Resume Building
How can I write an effective resume?
There are many resources you can utilize to write an effective resume. The Transition Assistance Program at your installation will provide you with a comprehensive background on resume formats and the various elements of the resume. In addition, they will present how to write the various sections of the resume.
There are also many complementary and paid-for services to write your resume. We recommend you interview each and see samples to understand the process and what your final resume could look like. If they simply take your performance reports from the military and copy/paste them into a resume format, you should look elsewhere. They need to interview you to understand the background behind every project you took on to understand the problem, the specific task you were tasked to solve, the solution you developed (or were a part of), and the impact or result to the organization. Too often, the impact and results are omitted to a high level of vagueness. You want the impact to be specific and presented in a way that the hiring company would care about in relation to their business.
How can military experience transfer to the civilian workforce?
Many people think if the position title or work was not exactly the same, it doesn’t transfer. That is not true. Even if you performed munitions maintenance, for example, and we're going into vehicle maintenance, there are many areas where the experience transfers.
For example, the ability to learn the technical aspects to repair the items, the ability to lead teams to meet mission requirements, ability to oversee personnel training programs, managing a budget, and more. Break the job into the basic components and rebuild them into skills that apply to the position you are seeking.
Should I include a cover letter?
Cover letters are always welcome, but realize they may not be read. During the conversations with people in the industry you hope to enter, ask if those companies use the cover letter and, if so, what they like to see.
A cover letter should not be a restatement of the resume but express your interest in a certain position, show in a concise manner that you meet those qualifications, and provide contact information.
Should I apply for a job even if I don't have the required experience?
It is rare that you will meet all the required elements of the position description. The rule of thumb is if you meet 60% or so, go ahead and apply. Provide clear and concise verification of which elements you do meet and how you can learn the others.
There are many resources you can utilize to write an effective resume. The Transition Assistance Program at your installation will provide you with a comprehensive background on resume formats and the various elements of the resume. In addition, they will present how to write the various sections of the resume.
There are also many complementary and paid-for services to write your resume. We recommend you interview each and see samples to understand the process and what your final resume could look like. If they simply take your performance reports from the military and copy/paste them into a resume format, you should look elsewhere. They need to interview you to understand the background behind every project you took on to understand the problem, the specific task you were tasked to solve, the solution you developed (or were a part of), and the impact or result to the organization. Too often, the impact and results are omitted to a high level of vagueness. You want the impact to be specific and presented in a way that the hiring company would care about in relation to their business.
How can military experience transfer to the civilian workforce?
Many people think if the position title or work was not exactly the same, it doesn’t transfer. That is not true. Even if you performed munitions maintenance, for example, and we're going into vehicle maintenance, there are many areas where the experience transfers.
For example, the ability to learn the technical aspects to repair the items, the ability to lead teams to meet mission requirements, ability to oversee personnel training programs, managing a budget, and more. Break the job into the basic components and rebuild them into skills that apply to the position you are seeking.
Should I include a cover letter?
Cover letters are always welcome, but realize they may not be read. During the conversations with people in the industry you hope to enter, ask if those companies use the cover letter and, if so, what they like to see.
A cover letter should not be a restatement of the resume but express your interest in a certain position, show in a concise manner that you meet those qualifications, and provide contact information.
Should I apply for a job even if I don't have the required experience?
It is rare that you will meet all the required elements of the position description. The rule of thumb is if you meet 60% or so, go ahead and apply. Provide clear and concise verification of which elements you do meet and how you can learn the others.