This is part two of our two-part article with tips for veterans transitioning back into the civilian sector. View part one here.
Prepare for a civilian career
Many military members are well-suited for civilian careers, but simply don't know where to begin. To make finding a civilian career easier, consider giving the following a try:
1) Attend resume workshops
The U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA), as well as local career centers and colleges, all offer resume building workshops. These workshops will help you translate your military experience into civilian work experience, and teach you how to better market yourself to prospective employers.
2) Participate in practice interviews
Where many military members struggle is the interview process. Being used to rigid settings and military jargon often makes it difficult for military members to connect with their civilian interviewers. By participating in practice interviews, military members can learn to translate their experience into civilian experience under pressure and how to act more business formal to engage interviewers appropriately.
3) Consider the career
Police departments often favor hiring veterans and offer a wide variety of perks and hiring incentives to veterans interested in a civilian career as a police officer. However, becoming a police officer isn't the only position fitting for former military members. Because they often regularly use some of the latest technological gadgets and programs, military members also succeed as IT specialists. For military members interested in self-employment, their determination, drive and innovation make them great entrepreneurs.
While looking for a civilian career, don't limit yourself to the obvious. Military members have the experience and qualities that many civilian employers are looking for, and civilian life can be just as rewarding as military life. Simply take the time needed to get yourself ready for the changes that you are about to experience.
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