How do I translate my military job to the civilian world?

I'm a bit anxious about my future after finishing my service. How do I translate my military experience into a resume for civilian jobs? What tips or resources are out there for making this transition smoother?

Transitioning from a military job into a civilian one can seem daunting, but remember that your military experience equips you with a range of valuable skills and experiences, which can be highly desirable to civilian employers. The key lies in effectively communicating and translating these skills in your resume and during job interviews.

1. Identify Transferable Skills: The first step in transition is to identify the skills you acquired during your service that are transferable to the civilian workforce. For instance, leadership, team management, problem-solving, strategic planning, communication, and ability to work under pressure are all highly valued skills in the civilian world.

2. Translate Military Jargon: Civilian employers may not be familiar with military terms, rank, or acronyms, so it's crucial to translate these into civilian language on your resume. Leadership experience, instead of "Company commander,” for example, could be conveyed as "Responsible for the training, welfare, morale, and discipline of a group of 200 personnel.”

3. Highlight Achievements: Instead of just listing duties or responsibilities, highlight the achievements and contributions you made during your service. This could include initiatives you led, problems you solved, or recognition you received.

4. Use Resources: Make good use of resources at your disposal. There are career transition assistance programs available that offer services such as job training, resume writing assistance, and interview preparation. One of them is the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which is designed to assist servicemembers transitioning from military to civilian life.

5. Network: Networking can be extremely beneficial in helping you gain insights into civilian job markets, understanding industry trends, and discovering job opportunities. Leverage your connections, attend job fairs and industry events, and don't hesitate to reach out to people in your desired field for informational interviews.

Remember: translating your military skills to the civilian world involves creating a narrative that your potential employer can understand and see value in. Best of luck in your transition!