Craig Bush ⋅ Boston, MA IBM ⋅ 11 years experience

Fouad gave a very good detailed answer. He's correct in stating up front that project management is a results oriented endeavor. In that respect I think military experience is directly transferable. Consider the training of your troops as an example.

Let's say you are assigned to a new unit. One of the very first things you do is size up the capabilities and weaknesses of your team. In consulting we call this "establishing the As-Is state." You'll look through their proficiency reports and records, you'll take them out for a run to see who's the fastest and who's the slowest. You'll take them to the range. You'll discover how much of their basic skills are up to snuff. This is basically the analysis phase.

From there you figure out where you need to go. We call this "gap analysis" but it's basically the same thing. Then you'll consult with the leadership and figure out a training schedule to get them where they need to be. We call this the "To-Be" state along with a plan, a schedule, milestones, meetings, etc. You naturally establish a planning phase, an execution phase, and finally an assessment and testing phase. Afterward, you work on remedial training until everyone is at or nearly at where you want them.

Of course, your experience will influence the efficiency of this process but in my mind they are exactly the same.

Hope that helps.

Fouad Malik ⋅ Los Angeles, CA ⋅ 7 years experience

A project has a definite start and end date and results in a unique outcome. So think about your job functions at various positions in military and identify projects in those positions. Likelihood is that you worked on quite a few projects. If you do not have sufficient number of projects listed on current resume then consider brainstorming to identify some projects. Once you have identified the projects, you may want to describe them in terms of PMI (Project Management Institute) Terminologies. Buys a PMBOK5. You also want to show some accomplishments as they relate to project outcome. Do not confuse between projects related and operations related work. For every position you held, project related functions or accomplishment will take priority over other functions and therefore be listed towards the beginning of each position you held. Operation or related tasks can be listed next. Considering using chronological resume and repeat above-mentioned steps for every position you held.

In summary of qualification sections, consider describing your background in terms of projects:

For example:

-----
Over fifteen-years of hands-on experience in project management in military sector. Skilled in managing multiple simultaneous projects though all stages of the project life cycle and align projects to organizational goals. Experience in project estimation, planning, scheduling, resource management and prioritization. Ability to plan and identify risks and develop risk responses with mitigation and contingency strategies. Ability to understand effect of change of one constraint on another. Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate project status, issues and actions to all stake holders including cross-functional team and executives.

-----

List some core competencies you can list in your resume as they relate to project management

For example:

*Project Management
*Program Management
*Requirement Analysis
*Project Planning
*Project Execution
*Resource Planning
*Stakeholder Management
*Risk Management

If you need assistance with your resume, feel free to contact me. Thank You.

Victor Alejandro ⋅ San Antonio, TX U.S. Army, Sergeant ⋅ 7 years served

I am in the process of submitting my application for PMP certification. This discourse has provided me a great point of reference. Thank You.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Percy, Scott,
Speak to VCTP Syracuse re free training for the PMP certification and resume assistance.

Also see: https://acp-advisornet.org/question/927/a-checklist-for-veterans-how-to-learn-more-about-the-project-management-professional-pmp-cert./p1

Scott Graham ⋅ Abingdon, MD U.S. Army, Captain ⋅ 14 years served

I also am transitioning from the military and would like to take my career in the direction of Project Management. How would I translate what I have done during 14 years of Service as an enlisted Soldier and now Officer?

Percy Brothers ⋅ Salisbury, NC U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class ⋅ 21 years served

Thank you Richard, I will send you my resume for review and suggestions.

Percy Brothers

Richard Buck ⋅ Patterson, NY EY ⋅ 25 years experience

I have many years in consulting and Project management. Send you our details and I can help you.

Richard Buck
76warrior85@gmail.com.

Jennifer Mackin ⋅ Cleveland, OH Ferro Corporation ⋅ 24 years experience

Fouad Malik provides excellent guidance. You may also want to provide size or dimension to your duties, where possible. For example, include # of people lead, span of geography, $ budget, timeframe of project (12-18 months), etc.

The suggestion by Steve Albert regarding the PMP is helpful. In my HR role, I see resumes with the PMP and hiring managers give the certification extra weight.

Steve Albert ⋅ Zeeland, MI SAF-Holland Inc. ⋅ 30 years experience

Percy, I'd just like to add to Fouad's excellent advice. If you haven't already, go out and pickup a recent copy of PMI's "Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge". This is the bible for PM and will put you in a position of knowing what you're talking about. It's a pretty significant tome, but well worth the read if you plan on finding employment in this field. Once you've read the book, you might want to sign up for the PMP exam and get certified. Smaller companies may not care about the certification, but it would certainly give you an edge on your resume.

Mary Kennedy ⋅ Fort Worth, TX Galderma ⋅ 26 years experience

Hi Percy - I'm happy to take a look at your resume if you'd like. Feel free to contact me.

Mary