Job titles are the #1 thing a recruiter/hiring manager looks at on your resume to determine if you’re qualified. Saying you were a First Sergeant or Battalion Commander doesn’t tell a civilian your qualified for an Operation Director role. “Civilanized” titles also help you get through an Applicant Tracking System. Your job title should be tailored depending on the role you are applying for.
Few employers will be able to resonate with “machine-gun management”—“weapons system release supervisor”—or “hand-to-hand combat leader”.
23 Examples of How to Civilianize your Military Job
- Action Officer (AO): Analyst, Mobilization Officer, Operations Officer
- Administrative NCO: Human Resources & Operations Manager, Administrative Officer, Administrator, Personnel Manager
- Commander, Chief: President, Director, Senior Manager, Division Head, Senior Personnel and Program Manager, Supervisor, Head of ….
- Company Commander, Directorate: Director of Operations, Department Head, Department Manager, VP of Operations
- Company Grade Officer: Operations Officer, Operations Manager, Program Administrator, Organizational Manager
- Executive Officer (XO): Deputy Director, Assistant Director, Senior Manager
- Field Grade Officer : Executive Officer, Deputy Director, Assistant to the Director, Operations Manager
- First Sergeant: HR and Operations Manager, Personnel Supervisor, Senior Advisor
- General Officers (Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, General, Rear Admiral, Vice Rear Admiral, Admiral): President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Senior Vice President, Executive Vice President, Senior Operations Director, Chairperson
- Operations NCO: Operations Manager, Director of Operations
- Personnel Specialist: Human Resources Specialist, Human Resources Generalist
- Platoon Sergeant, Platoon leader: First-line Supervisor, Training Instructor, Operations Manager
- Program or Project Manager: These titles directly translate
- Senior Field Grade Officer: Senior Director, Operations Manager, Operations Director, Program Director, Chief Administrator, Senior Administrator
- Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO): Chief of…, Director, Senior Advisor, Lead Technical Advisor, Division Supervisor, Organizational Supervisor, Senior Personelle Supervisor
- Service members, Soldiers, Airman, Marines, Sailors: Military Personnel, Employees, Colleagues,
- Squad Leader: Team or Section Leader, Personnel Manager
- Subordinates: Employees, Direct Reports, Personnel, Military Personnel, Staff, Team Members
- Superior(s): Supervisor, Manager, Direct Manager, Executive Manager
- Supply Sergeant: Supply Manager, Logistics Manager
- Team/Squad Leader: Team Leader, Team Chief, Team Supervisor, Lead Trainer
- Troops/Units: Personnel, People, Staff, Clients, CustomersSupported Organizations
- Warrant Officer: Senior Technician, technical advisor, facilitator, technical manager, technical specialist, director, specialist, department manager, chief
ONE LAST THING, be sure to write down the job titles you are targeting, particularly in your LinkedIn profile where it says, “Open to”
Cross posted on LinkedIn Publisher at
Cross posted on LinkedIn Publisher at How Do I “Civilianize” My Military Job? Plus 23 Examples of How to Translate Your Job Title