5 Tips to ease the transition from Military to Civilian Jobs

• Keep your options open.

  Work with more than one military transition resource and apply for more jobs than just with one company. There are many free resources at your disposal, such as: Career One Stop, Destiny Group, and TAOnline. These sites assist military members in seeking jobs and demonstrating how skills acquired in the Armed Forces can be applied to skills needed for a civilian job. By taking advantage of career fairs and these online resources you are more likely to land a job that you enjoy.

• Transform your resume.

  Do not assume that the employer knows how your military experience has prepared you for the position in question. You must bring your skills, qualifications, and education out of the "military career" umbrella term and individually apply each to your current career goals in such a way that a civilian employer understands. When presenting your skills and qualifications and downplaying that all your experience was acquired in the military, your resume will be appear to be a civilian resume. You have to showcase your transferable skills because an employer will not search for them.

• Stay away from military jargon.

  Military terms not understood by civilians. It is not your potential employer's job to decipher what your resume or interview means in civilian terms. Try to pick out everyday terms that you as military member use and replace them with civilian terms. By slowing down and realizing what you are saying you can be more comprehensive of these words in your resume and even in your interview.

• Don't expect privilege.

  While your service to this country is honorable and greatly appreciated by civilians, do not expect to receive favors because you were in the military. Whether it seems fair to you or not, most potential employers will more than likely view your military experience as they do any other job experience.

• Start Early

  Finding a job can turn into a full time job. Give yourself enough time to find, not just a good job, but a good job for you. Start looking at jobs up to two years before actually leaving the military. While that may be too early to schedule interviews it is an excellent time to start researching positions that fit your skills and interests.