| My brother Jim served in the U.S. Army for 17 | | | | record and perfect on-time delivery. And another, |
| years. Today, he works for the Department of | | | | for an x-ray technician in a hospital: |
| Homeland Security, training first responders for | | | | - Assisted radiological diagnosis in high-volume, |
| emergencies. That sounds like a natural transition, | | | | high-pressure environment with thoroughness and |
| but between those two jobs, Jim spent about a | | | | a low 8% repeat-test rate. Known also for |
| decade years in private business, where his boss | | | | compassionate, calm and friendly behavior toward |
| couldn’t tell AWACS from ASVAB. He had to | | | | injured personnel. |
| learn to translate his military experience into the | | | | When you review your resume (or job |
| language that civilian employers could understand. | | | | application), be selective about adding distinctions |
| Start by focusing the language of your resume | | | | or awards you received. That sharpshooter's |
| on accomplishments and personal qualities that are | | | | medal probably doesn't belong, but a |
| relevant both to business and to military service. | | | | commendation for work well done, or an |
| You can also hire resume writing services which | | | | achievement medal noting exceptional |
| will help you have a resume that can yield the | | | | performance, probably does. |
| maximum results for you. | | | | In the job interview, you have to answer the |
| Here are a few qualities that belong on your | | | | unspoken question, "Is this person ready to adjust |
| civilian resume, because your military experience | | | | to a civilian job environment?" The answer lies |
| can prove you have them: | | | | more in your attitude than your reassurances. |
| Responsibility — getting the job done on time | | | | Simply put: Do you behave like a civilian? |
| and well. | | | | Watch the military jargon (like acronyms) that |
| Accountability — this means personal ownership | | | | marks you as an insider in the service but makes |
| of the outcome of your work or your | | | | you sound like an outsider in business. You can |
| group’s actions. Also, doing what you say | | | | use great expressions common in the military that |
| you’ll do. | | | | can apply to business, such as the saying, |
| Thoroughness — finishing a job; going beyond | | | | "Discipline is not what you do when someone is |
| the basic requirements. | | | | looking but what you do when nobody is looking." |
| Leadership — maybe the most respected | | | | It's best to keep descriptions of military action out |
| quality civilians ascribe to veterans. | | | | of the job application process except for |
| Integrity — living by the rules and not cutting | | | | references to your best qualities, such as |
| corners even when it makes little difference. | | | | leadership and coolness under pressure. If your |
| You can list these qualities in a summary or | | | | interviewer raises the subject, you can cite your |
| objective statement at the top of your resume, | | | | superiors' approval of your performance in |
| or weave them in to descriptions of the work | | | | country, but you do not owe anyone specific |
| you did. Now, when you go into detail, show how | | | | details about combat. For the same reasons, I |
| the important achievements of your military | | | | strongly advise any interviewee to leave their |
| career demonstrated those qualities. Here's the | | | | political beliefs (right, left or center) at home |
| trick — describe the outcome of your actions. | | | | during the interview process. You're not hiding |
| For example, if you had a training position like my | | | | anything, just respecting your own privacy and |
| brother Jim, you might write: | | | | the fact that a job interview should be about how |
| - Designed, wrote and helped produce a | | | | you will perform on the job, not what you think |
| 20-minute training video for logistics management. | | | | of the current President's policies. |
| Distributed to 3,000 personnel in the U.S. and | | | | In the past few years, Americans have been |
| abroad, it became required training for material | | | | reminded of the qualities that make military |
| delivery personnel. | | | | experience a unique and admirable background for |
| - Here's another example, for someone entering | | | | civilian work. Take advantage of this growing |
| construction: | | | | awareness by making the case that your time in |
| - Managed crews of up to 15 in setup and | | | | the service was great preparation for your next |
| breakdown of stages, grandstands, parade areas | | | | job. |
| and temporary shelter with a 100% safety | | | | |