Can you put a military rank on a Civilian Resume?

2019-12-16T10:49:39-05:00

I was recently asked by a reserve officer if they could put their Military Rank next to their civilian credentials on their resume. I didn't know how to answer this. Is there a policy or social norms? Example: First Last, Degree, RN, Certification.....
My initial impression is no, but they were told it could separate their resume from others, I didn't know what answer to give them.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 16 at 2019 10:54 AM

2019-12-16T10:54:05-05:00

Ewwww..... No. I mean, you CAN, but I can't think of a better way to tell a prospective employer that you can't let go of the past or determine social ettiquette/appropriateness....

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Dec 16 at 2019 11:03 AM

2019-12-16T11:03:52-05:00

So, if we are talking as a resume header, I'd say its not a good look, but that's me. Still, that's the thing about resumes, there's a million "experts" on proper resume etiquette, yet even in the era of automated applicant tracking systems, all these "experts" find very little common ground on just what constitutes said proper resume.

Maybe its a good thing I'm no "expert"! ;-)

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Dec 16 at 2019 11:28 AM

2019-12-16T11:28:35-05:00

I put my rank on my resume, but I don't put it next to my name or anywhere else prominently within the resume. I just include that as a detail under my military work experience. My rank is relevant to my civilian work, but it is not a major factor within my overall set of credentials (for my work in academia). It might be much more relevant if I was pursuing other lines of work though (and therefore might be worth displaying more prominently).

Response by PO1 Christopher Feugill made Dec 16 at 2019 11:32 AM

2019-12-16T11:32:44-05:00

Next to civilian credentials? No. A rank shouldn't go next to any alphabet soup someone wants to put behind their name. The resume reader more than likely wouldnt understand the significance anyway.

Rank is something the military understands, but it is as much an identifier of paygrade as it is status.

Accomplishments - RESULTS ORIENTED ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEMENTS and what you can offer a prospective employer is most important on a resume.

Response by MAJ Michael Cummings made Dec 16 at 2019 11:38 AM

2019-12-16T11:38:23-05:00

My head started hurting when I read this one.
Long answer:
I received a resume not long ago that had "First Last, CPT (ret)".

It was not clear until we interviewed him that CPT was USA and not USN and that officers are getting promoted WAAAYYYY too fast now adays.

With all of that, after the interview, it was very clear why I had red flags with him using his rank on his resume. He was very immature and full of himself without the experience enough to cover his ego.

Short answer:
NO!

Response by SGT Brendan Beely made Dec 16 at 2019 12:52 PM

2019-12-16T12:52:26-05:00

If I got a resume across my desk that included military rank, for a civilian job, I would put it at the bottom of my pile. It is admirable to continue to serve in the reserves while pursuing a military career - I myself do it - but it is also important to be able to distinguish and separate the two.

If the reserve rank has actual bearing on the civilian job, fine. Otherwise, they are two separate lanes and should remain as such.

Response by SGT Kenneth Partyka made Dec 16 at 2019 6:58 PM

2019-12-16T18:58:11-05:00

Interesting question Colonel. I am a corporate recruiter and have been for 17 years. Yea, that's the career Army Interrogator skills prepared me for. As someone who does this for a living, I can tell you, no, rank should not be included in the header or a resume. That should be reserved for professional designations only (MD, RN, PhD...). It absolutely should be included in a separate heading of "Military Experience" though. Where it gets sticky is a lot of civilians have no concept of rank structure so LTC and SSG mean nothing to them unless they are familiar with rank structure.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2019 3:13 AM

2019-12-17T03:13:23-05:00

You can put whatever you want on your Resume.
I did not put my rank anywhere on mine. I have not seen a Resume with rank on it.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Dec 17 at 2019 10:11 AM

2019-12-17T10:11:47-05:00

I wouldn't but you can put anything you want into your resume.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Dec 18 at 2019 7:41 PM

2019-12-18T19:41:01-05:00

Put it after your name, abbreviated with status in ( ).