Transitioning From a Career in The Military?

Transitioning from a career in the military to a civilian job can be a challenging experience for veterans. While the skills and experiences gained from serving in the military are valuable, it can be difficult to translate them into the language of civilian job descriptions. Additionally, the job market is highly competitive, and it may take time to find the right job that aligns with your skills and interests. In this blog post, we'll provide advice for UK veterans on the key points to consider when seeking employment. At FrontFoot.jobs we have over 75 years combined experience in getting people to work and the platform is created to make the following steps as easy as possible so, when you see a job you like, you can apply for it in a single click safe in the knowledge that your CV won’t be ‘just another one’ but instantly recognised as coming from the UK armed forces community.

1. Identify Your Transferable Skills

As a veteran, you have developed a range of valuable skills throughout your military service. Some of these skills are technical, such as operating machinery or performing maintenance tasks, while others are more abstract, such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. It's important to identify these transferable skills and communicate them effectively to potential employers.

One way to do this is to create a skills-based CV that highlights your experience and achievements in a way that is relevant to the job you're applying for. This will help the employer understand how your skills and experience can add value to their organisation. Writing a CV is simple when you have a template which you can fill in directly, when you join FrontFoot.jobs the CV builder is easy to use and always free so you can apply for jobs directly, create an alert when a new job comes in that could be of interest or download your CV and use it anywhere - absolutely free of charge.

2. Translate Military Jargon

Military terminology can be difficult to understand for civilians. When applying for a civilian job, it's important to translate your military experience into language that is relevant to the job you're applying for. Avoid using military jargon and acronyms that civilians may not be familiar with.

Instead, use language that is relevant to the industry or sector you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a job in logistics, talk about your experience in managing supplies and equipment, rather than using military-specific terms like 'supply chain management'.

3. Use Your Network

Your network can be a valuable resource when seeking employment. Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues who work in the same industry or sector you're interested in. Attend job fairs and networking events, and make connections with people who may be able to help you find job opportunities.

It's also worth considering joining a veterans' organisation or support group. FrontFoot.life has an ever growing list of these groups who can provide valuable resources, advice, and networking opportunities specifically tailored to the needs of veterans. 

4. Consider Further Training

While the skills and experience gained in the military are valuable, some civilian jobs may require additional training or qualifications. If you're interested in pursuing a career in a specific field, it's worth considering further training to enhance your skills and improve your employability. 

There are a range of training and education programmes available to veterans, including apprenticeships, vocational training, and higher education courses. Many of these programmes are specifically designed to help veterans transition into civilian careers. However many of the jobs do offer full training in a wide range of trades as the dedication, persistence and flexibility of the UK armed forces veterans is well known in the civilian market place.

5. Be Flexible

The job market can be competitive, and it may take time to find the right job that aligns with your skills and interests. It's important to be flexible and open to different opportunities.

Consider taking on temporary or part-time work while you search for a permanent job. This can help you gain experience, build your network, and develop new skills that can enhance your CV.

In conclusion, transitioning from military service to civilian employment can be a challenging experience for veterans. However, by identifying your transferable skills, translating military jargon, using your network, considering further training, and being flexible, you can improve your chances of finding a fulfilling and rewarding job. Remember that there are resources and support available to help you throughout this process, so don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance.

FrontFoot.jobs only works with forces friendly employers who are actively looking to include UK armed forces veterans, service leavers, reservists and their families.