Tips: Translating Your Military Experience
BUZZ WORDS!
Be sure you know what the hot keywords are for the industry you are applying to and, if you have those skills, be sure that you are explaining that capability in a language that can easily be understood by a civilian without any military experience. A great example we frequently see in job descriptions lately is companies that are looking for project management experience. Many service members naturally have this experience -- very often years of it -- but fail to add it to their resumes.
EDUCATION/TRAINING!
Another example could be attending a HAZMAT course as part of your military career. While it is great to list the course in the education section of your resume, it is an equally important item to include in the summary section of your resume. This is especially critical if the course is relevant to the position to which you are applying. Key skills such as financial budgeting, training, supply chain management, network administration, and scheduling are frequently obtained through different positions you may have held while serving in the military, but often not included in your specific MOS. These skills translate well into civilian employment.
CIVILIAN LANGUAGE, PLEASE!
Remember that many military MOS job titles and acronyms sound like a foreign language because they do not exist in the civilian world. Take time to translate your MOS into a title that is equally relevant in the civilian sector and, whenever possible, avoid heavy use of acronyms in your resume. When working with service members, we often find that they have acquired unidentified areas of expertise over the course of their military service that, oftentimes, lead to additional unrecognized employment opportunities.
Be sure to connect with a CASY Employment Specialist for one-on-one assistance with your resume, or attend one of our online virtual training sessions on targeting your resume.
assistance with your resume, or attend one of our online virtual training sessions on targeting your resume.
assistance with your resume, or attend one of our online virtual training sessions on targeting your resume.
pros vs. cons
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