Charles Ferree ⋅ Charleston, SC Boeing ⋅ 6 years experience

Jason

Thank you for your service. I can appreciate your situation as I was in your position after serving 21 years in the Air Force.
You have done so much and it is difficult to sum everything up. (and just as difficult to remove all of the language that we are used to and make it civilian friendly)

Create a resume that contains all of your skills, qualifications, education, and every piece of information that you can use on a resume. Do not be surprised if this resume is a couple of pages or more. This will be your "Master Resume".
When you submit job applications, create a resume specifically tailored to each position that you are applying for, using the information that is in your master copy.

Good luck

Gregg Thompson ⋅ Louisville, KY UPS ⋅ 32 years experience

Jason,

Resumes help you get interviews where you can talk about all of the things you have learned, etc.

Don't stress about the resume containing everything but it should contain the best of what you know, can do, etc.

Many people here are asking questions about resumes. Trust me I understand why but they aren't really that hard to write and again they only get you an interview.

Google is your friend here as is a book from Amazon or somewhere else.

If you follow this basic set of topics on your resume you will be off to a good start:

Objective: State why you are presenting this resume? What job is it that you want and why do you want that job. Why is more important than you might thing so spend some time on this.

Related Experience: Use a bulleted list of jobs, roles, assingments, etc. that are related to the job or field you are seeking. Generally most recent first and so on.

Education: Use a bulleted list here as well. GPAs and Honors should be listed if they help.

Licenses / Certifications: List them all here again in a bulleted listing...

So that is just a basic resume but will be fine. You can also add othert things after education like community involvement, etc...

I would keep it to no more than 2 pages with 1 1/2 as a general rule for someone with some experiece in life and 1 page for a newbee...

Font size 11 works nice but please pick a nice professional font.

You will be on your way!

Best of luck,

Gregg

George Byrne ⋅ Venice, FL Nictom Consulting Group ⋅ 32 years experience

Like most people I too had a resume before I retired...and yes, I changed jobs often; sometimes internally within a company and sometimes externally to a new company...I think that one of the most important things you need to do is not to fall into the habit of just sending out a boiler-plate resume for each and every job...so, start with a boiler-plate resume but then take the time to look over the job requirements and then see if you can strengthen areas of your resume to match the requirements...see if you can add key words from the job requirements to your resume...many of the larger corporations and firms receive your resume electronically, it gets automatically scanned, and then optical readers (no human intervention) search for key words...once it passes this "screening process" it may eventually wind up in the hands of a real person...so again, you may be able to use your standard or boilerplate resume for many job applications; but take the time to see if what you are presenting matches the needs of the job you are applying for...hope this helps and thanks for your service!

Charles Ferree ⋅ Charleston, SC Boeing ⋅ 6 years experience

Jason
I am not quite sure if anyone has ever openly posted a resume like this.

One of the things that jumps out at me first is that employers may not be familiar with AT-TRASUP, SAMI, CSWI or NNLWI.

Your statements should show what postion you held, any actions that you took (that would be pertinent) and results of your actions

here are 2 samples for you

I was Aircraft Maintenance for 21 years at base X, Y, and Z... I changed tires and fueled aircraft. (does this really say anything about what I did that would interest you?)

While Maintaining XX number of aircraft,and performing these duties held 98% on time take off and reliability rate. (would this catch your attention more than the previous one?)

Good luck

Jason Kugel ⋅ Yulee, FL U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 21 years served

Here is a new resume I'm trying for security related positions but with the intent of highlighting management experience. This is my biggest challenge- having a resume that will make someone think "It isn't security, but he could definitely manage the people in this industry based on what I'm reading. Let me call him in."

Jason E. Kugel

Yulee FL 32097
jkugel813@gmail.com, (904-XXX-XXXX)

Experienced physical security specialist seeking a challenging environment in a related field. A results-oriented performer with initiative, drive, and the knowledge to do the right thing in any given situation. Established record of providing original solutions to difficult problems and providing sensible, logical, and feasible recommendations to supervisors.

 WORK EXPERIENCE
Security Guard—Omni Amelia Island Plantation—April 2012 to April 2013
• Gate guard, dispatch operator, mobile foot patrolman, and first responder on a 900-acre commercial properly. Provided security and access control for home owners, field activity reports, and performed basic maintenance on company vehicles. Monitored Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, responded to home alarms and hotel fire alarms, as well as service calls. Reported hazardous conditions to management to ensure guest and employee safety.
Law Enforcement and Physical Security Specialist—United States Navy—February 2002 to August 2011
 Dec 2008- Aug 2011 Naval Air Station Jacksonville
• Mar 2010-Aug 2011 Urinalysis Program Coordinator- Revamped entire urinalysis program which had fallen into disarray. Conducted over 2000 samples with only 5 submission errors reported in total. Conducted 2 unit sweeps for NAS JAX and 10 tenant commands, collecting and submitting over 800 samples each time with ZERO reported discrepancies.
• Sep 2009-Mar 2010 Assistant to Anti-terrorism Officer- Prepared revision of the base Anti-terrorism/Force Protection Plan, incorporating emergency management pre-planned responses to ensure continuity of operations in all threat/all hazard environments.
• Dec 2008-Sep 2009 NAS Jacksonville Chief of Police- Flawlessly lead and coordinated 200 civilian and military police officers activities on 9000 acre base comprising 110 tenant commands and 25,000 employees daily. Assigned to advisory panel to establish first region wide emergency communications center, enabling a single center to dispatch 13 regional base emergency services. Reviewed, corrected and approved all officer reports. Conducted performance reviews on 6 DoD watch commanders and reviewed all enlisted evaluations. Security operations department conducted law enforcement operations on base as patrol units, gate guards, perimeter watched and in navigable waters. Maintained order and protected life and property. Responded to emergency calls, alarms and situations. Provided first responder services such as traffic control and rendering first aid. Conducted preliminary investigations, preserved evidence, interviewed witnesses and suspects, took statements as needed. Ensured personnel assigned to Operations were well trained and fully prepared to determine whether facts available indicated apprehension and/or use of force were necessary and how best to effect an apprehension.
• Dec 2007- Dec 2008 Command Investigator/Command Master-at-Arms; Trident Training Facility, King’s Bay, GA- Managed 13 junior personnel awaiting reassignment in maintaining cleanliness of 300,000 square foot secure facility. Provided career and person counseling. Conducted all investigations concerning theft, misconduct, UCMJ and local law violations. Conducted proceedings at Captain’s Mast. Conducted physical security surveys and forwarded recommendations to chain of command. Oversaw building entry and exit procedures to keep contraband out and property of the US government inside the building.
• Oct 2007- Dec 2007 Military Police Investigator School, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO- Received specialized investigations training with emphasis on the UCMJ and elements of a charge under the UCMJ. Crime scene processing and collection of evidence, interview and interrogation techniques and other investigation- specific topics were covered.
• Dec 2005- Oct 2007 USS ASHLAND, NAB Little Creek, VA- Command Master-at-Arms; Embarked on amphibious ship as the subject matter expert on force protection, good order, and discipline. Conducted all internal investigations and oversaw all Disciplinary Review Board, Executive Officer Inquiries, and Captain’s Mast proceedings. Supervised day to day activities of restricted personnel, providing needed counseling on personal and professional behavior, saving 11 young men and women from legal separation and enabling successful reintegration into the crew. Reviewed, revised or promulgated port security plans. Interfaced with NCIS at ports of call, ensuring chain of command had most up to date threat information in any area of operations.
• Apr 2005- Dec 2005 Security Department, NAS OCEANA, Va Bch, VA- Operations Watch Section Chief Petty Officer. Supervised, evaluated and mentored 80 sailors in 2 watch sections. Aided in police operations as needed. Responded as Supervisor in Charge to incidents on base. Revised 15 fixed post watch stander orders and standard operating procedures, reducing expense of facility upkeep and improving sentry situational awareness on and around post. Aided in planning 2005 NAS Air Show, supervising 300 armed watch standers while 250,000 visitors arrived and departed base over a weekend without incident or vehicle collision.
• Mar 2002- Apr 2005 Mobile Security Squadron TWO, NAB Little Creek and Naval Shipyard Portsmouth, VA- Established first ever Navy Mobile Security Detachment (21) and later Det. 22. Team leader for 20 personnel team representing 1/4th of entire detachment. Aided in researching training, equipment, and weapon requirements to conduct security operations world-wide. Assigned as Operations Officer over entire 80 sailor detachment to provide all needed message traffic, country clearances and transportation for first deployment to Oil Platforms in the Gulf Region. Promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 2004, selected by a board of peers for promotion.
• Jan 2002- Mar 2002 Navy Master-at-Arms Law Enforcement School- Selected as “Honor Graduate” out of 28 peers at Law Enforcement Training Center, Lackland AFB, TX. Achieved highest GPA and combined marksmanship scored in class.
EDUCATION
• Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice: Kaplan University Online, 3.8 GPA 2012—2013
• Certified Anti-terrorism specialist: Anti-Terrorism Accreditation Board 2010
• Professional Trainer and Facilitator, U.S. Navy:
 Certified Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Training Supervisor (AT-TRASUP)
 Weapons Instructor—small arms, crew-served weapons, non-lethal weapons, and defensive tactics (SAMI, CSWI, NNLWI)
 Senior Leadership Instructor

LINKS

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jason-kugel/25/784/442/

**********************Sorry for the way it formatted, if you'd be interested in looking at it, email me at the address on the resume please.*********************************

Jason Kugel ⋅ Yulee, FL U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 21 years served

Hey I'm going to resurrect this post rather than create a new one. Here's a question: What do you think about a resume that lists "US Navy 1991-2011" and then rather than chronological, I list maybe an epic achievement from each duty station starting with the first, and then utilize each specific position held at my last duty station and those achievements? Like a highlights reel or something similar.
And a follow up question to this is "How relevant is my first 10 years in the service as an Aviation Electrician?" I know mos openings I've seen will say knowledge of a specific platform is required, or the experience must be within the last X number of years. But lets assume I want a position as a journeyman, instrument technician, component assembly or something like that in a production environment NOT necessarily aviation related- would it be relevant even though it was 91-2001?

Jason Kugel ⋅ Yulee, FL U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 21 years served

Mr. Po, Mr. Accursio, and Ms. Judy-
Thank you so much for your guidance. I have been telling everyone I know to check out this website- I have never seen such an open forum that truly delivers. I've learned more in about 2 weeks since I signed up here than I have in 2 years previous- and I thought I was learning then. I really don't have the words to express my gratitude to everyone who took the time to respond. Thank you falls so short.

Judy Tomlinson ⋅ Dallas, TX Energy Future Holdings ⋅ 25 years experience

Send me what you have in Word Format and I will be happy to help. tomlinsonjk@aol.com

Judy Tomlinson ⋅ Dallas, TX Energy Future Holdings ⋅ 25 years experience

Send me what you have in Word Format and I will be happy to help. tomlinsonjk@aol.com

Accursio Marciante ⋅ Union, NJ Standard Chartered Bank ⋅ 11 years experience

Hi Jason,

I just posted the below earlier and want to share - a website that I came across that is a resume engine builder specifically for veterans. This could be a good starting point for you by the US Chambers of Commerce Foundation. See below links to launch from. Typically, you can draft a resume from Word and upload the resume as an attachment into job boards like CareerBuilder or Monster or create your resume in LinkedIn.

Translate your military experience for employers, so they can translate it into success.
https://www.resumeengine.org/
http://www.hiringourheroes.org/

Adding to the above contributors is to nail down which industry and job type you are interested in. There is the functional resume where you list all your accomplishments, skill sets, etc specific to an industry and make it job specific. Based on your high level and various experiences in the Navy the chronological may not be the best fit (hahaha) too much content so could be position specific.

Best of luck and thank you for your service. Go career Navy!

Yours truly,

Accursio V. Marciante

Po Wong ⋅ Orlando, FL Johnson & Johnson (retired) ⋅ 40 years experience

Hi Jason,
Also read your other posts and comments. Gregg, Marty and others provides many good points but let me suggest another approach to look at this issue. (Since I am a simple mind person:-))

For starter, what is the purpose of a resume? It is a tool to get a job interview (either by phone or face-to-face). What is a successful exceptional resume? A hiring or HR manger calls you to schedule an interview next day after they reviewed your resume. If we align on these facts, then here is some suggestion to consider.

First, there should be no master or general resume. There should be a detailed list of all your experiences, accomplishments, education, special skills, awards, community services, languages, hobbies….that a candidate can cut and paste depending on the specific jobs and level he is applying.

Most resume templates including the one that Craig provides should be fine. Now the content of the resume will make or break the deal.

Many studies show best resume should be one page (no one has time to read an Edgar Allen Poe short story but has to be so provocative/interesting that they have to call you to find out more) but definitely not more than two pages.
As Marty point out, $ and numbers will get most attention. I would suggest 3/5 of the page is directly focus and related to the specific job you apply. The other key accomplishments should be in Bullet format.

Couple examples should get their attention:
Sourcing Manager Job:
I was able to study the category, develop a global strategy, selected the best-in-class suppliers, implement Supplier relationship management concept in my company. As the result, we saved $150 million and equal to 12 % of my spend $. (just fyi! industry standard is struggling for ~5%)
Marketing job:
I studied our product portfolio and the economic trend in South America, develop a new Marketing strategy….As the result, our sale revenue increase 5X to $600 mm in 2012.

Jason,
Since you have such vast experiences (security, OSHA compliance, management, Aviation..) in various area, it appears you have not decided the job that you really want yet and keep “ tweaking-your word” resume . Once you decided, more than happy to assist you to construct the BEST resume…

Good luck! And thanks for your service!

Jason Kugel ⋅ Yulee, FL U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 21 years served

Thanks Mr. Craig, I'm going to download it right now. Would you mind if I sent you my current "broad but by no means all inclusive" resume? I just revised it. It's what I plan to use at a job fair, since I can't individually tailor a resume once I'm there and see a specific position.

Craig Bush ⋅ Boston, MA IBM ⋅ 11 years experience

Download the "Wharton Business school" resume template. And be sure to use the PAR (problem, action, result) method of writing the resume. Quantify as much as possible your results with numbers (time saved, efficiency increased, people managed, etc.)

Jason Kugel ⋅ Yulee, FL U.S. Navy, Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 21 years served

Wow! First I'd like to say thank you to each of you for responding not only so quickly, but with such great insight! Thank you!!

Mr. Gregg- Your write up was excellent and provided simple, clear, and good guidance. I agree that when you get down to it, writing a resume isn't what's hard- it's being able to make it a giant amongst dwarves (or Hobbits, if that's more sensitive). Thank you.

Mr. Charles- Your "Master Resume" idea is brilliant. I think this advice should go out in every TAP class provided by all the services. Not only am I going to create a master resume, but I'm going to recommend it to people and accept their compliment when they tell me I'm a super-genius! Thank you so much, it's such a valuable idea!

Mr. Marty- I really appreciate you taking the time to address specific sections of a resume, but especially appreciate the idea of taking something like "I was a Chief" and turning it into "I was selected by peers to be promoted to management level work, and was immediately placed in charge of contractor contact for a historic building rennovation and brand new fire suppression install." Your idea has gotten me way out of the box now with how I want to word various things that are important but sometimes difficult to convey to the person reading the resume. I use too many words when proper wording can briefly get the same message across. Thank you very much.

Mr. Randy- From now on I'm going to really research the positions I apply to, and make sure I'm best informed on the company's background and overall atmosphere when it comes to how I write the resume and cover letter. I haven't done "research" per se on anything I apply to, I've always been waiting to find out I got an interview, and then learning about the company and their principles. Great suggestion, thank you!

Mr. Bill- I think one of the best takeaways I've gotten from these responses is your idea to use the resume to demonstrate "what else" I'm doing to prepare myself professionally, to improve my knowledge and market value to a prospective employer. I agree; an employer would have to love to see that I'm not being stagnant, and letting myself fall behind either with advancing my education in college or staying on top of the field. Thanks so much for your response.

I have a job fair coming up in Jacksonville on Thursday, but thanks to these words of wisdom, I think the resume I upload prior to Thursday is going to look MUCH better than it would have. Thanks to you all again for taking the time to help me.
Regards,
Jason

Randy Schmidt ⋅ West Chester, PA Boeing ⋅ 29 years experience

Jason,
As someone mentioned, “Google” is your friend. There is a lot of good material on the web. I would also add; study and understand the position you are applying for. Once you understand the qualifications, think about what makes you the “best” candidate for the position and tailor your resume to highlight your qualifications. In addition, once you past the resume step, think about situational scenarios that support your qualifications. Hope this helps!
Randy

Marty Kretchman ⋅ Orlando, FL Signature Flight Support ⋅ 15 years experience

Jason,

Those were some good answers from the others. You pose some excellent questions, and show great awareness for how we as civilians often have trouble translation military experience on a resume into terms we can understand. Hopefully I can add to what you've already gotten here.

I would say, as a civilian who has hired multiple veterans in recent years, that you want to build a resume based on the requirements of the position and translate your previous responsibilities accordingly.

For example, you mention familiarity with HAZMAT protocols and OSHA requirements. A lot of civilians don't realize that the military is not exempted from many of the same rules and regulations as the private sector, so if applicable to the position this would be a great place to emphasize your prior knowledge and build a direct connection to the potential duties of the position.

If it's a supervisory or management role, I would focus on your prior leadership experience. Obviously the military's hierarchy provided ample opportunity for you to set an example and hold others accountable, especially as a Chief, so find a way to put this into simple terms. You were peer reviewed to reach that rank and have likely had numerous individuals reporting to you on a daily basis; that shows prior screen and pass of a selection process and demonstrated responsibility, both highlights I'd love to see in a manager or supervisor in my organization.

If you can include money saved or projects you initiated to improve your group, I don't know of any organization that wouldn't appreciate that. And if you can quantify it in dollars along with improved efficency (or at least no drop off in performance) then that is the sort of 'outside the box' thinking employers love to see. Honestly, many on the other side of the fence make (admittedly ignorant) assumptions that the military tells you how to do everything and discourages free thinking- prove to them that isn't the case.

Finally, regarding your achievements and awards, those are absolutely relevant. That said, I would probably include them as bullet points at the bottom. Most HR reps or hiring managers will see quite a few resumes, and what you want them to get in their brief read through is "reliable, honorable, capable leader".

And probably most important of all, proofread your resume and have someone else look at it after you think you're done. I know I'm not the only person that reads an otherwise solid resume with some sort of grammatical or punctuation error and ends up keying in on that more than the actual conten. It's hard to overlook what seem to be obvious mistakes in a document that we know should take the applicant a lot of time and effort to prepare, so don't let a silly error make a less-than-ideal first impression.

Thank you for serving and allowing me the opportunities I have had in my professional career. Best of luck to you in your search, and please let me know if there is any other way I can help.

Marty