If you are a veteran trying to acclimate to civilian life and find employment, this post is for you.
We appreciate the sacrifices you have made in service to this country!
Thank you.
Your military tour is over and you are about to enter or return to the civilian workforce. Transitioning from the life you’ve known in the military to the ways of the civilian world can be a big adjustment.
It can be harder yet when employers fail to understand everything you have to offer.
So, how can you overcome this?
By focusing on your transferable skills.
What are transferable skills?
Transferable skills are versatile skills and qualities learned over time that are applicable to many situations. This can include technical skills, such as knowledge of computer hardware and software, or social skills, such as being able to work well as part of a team. Whether you’ve stopped to consider it or not, your time in the military has already provided you with a wealth of transferable skills that together with real world experience can give you an edge in the job market.
Examples of Transferable Skills:
Interpersonal
Leadership
Organizational
Analytical
Communication
Technical
How Will Identifying My Transferable Skills Help Me?
Employers consider candidates with transferable skills better prepared to solve problems, generate ideas, and meet the ever-changing demands of the business world. For example, your ability to think on your feet and remain “cool under fire” may enable you to handle the logistics and demands of shipping customer goods with the same efficiency needed to transport supplies in the military. Or, if you were working in submarine operations, your ability to work with complex computer systems would be highly valued in a computer and information systems management position.
If you are interested in seeing how your military experience could translate in the civilian world, The U.S. Department of Labor has created a crosswalk that matches military titles or codes from the Military Occupation Classification (MOC) to a list of civilian jobs that would require a comparable skill set.
You can also view the O*NET job report including, tasks, knowledge and skills, work values, and links to search for job openings.
Check out the O*NET crosswalk here: O*NET Military to Civilian Crosswalk Search
Once I Know My Skills, Where Do I Find the Jobs?
Over the last several years, the federal government and the private sector have come together to address veteran’s unemployment. Many new online tools and resources have made it easier for veterans to connect with companies that want to hire them.
What follows is a listing of resources that we hope will be of help in your job search. We will add to this list as we discover additional resources.
Veterans Job Bank – Huge database of job listings that include both federal employment and jobs in private industry. Includes links for information about upcoming veterans career fairs.
Veterans Recruiting Services – Connects employers and veterans through virtual career fairs. Upcoming fairs include job fairs, especially for women veterans. This site also provides a list of job openings in dozens of industries and the option to apply online for the position and conduct online chats with a recruiter from the company.
My Next Move for Veterans – Takes the guesswork out of how to translate your skills into a career. Created by the US Department of Labor, this website offers an easy-to-use online tool to help you leverage your military experience in a civilian employment job search. If you need additional education or training, the site provides resources for getting started.
Veteran Gold Card – Specifically for post-9/11 veterans, this provides access to intensive support services from Career One Stop centers across the country. Career counseling, job listings, education, and training information, and other benefits and financial assistance are available.
Veteran Employment Transition Road Map – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and George W. Bush Institute have partnered together to provide transitioning service members and veterans support and resources to help them succeed in the civilian workforce.
Military Times Best for Vets – 2015 Best Employers for Vets – a ranked listing of the most vet-friendly U.S. companies as determined by Military Times.
Virtual Job Scout – This site provides access to virtual job fairs, the ability to upload a resume for employers to view, and job listings.
Veteran Employment Center – Monster.com provides this job search site to help connect with military-friendly employers.
MilitaryHire.com – Maintained by a team of both military veterans and corporate hiring managers to provide a network where vets can search for jobs and learn about interviewing, resume writing, job search strategies, education, and help with transitioning to civilian life. The home page includes a listing of career fairs. Recipient of WEDDLE’S 2015 User’s Choice Award.
Hire a Hero – Offers a job board and employment resources for veterans and spouses.
Vet Jobs – Services are available to assist Officer and Enlisted, Active Duty, Transitioning Military, Reservists, Veterans, Retirees, of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Merchant Marine, National Guard, Navy, NOAA and Public Health Service along with Trailing Spouses, Eligible Former Spouses, Widows, Widowers and Dependents and DOD civilians.
VetBiz.com – Site maintained by the U.S. Department of Veterans affairs which provides information and resources for starting a small business.