How can I tailor my resume for a job search with a military background?

I'm trying to transition from the military to a civilian job and struggling with converting military jargon into civilian terms on my resume. Any tips or resources for making this transition smoother?

Absolutely, getting your resume transition-ready can indeed pose some challenges. Here are some steps you could take to help convert your military experience to civilian terms.

First, identify your transferable skills. While the military instills a unique skill set, there are numerous transferable skills like leadership, organization, discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure. Besides these inherent qualities, think about your technical skills too. Were you a technical specialist, a logistics expert, or did you manage people or resources? Make a list and find parallels in civilian jobs.

Next, focus on translating military jargon into civilian language. The military has a particular language with lots of acronyms and formal titles that don’t always translate well to civilian jobs. For example, if you worked in supply chain management and supervised the shipping of goods, explain it in a way that a prospective employer outside of the military would understand.

You could use online tools to help with translating your military skills into civilian ones, such as ONet Online's My Next Move for Veterans. This tool helps you take a military occupation code and translate it into civilian jobs that require similar skills.

When summarizing your military duties and successes, use clear, factual, and quantifiable statements. Numbers and facts are easy to understand. For instance, if you were in charge of a team, how many people did you manage? If you were responsible for training, how many people did you train, and what was the impact of that training?

Lastly, while your achievements in the military are worthy of recognition, always remember to relate them back to how they can be beneficial in the civilian job you’re applying to. Try putting yourself in the shoes of the recruiting manager reading your resume, would they grasp your role and its significance?

In addition to your resume, don't underestimate the value of networking. Leverage your existing relationships and try to form new connections to gain insight into what employers in your desired field are looking for.

And remember, while articulating all these experiences in a resume can be tough, don't undervalue the unique experience and attributes you bring as a veteran. Best of luck with your job search!