At the VA, we understand the unique circumstances facing transitioning military personnel, and we want to help you successfully transition to a civilian career—especially one on our team!
As you turn the page from the military chapter of your life and focus on the civilian stories ahead, consider some of these steps to help avoid the proverbial paper cuts.
Plan ahead
Even if you’re just thinking about ending your military career, start planning for what comes next. There will be a hectic transition period between the filing of your retirement papers and the official separation date, so any steps you take now will give you breathing room later.
“I gave myself about 6 to 8 months to make the transition,” said Kelly “Murph” Murphy, veteran and Season 1 winner of CBS’ “Tough as Nails.” “So that time was really busy, a lot busier than I thought it would be, because not only are you trying to finish your military career and continue to do your job, but now you’re looking for a job yourself.”
Start by accessing the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and using those resources to help build your transition plan.
Build your network
Those who have served in the military themselves or worked with other veterans know that a veteran applicant is well trained. You bring to the table a good work ethic, comfort with adapting to difficult circumstances, and a predisposition toward success.
“When you’re in the military you learn to work with everyone,” explained veteran and Tough as Nails season 3 winner Lia Mort. “And when you go out, you just have a comfort of meeting people you haven’t met before and instantly connecting.”
These connections can carry over from your military career to your new civilian job, so it pays to build your network early. Connect with your groups and search for potential employers on social media. Our VA Facebook communities, I tweetInstagram, LinkedIn and Glassdoor are great places to connect with others who have made the leap to a civilian career.
Update your CV (then redo it)
You’ll need a fresh resume for the civilian world, and it makes sense that you’ll want to include your extensive military experience. Develop that document, but plan to adjust it with each application you submit.
For example, the VA makes it easy to tailor your resume to the job you want by listing the desired skill set in each position posting on USAJobs. After reviewing the ad, edit your resume to highlight skills that match the job requirements.
“Notifying the position you’re applying for will give you all the information you need to be successful,” explained Tim Blakney, a veteran and recruiting consultant for the VA. “Demonstrate how your skills will fit perfectly with the position.”
Translate your experience
Your time in the service will undoubtedly have taught you many things, but as with any profession, there is an internal jargon that has developed in the military. They have become second nature to you, but you can’t assume that everyone shares that knowledge.
“The people who are reviewing your resume may not have served,” explained Kendra Wilson-Hudson, a veteran who now works as a physician recruitment consultant with the VA National Recruiting Service. “They could be civilians.”
Take the time to interpret your experience for your new audience. Try using a military skills translator to turn your military specialty or equivalent service career into a list of everyday terms for your resume.
Get comfortable talking about yourself
When it comes time for your first civilian interview, change can be uncomfortable. Remember that your job is to sell yourself to the recruiter or hiring manager, and the best way to do that is to be prepared.
At VA, we use a performance-based interviewing (PBI) process, which asks you to draw your answer from a specific moment in your career that best exemplifies your success. However, knowing how to answer a PBI can provide an excellent foundation for answering all kinds of questions.
PBI questions depend on a story component, but it’s best to focus your answer on the problem you encountered, the action you took, and the results you experienced. Remember that system by reminding yourself that you want your answers to be “up to PAR” (problem, action, result) and you’ll be able to answer the more difficult questions with ease.
And for those questions that make you really uncomfortable, we’ve got you covered there too.
Works at the VA
Welcome to the next stage of your career. At the VA, we value all that you have to offer as a veteran and look forward to bringing your skills here.
