Translating Your Military Career to a Resume

You served your country and are now ready to embrace a new career adventure. One of the first things you’ll want to do is create a military-to-civilian resume to help potential employers understand how your training and experience match their needs. In the civilian world, your resume is often the first thing a recruiter sees, so making a good impression is paramount.

It’s common for service members to struggle with the resume-writing process, as military job titles and duties don’t always translate well to civilian jobs. Additionally, the military loves to use jargon, which may confuse recruiters and hiring managers. If your resume has too much technical lingo, it might not make it past the automated screening systems used by many employers.

Fortunately, it’s possible to create an attention-getting resume that helps you get to the next stage of the hiring process. Follow these tips to translate your military skills into a civilian resume.

Understanding the Value of Military Experience

The first step in translating military experience into a resume read by civilians is thinking about how the skills you learned in the military apply to a wide range of civilian jobs. The Department of Defense can provide you with your Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET), which will provide an overview of the skills you’ve gained in the military. Some of the entries will even describe your military roles in civilian terms, simplifying the process for you.

Military service requires strong leadership skills, discipline, and teamwork regardless of rank. Service members also have advanced problem-solving skills, making them well-suited to various civilian roles — you may just need to clearly articulate these attributes on your civilian resume. Highlight specific examples of your leadership, discipline, and teamwork, and explain how these experiences can benefit potential civilian employers.

Your military-to-civilian resume should also highlight your technical skills and advanced training. Service members tend to perform well on equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and installation assessments, making them a great fit for jobs requiring mechanical or electrical skills. If you have experience with data analysis or cybersecurity, you’d be a real asset to any company interested in strengthening its security protocols or using Big Data to solve problems.

Identifying Transferable Skills

A transferable skill is a skill that can be used in various roles or industries. To identify transferable skills, review your most recent resume and performance evaluations.

Before you write your military-to-civilian resume, read through several job descriptions to get an idea of what terms are appropriate. Reword those phrases as needed to finish your resume. Be sure to focus on skills and accomplishments rather than job titles, as recruiters may not be familiar with certain military positions.

Look for skills that aren’t necessarily specific to your military service. For example, if you maintained electrical systems on a Navy ship, you’re likely well-equipped to do electrical work in commercial buildings. Don’t forget to mention soft skills, which are the non-technical skills necessary for job success.

For inspiration, use the Military Occupational Classification (MOC) system to identify equivalent civilian roles based on your military experience. Reword your skills and job titles to better match civilian job titles. For instance, “Squad Leader” isn’t familiar to many civilian recruiters, but “Team Leader” is.

Hopefully, you’ve kept your “I Love Me” book up to date. Consult it as you work on your military-to-civilian resume. If you’ve been using it consistently, it should contain copies of every military document you’ve received. These documents can help you remember long-forgotten experiences and determine the best way to translate your military experience to civilian roles. When you’re ready to apply for jobs, you can use Veterans Job Matcher to find open positions.

Training, Certifications, and Education

Many military training courses have civilian equivalents or are accredited by professional organizations already known to civilian employers. The technical skills required for roles such as communications technician, health care specialist, human resource and financial management professional, dental hygienist, or vehicle mechanic are highly transferable to civilian career opportunities. Professional certifications are valuable assets that can significantly enhance your appeal to potential employers.

Civilian education is straightforward, so a degree or certification from a university, college, or professional trade school goes on your resume. Include the name and address of the institution, degree obtained, major or specific skill, date of completion, and any recognition you received. Employers like to know they’re hiring quality people who excel academically.

U.S. News and World Report ranks CSU Global as among the best online bachelor’s programs for veterans. The average military member or veteran transfers over 60 credits and completes their degree in 2.5 years. Because the eight-week terms are 100% online, active military and veterans can often fit classes around their other commitments.

“It’s the perfect curriculum for working adults,” said Aaron Johannes, a veteran of the U.S. Army working on his bachelor’s in project management. “For a long time, I thought the only way I would ever go back to school was in person. Once I found out about CSU Global and have been in the program for a year, I think everybody should do it.”

Security Classification Review…Just in Case

If you were assigned to a national intelligence agency (i.e., National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, or National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency), be sure to highlight these assignments on your civilian resume.

While you must never share classified information or specific details about these agencies, noting your association can be beneficial. If you’re uncertain about what can be disclosed, consider submitting your resume for a pre-publication review to ensure you’re safeguarding sensitive information. A security clearance is a highly marketable asset, particularly if you seek roles in commercial industry, government contracting, or government services. Highlight your clearance, whether it’s SECRET, TOP SECRET, or if you’ve undergone a Counterintelligence Polygraph. Ensure your clearance is current and is within the 10-year expiration date of your last Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI). Verify your clearance status with your local unit security manager through the Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS).

Get Ready for Your Next Adventure

Lastly, be sure to proofread your resume diligently before sending it to employers. It may help to have a grammar-geek friend or family member look it over as a last check.

For additional guidance on crafting a stellar resume, visit CSU Global’s career development services for resume help, career coaching, and interview preparation. CSU Global students and alumni can also network with other members and find a mentor through .

Remember, a polished and professional resume is your ticket to new opportunities, so take the time to get it right and make your next career adventure a success.