Going back to work in an office or other setting is never easy, especially after going through training or active duty. Transitioning can be stressful and rough but with the right tools you can make the adjustment a little more peaceful and easy.

When searching for a job you want one that is a good fit for you. There are a lot of jobs that are available but not every single job is going to be great for your lifestyle or health. Choose a job that has your best interest at heart and is willing to work with you. This ‘perfect’ fit job will look different for every veteran that is going back into the workplace.

Here are 5 things to think about when going back to work:

An Awesome Resume and Cover Letter
This is the first impression the hiring manager or recruiter gets to see from you, so it is important to make it a great one. A lot of people apply for jobs which means that managers get to go through a lot of resumes. You need a resume that will stand out, in a good way.

Writing a resume is a skill that not everyone has. If you fall into this category there is no need to worry. There are a lot of companies that specialize in writing unique resumes for individuals so you don’t have to stress about creating a resume.

If you don’t want to pay someone a ton of money to write a resume or cover letter you can create one yourself. To get started you can look at resume template that are available online which can give you a solid outline on where to begin.

Connections
People are important. There is a saying that goes ‘it’s not what you know but who you know’. The saying is not 100 percent true but you can take some wisdom from it. Even if you have all of the right skills and training you may have trouble finding a good job. Knowing different people can help you build your network and help you find jobs that aren’t posted online or on job boards.

Interview Skills
This is a skill that everyone needs to practice. Interviews are not second nature to most people and the interview questions can be worded weirdly. You will have to do some research and find help to practice your interview skills. This can be found at your local university or job searching center. These places usually have academic advisors that are willing to help you find jobs and help you improve your interview skills.

A Game Plan
Give yourself time if you are healing from an injury or still trying to adjust to ‘normal’ life. There are a lot of different job options that do not require a person to work 40 hours a week on their feet or sitting in a chair all day long. You could always start off with some volunteer week, something really low key that is only an hour or two per week. After that you always look into part time jobs that range from 20 to 30 hours a week. If you can handle this and feel good about your health you can always make the leap to a full time job. This plan is going to be different depending on your situation and it is something that you can work on with a therapist or trusted person.

Perspective
There is not a timeline that everyone needs to follow. If you can’t find a job right away, do not worry, it can take a lot of time to find a job that is right for you. The best thing you can do is to take care of yourself and try not to compare yourself to others. Everyone will try and give you advice about what they did when they got home or how they adjusted. Keep the focus on yourself and make sure you are making progress in the right direction.