Translating your military resume

What does it take to make a successful transition from active duty to the civilian workforce? While there is no shortage of online advice and transition assistance groups, a simple, focused approach can often be the most effective—something veterans tend to appreciate and understand well.

Getting the story straight

For veterans entering the civilian job market, one of the most important steps is articulating their personal story. This means clearly communicating what they are good at, why they are good at it, and how they can contribute to a prospective employer’s success.

Many veterans, and job seekers in general, struggle to translate military experience into a concise and compelling resume. Clarity in messaging is critical. A well-crafted military resume should highlight recent responsibilities and connect them to key strengths—such as leadership, planning, and technical or administrative skills. While these may feel standard, executing them successfully in high-pressure, 24/7 operational environments is a major differentiator.

Identifying key strengths

To begin, veterans should identify the top two or three core responsibilities from their most recent role, using evaluations or fitness reports as a reference. Focusing on current or most recent responsibilities helps ensure relevance, while also allowing job seekers to zero in on strengths.

Explaining the “why”

Next, it’s important to explain why those strengths exist. This involves reflecting on how tasks were performed—what mindset, behaviors, or methods contributed to success? Most service members have performed these duties daily under demanding conditions, supporting critical missions, passing inspections, and maintaining high standards. Understanding and articulating why they were successful is key to demonstrating value to employers.

Translating military roles for civilian audiences

Finally, veterans should aim to connect their skills and experience to real results—clearly and in language civilian employers understand. Avoid military jargon and acronyms. For example, instead of writing “IT1,” use a civilian-friendly equivalent like “IT team supervisor.” Having a non-military peer review the resume can help ensure clarity and accessibility.

While these steps may seem basic, mastering them can make a significant impact. A simplified, strategic approach to resume writing and storytelling can set veterans apart and pave the way for a successful civilian career.