Using Military Experience in the Workplace
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Military personnel may have spent years in the military learning a specific skill. Often, this can have a direct corollary in the civilian workplace. For example, a helicopter repair technician should have no problem finding a similar position elsewhere. However, the transition from a military career to a civilian career is not always so seamless. It is important to understand your assets and skill sets and find the best applicable job.
Setting a Long-Term CareerFor many military personnel, the military is a stepping stone for getting a long-term civilian job. Often, military personnel will use military duty as a type of on-the-job training. To do so, it is a good idea to determine applicable jobs ahead of time. So if you are going to be working with computers, determine which skill sets will transfer into the civilian sector. Determine also if this is something you want to be doing for the long term. In some cases, relocation may be necessary if you intend on working in a particular industry.
Military Advantages: CharacterThe good news is that many potential employers specifically look for military personnel, as people with military experience exhibit traits that are successful in the workplace: leadership, time management, resourcefulness, technical knowledge, good teamwork, the ability to learn new skills, follow rules, and other traits necessary for a successful employee.
These military skills can all be put to good use in any work environment. However, if you were in a leadership position in the military, the military chain of command will not necessarily apply in the workplace. The main thing to remember is that the military and civilian workplace are distinct enterprises, so while you can use military experience in the workplace, you may have to adapt accordingly.
Military Advantages: Translating SkillsFinding a job that correlates to your military skills can be a challenge, but it can also work to your advantage. It is a good idea to take a general approach to some military skills. A watch captain, for example, can translate into management experience. The most popular military-related jobs are law enforcement, engineering, healthcare, maintenance, or education. All of these jobs have some corollary with military experience.
Keep in mind that any of these positions depends on your experience both in the military and in the civilian sector. For example, most engineering positions require a Bachelors degree. As many military personnel use the GI Bill to further their education, military experience can lead to both extended educational opportunities, as well as specific skill sets that can translate into a targeted career path. There are several job boards available specifically for military personnel entering post-military life.
Putting Military Skills in Civilian Terms
Not only do you have to determine how your military skills translate into the civilian sector, you must convey these skills to any potential employer in civilian terms. Most employers will not be familiar with military terminology and abbreviations, or even certain types of technology, so you must translate these skills accordingly. Again, convey your accomplishments in general terms, such as, “Performed maintenance tasks, including upkeep and repair.” How you convey skills to an employer depends on the knowledge level of that employer or the demands of a particular industry.
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