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What are some great resources to help with translating military skills to civiian employment.

Veteran

RT McClain III Fresno, CA

I have more than 20 years of military experience in Human Resource Management, Project Management, Program Management, Training and Instruction Design, Strategic Management, Conflict Resolution, Team Building and Process Improvement. What recommendations do you have to help me analyze the knowledge and skills I have and conveying it as I apply for civilian employment.

4 January 2019 3 replies Military to Civilian Transition

Answers

Advisor

Dr. Scena Webb Auburn, WA

RT, let's set up a video conference meeting to chat about breaking down your military experience into digestible information for private and federal employers.

20 January 2019 Helpful answer

Advisor

Emanuel Carpenter Alpharetta, GA

RT McClain III - Analyzing the knowledge and skills you have won't really matter unless you know what career path you want to take. If you know what specific job you want to hold after your transition to civilian life, I highly recommend searching that job title on sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, or HireHeroes.org. Read four or five job descriptions to get a common theme of what employers are looking for. If you believe you have the skills described on those job descriptions, cut and paste them to your resume. If you don't have those skills, find out what education or certifications you need to get them.

You listed a lot of skills that could lead to very different career paths. For example, HR could lead to a VP or Human Resources position. Project management could lead to a position at a software company. Conflict resolution could lead to a mental health therapist position. You might want to consider writing a different resume for each type of position you want.

Websites like Hirepurpose and Google can help you translate military skills to civilian skills. Start with this article: https://taskandpurpose.com/translate-military-skills-civilian-career

If you still want to assess your knowledge and skills, consider taking an assessment like the Myer-Briggs.

And if HR is what you plan to focus on, you should consider joining an organization like the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) that focuses on helping HR professionals with finding jobs and doing them well. The website is https://www.shrm.org/.

Hope this helps.

5 January 2019 Helpful answer

Advisor

Jerry Welsh Middleville, MI

RT great answer above. I looked at your LinkedIn profile, which 90% of recruiters use to search for employees. I would clean up the profile's military language. Keep in mind only 0.5% of Americans will serve their country, the chance of someone knowing what a Master Chief is, outside of all the hard work and sacrifices to get there is very slim. You have been operating at the director level and with the Master's be sure not to over qualify yourself with throwing around 20+ years experience. If someone wants 7 years of experience, you have 7+, but not 20-they will think you will want huge$$. Keep in mind turnover in the civilian world is high, so while you spent your last 20+ years with one employer, your competition may be applying for their 4-5th job-they know what to say to get an ear.
Keep in mind, you want to show value. If you get a request for a resume-target that resume right directly to the opening descriptions. Show value, with quantifiable results #$%, sound familiar Chief, how about ratings. Just make sure you use civilian language. SHRM is a great source, but also look at openings on Indeed, no matter the geograpraphy, set the salary range and put in titles that you feel you meet-from there read and learn the language the civilians use in their position positing-now apply language to your profile and in your resume. I am enclosing an article on LI profiles and read some of my postings from other transition experts, hope it is helpful. Thank you for your years of service and sacrifices and God Bless. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-profile-your-chance-discovered-transitioning-jerry-welsh/

7 January 2019 Helpful answer

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