Transitioning from Military to Civilian IT Jobs

I'm considering moving from a military career to the IT sector as a civilian. Are there specific skills I should focus on during this transition, and how can I make my military experience stand out on my resume?

Transitioning from a military to a civilian career in IT can indeed be a significant change, but your military experience can give you a unique edge. Here's how you can make the best use of your background.

1. Highlight Relevant Experience: Military personnel often gain valuable IT experience during their service, from network management to cybersecurity practices. When discussing your military background in your resume, focus on the specific IT skills you've acquired. If you have experience in maintaining secure communication networks, working with military-grade hardware or software, or managing cybersecurity threats, these should definitely be on your resume.

2. Emphasize Transferable Skills: Beyond technical competencies, military personnel brings a host of soft skills that employers value. Teamwork, leadership, discipline, problem-solving, and the ability to perform under pressure are just a few examples. Include instances where you've utilized these skills in IT-related scenarios.

3. Obtain Certifications: Civilian IT jobs often require industry-specific certifications, such as CompTIA A+ for general IT, CCNA for networking, or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) for cybersecurity. If you don't already have these, obtaining relevant certifications can help demonstrate your competence.

4. Translate Military Jargon: Civilian hiring managers may not be familiar with military terms and acronyms. When you describe your experience and responsibilities, use civilian terms. For example, instead of saying you "complied with COMSEC," you might say you "followed stringent security protocols for communications."

5. Use Your Networking Resources: Connect with military transition assistance programs, veteran job fairs, and networking groups for military personnel transitioning into civilian jobs. Veterans in Technology is one such group that could be valuable.

Remember, every IT job may require different skills, so ensure you tailor your resume to each position you apply for. Your military experience can indeed be an asset. The key is to effectively communicate how the skills and experiences you've gained in the military will enable you to excel in a civilian IT role.