How To Repackage Military Skills On A Resume To Attract Civilian Employers

How to Repackage Military Skills on a Resume to Attract Civilian Employers We’ve all heard that unemployment is a serious problem in the U.S. However, for our country’s servicemen and ladies who are in the means of transitioning out of the military to resume their lives within the civilian world, the scenario is worse. With July 2013 unemployment numbers exhibiting 7.7% for post 9/11 veterans (above the national common of seven.four%), military veterans proceed to struggle to seek out jobs. But in addition to getting into or re-coming into a very tight job market, they also face the added challenge of positioning their army skills and expertise onto a resume that gets the eye of civilian employers. For instance, someone who served as a gunner’s mateâ€"answerable for working and sustaining missile launching systems, rocket launchers and different ordnance techniques and equipmentâ€"would probably have a troublesome time describing how their abilities may gain advantage a potenti al employer. Yet if you think about it, a gunner’s mate must be analytical and element-oriented. They must be downside-solvers, strategic thinkers and good at coaching and supervising crews. In addition, the job demands a high comfort stage with working and sustaining machinery. All of those expertise are easily transferable to today’s job market and desired by many employers. So the problem, then, becomes figuring out how to extract the fascinating expertise and skills gained in the military and repackage them to impress prospective employers. What Skills Are Employers Looking For? The first query to reply when applying for a place is: How can I make this employer see and believe that I even have the abilities to fill this position and convey worth to the company, especially on account of my time in the service? The reply will depend on the type of place you’re applying for and the precise expertise required for that job. For example, the gunner’s mate talked about earlierâ€"or sailors who served on ships or submarinesâ€"may talk about their mechanical and technical talents and their capacity to be taught shortly how machinery and mechanical systems work. Another example may be technicians skilled in radar techniques, high tech communications or cryptography, who might cite that have and relate it to today’s information and digital expertise. Personnel concerned in navy recruiting, coaching and public affairs can easily adapt their communications, organization and management expertise to the civilian world of gross sales and advertising positions, public relations, trade associations and non-revenue organizations. And service members concerned in development, welding, electrical work or facility upkeep and restore companies can describe how their experience gave them particular knowledge and expertise that would be helpful in the constructing trades, repair and set up work and plant upkeep. The level is to make the job application and resume stand out from the gang by speaking how your military experience and previous employment historical past can be of value in fulfilling the corporate’s wants and the requirements of the position. What Qualities Do Employers Look For in Candidates? In addition to work experience, there are character traits that many employers additionally desire. Traits associated with navy veteransâ€"corresponding to being accountable, disciplined, devoted and hardworkingâ€"are highly desired by employers. (Click right here to tweet this thought.) A quick evaluate of classified ads and online job websites reveals a number of the basic character traits and attitudes employers are seeking in job applicants. Here are some key phrases frequently seen in job descriptions and methods you need to use them in your application, resume or interview: Ask any employer, and so they’ll tell you that a constructive perspective, honesty, integrity, commitment and a willingness to do what it takes to perform the job properly are major factors of their hiring selections. Whether it’s in sales, development, manufacturing, expertise or any other industry, understanding how to place your skills and expertise, mixed with an excellent angle, may help land you on an employer’s hiring shortlist. Resources for Veterans Combined Insurance is dedicated to helping veterans transition into the civilian workforce. We work intently with the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), a partnership among the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. TAP was established to fulfill the wants of servicemen and ladies transitioning out of the navy and into civilian life by offering job search assistance and workshops, help and counsel. Combined Insurance participates in TAP lessons to help transitioning servicemen and ladies translate their army expertise, repurpose their expertise and revise their resumes to assist make them more engaging to civilian employers. We think about it an honor and privilege to serve those who have served our country. Be positive to watch for upcoming posts, where we’ll discuss selecting a career and brushing up on interview expertise. Peter Leighton is Senior Vice President of Recruiting for Combined Insurance, a leading provider of particular person supplemental insurance merchandise and a part of the ACE Group of Companies. Combined Insurance is a participant in a number of army veteran career recruitment programs and plans to rent 1,000 vets. Image: photobucket