View Full Version : Resume Help?
After 11 years of Active Duty Service, I am considering a civilian life. I am having difficulty transitioning all my military activities into something that can relate into a civilian world. One basic question I have is, am I supposed to have multiple resume's depending on the jobs I am applying for?
I am looking for help creating a resume, or resume's, for civilian jobs. I have found things in Word that act as a guide, but I would like some first hand civilian help. Whether you are in the HR department, or assist in the hiring/firing process, or just a good writer. Shoot me a PM or post a reply.
Thanks!
newracer
12-30-2014, 11:48
I tweak my resume to emphasize skills that match the position I am applying for. Mostly is it just rearranging the order of skills and projects I have worked on.
thvigil11
12-30-2014, 11:49
I've found that its a good idea to draft a master resume. Make it extra long, extra info. Basically include everything. Then custom tailor the resume to each position that you apply for. Chop out stuff that may not apply to the position and add emphasis to any parts that would make you more attractive to that particular employer.
Resume's now are more of a sales pitch than they used to be, so yes, tailoring for each specific job does help. A cover letter tailored to a specific job with a general resume is also a good way to go. There are on-line websites that will help you format a cover letter and resume for specific industries, as they are different. If I want you to run a machine, I want specific experience and performance to be highlighted on a resume. OTOH, if it is sales, I want to see a people person with good communication skills. The resume gets you an interview, but the interviews are not really formalities anymore.
If you were a door kicker, your civilian resume may say something like: Skilled in solving dynamic problems both as an individual and in a team environment. Unless you are applying to be something with a direct military correlation, consider that an HR person is going to be overly PC. Best of luck.
I tweak my resume to emphasize skills that match the position I am applying for. Mostly is it just rearranging the order of skills and projects I have worked on.
I've found that its a good idea to draft a master resume. Make it extra long, extra info. Basically include everything. Then custom tailor the resume to each position that you apply for. Chop out stuff that may not apply to the position and add emphasis to any parts that would make you more attractive to that particular employer.
Thought so. thanks for the good advice. One giant pool of information, and then copy paste info pertaining to position - got it!
Resume's now are more of a sales pitch than they used to be, so yes, tailoring for each specific job does help. A cover letter tailored to a specific job with a general resume is also a good way to go. There are on-line websites that will help you format a cover letter and resume for specific industries, as they are different. If I want you to run a machine, I want specific experience and performance to be highlighted on a resume. OTOH, if it is sales, I want to see a people person with good communication skills. The resume gets you an interview, but the interviews are not really formalities anymore.
If you were a door kicker, your civilian resume may say something like: Skilled in solving dynamic problems both as an individual and in a team environment. Unless you are applying to be something with a direct military correlation, consider that an HR person is going to be overly PC. Best of luck.
That is the trouble I am runing into. I could talk about my military things that I have done, but having trouble relating them into civilian life.
That is the trouble I am runing into. I could talk about my military things that I have done, but having trouble relating them into civilian life.
Write them out (provided you are allowed) and I am sure the collective can get you some good translations. :)
You've gotten great advice so far. Everything I would say has already been said. Which industry are you looking to transition into?
You've gotten great advice so far. Everything I would say has already been said. Which industry are you looking to transition into?
I am good at hands on work, but would be willing to transition to more of a desk job if needed. My biggest concern is making sure I make enough to support the family. The Military has decent pay, and great health benefits - so I would need to be able to find something that compares.
I have no idea what you do, but have you tried to look for a civilian contractor job back to the military doing the same thing you do now?
jerrymrc
12-30-2014, 13:21
I am good at hands on work, but would be willing to transition to more of a desk job if needed. My biggest concern is making sure I make enough to support the family. The Military has decent pay, and great health benefits - so I would need to be able to find something that compares.
Not easy. Did 12 years AD. Been working for the DOD since. All my Civilians are ex military and if it was not for the fact that they are disabled/retired they would be looking at a 50% pay cut overall. After health ins, life ins and retirement I take home $1450 every two weeks as a GS-10 with over 21 years in CS. Our health ins is over $600 per month and the co-pays are up there.
mcantar18c
12-30-2014, 13:29
I'm dealing with the same thing right now. Coming out of my MOS, most of the translatable stuff is the "soft skills." I've got 5 versions of my resume saved on my computer right now all highlighting different crap.
If you want to send me a copy of yours just for the sake of having someone that understands the language look at it, I'd be happy to help out. PM me if you want and I'll send you my email.
I have screened hundreds of resumes and have sat in on many hiring boards here at USNORTHCOM in the five years since I retired from the USAF. PM me your email address and I can send you some nice example resumes of some of the applicants I have screened. The vast majority of them are prior military.
fullmann
12-30-2014, 15:36
My last three jobs I have applied for I pulled most of the info right out of the job listing itself. Not so much cut and paste, but pretty damn close.
Lately it seems that no human actually sees a resume until the computer has gone through all of its word/phrase recognition steps. So if you can use their words to dedcribe your skills. That puts you at the top of the list.
Also, check with certain companies, I know the people I worked with at Lockheed told me that they pretty much had to say ex-mil and they were in, regardless of skills. I've heard Boeing is close to the same.
Funny part art is that my current position posted a 'welcome' email, touting my skill set, that was a cut and paste from my resume, that was a cut and paste from the job requisition.
Great-Kazoo
12-30-2014, 17:08
I am good at hands on work, but would be willing to transition to more of a desk job if needed. My biggest concern is making sure I make enough to support the family. The Military has decent pay, and great health benefits - so I would need to be able to find something that compares.
Contact the dept of labor / job services Vet Rep, in your area. If they are 1/2 as good as they are up here. A resume writing course should be available.
The woman weld cty has could turn a shovel full of shit in to a platter of gold.
You need to keep the resume to 1 page 1.5 tops. Your cover letter's your introduction to HR and why you're qualified, in 1 page maximum. After that their eyes glaze over, also have the buzz words that are specific to the job. Most places look to see if those words are in your resume. If not, NEXT
ALSO ANY social media sites you're on, shit can them. IF something may appear un-PC, contains alcohol, profanity etc. DELETE.
You'll never know why you were not hired. Today's job hiring process is FAX or E-Mail your resume to...
It took me a while to come to terms with not hearing back from a job listing. Get use to the silence of job hunting.
Again get with the local veterans rep , they should be able to assist you
http://www.ceswoodstock.org/job_search/resumebuzzwords.shtml
http://www.money-zine.com/career-development/resume-writing/resume-power-words/
words to avoid
http://www.roberthalf.com/officeteam/resume-buzz-words-to-avoid
Cover letter info
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettersamples/a/coverlettsample.htm
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2011/03/24/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/)http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2011/03/24/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/
I'd like to add/amend something GK said- DON'T shitcan your social media stuffs. That's a warning sign to them. DO go through and set your privacy settings, remove anything that might be considered offensive, and do make sure there are no questionable pictures. Rest assured that deleting your social media does not get rid of it. Once it's out there, it's out there.
If you have no social media stuff, now is the time to get LinkedIn going, and possibly a nice, innocuous Facebook page.
Contact the dept of labor / job services Vet Rep, in your area. If they are 1/2 as good as they are up here. A resume writing course should be available.
The woman weld cty has could turn a shovel full of shit in to a platter of gold.
You need to keep the resume to 1 page 1.5 tops. Your cover letter's your introduction to HR and why you're qualified, in 1 page maximum. After that their eyes glaze over, also have the buzz words that are specific to the job. Most places look to see if those words are in your resume. If not, NEXT
ALSO ANY social media sites you're on, shit can them. IF something may appear un-PC, contains alcohol, profanity etc. DELETE.
You'll never know why you were not hired. Today's job hiring process is FAX or E-Mail your resume to...
It took me a while to come to terms with not hearing back from a job listing. Get use to the silence of job hunting.
Again get with the local veterans rep , they should be able to assist you
http://www.ceswoodstock.org/job_search/resumebuzzwords.shtml
http://www.money-zine.com/career-development/resume-writing/resume-power-words/
words to avoid
http://www.roberthalf.com/officeteam/resume-buzz-words-to-avoid
Cover letter info
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettersamples/a/coverlettsample.htm
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2011/03/24/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/)http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2011/03/24/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/
I'd like to add/amend something GK said- DON'T shitcan your social media stuffs. That's a warning sign to them. DO go through and set your privacy settings, remove anything that might be considered offensive, and do make sure there are no questionable pictures. Rest assured that deleting your social media does not get rid of it. Once it's out there, it's out there.
If you have no social media stuff, now is the time to get LinkedIn going, and possibly a nice, innocuous Facebook page.
Thanks, I will start combing through my facebook and making sure it's privacy set, and I will start taking out pictures that are questionable (shouldn't have too many).
I DID get a Linkedin account but it's for official job stuff only. I was told that some employers us that site for referances and see all of my possible qualifications.
SamuraiCO
12-31-2014, 08:09
Mine is set up with bullet points on top with "skill sets" emphasized and word phrases the job is looking for. Leadership, computer, etc. Below is current work history with dates and position, brief explanation of job.
KEEP IT ONE PAGE plus the cover letter. Can't over emphasize it enough. KEEP IT ONE PAGE. You can expand on details in the interview.
Mine is set up with bullet points on top with "skill sets" emphasized and word phrases the job is looking for. Leadership, computer, etc. Below is current work history with dates and position, brief explanation of job.
KEEP IT ONE PAGE plus the cover letter. Can't over emphasize it enough. KEEP IT ONE PAGE. You can expand on details in the interview.
I have it 1 page, and I have one with a similar set-up.
Is the cover letter mandatory? I see some jobs request it, others say nothing about it. I know it's just a quick blip before the actual resume - keeping it less than 1 page.
Batteriesnare
12-31-2014, 08:51
I have it 1 page, and I have one with a similar set-up.
Is the cover letter mandatory? I see some jobs request it, others say nothing about it. I know it's just a quick blip before the actual resume - keeping it less than 1 page.
If you're serious about the job, a cover letter is mandatory. Real applicants take the time to learn about the position and explain why they are a good fit with their skills. People who just send a resume are just looking for a job and casting a wide net to see who bites. I've read thousands of resumes, and only hired one person that didn't send a cover letter.
Also, since I haven't seen it yet, have several people who you trust with grammar and punctuation review your resume before sending it out. Very few red flags compare on a resume like someone claiming to be "focused, detail oriented and professional " when they have typos on the page. The paper is your ambassador asking for a sit down negotiation - send it well groomed!
I'd be willing to give my perspective on your resume if you'd like another pair of eyes to review it. I do not have a mil background.
Tell us what you did in the .mil and I'm sure we've got enough brains to help you transition that work experience into civvie language.
What did you do?
Perseverance, truth and loyalty
Cover Letter is a must!. I'm a VP now...this was after I was I "non-traditional student". I didn't graduate from college until I had invested 10+ years (non military).
As many have said, tailor your skill set to the job requirement. Please don't use a boilerplate resume. It will generally get tossed immediately.
Send all your questions/concerns and I'd be more than willing to help.
PS - don't boiler plate as I stated earlier. Makes for a horrible presentation.
Drew
I have a short connection with a construction company in Denver...owned by an Annapolis Grad.
No promises...
Drew
Military . com has a free service where you plug in your MOS and it spits out pretty language suitable for a starting point on your resume.
My wife does military recruiting strategy for Fortune 10 companies. PM me your resume and I am sure she would be happy to look at it - provided you have done some of the basic work.
When applying for my job, I just asked them about a cover letter, they said it wasn't an issue. I was applying for an entry level position where the only requirement was college though. Anything higher than that and I'd say to go through the effort of writing a cover letter, if for nothing else than to help you organize and verbalize your own presentation. You may be perfect for the job, and know that you're perfect for the job, but if you can't present that in an interview, you'll struggle. Tailoring resumes and cover letters is a great way to get you into the proper frame for when they ask you, "Why do you want this job?"
I've splattered resumes out and shown up to interviews not even remembering what was on my resume. Try not to make that mistake.
The one page resume is utter bullshit. Use the minimum number of pages you need to make your sales pitch. Brevity is a great thing but don't feel compelled to keep it to a single page.
I look at hundreds of resumes a year. What I care about is grammar, making your point, and more than anything your ACCOMPLISHMENTS while in your role. Do not give me a job description - tell me how you took your job to the next level, tell me how your actions set you apart from your peers, tell me why you are the one for me. More than anything show me you can be successful when I give you a challenge.
What did you do?
Perseverance, truth and loyalty
I am a 2w2, and have over 5 years weapons MX experience, over 4 years weapons trainer. The past year I have been an instructor at the weapons school house and have logged over 1400 teaching hours.
Cover Letter is a must!. I'm a VP now...this was after I was I "non-traditional student". I didn't graduate from college until I had invested 10+ years (non military).
As many have said, tailor your skill set to the job requirement. Please don't use a boilerplate resume. It will generally get tossed immediately.
Send all your questions/concerns and I'd be more than willing to help.
PS - don't boiler plate as I stated earlier. Makes for a horrible presentation.
Drew
What is "boiler plate?" just a standard resume? And I know that I will be going back to Cheyenne WY, but thank you on the Construction lead.
so to re-cap, I need a cover plate for sure, and have 3-4 variances of resume's depending on position I am applying for. Thanks again all!!!
I have a rough draft, and once I make sure I have everything gather, I will post up what I have so you all can help adjust as needed.
Okay, now that I am on a real keyboard some further advice:
1) Get a Linked-In account and make it look like gold. Linked-In is NOT Facebook and don't treat it as such. Network with as many people that you *actually* know and have worked with. In today's job market the #1 way to land a job is through networking, and Linked-In is the #1 site that recruiters use. Jealously guard all your relationships on Linked-In and dont just accept every offer to link with random people. Look at every link through the eyes of a prospective employer. Know the Chief Scientist from a program you worked on that is at some SI - yup link up with them, the guy you met a burger joint one time - no ignore his request. There a metric fuck-ton of SI related people at Kirtland and I am sure you have interacted with a bunch of them - get on linked-in and start networking. You will be amazed.
2) Get your resume up on "indeed.com" - the days of Monster and careerbuilder are slowly dying - they are really only used by shitty 3rd party recruiters who comb through thousands of job postings and then try and sell your resume to the prospective employer/2nd party recruiter. Indeed is the new hot-spot for all the quality recruiters (linked-in is still the #1).
3) Figure out what kind of work you *want* to do. As a 2w2xx at NWC you have a lot of skill sets that can be translated to civilian jobs, but what is it you *love* to do. Realize that your passion may not pay the best, but don't just take a job because someone offers it. Tailor your resume to the career field you want. Yes tailor it to each application to make - but they should all be in the same career field.
4) Take advantage of the career transition workshops that are offered. Sometimes they bring in some REALLY big guns to help people with resumes and the like. In several cases I have watched people get hired there purely because they had a decent resume - but more importantly they were engaging with the presenter. They asked great questions and made themselves known. The soft-skills are more important when you are trying to land the job - focus on them. I have watched EVPs of major corps come in to do a skill-set workshop, they usually don't say their official title.
5) Again, and I cannot stress this enough. Tell me what you accomplished - not what your job skills were. Tell me why you are the one I should take a gamble on. Show me that you accomplish your goals and exceed them. Show me that when I give you a challenge that you will rise to the occasion and give me outstanding results. Tell me what RESULTS you provided in your job. I cannot tell you the number of resumes that I toss on the floor because all they do is tell me what their job description is; and I have looked through a metric fuck ton of previous military/first time civilian resumes.
6) Know that many employers, especially the major companies, have specific groups within HR devoted and dedicated to military hiring. Find those people (remember Linked-In) and reach out to them. Tell them straight up that you are transitioning and looking for information. They will bend over backwards to help you.
mcantar18c
01-04-2015, 15:37
Asmo, that post was extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
OtterbatHellcat
01-04-2015, 16:28
Asmo, that post was extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Yes, that was pretty damn good.
Also, I wonder if his neighbors car alarm stopped going off in the middle of the night.
Okay, now that I am on a real keyboard some further advice:
1) Get a Linked-In account and make it look like gold. Linked-In is NOT Facebook and don't treat it as such. Network with as many people that you *actually* know and have worked with. In today's job market the #1 way to land a job is through networking, and Linked-In is the #1 site that recruiters use. Jealously guard all your relationships on Linked-In and dont just accept every offer to link with random people. Look at every link through the eyes of a prospective employer. Know the Chief Scientist from a program you worked on that is at some SI - yup link up with them, the guy you met a burger joint one time - no ignore his request. There a metric fuck-ton of SI related people at Kirtland and I am sure you have interacted with a bunch of them - get on linked-in and start networking. You will be amazed.
2) Get your resume up on "indeed.com" - the days of Monster and careerbuilder are slowly dying - they are really only used by shitty 3rd party recruiters who comb through thousands of job postings and then try and sell your resume to the prospective employer/2nd party recruiter. Indeed is the new hot-spot for all the quality recruiters (linked-in is still the #1).
3) Figure out what kind of work you *want* to do. As a 2w2xx at NWC you have a lot of skill sets that can be translated to civilian jobs, but what is it you *love* to do. Realize that your passion may not pay the best, but don't just take a job because someone offers it. Tailor your resume to the career field you want. Yes tailor it to each application to make - but they should all be in the same career field.
4) Take advantage of the career transition workshops that are offered. Sometimes they bring in some REALLY big guns to help people with resumes and the like. In several cases I have watched people get hired there purely because they had a decent resume - but more importantly they were engaging with the presenter. They asked great questions and made themselves known. The soft-skills are more important when you are trying to land the job - focus on them. I have watched EVPs of major corps come in to do a skill-set workshop, they usually don't say their official title.
5) Again, and I cannot stress this enough. Tell me what you accomplished - not what your job skills were. Tell me why you are the one I should take a gamble on. Show me that you accomplish your goals and exceed them. Show me that when I give you a challenge that you will rise to the occasion and give me outstanding results. Tell me what RESULTS you provided in your job. I cannot tell you the number of resumes that I toss on the floor because all they do is tell me what their job description is; and I have looked through a metric fuck ton of previous military/first time civilian resumes.
6) Know that many employers, especially the major companies, have specific groups within HR devoted and dedicated to military hiring. Find those people (remember Linked-In) and reach out to them. Tell them straight up that you are transitioning and looking for information. They will bend over backwards to help you.
Good info, thank you.
How far should I have information? I have information I can go back 10 years, but I know it wouldn't really help. Should I keep to only recent accomplishments i.e. the past 3 years?
I'd put the most relevant info in, regardless of how long ago it was, and just be prepared to fill in the gaps if anyone asks.
How far should I have information? I have information I can go back 10 years, but I know it wouldn't really help.
Go back in your job history as long as you think its relevant. 10 years is fine - so as long as you can show how it relates to the field that you want to be in, and how the experience and accomplishments are relevant.
Should I keep to only recent accomplishments i.e. the past 3 years?
Maybe I wasn't clear enough. For every single job you have done in the past - state your accomplishments, what RESULTS you achieved. I don't care if you were a lifeguard in your teens, if it is relevant put it on:
e.g. "Developed new training methodology that increased lifeguard certification test scores by 23% reducing drowning fatalities by 81% across the state". or "Tracked product engineering and release schedules while implementing new product marketing strategies that resulted in four successful beta customers and three successful product releases."
Those show me a result, it showed me that what you did made a bottom-line difference. It showed me that you have the ability to take something and make it real and drive it home. For a resume reader it did it succinctly and gave them hard numbers (always a plus - but sometimes you can't do it but anything helps), that means you immediately go to the top of the pile.
HoneyBadger
01-05-2015, 14:53
Flyboy, did you get my PM?
Flyboy, did you get my PM?
I did thank you. I will be taking a few people up on their PMs. Hopefully tomorrow I will have it all mapped out. Thanks again all
hurley842002
01-05-2015, 20:10
Looks like flyboy is all squared away, so I hope he doesn't mind a minor thread jack with a resume question of my own.
I've got a very nice resume laid out for myself, but it consists of skills and experience as it relates to ten years in corrections. I'm no longer in the department and am applying to various companies to keep me busy until school starts this summer.
I guess my question is, do I submit my resume as is, to places like American furniture warehouse, or do I try and re work it to pertain to the job I'm applying for.
Sorry if it seems like a lame question, but starting with the department when I was 21 and being there 10 years, doesn't leave me much experience with this stuff. Thanks for any input.
I guess my question is, do I submit my resume as is, to places like American furniture warehouse, or do I try and re work it to pertain to the job I'm applying for.
Always tweak the resume - at a bare minimum for the industry you want to work in, preferably for the job you are applying for.
If it wasn't already posted in here. Don't forget this thread for once you get the interview.
If it wasn't already posted in here. Don't forget this thread for once you get the interview.
I will. I have about 6 months until I will be extremely active in finding a job. I am currently getting all my ducks together before I get them in a row. Enlistment is up in November
I have to ask - is there anyone on the board that writes resumes? Or can anybody recommend someone?
I've got mine looking as good as I can, but I'm not a writer. I don't know the fancy tricks and buzzwords that the computers look for these days.
Okay, got a general resume worked out, and a civilian transition program in a little over a week. I started to get on bigger companies websites and look at jobs and found that some have a "military skills translator" that is helping find jobs that might convert. Looks like I can apply for production jobs, technician jobs, mechanical jobs, QA jobs, and a couple other odds and ends.
A big influence for me is the pay. I notice that a lot of jobs, there is a pay scale listed at all. Do I need to apply for a position, submit my resume, and wait for them to call me and tell me more about the job - such as if I qualify, pay, etc? I need a certain amount a year before I decide to punch from the military, and not seeing a starting average pay is making it more difficult!
The trick is just getting that first call back. Then ask the questions. Do not, under any circumstance, seem desperate about the pay. It does nothing but hurt you. Many on here will disagree but I have been on both sides. It is perfectly legitimate to inquire but tone is all important at this point. As with any negotiations, the one who states a price first loses. You will either be real low or over priced to what they are thinking... Either way you lose. Ask for a "pay range" to "see if we are in the same ballpark" and go from there. For just getting out of the military, go in knowing you already have a job and they are trying to get you to walk away from it. My first job out of the military was with Raytheon. They came in at over 3 times what I was making in the military and more than I had ever made in my life....... I turned it down to see if they would sweeten the pot.... And they did.
Good luck
The trick is just getting that first call back. Then ask the questions. Do not, under any circumstance, seem desperate about the pay. It does nothing but hurt you. Many on here will disagree but I have been on both sides. It is perfectly legitimate to inquire but tone is all important at this point. As with any negotiations, the one who states a price first loses. You will either be real low or over priced to what they are thinking... Either way you lose. Ask for a "pay range" to "see if we are in the same ballpark" and go from there. For just getting out of the military, go in knowing you already have a job and they are trying to get you to walk away from it. My first job out of the military was with Raytheon. They came in at over 3 times what I was making in the military and more than I had ever made in my life....... I turned it down to see if they would sweeten the pot.... And they did.
Good luck
Good to know, thanks for the tip. I know what I make, and what I would need to "walk away."
I am looking into Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrup and none of them listed any pay.
fullmann
01-29-2015, 22:07
I personally know Lockheed has a hard on for ex-mil. In fact, some of the guys I worked with told me that was the only reason they had the job.
your job list looks pretty much identical to where I was looking about 5 years ago. Shoot me an IM about what you are looking at, and I may be able to help.
Great-Kazoo
01-29-2015, 22:17
Good to know, thanks for the tip. I know what I make, and what I would need to "walk away."
I am looking into Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrup and none of them listed any pay.
Speaking of Raytheon, check your e-mail. there's something i received you might like / have an interest in. Contact info etc is included.
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