I recently spoke at a conference where employers seeking to hire military talent discussed opportunities and challenges they're facing when recruiting veterans. The ideas, tips and insights they shared could fill several notebooks.
Most notably, employers encourage veteran job candidates to consider these tips as they position themselves to recruiters and hiring professionals:
1. Leverage and quantify your essential skills.
Where you can, highlight the soft skills gained during your time in uniform. Your ability to lead others and initiatives, to handle stress, adapt to change, your professionalism and strong work ethic are measurable and important to employers. Be specific when talking about your experiences and skills, hard and soft skills, and quantify the accomplishments those skills resulted in.
2. Don't stop at the job description.
Every job description lists qualifications and skills that are preferred and then those that are required. Even if you don't have some of the required skills, consider applying and showing how you are qualified in other ways. For example, if the position asks for a college degree and you don't have one, note how your experience directly relates to the work being asked to perform. More and more employers are dropping degree requirements.
3. Remember your resume is a marketing document.
Avoid approaching the resume as a list of every single thing you know how to do. Instead, use it as a tool to position yourself as desirable to the employer. Sell the highlights of your experiences, your successes and what makes you a good fit for the opportunity. By the way, the job description is also a marketing document, so review it as such.
4. Don't neglect social media.
Spend time working on your LinkedIn profile. Ensure it reflects who you are, what you care about, where you can offer value to others, and why you're in the career path you chose. Employers will often look at your profile to see a more holistic view of who you are and what you offer. Similarly, connect with your dream employers on social media to learn more about their organization and what they value and promote.
5. Stay professional, but relatable.
One recruiter offered this situation, "If I respond to your email and sign the email, 'Tricia,' don't respond back and address me as 'Mrs. McGrath." Professionalism would tell you to start off with a formal tone, but if the hiring professional gives you the green light to be more relatable, do it. This builds rapport and shows you're able to flex to their needs.
6. If onboarding instructions aren't clear, ask questions.
Some companies are in the early stages of creating unique onboarding processes for prior military talent. Their systems and training might be easier for a civilian to grasp because of their past experiences. If you have questions during your onboarding, don't suffer in silence; ask clarifying questions and seek solutions in areas you get stuck.
7. Be wary of imposter syndrome.
From time to time, everyone might question whether they belong in a situation, if they have what it takes to succeed or whether they oversold themselves. It's normal to be nervous and challenge your confidence from time to time. If you find yourself questioning your validity or worthiness in the job, talk to a friend, mentor or your manager. Your employer wants you to succeed and will likely help you access resources to build up your confidence.
8. Leverage your network.
It is well-known that veterans have large networks of people they served with, formed a community with and worked with. Enlist your network to showcase your strengths and value proposition -- online and in person. When other people highlight your strengths, employers take notice. It's not boasting to be proud of your accomplishments.
9. Communicate that you're comfortable both leading and following.
Employers don't write job descriptions for "leaders." They look for those qualities in people they hire. They also need people who can follow directions. Better still is finding someone who can be agile enough to lead when needed or work in a support role when called for. In the interview, share examples from your military career where you've been both a leader and a follower.
10. Let your employer see you as a real person.
Your manager and teammates want to know they're working with a human being with goals, dreams and vulnerabilities. Resist withholding what you care about and want in your career; this is how others can help you.
While much more was shared by these employers, the gist is that some of the self-promotion tactics you might be struggling with are exactly what employers would like to see more of. They want to know who you are, what you enjoy about your work, why the position you're applying to is meaningful to you and how your values align with the company's values.
The author of "Success After Service: How to Take Control of Your Job Search and Career After Military Duty" (2020) and "Your Next Mission: A personal branding guide for the military-to-civilian transition" (2014), Lida Citroën is a keynote speaker and presenter, executive coach, popular TEDx speaker and instructor of multiple courses on LinkedIn Learning. She regularly presents workshops on personal branding, executive presence, leadership communication and reputation risk management.
A contributing writer for Military.com, Lida is a passionate supporter of the military, volunteering her time to help veterans transition to civilian careers and assist employers who seek to hire military talent. She regularly speaks at conferences, corporate meetings and events focused on military transition.
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