Use Your Military Experience To Set You Apart From Other Candidates

A military career can be an incredibly rewarding experience. You become accustomed to handling a great deal of responsibility at times, the lives of your fellow soldiers may be literally in your hands. You develop confidence, particularly if you are put in a position in which you must command a unit. And you have the satisfaction of knowing that you have sacrificed for your country's honor.

But there may come a time when you decide you need to leave the military in order to pursue other employment opportunities. The transition can be difficult, especially if you're a long-time serviceman. However, it is entirely possible that your skills will be transferable to the job market. In fact, it's important that you use your military experience in order to distinguish you from other job-seekers.

Stress your military experience in your cover letter

Mentioning your military experience in your cover letter can be quite an effective technique. It is an attention-grabber something an employer isn't likely to forget. The fact that you have served in the military means that you know the meaning of courage, strength, and perseverance. It means that an employer will be able to count on you when the workplace becomes stressful. It also means that you are a responsible individual who will not be afraid to shoulder your share of the workload. By letting an employer know about your military experience up front, you are more likely to remain in contention for the job.

Highlight your military experience on your resume

Likewise, you should be sure to highlight your military experience on your resume. Be sure to type it in bold-face, so it really stands out. Also, make sure you list all your duties as a soldier. This information is likely to impress an employer and it's that first good impression which could help you to secure a job interview.

Emphasize your military experience in your job interview

It can also be critically important to emphasize your military experience in your job interview. Be sure to explain how your military duties have prepared you for the position you're now seeking. You may be able to draw some connections that the interviewer had not thought about. Also, make sure to mention any special awards or commendations you received while in the military. This information can really help to promote your candidacy.

Are there times when a military background should be de-emphasized?

Still, you might be wondering whether it's always a good idea to promote your military experience. For instance, what if you run into an interviewer who had a bad experience with the military? Or an interviewer who is a committed pacifist? What do you do then?

The fact of the matter is that you should only apply to those jobs where military experience would be a plus rather than a minus. At some point, you'll have to reveal your military background and it's best to do that up front, at the beginning of the job application process.

Click here to go to the next military article - Identifying Your Transferable Skills and Military Expertise Can Benefit Your Career Plans

Click here to see the full list of military articles.

Click here to see the full career article library.

Make Employers Chase You: Get Your Professional Resume and Cover Letter in Just 24-48 Hours by the Ex-Job Interviewers / Certified Resume Writers.

Call Or E-mail Now To Start. You Will Be Delighted With The Results.

Professional-Resumes.com