Transition from military service to civil service? How to make the switch quickly and find a rewarding job.
As a military veteran transitioning to civilian life, you are facing a major, life-changing transition. He has successfully built a career within the military structure over the past few years, gaining valuable skills, experience and knowledge around the world.
Now you need to translate all of this into civil jargon that the average employer will understand and recognize your value as a potential employee.
To accomplish this and get you on the right track, the government offers many resources for transitioning veterans, most notably the Transition Assistant Program (TAP), which within the first 180 days of transition can take advantage of a 3-day workshop. It allows you to explore the career. roles, job search strategies, preparation of resumes and cover letters, etc. These workshops are vital for a veteran in transition, as they will allow them to set the stage for their new career path. Learn what skills you have that are transferable and how to quantify those experiences for a new job.
However, these government programs only give you so much; Now it’s up to you to build a solid resume, a career path, and land a job in the profession you want.
Many employers are very interested in hiring military veterans. He has the work ethic, skills, and experience that can be transferred to almost any industry. As a professional recruiter who has worked with numerous veterans in transition; here are some tips that can help set you on the right course;
(1) Work with a good professional military-to-civilian resume writer. Someone who understands what he did in the military and how to express and quantify his experiences on a resume that achieves his career goals.
(2) Adapt your way of speaking to the civilian environment. It is no longer necessary to address individuals without “sir” “ma’am”, speak in plain language. Use civilian time references instead of military time.
(3) When discussing projects or experiences, talk about the roles you played rather than the titles of the project or operations. Whenever possible, avoid all jargon/military jargon.
(4) Look for recruiters and employment agencies that focus their efforts on transitioning military personnel. These recruiters have unique contacts and understand what it takes for a veteran to transition from military service.
(5) Emphasize your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Network with as many people as you can.
Also, talk to as many vets as you can, learn about their experiences and how they made the transition; learning about what they are doing now can open up opportunities that could lead you to a potential job opportunity.
There are also many employers that have programs to hire transitioning military members; Home Depot, Walmart and General Electric are some of the many that are actively seeking out military veterans. You can also search online job boards like Military.com or Monster.com for opportunities specifically focused on military transition.