Transitioning from Military to Civilian Employment

Military personnel can offer a great deal of experience and dedication to prospective commercial employers. Yet their capabilities are often discounted if they adhere to a formal military-style resume. With some analysis and innovation, individuals making the transition from military to civilian careers can effectively position themselves as the

well-qualified, capable candidates they are. From the written materials to the first telephone contact, and finally through the stages of the interview, military applicants need to almost "re-invent" themselves to be competitive in the market they have selected.

Why do recruiters or hiring managers overlook well-qualified military applicants? First,they may not be able to establish (or understand) a matched skills set from the military resume,perhaps because the language and buzzwords do not equate. If the recruiter is forced to

decipher too much technical information or military jargon, he or she may be unable to see the qualifications they are looking for. Second, recruiters may be distracted by the military resume format. Military resumes tend to be long and do not consolidate background and

experience as it relates to the open position.