Making a Career Transition from the Military

When transitioning from a military to a civilian career, it may seem your military background won't easily translate into the working world. That couldn't be further from the truth. With some planning and preparation, changing from a military career to the public sector can be a smooth transition.

Prepare a Year in Advance

By giving yourself time to prepare, you can begin to narrow down which fields in the civilian world you’d be interested in joining. Pick a couple fields that appeal to you, complete your due diligence in researching the fields and then narrow your choices down to one or two that you’d like to pursue.

Brush Up on Your Skills

This is especially important if you are entering a new career field which utilizes computer skills. Make sure that you are up-to-date with the latest technology, hardware and software applications. If you aren't, take an online computer course to get up to speed. If you need a specific certification or degree, you can take that coursework online as well, in order to get the higher education you need.

Write Your Resume

Your professional resume should focus on feats rather than military titles. In the military, titles and status mean everything. With a career change into the civilian world, it’s a totally different ballgame. Focusing on achievements will give your resume a more universal appeal, which is a main key in the military transition. Translate your job titles into something that makes sense in the working world. Don't make your prospective employer have to de-code your resume.

Emphasize Leadership Skills
Being a leader is important both in the civilian and military worlds. If you are used to people answering to you, that trait will come in handy if you are applying for a managerial or executive position. Your potential employer can be confident that you are capable of guiding those below you and have experience in doing so.