Welcome to the Career Readiness Hub

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A strong resume is often the first step toward a successful civilian career. For many veterans, the challenge isn’t a lack of experience, it’s translating military roles, leadership, and accomplishments into language that civilian employers understand. Our resume development resources are designed to help veterans clearly communicate their skills, highlight measurable achievements, and present their experience in a professional, easy-to-read format tailored to today’s job market. 

• Limit your resume to one page (two pages max if you have extensive experience) 
• Use a clean, easy-to-read and professional font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• Avoid graphics, photos, or complex designs that can confuse hiring software, as  many employers use automated hiring software (often called Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS) to review resumes before a human ever sees them.
   

• When applying for a non-military related job, make sure to replace military terms with plain, civilian wording
•  Emphasize your responsibilities and achievements  in the military in language that can be understood by hiring professionals with a non-military background

Example: Instead of listing “Squad Leader, E-5,” say instead "Team Leader overseeing daily operations"
 

• 2–3 sentences at the top of your resume
• Highlight your experience, strengths, and career goals
   

Example: Dedicated professional with leadership experience, strong organizational skills, and a proven ability to work under pressure. Seeking to transition military experience into a civilian role.
 

• Employers want to see impact
• Use action verbs and measurable outcomes when possible
   

Examples:

• Led a team of 10 personnel to complete projects on schedule 
• Maintained accountability for equipment valued over $250,000
   

Even if the job is new to you, the skills acquired through your military service still applies.  Common transferable skills include:

• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Communication
• Attention to detail
   

• Read the job description carefully
• Use similar wording from the job description section for skills and responsibilities
• This helps your resume get past automated screening systems

Example:  If a job posting states “seeking a candidate who can manage inventory, train staff, and deliver excellent customer service in a fast-paced environment,” your resume should reflect similar language, such as “managed inventory levels, trained new team members, and maintained high customer satisfaction in a fast-paced retail setting,” to align with the posting and improve compatibility with automated screening systems.
 

For each position, include:

• Job title (civilian-friendly language)
• Organization or unit
• Dates of employment
• 1-2 sentences describing your role and accomplishments in the position.
   

• Include degrees, certifications, and relevant training
• Military training can be listed as well
   

• Check spelling and grammar
• Ask someone you trust to review it
• Remember that small errors can cost an interview
   

• Your resume should be adjusted slightly for different jobs
• A strong base resume makes customization easier and faster
  

Scroll to the bottom of the page to download a ready-to-use resume template that you can easily customize and make your own.

Many veterans have strong experience, but employers may not understand military terms, ranks, or acronyms. Translating your experience into civilian language helps employers clearly see your skills and value.
 

Instead of listing rank or unit details, describe:

• Your role 
• Your responsibilities 
• The results of your work

Example: Instead of “Platoon Sergeant,” use “Team Leader responsible for daily operations.” 

Avoid acronyms and military-specific terms. Use words employers already understand, such as:

• Supervisor
• Team member
• Operations
• Training
• Safety
• Equipment

Military experience often includes skills employers value, such as:

• Leadership and teamwork 
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Working under pressure
• Accountability and reliability
   

These skills apply across many civilian careers.

• Read the job description carefully
• Use similar language and keywords
• Show that you understand what the employer is looking for
   

Whenever possible, explain the outcome of your work.

• Did you lead people? 
• Improve efficiency?
• Meet deadlines?
• Maintain safety or quality standards?