How do I convert military job titles to civilian language on resumes?

I'm thinking about joining the military after high school but I want to make sure my skills are transferable to civilian jobs later. How exactly do you translate military experience into civilian terms on a resume?

When you transition from a military to a civilian career, it's crucial to make sure your experience is understandable to a non-military audience. Here, translating the language of your military job title and description into equivalent civilian roles and terminology can make a big difference.

1. Understand Civilian Equivalents: Start by researching the civilian job market to understand job roles that require similar skills as your military position. For instance, the role of an "Information Systems Technician" in the [Military branch] might align with roles like "Network Administrator" or "IT Specialist" in the civilian world.

2. Prioritize Transferable Skills: Emphasize the transferable skills gained from your military experience. Did you lead a team (leadership skills)? Manage a budget (financial planning, fiscal responsibility)? Improve a process (project management, efficiency)? These universal skills are valued in many civilian roles.

3. Avoid Military Jargon: Translate military-specific terminology or abbreviations to civilian language. For instance, rather than mentioning you were responsible for "OPSEC compliance," it would be more understandable to civilian employers to say you were responsible for "ensuring the security of sensitive information."

4. Certifications and Training: Don't forget to highlight any relevant certifications, training, or education you received during your time in the military. This can range from technical certifications to leadership courses.

Remember, your goal is to make your military experience understood and relatable to civilian employers. Excellent resources for this process include the Military Skills Translator offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and ONet Online's Military-Civilian Crosswalk. These tools can give you a solid start in translating your military roles and responsibilities into civilian-friendly language.