Keywords – Writing a Successful Veteran’s Resume for Corporate Jobs, Part 2

In Part 2 of our Veteran Corporate American Resume series, we will look how to use new keywords from the job announcement - instead of your well-known acronyms and military language.    The translation of military experiences and skill-sets is absolutely key to crafting a competitive resume for your career search. Matching your skills to the required skills in a target job announcement is critical for the recruiter to see clearly that you have the skills they need for their job. This can result in an interview request.

Case study for a new corporate job - Telecommunications (Network Project Manager) for a former Watch Officer, Telecommunications, E-6 New job duties from the recruitment advertisement for Telecommunications Position (Network Project Manager): Manages the development and implementation process of a company's services involving departmental or cross-functional teams focused on the delivery of new or existing projects. Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Monitors the project from initiation through delivery. Responsible for assembling project team, assigning individual responsibilities, identifying appropriate resources needed, and developing schedules to ensure timely completion of project. Communicates with lead Project Manager and/or functional area manager regarding status of specific projects.   Before military resume description with too many acronyms and not enough description of transferable duties; no keywords: Ensures mandatory communications link between units at sea and stations ashore. Direct operational representative of the CO in all operations. Responsible for TC/NF operations for 3 divisions. Provide tactical and strategic C4I support to DoD, NATO and multinational forces across the African, European and Central Command AOR. Manage 15 tactical circuits, and support base services for 36 tenant commands sustaining 5,000 personnel. CACO for the command. Comment:   The above duty-description utilizes too much military lingo and too many military acronyms.  It is not immediately clear how this experience translates to the target position. After corporate resume description with emphasis on technical leadership and new keywords: Functional area manager for technical communications.  Manage cross-functional teams to support Command, Control, Communications, and Computer support to multinational forces, including DOD, NATO, African, European and Central Command.  Manage tactical circuits and voice, video, and data services for more than 5,000 personnel.  Manage diverse problems with complex scope. Develop and implement services for technology control, network and flight operations. Assemble and direct project teams comprised of telecommunications/engineering technicians for operating and maintaining satellite telecommunications systems, mainframe computers, local and wide area networks, and micro-computer systems. Comment: The revised duty description eliminates the military lingo, the military acronyms, and specifically articulates - in plain language - how the veteran is qualified for a private sector telecommunications position. IMPORTANT: Use New Corporate Keywords from the Announcement Analyzing the target job announcement above, you can add the keywords and phrases into your resume. Adding verbs and language that private sector recruiters can understand is critical for the success of your resume: Functional area manager Manage cross-functional teams Manage diverse problems Manage tactical circuits and voice, video, and data services Assemble and direct project teams

Writing A Successful Veteran’s Resume for Corporate Jobs, Part 1

Posted in Federal Resume Writing by Kathryn Troutman on June 11th, 2013 

Many veterans are drawn to federal government jobs because of their desire to continue serving their country, because of the benefits, because of veterans’ preference hiring initiatives, and – at least in some cases – translating military skill-sets to federal civilian work makes sense.  But in the era of sequestration, many veterans are finding that the federal job market has become increasingly competitive.  In such an environment, it makes sense to broaden the job search to private sector companies.  And, yes, military veterans can be competitive in applying for corporate jobs.

Here are a few tips for veterans seeking to expand their job search:

Corporate America wants to hire you.

The Top 100 Military-Friendly Corporations listed by GI Jobs are certified by Ernst & Young.  And they really do want to hire veterans!  Many of these corporations use online application systems, and veterans need to understand the importance of conveying military experience in terms of corporate job qualifications.  Recruiters need to possess a clear picture of how you can contribute to their company, and find the right “fit” for you based on the skills and abilities you developed during military service.

Your resume must use corporate terminology.

Your resume is key to demonstrating your skills and abilities to the corporate world.  But, to be effective, your resume cannot use military-speak (or military acronyms).  You need to translate your experience into something that the private sector will understand.  Your resume must clearly introduce your skills and abilities while demonstrating that they are transferable to the corporate mission, services, and programs.  If you use their terminology to show your experience, you’ll be well on your way to having an impressive resume that can get you hired into a new career.

Here are some tips for building your corporate resume:

Your resume is the most important document after leaving military service.

As a veteran, you are familiar with the importance of documentation.  Once you leave the military world and enter the private sector context, your most important document is your resume.  No question.  Your resume is what makes the difference between employment and unemployment.  It is the key document that shows private sector employers who you are, what qualifications you possess, and why you would be an asset to their organization.  Since this is such an important document – a document essential to your future – great care and attention must be placed on crafting a resume that accurately reflects your military career in private sector terminology.  This can be challenging, as military language and experience is often hard to translate.  Consider professional writing help by an expert resume writer to help you make your case.

Your private sector resume must be targeted.

Regardless of context, a one-size-fits-all approach to resumes simply doesn’t work in a competitive job market.  Your resume simply must be targeted to the job: it has to match the qualifications and skills required.  And you must convey your experiences, skills, abilities, and qualifications without military acronyms and in easy-to-understand plain language.  If you use a general resume that employs military-speak, you will NOT get interviewed.  Review specific job announcements and craft your resume to reflect the announcements. 

Part 2 of this series will focus on specific examples of how to translate military experience in a way the private sector can understand…

- See more at: http://www.resume-place.com/2013/06/writing-a-success-veterans-resume-for-corporate-jobs-part-1/#sthash.a9oAmoVo.dpuf