Crafting a Resume After Military Service

I'm curious about how to best format a resume after serving in the military. What should I focus on when translating military experience to civilian job applications, especially if you're from an infantry background?

When creating a resume after military service, your primary goal should be to clearly present your experience, achievements, and skills in terms which a civilian employer can understand. Avoid excessive military jargon and be specific about your accomplishments. Even if you're coming from an infantry background, you have gained a variety of valuable skills that can be beneficial in a civilian work environment.

1. Highlight Transferrable Skills: As an infantryman, you’ve likely worked in stressful conditions, collaborated successfully within a team, adapted to dynamic situations and demonstrated leadership among other abilities. These are all skills valuable to a civilian employer. Write out the various "soft" and "hard" skills you have developed and then think about which of these would be beneficial to the job you’re applying for.

2. Focus on Achievements, Not Duties: When describing your military experience, focus on what you accomplished rather than your duties. Use action verbs which clearly depict the initiatives you took or the results driven by your actions. For example, instead of saying "responsible for leading a team," you could say "led a 10-member team in completing 100+ successful tactical operations."

3. Use Plain Language: Civilian employers might not comprehend military jargon, so translate your experiences into terms comprehensible to an average person.

4. Professional Development and Certifications: Be sure to highlight any training or professional development you underwent during your military service. Include any certifications you've earned as they could be pertinent to the role you're applying for.

5. Career Summary: Begin with a brief summary at the top of your resume that gives an overview of your skills, experience, and what you can contribute to a potential employer. Make it succinct and powerful.

Example:

"Accomplished military veteran with 5 years of experience leading high-performance teams in high-stress situations. Proven track record of tactical planning, risk management, and crisis response. Seeking to drive success through strategic leadership, initiative, and effective communication skills."

Remember, a resume is a tool to market yourself to potential employers and set you apart from other candidates. Tailor it to the job you're applying for, highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences, and aim for clarity over everything. Good luck with your job search!