How to Write a Resume to Convert From a Military Job to a Civilian One

Military resumes may differ greatly in format and style from civilian resumes, but your ultimate goal is still the same: to show a potential employer that your skills and experience make you the best candidate for the job. If you've been in the military and are converting to a civilian job, you will need to prepare a civilian resume that clearly shows how your military experience has supplied you with the skills and training needed to excel at the job in question.

• 1

  Write a list for your own reference of the skills you have as a result of your military experience. Read through the job description for the job you are applying for, and take note of the skills and qualifications required. Highlight those skills you listed that are referenced in the job description; it is these skills you must work into your resume as you write it.

• 2

  Write the "Objective" section of your resume, which is a short statement explaining who you are and what job you are applying for. For example, "Former Air Force lieutenant seeking managerial position at accounting agency."

• 3

  Write the "Education" section of your resume, including both degrees and certification you hold. Write the name of the school or organization, their location (city/state), the date you finished and the specific degree or certificate type. Include military training that is relevant to the civilian job you want.

• 4

  Write the "Experience" section of your resume. While this will feature your military titles and experience, locate words that are specific to the military and replace them with words that business personnel will be more familiar with. For example, "uniforms" or "weapons" may be referred to as supplies, while "soldiers" or "officers" should be identified as "co-workers" or "supervisors."

• 5

  Write the "Skills" section of your resume. Create a bullet-point list of the skills you have developed that are directly related to the job you want.

• 6

  Ask a civilian friend or colleague to proofread your resume, checking specifically for terminology that is military-based and may be confusing to a civilian employer.