Every day, we see people leaving the military to pursue a civilian role. These people come with a very niche skillset and based on that, will be worried that the transition to a civilian role is going to be a challenging start. Here is how you’re going to stand out from the crowd.
REMEMBER YOUR WORTH
There are still companies who are keen on the look-out for people who have served the country for awhile. Good starting point would be finding the list of companies who are on the lookout for you. There are still companies who value military veterans for your service, as well as your long-standing career in the military.
In the process, you should consider your value. Consider what are the skills you have learnt in the military and how these skills would be required in the civilian roles. For instance, if you have been serving in the police force for quite a while, you should be the most suitable candidate for any positions or managerial positions in the security industry. The skills down here do not just refer to technical skills, but also your soft skills as well.
SEEK HELP
If you are having challenges securing an employment, you can always consider getting a mentor. The best person would likely be someone whom have walked your path before and is having a successful civilian career now. Alternatively, you can also get someone whom you are reporting to in your military to write you a very good reference letter. A good reference letter most definitely will not hurt in your pursuit of seeking a role elsewhere.
BE RECEPTIVE
It is important to continuously equip new skills, and show to your future employers you are taking the initiative to learn and progress individually. This would help you land a better impression to your future employers who might have a concern that you may not adapt well to the civilian lifestyle. In addition, be ready to negotiate and start from scratch in the civilian workforce, like the rest to have more exposure.