Whether either you or your spouse is going through a military move or you’re leaving the military, one of your top priorities is probably finding a job. If you're a service member transitioning out of the military, it can be difficult to find jobs that match your skillset, and even more difficult if you're looking to make a major career change. These tips and resources can help make your job search a success.
Capitalize on your unique skills
Military members have unique skills and experiences that employers value. For example: They aren’t afraid of responsibility, can make decisions under pressure, and can juggle several tasks at the same time.
The same is true for military spouses: very few people have their organization skills and ability to work independently. Juggling three or four projects is not that hard when you have experience moving into a new home, telling the movers where to put everything and coordinating utility setup all while taking care of three kids and two dogs by yourself because your military spouse is deployed.
Sometimes, frequent moves or deployments mean military spouses have to step away from their civilian careers for a while. If this is the case for you, try highlighting any volunteer experience during that time, either on installation or off. Just because you were not getting paid doesn’t mean you weren’t working, leading or running projects.
Translate military experience into civilian job skills
As you look for your next job, make sure to effectively translate your military experience on your civilian resume. For example, many employers might not understand the value of leading a fire team through the mountains of Afghanistan while coordinating with locals to uncover HVTs, or high-value targets, to fulfill mission objectives.
But if you frame it on your resume as experience leading teams of various sizes to prioritize and overcome obstacles to accomplish strategic goals, that’s something they can understand. Also make sure to highlight teamwork and problem-solving skills. In the civilian world, you will work as part of a team and playing nice with others is very important.
As you write your resume, use action verbs and quantify results. The same performance report format of “action, impact, result” works well for a resume. It can also be a good idea to create more than one version of your resume so you can tailor each version to the job you are applying for and its specific needs.
Your resume should also show potential employers how the technical skills you developed in the military are relevant to civilian industries. Prospective employers might not understand the military, so help them understand your skills.
Explore military-specific job search resources
When you’re looking for a new career or making a big job change, it’s important to take advantage of any job search resources available to you.
Military Spouse Employment Partnership
The Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership connects military spouses with employers committed to hiring them. The program includes employers and nonprofit organizations nationwide, and offers job postings, education and training, and moreOpens in New Window. See note 1
If you aren’t ready to apply for a job yet or aren’t sure what you want to do, turn to the Department of Defense’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities, or SECOOpens in New Window. See note 1 SECO offers education opportunities and career guidance for military spouses, no matter what stage your career is in. This program has different coaching packages, helps you build your resume and even has a job board with remote and flexible opportunities.
Veteran career resources
Government programs aren’t the only ways to find jobs. In fact, USAA supports you in several ways.
For starters, you can explore job opportunities with USAAOpens in New Window. Wherever you are in life — a college graduate, a seasoned professional, a veteran or military spouse — you could join our team and help make a difference for the members we serve. The USAA career site also includes a valuable tool to help veterans and military spouses match their skills to USAA jobs.
USAA also supports the Military Fellowship program, a partnership with Hiring Our HeroesOpens in New Window. See note 1 This 12-week program is designed for active-duty service members transitioning away from the military, as well as veterans, military spouses and members of the National Guard and Reserve. The goal is to help them gain corporate experience that hopefully leads to a full-time job offer.
Looking for work in another industry? USAA has teamed with RecruitMilitary® to help military members and their families find jobs. Whether you're transitioning out of the military or going through a PCS, RecruitMilitary® can help match your experience with top veteran-friendly employers who are looking for people just like you.
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Visit RecruitMilitary® to start your job search today.