How to Transfer Military Experience Into a Resume
Many noble men and women are veterans of the military, and during that time of service they've gained valuable experience that can be utilized in the civilian world. If you've just been discharged from the military, and would like to reference some skills and training that you consider valuable to a particular occupational field, then you'll need to translate that experience onto a resume. Proper resume writing is critical to landing a job, and you'll need to reference your military experience in a well organized format--that is--relate the information so that a non-military employer can understand it. You can write your resume using a standard resume format, available with most computer software.
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Instructions
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Choose a standard resume format from a resume building program. Both Microsoft and MAC computer systems have resume templates available. Ensure that you choose a template that suits you best, and looks professional. Flashy resumes are sometimes a turn-off to employers, as well as non-standard fonts. Choose a simple and legible resume template, with a normal font style such as Times New Roman or Helvetica.
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Ensure that you tailor your resume to fit the job that you're applying for. This means that you don't want to list information that wouldn't apply to the field. Start the resume with your personal contact information listed at the top. This will include your name, address, phone number, email address and other relevant contact information.
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List any college classes or credits that you've obtained while in the military under the education section on your resume. Include your high school and college information, as well as any other technical schools that you've attended in this section.
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Make a "Special skills" or "Related skills" section after your education section. Here, include all special training that you've received, and any certificates that accompany these skills. For example: If you're applying for a job as a security guard, include any close combat instruction that you've received, or your rifle and pistol qualifications and the certificate number. Include the dates that you received this training as well. You don't have to go overboard and explain the procedures and how the training works, simply list the skill and a source of documentation.
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Make a recent employer section, and list your branch of service, and the amount of time that you spent in the military. This should be included first if the military was your most recent employer. List only other relevant employers under your military listing. This means that if you're applying for a government job or a law enforcement job, listing your military experience may be the only prior job that is related to the field that you're applying for. You don't need to list your employment at McDonald's for a job that doesn't involve flipping burgers.
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End the resume with a personal interests section, or a goals section. This is valuable information for prospective employers, and lets them know you a little bit more before an interview.
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Tips & Warnings
Ensure that you have all appropriate documentation for corroboration of your military experience. You'll definitely need your DD Form 214 that you received upon discharge, and any other certificates of training or course completion that you've listed on your resume.
You can go online and use a military resume wizard, or a military resume builder to help enhance your resume and translate your military experience onto paper. These tools are available online at Military Resume Wizard.com, and Military Stars.com.
References
- Photo Credit military image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
