How to Apply your Military Experience to Civilian Job Postings

Your military experience can be a valuable asset when you are looking through civilian job listings. Learn how to make a successful transition from military service to civilian work life.

Preparation. Rest assured that many of your skills and accomplishments can be transferred to a variety of nonmilitary workplaces. In fact, it is likely that your background will be so broad that you will need to make a deliberate effort to narrow your focus to fit specific positions.
Of course, researching online job openings can help you become familiar with common job titles and descriptions. You will also want to extend your network to get to know people in the fields that interest you.

Resume Writing. Make sure you translate military terms into wording that your potential employers can understand. That means referring to people as executives rather than officers and describing your responsibilities as logistics rather than G-4. Try to eliminate specialized acronyms or spell them out if you must use them.

You may also need to shorten your resume so that you have a 1 to 2 page version ready. Look for irrelevant awards and training that you can omit.
If your past budget and staff responsibilities were much larger than the openings you’re now looking at, it would be wise to adapt your approach. Show that you can be content and effective working on a smaller scale.

Transition Assistance. Take advantage of programs that seek to reward you for your service. If you are interested in a career that requires further education, check out veteran scholarships from the government, universities and other sources.

Consult with your military transition office. For example, you and your family may be eligible for assistance from The Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP). That can include counseling, workshops and other services.

Start your civilian job search at Jobvertise. Contact us to learn more about the world’s largest free job and resume database.