Crafting a Resume for Civilian Jobs with Canadian Military Experience

I plan to enter the civilian workforce after serving in the Canadian military. How should I tailor my resume to highlight military skills in civilian job applications, especially if I don’t have formal work experience outside the military?

You're approaching a major transition and your question is incredibly insightful. As you prepare for a civilian professional role, you'll find that many of the skills and experiences you acquired in the military can be highly applicable.

Begin by identifying the specific skills and experiences from your military service that align best with the job you're pursuing; for instance, leadership, project management, or technical abilities. Tailoring each resume to the job description is extremely effective, so make sure to align your skills with the needs of each potential employer.

As you translate your military experience into civilian terminology, strive to make it comprehensible to those unfamiliar with military jargon. Instead of using military rankings or titles, explain your position's responsibilities and accomplishments. If you were a non-commissioned officer in charge of a team, for instance, emphasize your leadership, coordination, and management skills.

What you want to avoid is leaving people guessing about your skills or accomplishments. Clear, concise language is key. For example, if you were responsible for maintaining sophisticated equipment, you could describe how this role showcased your attention to detail, ability to learn quickly, and problem-solving skills.

Your resume's structure should follow a traditional format. Start with a concise, catchy summary that clearly outlines your skills and goals. Following that, list your work experiences beginning from the most recent. Remember to use bullet points for describing each role and focus on what you achieved in each position, not just the tasks you performed.

Additionally, it's also essential to highlight any training and certifications you attained during your military service. These could be in areas like safety, operations, technology, or management, depending on what roles you held.

While you might not have civilian work experience, your time in the forces is a unique and powerful asset that can make your resume stand apart. Military service often cultivates determination, adaptability, and resilience – traits valued by employers in any field. Don't forget these broader strengths when crafting your resume.

Lastly, have non-military folks review your resume. This step can ensure that what you've written is easily understood by the civilian employers you're trying to reach. Good luck! Your dedication to seeking advice in this process demonstrates a lot about your initiative and will certainly aid you in this transition.