Career Change Tips for Military Transitioners

I often work with people transitioning out of the military who have no desire to continue along their same career path in the private sector. I once had an Air Force aviation mechanic tell me he never wanted to touch an airplane again unless it was flying him on vacation! What does a military veteran do when all the training, experience and knowledge they possess is in a career field they no longer want? Try this step by step approach.

Step 1 - Determine what you DO want to do
You know what you don't want. However, until you figure out what career you want to pursue, it is nearly impossible to define your transferable skills. You can start by making a comprehensive list of your skills and examining which skills you enjoy using the most. In this previous blog post, I offer some additional resources.

Step 2 - Research your target career field
Use resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*Net Online, and www.acinet.org to define what skills, qualifications, education, and certifications are required in your career field. This research process will help you focus your resume and remove any irrelevant information. Military members have so many varied responsibilities. If you try to tell a potential employer everything, you will overwhelm them into believing you are unqualified.

Step 3 - Look at your experience in a new light
If you look at your military experience too literally, you will automatically dismiss yourself as unqualified. However, try stepping outside your comfort zone and examining how similar your skill sets are to what the employer is seeking.

For example, an electronics specialist who has been fixing aircraft for the last 10 years may automatically consider themselves unqualified for a contract administrator position. However, this person can present themselves as a project manager - every time they fixed an aircraft they managed a project. Project management requires communication, planning, scheduling, budgeting, inventory management, documentation management, problem solving, and customer service. All of these skills are needed as a contract manager.

5 Marketable Skills Every Veteran Possesses.

I spent two days last week at a veteran hiring event that was kicked off by multiple state senators, congressmen, and representatives. There were more than 150 employers at the event who expressed a dedication to hiring veterans. It was a well-attended successful event.

Throughout the event, the focus was on the inherent benefits an employer gets from hiring veterans. I want to point out what I think are the 5 most marketable skills that every veteran develops during their career of military service. Use these selling points to set yourself apart from the competition during your military transition job search process.

Leadership
Once a military member leaves their entry-level rank, they are often tasked with leadership. Whether mentoring and supervising junior military members or managing tasks, the military teaches excellent leadership skills. Managing for results, especially in challenging or difficult situations, is the backbone of the military.

Teamwork
There is no stronger sense of loyalty, camaraderie, and dedication to your team mates than in the military. Very few tasks are undertaken alone and almost nothing is achieved solo in the military. Team work is essential to a successful military career. Where else can you see such a diverse group of people come together to achieve so much success than in the military?

Efficiency Under Pressure
Working under tight deadlines, working with limited resources, and getting the job done under adverse conditions is all part of a day’s work in the military. There is no overtime in the military, there is only stay until the job gets done – no matter how long the work day may be. Work ethic and military experience must go hand-in-hand.

Respect
Respect for – and accountability to – authority, policies, and procedures is ingrained in military members. Military members know the importance of following procedures, regulations, and policies – as it can be the difference between life and death in many situations. Veterans also understand where they fit in an organization and the importance of respecting authority and the leadership structure.

Ability to Overcome Adversity
Stamina, flexibility, strength, dedication, focus, persistence, and determination are all words that come to mind to describe the military work ethic. Veterans often have a “can-do” attitude, usually because failure is simply not an option when talking about the obstacles they must overcome every day.