On today’s edition of the radio broadcast Workforce Connections: Strictly Business (KCEP 88.1 FM) co-host Cornelius Eason and I spoke with military employment experts about the many challenges our U.S. troops face while making the very difficult transition back into the civilian workforce. We found that one of those hurdles is also quite common among nonmilitary job seekers: writing a winning resume that will get you hired. Many highly skilled, hard-working individuals have trouble translating their previous career experience into terms that prospective employers can clearly understand and appreciate.
When you have spent a considerable amount of time working in a specific industry it’s only natural that you easily understand the jargon and tools of that trade. But unless you are very careful to describe your accomplishments in layman’s terms, new employers may feel like your resume is written in a mysterious foreign language. And hard-to-read resumes go straight to the bottom of the pile or, even worse, the trash bin! Following a few simple tips can help you stand out from the rest and land the interview you deserve.
Tips to Communicate What You Bring to the Table
1. Know what your prospective employer values.
When two applicants look equally appealing in terms of skill and experience, employee selection often boils down to which candidate seems to be the best fit for the company’s culture. If you embrace the organization’s goals and values, make sure it shows in your resume by demonstrating how you exhibited similar qualities in your daily activities. For example, if excellence is a company priority, you might refer to measurable improvements in your performance and/or performance of your team or commendations/awards you received for meritorious service or achievements.
2. Speak the employer’s language.
One of the most helpful tools these days is the internet. By visiting a company’s website, as well as the websites of competitors and related professional and trade associations you can quickly get an idea of industry trends and common terminology. Make sure you gain a clear understanding of any special terminology you choose to include in your resume, using these references only as needed and where relevant. Misusing words or throwing them in just to impress can make you appear to be pretentious or overzealous–a turn-off for readers.
3. Clarify technical information from your previous position(s).
Perhaps your last job required you to use highly specialized, industry-specific software or equipment that is unfamiliar to employers in other fields. First, ask yourself if it is important to list each of these tools on your resume. If you feel the need to list them, are there similar technical tools used in the field you wish to enter? If so, try adding very brief (one-to-three-word) descriptions in parentheses such as “similar to Xsoftware” . You can also use more generic descriptions such as “accounting software” or “tracking device” to help readers understand your technical experience.
4. Emphasize how the employer will benefit from your past work experience.
Think about all of your accomplishments from previous jobs. For example, the ex-military workers I’ve encountered in the workplace have an amazing work ethic–arriving early, staying late, following instructions to the letter and not watching the clock. All make for excellent performance anywhere in the workplace. Conveying other benefits may require a little more creativity. For example, while you may not need to fire weapons in your next job, you will need the soft skills developed while working with weapons–skills like learning technical information quickly and adhering to strict safety standards under heavy pressure. These abilities will definitely serve your next employer well.
5. Take advantage of expert help, which is widely available free of charge.
For everyone: One Stop Career Center(s) in your community receive federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding solely for the purpose of helping you succeed in the workplace. At no cost, you will find expert advice from experienced resume writers who have helped countless applicants win jobs; you will also find skilled career developers, job training opportunities and counselors ready to help you excel in your job search. Find a One Stop Career Center in your state.
For troops in transition: In addition to your One Stop Career Center, also take advantage of employment services available only to veterans. Find the nearest Veterans Affairs Office for a full selection of VetSuccess employment services. If you have service-connected disabilities, start here.
Best wishes for a successful transition and rewarding career!
