Please upgrade your web browser

These pages are built with modern web browsers in mind, and are not optimized for Internet Explorer 8 or below. Please try using another web browser, such as Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 10, Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.

Deployments on resume

Veteran

Michael White Clarksville, TN

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, the assistance is greatly appreciated. I am transitioning out the Army this summer and have been told by multiple parties not to mention deployments on a resume, or if I do that I should tone it down so it doesn't sound so much like "war," as that will only scare the person reading my resume. Do you have any advice on how to reference deployments on a resume?

Additionally, I am looking to begin a career as a management/strategic consultant. What skills should I highlight to showcase what I have learned in the military that will transition well to a career in consulting?

Thank you again,

Michael White

10 June 2016 19 replies Resumes & Cover Letters

Answers

Advisor

Paul Trejo Austin, TX

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your years of service. Rule of thumb: include in your resume only those points that relate to the job you are seeking. For a technical job, if your deployments included tasks that are related to that specific technical job, then please include those points. If not, then avoid them, because otherwise you are changing the topic.

The employer wants to fill a vacancy in her system -- and has this sharp focus. Bypass any points that are off-topic; this includes sports, musical instruments, hobbies and unrelated deployments. (Yet if you have inside information that a specific employer has a specific hobby interest that you share, then by all means, use that hobby as a specific touch.) Show your prospective employers that all you want is to FILL THEIR NEED.

I agree with Jim who advises you to have a different resume for every different job application. Each job opening is different, using different language, and your resume should be targeted to that specific language.

Best wishes,
--Paul

23 June 2016 Helpful answer

Veteran

Tim Keefe Washington, DC

Agree with the other comments, with these additional:

1. Remember that, in time, your worry about your deployments will recede into the background once you've worked at a regular job for a number of years. In the short term, however, your goal is to downplay the deployment and treat it as a regular job. You can do that by de-militarizing your resume as much as possible.

2. Along with (2), I've noticed in the years that I've been off of active duty that both my time in the military and deployed are seen as some sort of contracting position. The savvier people out there will realize that, yes, deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan have been part and parcel of many military members' lives. But, they tend not to make a distinction between active duty and civilian contractors. (Even with my GS Federal job, many of them assumed that I was a contractor.)

Point is, you can use this understandable ignorance to your advantage. I'm not saying to lie, but allow future employers to assume one thing and then not mention anything unless asked for specific details. As I said with (1), over time, you being "in the military" will be less of an issue.

15 June 2016 Helpful answer

Advisor

James Watson San Diego, CA

Hi Michael-
You should have a different resume for each job you apply for. Thus, if the experience you gained in a deployment applies to the job you are applying for, I would recommend mentioning it. If the experience does not apply, then I would downplay it.
Jim

15 June 2016 Helpful answer

Advisor

Theo Posselt Berkeley, CA

Hi, Michael -

Like Andrea I wouldn't avoid mentioning deployments. I wouldn't necessarily list each one individually unless there's a lot of difference in your role between them. That said, in general in a resume people will look for growth and trajectory, so if that changed over the deployments, I would highlight that.

Theo

10 June 2016 Helpful answer

Advisor

Kevin Delli-Colli Herndon, VA

Michael,

When preparing your resume for future job opportunities focus on translating your military experience to align with related civilian careers, avoid military jargon and terminology in your resume. You should tailor your resume for the specific job that you are applying for—take key words from the job description and apply to relevant bullets on your resume. As far as your deployments, you could list them as specific jobs or assignment e.g. U.S. Army Captain, Kabul Afghanistan July 2013 – August 2014. Using bullets, you could then describe the work you performed.

Kevin

10 June 2016 Helpful answer

Advisor

Andrea Gnilka Springfield, VA

Hi Michael,

I don't think you should avoid mentioning deployments because it sounds like "war," particularly if the experience you gained while deployed is relevant to the position for which you are applying. Find a way to use civilian terms instead of military jargon, and see how you can apply the experience you had while deployed to the position in question. We have folks at Deloitte who are happy to take a look at your resume if you need help on this. Let me know!

Best,

Andrea

10 June 2016 Helpful answer

Veteran

Ed Haugh Westminster, MD

I see no issue at all with deployments. You don't need to list locations, but more specifically treat them showing your experience working in foreign countries, how you use your adapting skills to overcome issues where resources may not have been ideal. Deployments are showing how you think on your feet, handle stress, and can make decisions on your own since often you cannot follow the regular routines. It is a strength.

Advisor

Jeff Sanders Deland, FL

Hello there Captain White, and thank you for your service. My opinion is yes, you should mention deployments. It may not be the deployment that is important, as many of us have had multiple deployments, BUT, it is an opportunity to state what your position was, what your mission was, and how you organized staff to accomplish that goal. Deployment or not, employers like to read that "you were assigned to do X". You confronted the following problems, A, B, C and so on. And you took the following actions, giving results for your actions and how you overcame problems by seeing them as opportunities. I wouldn't go into any details about combat, but you were obviously faced with problems that would be considered life and death. If you can talk about how you dealt with those problems, as an employer I will get the feeling that there is no challenge too big for me to offer you. Always remember on a resume: 1) What was the problem, 2) How did you approach it, 3) what actions of yours, or your staff were important to accomplishing your objectives, and 4) What results did you achieve. Don't get too wordy, but try to answer those 4 questions for every job that you identify in your resume. God's speed, and best of luck!

Veteran

Daniel Fleck Minneapolis, MN

I agree that you should limit your deployment talk - I do feel that it should be mentioned. You can use that experience as showing how you:
1. Work under stress.
2. Work in a quickly changing environment.
3. Work well with others.
4. Take/receive orders.

I was an E-5 when I left the military and here is what I have in my resume:
************
Team Leader - Combat Engineer (Final Rank: E-5/SGT)

-Team Leader in a corps wheeled combat engineer company charged with providing assured mobility, counter mobility, and survivability support in a combat environment
-Responsible for the training, discipline, health, welfare, morale, and combat readiness of soldiers
-Directly responsible for 4 lower ranking soldiers for final 24 months of active duty
-Accountability of military vehicles, accompanying sets, kits, and outfits valued over $600,000

Army deployments
-Combat Tour to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I Apr 2003-Mar 2004
-Combat Tour to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom IV Nov 2005- Oct 2006
*********

Also - I recommend having a 'master' resume that you keep updated regularly and then you can tune it to each job that you apply for. I try to review my resume monthly and update/edit it with new training/projects/etc.

Veteran

DF Jackson Washington, DC

I would state your general accomplishments and achievements, especially the ones that can benefit their company, without being explicit of any particular deployment. Thank you for your service.

Advisor

Kelly Williams Newark, DE

Michael,

My company provides free resume critiques to all military service members. You can submit your resume to us via email or by using our secure online submission form:
http://expertresumesolutions.com/freeresumereview/

or email our resume to: Info@ExpertResumeSolutions.com


Please allow 3-5 business days for completion. We use two different formats for corporate and federal applications. I can send you examples of each to get you started.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kellywilliamsmaresca

Thank you for your service.

Warmest Regards,

Kelly Williams

Career Strategist & President

Security Cleared Careers

Expert Resume Solutions

Business: (732) 686-6455

Email: info@expertresumesolutions.com

www.ExpertResumeSolutions.com

Job Board: wwww.SecurityClearedCareers.com

Advisor

John Ervin

Michael,

You should write down what you were successful in accomplishing or what you were recognized for during your deployments. You should do this for all of your experience from a very early age. As you start reviewing you top 30 accomplishments or things you have been recognized for during your life ( awards, volunteer work, military service) etc.., you will start to see some patterns of success. These could also come from different projects or tactical assignments during deployments.

Take these successes and create you resume based on these skill factors (success factors) or Key words. For example you may see patterns related to project Managment (operational preparation for deployments), budget oversight, customer service (nation building) ETC.

Hooooa!

John Ervin

Advisor

Sarah Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL

Hi Michael,

Thanks for helping to keep me and mine safe all these years. I agree with all the answers and would just add to Eric Goldstein's response that I could very much imagine that in your service there is a need to be flexible and to be able to adapt to rapid change.

The ability to handle change is a sought after skill so you may want to include that.

Best of luck in your search.

Advisor

Carl Legge West Chester, PA

I think I tended to focus on the awards and accolades associated from the deployments, not the fact that I just did them. You want to show that you have a track record of success, so if there were any special leadership or accolades you earned from the deployment, I would focus on that versus the deployment itself, if that makes sense. If you excelled in High School, College, and the Military, then mention it if it relates. If you show that you are always in the top 5% of everything you do, chances are you are going to be high caliber enough in the next organization you join. Being able to lead under stressful conditions is a skill we are looking for. But one thing you have to understand is that many folks in HR don't know the difference between a deployed Ranger on the front line versus someone that never left the Hescos. So I wouldn't get too much into detail regarding that, for it may cloud the overall message and sound too military. You have to get over yourself and start talking our language. You will have to set yourself apart from the fully funded college grad or intern that may not know what that kind of stress is, while showing maturity and ability to get over yourself and respect/adjust to your new environment. Many of us respect those that have paid their dues more than the average bear, but those that talk about it too much tend to be the same folks that overinflate (my opinion). But overall, stick to the skills, awards, and translatable things you got from the deployments would be my advice.

Advisor

Reid Lohr Greenville, SC

Michael,

From a former Deloitte guy, there is some good advice - definitely stay away for deployments and also - be very careful of using military jargon and language. This is a mistake too many folks transitioning into the consulting world have a hard time with. I can tell you from the inside that much of the military language 'scares' the employer. Keep focused on your leadership and management skills, and above all 'critical and out of the box thinking focused on solutions.
Finally, make sure you get a someone who is not mil to critique your resume - it will help.
Best

Advisor

Kelly Thrasher Denver, PA

Mike, As a former active duty Infantry Officer (11 years) and as a constantly deployed USAR CA Officer, I'd hate to say it but avoid the deployments unless it is specifically relevant to what you are pursuing. So for instance, in foreign service you should mention any work with IOs, NGOs, USG, etc, etc in developing roles. Limit it to the specifics though. So for instance: 2003-2004 Leader of a Multi-National team in securing and initializing development in the post-conflict areas of Muthanna and DHi-Qar provinces, Iraq. Worked with 39 people from 4 nations in the initial plans and stages of developing a jobs program for 5,000 people with the local Iraqi government. Think MOE and MOP. Also network with anyone in the fields that you've met. Suprisingly you'd find that you've worked with people ranging from Acting Deputy Undersecretaries to Ambassadors now if you reach out. Also look into any programs that are available through USAR units. You'd be surprised at the people who are serving ranging from people with Doctorates to those who are skilled craftspeople. I do know that in my CA realm, it's not uncommon to find SES level people and "E" level Soldiers who just are doing it for the "fun" and to belong to something bigger. Win hearts and minds......

Advisor

FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. San Diego, CA

What??? People who have told you that, I believe are mistaken.

However do not talk about "killing" the enemy. Emphasize "directing personnel"; "organizing teams"; "evaluating options"; "communicating effectively"; "directing and developing logistics support". For success as a Management Consultant - ask yourself "What are my skills, experience; college degrees, certificates; etc. that would induce a company to pay me to assist them?

Advisor

Mitchell Lee San Antonio, TX

It all depends on the type of job and experience that is required. Thanks for your services.

Advisor

Michael Del Cima Woodbridge, CA

Hi Michael -

First, thank you for your service! I think you should include your deployments in your resume, but recommend that you list them as specific assignments. I would also recommend that you emphasize your skills in problem solving and leading others to achieve specific goals or objectives. In consulting we typically work in teams, so any interpersonal or leadership skills that you can highlight would be helpful.

Best,
Michael

Your Answer

Please log in to answer this question.

Sign Up

You can join as either a Veteran or an Advisor.

An Advisor already has a career, with or without military experience, and is willing to engage with and help veterans.
Sign Up as an Advisor.

A Veteran has military experience and is seeking a new career, or assistance with life after service.
Sign Up as a Veteran.