Writing a Military to Civilian Resume that focuses on your accomplishments is easier than you think. I’ll show you how and provide actionable advice and plenty of examples without the fluff.
First, gather your important career information.
Gathering information allows you to reflect on all your military accomplishments, training, and education. Thinking about your military experiences will help you connect the dots for a civilian career. Start with your performance reports from the last 10-15 years (EPR’s, OER’s, NCOER’s, Fit Reps).
Second, look for quantifiable information. By thinking in quantifiable terms, you’ll start to develop a results-based resume and discover your quantifiable experience and accomplishments. Look deeply at your performance reports that are normally loaded with quantifiable information.
(1) Numbers equate to creditability
Numbers highlight your professionalism.
Over 4 years of combined experience in…
5 years experience as a jet engine mechanic doing…
10 years as a senior supervisor doing…
12+ years proven leadership experience in…
20+ years of leadership and management experience at the executive level.
Qualified and skilled driver and vehicle mechanic with 15 years’ experience.
(2) Numbers stand out
Job recruiters scanning resumes home in on digits.
Directed 34 employees…
Lead and participated in 24…
Supported 12 investigations…
Lead teams of 22 personnel…
Managed operations, including 9…
Directed 15-person that accomplished…
(3) Numbers have an impact
Metrics is the language of business.
Supported over 12…
Trained 50 personnel from…
Solicited over 30 bids ensuing…
Trained 24 personnel resulting in…
Managed 10 contracts resulting in…
Repaired 60+________ in record time.
(4) Dollars and percentages stand out
Dollars and % are attention getters for your awesome work.
$3M in sales…
100% success…
Directed $16M in…
100% proficiency…
Saved business $1.3M…
99 percent success rate…
(5) Numbers show how you have optimized your time
Saved 400 man-hours resulting in…
Saved up to 75% in hours spent on…
600+ man-hours spent accomplishing ________ resulting in….
Accomplished 2750 flight hours for 540+ operations in support of…
Numbers draw the eye, particularly $ amounts and %. and help potential employers to navigate your accomplishments quickly. You only have 15 seconds to capture a potential employer’s attention and the top 1/3rd of your resume is your most valuable real estate, where hiring managers spend 80% of their time. This 1/3rd is called the Summary of Qualifications or Career Highlights section.
Here and some eye-popping examples of how to start your Summary Statement.
Here and some eye-popping examples of how to start your resume and write your Summary Statement
1. Avionics Electronics Technician, Avionics Electrical Systems Specialist, Avionics System Integration Specialist with 8+ years’ proven experience installing, maintaining, repairing, and modifying complex avionics equipment worth $30M. Trained 25 avionics maintenance personnel on voltage and circuits, circuit diagrams, and basics electricity with 90% pass rate. Stellar record troubleshooting equipment failures and deficiencies. Certificate from Aviation Institute of Maintenance with collateral responsibility for technical training.
2. Logistics Manager and Military Veteran with a Secret Security Clearance and over 12 years of combined experience in the United States Army, private logistics, and warehouse management. Led teams of up to 50 personnel in a new and dynamic lean logistics, lean logistics tracking, managing a warehouse worth $15B in commodities. Comprehensive background in logistics derived from conducting domestic and global operations in civilian and military environments. Completing pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Logistics Management from prestigious Embry-
3. Senior Military Leader with an active Secret Security Clearance offering 15+ years of proven training and leadership experience. Directed diverse teams up to 115 employees in dynamic, fast-paced environments. Managed property, assets, and equipment valued at $1.3B.
4. Innovative Operations Manager with 17 years of proven leadership experience in operations, supply chain management, logistics, and finance. Accomplished measurable results while leading teams of 22 personnel in a dynamic, fast-paced environment in domestic and global operations. Managed $25M in equipment/inventory.
Lastly, use distinct power words to start each sentence. Diversifying your resume equals a more powerful resume. Every time I craft a resume, I use this resource, so I know you’ll find it useful if you are trying to DIY your resume. You can download the 700 Power Words in 11 Military to Civilian Categories. Here is a short snippet of what you’ll get…
Written by Cassie Hatcher, CEO of Career Confidence, (https://www.careerconfidence.us/). Cassie is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) and Certified Veteran Career Strategist (CVCS) and the winner of the 2019 “Modernize Your Resume” Contest for a Military Executive Resume. Both of her parents are retired military. Cassie works with both enlisted and officers from every military branch and across a wide range of Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Her primary clientele are military service members looking for a rèsumè writer to showcase their unique military experience and translate military jargon into a language that civilians can understand to ensure they stand out among other candidates.