© 2013 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer. All rights reserved.

Effective Resumes: How to Transfer Military Experience to the Private SectorBy: Christy Pashia & Caroline Travis

What We’ll Cover• Explain how your experience makes you a good fit for the

job

• Showcase your education and training

• Match your military roles with corresponding civilian functions

• Convert your military experience into civilian responsibilities

• List any volunteer experience and showcase your skills

Explain how your experience makes you a good fit for the job

Don’t just state that you were an infantry platoon

sergeant. Explain your rank, military grade, what you

were accountable for, how many people you

supervised and what skills uniquely qualify you for the

position your pursuing. This professional summary can

take the form of a bulleted list or a paragraph.

Example

• During my service, I managed a 39-person project team and oversaw equipment worth several million dollars.

• Accomplished army colonel, leading large, diverse, high-tempo organizations over the past 10 years.

• Skilled executive in providing strategic direction, driving change and making decisions.

• Knowledgeable project and program manager with understanding of ITIL and Six Sigma processes.

Showcase Education & Training

Include your educational background and highlight relevant coursework, training programs and certifications that you have completed or are undertaking

Example

Avoid limiting to completed formal education•Bachelor of Arts, Organizational Management

Instead, include all education and any accolades received•Bachelor of Arts, Organizational Management

•Enrolled in Internetwork Engineering certificate program

•Graduate of Airborne, Air Assault and Pathfinder specialty schools

•Notable awards: three Bronze Stars, eight Army Commendation medals, six Army Achievement medals

Match Your Military Roles with Civilian Functions

Roles and job titles often vary between military service and civilian employers. For example, in the service, “communications” refers to information technology;

among civilian organizations, “communications” typically refers to marketing and public relations.

Educate yourself on the civilian job market to ensure that you’re using the appropriate titles and

descriptions.

Example

Don’t just limit it to your military job title

• Served as Communications Chief for Airborne Combat

Engineer Battalion

Instead, describe your role’s specific responsibilities

• Served as Communications Chief for Airborne Combat

Engineer Battalion, supervising the installation of

secure and non-secure CAT 5 computer cable;

migrated 50 computers to new domain in one week.

Convert your military experience into civilian responsibilities

Explaining to future employers what you accomplished in the military in a way that resonates can be challenging. Convey your military successes by using language that someone who doesn’t have a military background can understand and relate to. Follow the tips below to make sure you get the attention you deserve!

Acronyms

Avoid using military acronyms that can confuse civilian employers

• Range Ext PSG for a SUS BDE Network Co; responsible for training, welfare and morale of 39 personnel, equipment maintenance and combat readiness

Instead use language civilians can understand• Responsible for leading a 39-person project team and

managing their safety and training, while overseeing sophisticated equipment worth $3 million.

ResponsiblitiesAvoid just listing responsibilities•Served as the NCOIC of the Intelligence Branch for the Deputy Chief of Staff, G2; supervised the preparation and dissemination of all source intelligence products, intelligence summaries, forecasts and assessments in support of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G2.

Instead quantify performance and results•Responsible for the professional development of three soldiers and four non-commissioned officers, resulting in two personnel being recognized with military leadership awards

•Developed a weapons-training program that resulted in 90% of the soldiers qualifying on their first attempt. Also, increased number of Expert qualifications from 10% to 30%

•Notable awards: 3 Bronze Stars, 8 Army Commendation medals, 6 Army Achievement medals

Resume length

• Avoid long blocks of text

• Instead, use bullets to make your accomplishments

more readable

Additional Information

List any volunteer experience, showcase your skills, even mention personal interests (with limitations)•Served as a volunteer with local fire department and United Way

•Spent three years in South America to become fluent in Spanish and Portuguese

•Hiked 700 miles of the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail

Additional Resources

• www.Verizon.com/about/careers

• www.resumeengine.org

• www.roberthalf.com

Questions?

?

© 2013 Robert Half Legal. An Equal Opportunity Employer. All rights reserved.

Effective Resumes: How to Transfer Military Experience to the Private Sector

By: Christy Pashia & Caroline Travis