From Transition to Triumph: Resume Writing Best Practices

You and I know that transitioning from military to the civilian work life can feel like stepping into an entirely different world. Your skills and experiences are invaluable, but translating them into a language that civilian hiring teams can understand is a crucial element in your transition.

There is a lot of advise and confusion - I get that!

Let me help you navigate this process with some of the latest best practices in resume writing especially curated for the transitioning military and veterans. Create an impact by transforming your military wins into a compelling story that resonates with potential employers.

1. Translate Military Jargon into Civilian Terms

Your military experience is rich with skills and accomplishments, thus rephrase your military appointment, duties, and achievements into terms that are more universally understood.

Example:

Military Jargon: Managed battalion logistics operations.

Civilian Translation: Managed logistics operations for 600+ personnel, ensuring timely and efficient resource allocation.

2. Highlight Transferable Skills

Identify the skills you've developed in the military that are transferable to the role or domain of your interest and highlight them in your resume. Leadership, decision making, problem-solving, and integrity are just a few examples. Also give concrete examples of how you’ve applied them.

Example:

Transferable Skill: Leadership

Directed a team of 20 members to complete key projects ahead of schedule despite high pressure conditions and resource constraints.

3. Quantify Your Achievements

Numbers add perspective to your military appointments. Wherever possible, quantify your accomplishments to give employers a clear picture of the impact and it also provides concrete evidence of your capabilities.

Example:

Before: Responsible for training new recruits.

After: Trained and mentored 200 recruits, increasing operational readiness by 30%.

4. Focus on Relevant Experience

I couldn’t stress more! Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for by highlighting the most relevant aspects of your military experience. It is advisable to have multiple versions of your resume for different domains or industries.

5. Use a Simple and Neat Layout

Cluttered information will do more harm than good. Stick to a simple, easy-to-read layout with consistent font usage and clear headings. Avoid dense paragraphs and make sure there’s plenty of white space.

Headers to include:

·?????? Contact Information

·?????? Summary

·?????? Skills

·?????? Experience

·?????? Education

·?????? Certifications/Awards

Your resume is a living document that should evolve as you gain feedback and apply for different roles. Seek inputs from professional coaches, mentors, or trusted colleagues who have successfully transitioned and revise your resume based on the feedback to ensure it’s as strong as possible.

Remember, every mission starts with a plan, and your resume is your blueprint for landing that next great job in the corporate space.

Good luck, and thank you for your service!

? Hope that I have been able to bring value through my weekly content and Newsletters ?

This is my Sixth Newsletter and if there is anything you would like me to bring to light, please feel free to drop a DM to me on LinkedIn.

For a consolidated approach to restructuring your resume, please refer to my previous Newsletters:

1. Ace your career change with a relevant Resume
2. What do you MEAN to convey in your resume
3. A Resume that’s impossible to ignore!
4. Sparkle up your resume this Diwali??
5. Make your SKILLS count in your Resume

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Who am I?

Assuming that you may not know me (beyond my LinkedIn Profile) so here’s a quick introduction to?why I do what I do!

I am a Resume Writer based in India and being a military spouse, I have lived the uncertainties that are part and parcel of a career change; there are similar challenges faced by transitioning veterans while trying their luck in the corporate-civvy streets. Given this lack of awareness, I’m all game to ring bells on the essence of presenting a relevant military-to-corporate resume and a fully optimized LinkedIn profile.

To view more of my content, search for?#VarshaaRT ?and follow me for frequent updates on Resume Writing, Transitioning Military Resume & LinkedIn profile tips.