You're Worth Every Penny

After 20 years of service in the Army as both enlisted and a Warrant Officer, I retired to start my career in the civilian work sector. I have been succesfully employed for six years now. Here are some of my first-hand experiences to pass along.

Additional duties in the military can make your resume. I was not an IT professional in the military by career field, but I volunteered for such additional duties in that area in almost every command I was apart of. My resume focused on these duties and very little on the electronic maintenance positions I filled. While in service, I completed my BS in Computer Information Systems. If you don't get a degree, ensure you that you earn private-sector certifications if available in your area of interest. If you’re an electrician in the Army, ensure you get civilian certifications or licenses before you leave the military. This is critical if you want to find a position with competitive pay and not an entry-level position.

Regardless of experience, most employers’ hands are tied if you don't have a degree or certifications. You may have been a Senior NCO managing 150 troops, but in the civilian sector most managers have a college degree. The experience and level of responsibility that most receive while in the service is unmatched in the civilian sector -- couple that with a college degree and you will stand out among your competition. Next, take the military lingo out of your resume such as,"Stationed at 123rd, ACR," "NCOIC," “platoon sergeant”; "Master Gunner"; "ANOC"; "MOS." Don’t make a laundry list all your military medals, training certificates, etc.

Put everything in civilian terms. Instead of “Served as Platoon Sergeant in the 59th Transportation Company, 3rd ID,” state, “Managed a division of 60 employees responsible for providing the logistical support of more than 3 million dollars annually worth of equipment and supplies to more than 4,000 customers….”

You must assume that many HR employees and civilian managers don't understand military terms, positions, rank, training, units, etc. and can't translate that into what they are seeking. You must efficiently translate it for them in your resume. Ensure you do some research and get comfortable with the civilian terms associated with your career field. During interviews you want to be able to understand the questions and not get hung up on some of the terms that are being used.

Last bit of advice: Have confidence that you are worth every penny you are asking for. Do not sell yourself short, and do not use your military pay as a basis for what you should earn. In many cases, you may have been significantly under paid for the level of responsibility, education, and experience you had while in the military.

Good Luck,
Kurt (US Army Retired)
Hoooah!

Comments

[Rick Schroder]

Just about everything said is true. I left the Navy in '91 in Sunny San Diego. If you are trying to continue a civilian career in a military town, remember that most of the people you will be interviewing with are also former military. Don't try to b.s. them. But don't be afraid to share some of your experiences. As alot of employers can assimilate to them. And be proud of your service. Don't bitch about your military service in any way.

[Tom Fasolo]

I agree with this article and would add a few points. Make sure when you go into civilian interviews you know the company and its culture. Especially now in days, employers just expect this. Another tip would be to anticipate questions asked of you. Questions on your military background and how that translates into being able to perform the civilian job. Prepare a list of question to go in with. This will ensure you gain the answers you have on the company and the position, and the employer will like that you're prepared. And lastly, be yourself. Remember for the most part civilians are not forced to work with anyone. People want to work with people they like. So prepare, be yourself, and be proud to be a veteran!