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Leaving the military and transitioning into civilian life can be a daunting and challenging process. One of the crucial aspects of this transition is finding a new job that aligns with your skills, interests, and goals – but it can be challenging to even determine where to begin.
At NRL, we pride ourselves on being an Armed Forces friendly employer and are well-accustomed to working with service leavers to help guide them into fulfilling new careers once they leave the military, so we’re happy to share some tips to help you get ready to search for jobs. From all the upfront preparation you’ll need to do, to carrying out your job search and landing your first role as you return to civilian life.
Preparing a new CV
Whether you’ve held employment prior to serving in the military or not, it’s vital to look at setting up a new CV to showcase your abilities to potential employers and highlight why they should consider you for a role. My colleague Laura recently posted an excellent guide on writing a CV as you prepare to leave the Armed Forces which I highly encourage giving a read, but here are some key points you should keep in mind throughout the process:
Translate your military experience: Start by translating your military experience into civilian terms. Use civilian language and emphasise any transferable skills you hold. Highlight your leadership abilities, problem-solving skills, and initiative-taking capabilities.
Focus on accomplishments: Rather than listing your daily duties, showcase your accomplishments and how they align with the skills required in the civilian job market. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to provide concrete evidence of your capabilities.
Include relevant training: While in the military, you likely received various types of training that could be applicable in the civilian workforce. Highlight any relevant certifications, courses, or licenses you have obtained during your service.
Tailor your CV for each application: Be sure to customise your CV for each job application to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the specific position and company you are applying to join. This will demonstrate your genuine interest and fit for the role.
Conducting your job search
Once you’ve prepared your CV, it’s time to begin searching for roles you’re interested in applying for. There are a plethora of free online tools available that can help you with this, and it’s never a bad idea to take advantage of multiple tools – this will help you achieve full visibility of the job market to help you see what opportunities are out there, and will also make you and your CV more visible to employers and recruiters across more locations where they may be searching for candidates.
Utilise online job boards: Online job boards like Indeed, CV Library, and Totaljobs are excellent resources for finding job opportunities. Create profiles on these platforms and make sure your CV is up-to-date and optimised for search engines. You can also try accessing job boards that are specifically designed to cater to ex-military personnel, such as the Career Transition Partnership or Forces Families Jobs.
Liaise with recruiters: Reach out to recruiters who specialise in placing veterans or candidates with military experience. They can provide guidance, advice, and access to job opportunities that may not be advertised publicly. Also consider visiting their websites to browse their full selection of vacancies and if possible, set up job alerts for the types of positions you would be interested in so that you are notified whenever new opportunities become available.
Leverage LinkedIn: LinkedIn is an essential tool for job seekers, so create a professional profile, include detailed information about your military experience and transferable skills, and connect with professionals in your target industry. If you’re completely new to the platform or need a bit of a refresher on the ways you can use it to search for roles, we’ve written some handy blogs to help you get started.
Attend job fairs and networking events: Job fairs and networking events provide opportunities to meet employers face-to-face and learn about potential job openings. Dress professionally, bring copies of your CV, and prepare a brief elevator pitch to introduce yourself. NRL and many other local companies are attending employment fairs held by the Careers Transition Partnership all throughout the year, so consider signing up to attend and chat with exhibitors about the opportunities they may have for you.
Practicing for interviews
Once you begin applying for roles and highlighting your skills to employers, you will eventually reach the stage where you are asked to attend an interview to allow the employer to chat with you and further assess your suitability for the role. It’s incredibly important to prepare for this step well, as the more work you put into getting yourself ready for the interview, the less stressful the activity itself will be.
Research the civilian job market: Familiarise yourself with the job market in the field or industry you are interested in. Understand the job titles, common requirements, and the skills most in demand. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently during interviews.
Prepare to discuss your military experience: Be ready to discuss your military experience and how it relates to the position you are applying for. Focus on the skills you acquired and the challenges you overcame during your military service.
Utilise mock interview resources: Take advantage of interview resources, both online and offline, to practice answering commonly asked interview questions. These resources can help you refine your responses and improve your interviewing skills.
Network with veterans: Connect with veterans who have successfully transitioned into civilian roles. They can offer advice, share their experiences, and provide insights into the job search process. Their support and guidance can be invaluable during this transition.
Transitioning from a military career to a civilian role requires preparation, perseverance, and adaptability, but once you begin to effectively prepare to search for jobs and master the interview process, you’ll discover career opportunities that align with your skills and aspirations and allow you to successfully start this new chapter in your life.
If you’re ready to begin your job search, please feel free to take a look at the NRL website to see our currently available positions, follow us to keep up with our latest news, take advantage of our online resources to support your career development or connect with me to discover future roles I will be recruiting for.