How to Write a Military Resume for Civilian Job Opportunities?

I'm preparing to transition from the military and am working on my resume for civilian jobs. Does anyone have tips or sample resumes that can help me highlight my skills effectively? Any advice specifically tailored to HR jobs would be great!

Your transition from the military to a civilian career is a significant step and I believe with the right approach, your military experiences can be represented effectively in a resume designed for a civilian job. In discussing your military background and experiences, consider tweaking military jargon into transferable skills that will attract civilian employers, especially in the HR field.

Firstly, it's advantageous to start with a professional summary. Think of this as an elevator pitch, summarizing your top skills, experiences, and goals. You could focus on aspects such as your leadership experience, your ability to work under pressure, or your skills in communication and teamwork—all qualities that are valuable in HR.

For example, it could be something like this: "Highly responsible and dedicated professional with extensive leadership experience and exceptional interpersonal skills, seeking to leverage a background in human resource management to effectively streamline and improve internal processes."

Next, you'll want to focus on your military experience. Don't just list your military job titles and duties—translate them into civilian terms. Consider using the ONet Military Crosswalk or a similar tool to help demystify military job codes and understand how they relate to civilian occupations and skills.

For HR specifically, effective communication, conflict resolution, training and development, and compliance with regulations are all key aspects. If you have experiences in these areas within the military, they should definitely be highlighted in your resume.

Something you might write under a bullet point for experience, for example, might be: "Collaborated with diverse teams to accomplish objectives, demonstrating strong interpersonal and communication skills." or "Developed and delivered training to team of 20, improving overall knowledge and competency."

Remember, quantifying your achievements will catch the employer's eyes. For instance, highlight the number of people you've trained, the size of teams you've led, or the extent to which you improved processes.

Also, don't underestimate the value of the additional skills section, where you can highlight soft skills like leadership, discipline, adaptability, among others.

Finally, if you've taken any additional PDCs or certifications that are applicable to HR, be sure to include them in your education or skills section.

Don't forget to tailor your resume to each job you apply for, making sure you highlight the most relevant skills and experiences for each position. Every job description is a clue to what employers find most important, so mirror the language they use whenever it truthfully applies to your experiences.