume
Before diving into the specifics, it's crucial to understand the significance of a military resume. This is not just a record of your military career; rather, it is a strategically tailored document that bridges the gap between your military experiences and your potential civilian career. Therefore, Military Resume Writing is about more than simply listing your military job descriptions. It's about understanding your own capabilities, knowing the requirements of the job you're targeting, and bridging the two in a clear, comprehensive, and appealing way.
Translate Military Experience into Civilian Terms
The language used in the military differs significantly from the civilian world. Therefore, one of the crucial steps in Military Resume Writing is to 'demilitarize' your job descriptions - translating military jargon into terms that a civilian hiring manager can understand.
For instance, terms like "APO" or "PCS" will likely not be understood by recruiters outside of the military. Instead, use clear, universally understandable descriptions of your duties and achievements. If you led a team, specify the number of individuals you managed. If you were in charge of equipment or a budget, mention its value. Remember:
- Always explain military abbreviations and acronyms
- Translate military ranks and roles into their civilian equivalents
- Detail tangible achievements and how they contributed to your unit's objectives
Highlight Transferable Skills
In the process of Military Resume Writing, be sure to highlight the skills you've gained during your service time. Most military roles provide skills that are extremely beneficial in civilian jobs. Some common military-to-civilian transferable skills include:
- Leadership and teamwork
- Problem-solving and decision making
- Ability to perform under pressure
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Discipline and work ethic
- Communication and negotiation skills
The trick here is to match these skills with the job requirements in the specific civilian role you're applying for.
Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly
Application Tracking Systems, or ATS, are utilized by many employers to screen resumes. These systems select resumes based on keywords relevant to the advertised position. To ensure your military resume passes these automated checks:
- Format your resume clearly and uniformly
- Use keywords from the job description
- Avoid use of graphics or unusual fonts
- Save your resume in a universal file format like .pdf or .docx
Structure Your Resume the Right Way
Your Military Resume should follow a clear, concise structure. It should contain the following sections:
- Contact Information: Full name, city and state, phone number, and professional email address
- Professional Summary: A brief overview of your military background and how it relates to the job you are applying for
- Skills: A list of both hard and soft skills you've acquired through your military service
- Work Experience: Detailed record of your military experience, using bullet points to highlight roles, responsibilities, and achievements
- Education: Your educational qualifications including military training
- Certifications and Awards: Any relevant certifications, courses, or awards received during service
Proofread and Review
Like all resumes, Military Resumes still need to be free from spelling and grammatical errors. Do not rely solely on spell checker tools; take the time to review your document thoroughly. Having a colleague or mentor skim through your resume can provide a fresh perspective and potentially catch errors that you might have missed.
In summary, a compelling Military Resume requires strategic tailoring and thoughtful adaptation of your military experiences. By translating military jargon, highlighting transferable skills, adhering to ATS-friendly practices, structuring correctly, and proofreading thoroughly, you are one step closer to securing a successful transition into a civilian career. Remember, your military experience is an asset. It's all about presenting it right. Happy Military Resume Writing!
