How do you translate the skills you bring from military service into a civilian resume?

2017-12-24T01:50:10-05:00

As a hiring manager, leader within my company’s Veterans Network, and head of our regional veteran internship program, a lot of vets’ resumes come across my desk. I’ve seen everything from the 12-page GS-job format to near copy-and-pastes from someone’s DD 214. Curious to see what resume best-practices exist out there, and more than happy to share my own thoughts on the subject in the comments.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Dec 24 at 2017 2:04 AM

2017-12-24T02:04:28-05:00

To be honest, I’m horrible at it. I would probably have landed my current position sooner if I was better at translating the two dialects of American English (Veteranese and Civiltongue)

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Dec 24 at 2017 2:05 AM

2017-12-24T02:05:06-05:00

I can give the reporting statement in multiple languages CPT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Dec 24 at 2017 2:44 AM

2017-12-24T02:44:31-05:00

I think that the biggest hurdle is writing out your resume without using military terms. We have to remember that civilians may not understand the terms. It is important to sit down and try your best to translate everything into terms and phrases that everyone without any military background can understand. Civilian companies understand what it means to be a manager or a supervisor, but they probably don't know what a first line or an NCO is. They know what it means to be responsible for cash in a drawer for POS transactions, but they may not understand how one person can be held accountable for millions of dollars worth of equipment. For service members who have MOSs such as infantry, armor, cavalry, and artillery, it may be more difficult to dig out what you may find to be valuable information to put on a resume as well. There are some website that you can look up your MOS and grade and it can give you a blanket description for the position that civilians can understand.

Response by SGT Russell Wickham made Dec 24 at 2017 7:37 AM

2017-12-24T07:37:27-05:00

My transition resume was hard to write. "Trained to kill people" didn't go over well with my transition counselor. Fortunately she helped me rewrite it so I was "capable of dealing with difficult people in a high stress environment." (Okay, not true, but it sounds good right?) It took a while to learn to write the resume so civilians could understand how the skills I developed in the military could help them in their company. Once I learned, it made getting a job much easier.

Response by SGT David T. made Dec 26 at 2017 7:49 AM

2017-12-26T07:49:43-05:00

I found that looking at the concept behind the task was a big part of it. The military has a bad habit of renaming existing civilian terms. Find the applicable civilian term and use that. Squad leader becomes supervisor as an example. It's harder for combat centric specialties like Infantry. Honestly, I avoid mentioning my Infantry background at all. Since I reclassed, it is easier for me to do that.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Dec 26 at 2017 11:02 AM

2017-12-26T11:02:07-05:00

It takes some creativity from the one doing the resume. Imagine the military like a corporation. What would have been your general duties if you worked for a company? How many dollars did the equipment you were responsible for cost? Were you in charge of anybody? Covert whatever you were licensed on into the civilian world. Drove a track then you were a heavy equipment operator. Had to do monthly or quarterly counselings, then you you were a manager of personnel. I picked up my resume writing information as I was getting off of active duty. I made sure to throw in some of those stupid classes we all get in the military on my resume too if they fit. My becoming a unit Alcohol & Drug Coordinator in my one assignment was the key factor for me getting my one job.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Dec 26 at 2017 12:08 PM

2017-12-26T12:08:37-05:00

Very carefully, it recent discussions with those recently retired and working out there, the gap in language is HUGE! The work ethic of those retired or motivated to end state and mission accomplishment is amazing to those on the outside in the other 99%. Again, carefully.......

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2017 7:39 PM

2017-12-26T19:39:30-05:00

Good question. In my personal experience, the civilian business world is clueless as to what servicemembers do during their service. There is even a degree of confusion between veterans of different services or radically different occupational specialties. The only place where my military experience was directly applicable was a defense firm that hired me to make interactive multimedia instructional content. I wrote a lengthy cover letter that explained everything on my resume and how it related to the advertised position. I also sent it directly to a decision maker, bypassing the human resources people.
More important than the resume itself, is getting it in front of the right person. If possible, it's a good idea to introduce yourself and talk a bit with the person to whom you give your resume. Make an impression.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Dec 27 at 2017 2:11 PM

2017-12-27T14:11:36-05:00

I'd check out this older post as well: https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/how-do-you-repackage-military-skills-on-a-resume-to-attract-civilian-employers

How to Repackage Military Skills on a Resume to Attract Civilian Employers - Every Veteran Hired...

How do you Repackage Military Skills on a Resume to Attract Civilian Employers?How to Repackage Military Skills on a Resume to Attract Civilian Employers by Peter Leighton JOB SEARCH This subject has definitely been covered several times by other RP Members and the RP Staff. I found this to be very interesting and helpful as well for veterans. I came acorss it from one of my connections on RP that Linked up with on LinkedIn, GOOD STUFF!

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Nov 26 at 2018 12:56 AM

2018-11-26T00:56:59-05:00

Best MOS to transition to civilian life is logistics. As a ranger you will do well as a security guard or Policeman or Women. Pilots are everywhere.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Nov 26 at 2018 1:01 AM

2018-11-26T01:01:20-05:00

I was called by MG Chuck Anderson retired was working for ITT. He asked to go to Afghanistan as a contractor. When I found out it was Camp Victory I returned to Bangkok. Thank God I had a toothache and had to have a wisdom tooth removed. I was referred to him by Harry Flanagan Retired LTC. Who was and still is working for Honeywell.