Andy Bergin ⋅ Greenwich, CT Speaking Virtually ⋅ 36 years experience

Rosalind,
You have some good advice already on the resume writing. The resume is a tool to get you an interview. One good way to prep your story is to interview yourself - out loud. It sounds hokey, but it helps you become more fluid in telling your story. Simple questions like: Why do you want a job in this company? What do you bring to the table for this job? What differentiates you as a candidate? What do you know about our company? Tell me about yourself? Screening interviews (when you get them) can happen by phone or video. Videotape yourself answering these and other questions on your smartphone. Watch them back and redo. Practice builds confidence and confidence leads to success. Try it out. Go on LinkedIn and find people doing the jobs you want - review their career progression and match it to yours. Do a gap analysis. Learn the language of that industry and job - it helps.

cathy salerno ⋅ Flemington, NJ Johnson & Johnson ⋅ 35 years experience

Hi Rosalind,
Thank you and your husband for your service! I’d be happy to help you with your resume. Please send it to me.
Best regards,
Cathy

Christopher Brown ⋅ Middleburg, FL U.S. Navy, Petty Officer First Class ⋅ 20 years served

https://www.hireheroesusa.org/get-registered/

These people are great and it’s FREE. We all love FREE, lol.

Best Wishes,
Chris

Jim Schreier ⋅ Milwaukee, WI 212 Leadership/Career Coaching ⋅ 50 years experience

Always willing to review and often provide some alternative recommendations. See articles I've posted to this site plus 212-careers.com I can also send you a short guide with suggestions for resumes and interviews.

Lex Levin ⋅ Northborough, MA Lex Levin, LLC ⋅ 13 years experience

Rosalind, happy to help you. I'm a full-time professional resume writer and a former Federal employee specializing for the last ten years in working with Active Duty and Reserve Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses transitioning to Federal or private sector work. You can best get in touch with me through my website contact page: https://lexlevinllc.com/contact/.

Deborah Carter ⋅ Owens Cross Roads, AL Raytheon ⋅ 28 years experience

Hi Rosalind,

The format for Government is very different and somewhat more prescriptive than Private Sector and so I would definitely consult resources provided in earlier comments. Even within the Private Sector each industry has it's own culture and norms. It's important to understand the industry.

I work in aerospace and defense industry in the private sector and as a hiring manager I can tell you that I frequently receive over 400 applicants to just one open job requisition. On a first pass, I am literally scanning for key words (and some HR departments use computer programs / analytics to do just that) so make the translation from military to civilian and ensure that you are including the applicable key words. Don't make a hiring manager scan through a long resume hunting for relevant experience and education and don't crowd the resume with tasks that don't contain accomplishments or accomplishments that aren't relevant. Tailor your resume to the job to which you are applying. I know it's a lot of work, but make it easy for HR and/or the hiring manager!

If you'd like for me to review your resume, I'm happy to do so. I'm not sure what industry you're targeting, but I can certainly take a look and tell you if I'm out of my depth.

Good luck!
Deb

Byron Andrews ⋅ Houston, TX Department of Homeland Security ⋅ 30 years experience

Don't be afraid to go LONG on your resume, as long as you use concise prose. Don't hesitate to "toot your own horn". Proofread for grammar and clarity. Craft each resume to address as many of the job requirements as possible, and repeat them in as many of your past job descriptions as possible.
Private sector friends of mine who look at my 5 page resume balk at the length and what they characterized as "bragging" about my accomplishments. Yet, its the same resume concept I used to be competitively selected for each of the 3 fed jobs (all promotions) and several long-term TDYs I've ever applied for.