Regardless the length of your service in the military, making the transition to civilian life can be daunting. Finding a new career and beginning a new career search is a major undertaking for anyone, but it's especially challenging for someone who has spent years serving in the military.

We have put together a list of things you can do in order to assist you in your transition. 

Assess Your Interests
Regardless of what the duties you performed in your military service, take time to make a list of the activities you enjoy and especially make note of ones that you take special delight in and have a knack for doing. These can include military and work-related, but should also include hobbies and weekend activities. This will help you when seeking your next career!

Identify Your Strengths
Take time to assess your skill set, especially the skills you like performing, and perform well. These strengths can come from your military experience, as well as any previous experiences.

What are some typical strengths from serving in the military? Working well in teams, leading others, operating efficiently under pressure, meeting deadlines, following directions, maintaining high levels of discipline, sustaining strong work ethic.

Research Civilian Careers
Once you have a clear vision of your strengths and interests, the next step is uncovering careers that match these. The worst thing any job-seeker can do is to fall into a job or career that is unfulfilling and unsatisfactory, after all this is the next chapter after your service. Research job sectors in the area you are settling into. Prospects may be useful website for you to visit. 

Decide About Additional Training/Education
You may determine, through your research, that the career or careers that most interest you require additional education or training -- degrees and certifications. If you face this situation, your next decision is whether you have the ability to delay entering the workforce so that you can get the education you need.

Build a Linkedin Profile & Included your Accomplishments and Skills. What employers want to see from all job-seekers is a history of your accomplishments, using Linked In to display your online CV is a great start to landing your new career, make sure you utilise the networking capabilities of the website. We have a helpful blog on how to Sell yourself through LinkedIn. You can interact with businesses and company who are looking for employees with your skills and qualifications. 

Transition From Military Speak/Slang to Civilian
One of the pet peeves that many employers express about transitioning veterans is that their resumes are so cluttered with military jargon that it makes impossible to comprehend and value the military experience.

Being in a military environment for a long time, you will automatically speak in 'squaddie' terms, for example try and use civilian timings, instead of 15-hundred hours use 3pm. Not only do you have to demonstrate the right skills, but you also need to adopt the right body language and speech for the civilian marketplace, although this may be daunting at first you will soon get into the swing of things. 

Develop your CV
Similar to building your online CV with Linked In you will need a CV to apply for specific roles, now understanding your career goals and having developed a list of critical accomplishments (from your military and all other experiences), it's time to tackle writing your CV.

Your CV is the most important document in your job-search. Your CV must be focused (employers do not like to hire generalists), targeted (to the job you are applying for), and professional. You may need a few CV templates for each sector of role you are looking to apply for.  

You can download our template here, and if you need any further assistance with your CV or anything else mentioned above you can get support with a Career Coach.

Research Employers
Knowledge is power in job-hunting. Always plan to research the employers you are interested in working for. It's important to understand their hiring process, corporate culture, and benefits.

Most employers recognise the value of hiring Service Leavers and Veterans, and you can find a list of companies who have pledged to the Armed Forces Covenant and agree to be Armed Forces-friendly and are open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners

Most employers will have this displayed on their website and social media channels, make sure you have a good look at these things when approaching a business and applying for a role. 

Summary
It is important to know that you do not have to go through your transition alone, Hire a Hero are here to support you. 

Maximise your use of the many no-cost skills and courses -- including our Career Coaching service, and Online
Resources. These resources are available and updated regularly to help you in your transition. 

You can view more of our blogs to help with your transition including: Increase your chances of getting a job, Preparing for an Interview and of course you can visit our Jobs Board to find what vacancies employers are currently recruiting for.