No Result
View All Result
Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
 Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Military Families
No Result
View All Result

4 ways to make your resume stand out

Bianca Strzalkowski
by Bianca Strzalkowski
November 9, 2016
your resume
ShareTweetEmailWhatsApp

Not all resumes are created equal. Living in the digital era means traditional ways of doing business often remove the face to face interactions needed to effectively market yourself — including when seeking employment.

For veterans exiting the steady paycheck of the military, getting connected to a post-military career is important part of the transition checklist. However, nearly one out of two (53%) separating Post-9/11 veterans will face a period of unemployment, according to the 2015 Veteran Economic Opportunity Report. In a highly saturated job market, every tool matters and a resume may be the single most important document to connecting you to getting hired.

Avoid common errors

Amy Rossi, Director of Training at Corporate America Supports You (CASY) — a nonprofit organization providing free employment support to military affiliated job-seekers, says they serve approximately 10,000 veterans and military spouses per year. She sees recurring mistakes when reviewing client resumes, such as a lack of focus on a specific career.

“The military work environment teaches veterans to adapt and become proficient in performing multiple work functions. This flexibility is a valuable work trait in the civilian sector; however, you first have to make it into the workforce,” she said. “The key to making it into the workforce is to make it past the gatekeepers. Qualifications are the key to having the right content to make it past the gatekeeper.”

CASY’s services include resume review, mock interview prep, job alerts and professional development. Rossi recommends taking key steps to maximize the success of a resume.

Translate military experience to civilian jargon

Military-affiliated applicants should civilianize a resume with wording an employer can equate to the position they are hiring for. The military is well-known for its use of acronyms, which may have little meaning to the human resources professional reviewing the qualifications.

“The first step is to become aware, think about what you would be doing in a civilian work environment that is similar to what you did in the military. Focus on the planning and logistics involved in a successful execution versus the military operation,” Rossi said. “You have many elements of work that are similar to the civilian workforce, like, running reports, analyzing data, verification of paperwork, tracking projects, training and the list goes on. Then pretend you are trying to describe those functions to a family member with no military experience; you will naturally simplify and discuss concepts they comprehend.”

TIP: Several online resources exist to assist veterans in translating a resume. One such free program is at the Department of Labor: https://www.careerinfonet.org/moc/

Target your resume to the position you are applying for today’s job market is highly saturated with sometimes thousands of applicants vying for the same position. If you want to make it through, you have to be better than the others applying, Rossi says. Recruiters don’t have hours to spend on a resume, instead they have seconds. By targeting a resume, it helps them quickly identify your potential and ability.

TIP: Employers today greatly value the experience of someone who served in the military. Make sure to clearly define on your resume that you are a veteran.

Use keywords from the job description

In addition to targeting a resume, weave keywords from the job description into your experience. This is especially helpful if the application process is solely online. Recruiters will conduct a keyword search to narrow down the number of applications they have to consider.

Review relevant profiles on LinkedIn

Compare. LinkedIn is one of the most utilized social networking sites for job seekers. If you do not have an account, set one up for free. Use it as a resource to search other professionals in your intended industry. Make sure your resume and profile match theirs.

What about the length?

After devising the content of the resume, it is time to edit it. A first draft will most likely not be the last version, especially if you are going to apply for several different types of jobs. Aside from checking for grammatical errors, the next area to look at is formatting. Rossi adds that contrary to popular belief, there isn’t a specific length a resume should be, but there are some general recommendations to follow.

“If you want to follow the industry standard for a civilian position, stick to 1-2 pages,” she said. “Ultimately, resume length should be based on your job search plan. Common sense says if the job function and industry require 15 years of experience, you are looking at a two-page resume. If it requires two years, you should get your resume down to one page.”

With so many job seekers vying for the same position, the amount of effort a person puts into presenting themselves to employers can determine if they secure a job interview. Because veteran employment has long been a trending topic, government agencies organizations, and installation offices are at the ready to assist in making your post-military efforts successful. The resume is your best chance at making a good first impression.

To sign up for CASY’s free employment support services, create an account online at http://casy.msccn.org/.

Read comments
Tags: employmentformating a resumejob searchjob seekersMilitaryTransitionpost-militaryCareerresumeResumeBuildingVeteranEmployment
Share48Tweet30SendSend
Bianca Strzalkowski

Bianca Strzalkowski

Bianca Strzalkowski has more than 10 years of experience in storytelling. Her portfolio includes interviews with former Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis, Air Force Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, “Shark Tank” CEO Daymond John, and countless elected and military leaders. Bianca holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and journalism. She resides near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, where she serves as the public affairs officer for Maryland ESGR and is a member of the Military Reporters & Editors Association.

Related Posts

Military spouse seeks to change landscape for women in politics
Military Spouses

Military spouse seeks to change landscape for women in politics

21 hours ago
OpEd Military Families MAgazine
Military Life

DOD programs need more funding, support during coronavirus

2 days ago
What to expect from a job search after leaving the Army
Military Veterans

What to expect from a job search after leaving the Army

3 days ago
Summit encourages military spouses to make time for personal wellness
Military Spouses

Summit encourages military spouses to make time for personal wellness

3 days ago
Military Families Magazine
Military Education

From musician to soldier and back again

3 days ago
Soldiers talk about benefits of completing college on active duty
Military Career

Soldiers talk about benefits of completing college on active duty

4 days ago

Ads

Military News, delivered to your inbox

Get a free copy of MILITARY FAMILIES delivered to your inbox each month

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • MEET OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL

GET RESOURCES

  • EDUCATION GUIDE

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • CFC PARTNERS
  • PRICING
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
  • BOOK CLUB
Never miss out on the latest stories.
© 2021 Military Families by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Military Life
    • Deployment
    • Relocation
    • Military Spouses
    • Military Kids
  • Education
  • Career
    • Transition
    • Entrepreneur
    • Veterans
  • Health
  • Money
  • Travel
  • Get Resources
    • Education Guide
  • Giveaways

© 2020 Military Families by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW.