2. Translate your skills for them.
Every profession has its own language, and the military is no different. The terminology that you used during your career needs to be translated into a language that can be understood by everyone. The myth that the military doesn’t develop skills for the civilian world is one that the Department of Defense has been trying to combat for years. Now it’s your turn to take on this fight by making sure employers understand what marketable skills you have acquired in the military.
Before you interview:
Learn how to tell people what you did in the military in a way that they understand. An easy way to do this is to sit down with a family member who isn’t military-connected and walk them through your resume. Ask them what they understood and what you may need to be more clear on. Many veterans show up to job fairs not being able to easily describe the jobs they did in the military and the skills they can bring to a new job.
