Semper Gratus! We are forever grateful for your military service!
Transitioning from military service to the civilian job market can be a challenging process. This guide aims to provide you with valuable tips and guidance as military veterans seeking civilian employment opportunities. It covers essential aspects such as crafting an impressive resume that highlights both hard and soft skills, effective networking strategies, collaborating with staffing firms or recruiters, and additional helpful ideas for a successful job search.
4 Areas To Examine As You Transition to Civilian Employment
I. Crafting a Resume that Showcases Military Skills:
- Start with a summary or objective statement that clearly outlines your career goals and emphasizes the value you bring as a veteran.
- Highlight transferable skills gained during military service, such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and discipline.
- Quantify achievements whenever possible to showcase tangible results and accomplishments.
- Translate military terminology into civilian language to ensure employers can easily understand your experience.
- Include relevant training and certifications obtained during military service.
II. Showcasing Hard and Soft Skills:
- Hard Skills: Tailor your resume to highlight technical skills acquired during military service, such as logistics management, IT proficiency, equipment maintenance, or specialized training.
- Soft Skills: Emphasize your ability to work under pressure, communicate effectively, lead teams, and solve problems. Provide specific examples that demonstrate these skills.
III. Networking Strategies for Veterans:
- Leverage your military network: Connect with former colleagues, superiors, or subordinates who have transitioned into civilian careers. They can provide valuable insights, referrals, or mentorship.
- Attend career fairs, industry conferences, and professional events to expand your network and meet potential employers.
- Utilize online platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your desired industry, join veteran-focused groups, and participate in discussions.
- Seek out veteran service organizations, job placement agencies, and military transition programs that provide networking opportunities and job search support.
- Check out Service To Success, our own initiative and mission to give back to you!
IV. Working with Staffing Firms or Recruiters:
- Research and identify reputable staffing firms or recruiters that specialize in placing veterans in civilian roles.
- Share your career goals, skills, and preferences with the staffing firm or recruiter to ensure they understand your needs.
- Keep an open line of communication and stay proactive in following up with your staffing firm or recruiter to receive updates on job opportunities.
- Utilize staffing firms or recruiters’ expertise in resume optimization, interview preparation, and negotiation.
Additional Helpful Ideas:
- Seek out and take advantage of government programs and initiatives aimed at supporting veteran employment, such as tax credits for hiring veterans.
- Consider pursuing additional education or certifications to enhance your qualifications in areas relevant to your desired industry.
- Practice and prepare for interviews by researching the company, rehearsing answers to common interview questions, and articulating how your military experience aligns with the organization’s needs.
- Leverage online resources, such as job search websites, career development blogs, and veteran-specific job boards, to broaden your job search and stay informed about industry trends.
We Invite You To Join the Service To Success Community
At The Panther Group we connect people with excellent jobs and careers one a daily basis, across the country. As a truly national staffing firm we partner with companies both large and small to help them find qualified and skilled employees. We know that you are coming out of the military with exceptional skill sets that can transfer to civilian roles. We are so grateful for your service and so through our Service To Success program, aim to connect you with great careers that meet your goals. Since we have already done the hard work of networking with companies and identifying their needs, connecting you with the right role is quick.
There are a few ways you can connect with Service To Success.
Follow our LinkedIn page for updates and jobs here
Connect with our team by calling 781-373-6020 and ask for the Service To Success Team
Email ServiceToSuccess@ThePantherGroup.com and a recruiter will reach out to you.
Explore and Apply to Current Openings in our career portal here
