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Experience As an Asset: How Your Military Experience Can Help Your Civilian Job Search

The above picture is of the same man. On the left, he is dressed in civilian clothes and on the right, he is dressed in military clothes.

How Your Military Experience Can Help Your Civilian Job Search

You've fulfilled your duty to your country. Now, you're ready to go home, spend time with your family, and turn your military experience into a rewarding civilian career. 

But for veterans looking to join civilian industries, it can be tricky to figure out how your military experience transitions into employment terms that an ordinary person can understand. 

Here's how you can make your experience an asset in your civilian job search, and how to translate those skills into your job interview.  


One of the biggest traits employers look for? Teamwork. 

Guess what the military has in spades? 

There's no greater team out there than the military. Without working together, supporting your team members, and relying on your fellow soldiers to have your back, the military would fall apart. 

You can use your military experience to show that you have proven skills as a team player. Regardless of the position, you're looking for in the civilian job market, being able to work in a team is an invaluable skill

Being able to show that you're a reliable team player is one of the best ways you can set yourself apart from a pack of applicants. 

Leadership (Described in Civilian Terms)

Another great skill that you can show through your military experience is leadership (so long as you express it in civilian terms). 

Any hiring department or future boss wants an employee that goes above and beyond their basic tasks. 

As a member of the military, you're responsible for expensive equipment, budgets, performance, and other people's lives from a young age. That requires a high level of leadership that's hard to find elsewhere. 

After all, how many 24-year-olds can say they've managed a team of eight and millions of dollars worth of equipment in high-pressure situations? 

The key is to translate those leadership skills into civilian terms--help an employer understand how your experience would translate to a comparable experience at their company. 

Quick Learner

Another trait that the military (and civilian employers) value is the ability to learn quickly. 

Think of it this way: you're thrown into a situation most people have never encountered before. You're asked to think on your feet in delicate (and dangerous) situations, and you're asked to change jobs quickly if necessary. 

That shows an employer that you can learn almost anything they set in front of you, which can work to your advantage if you don't have as much relevant experience. 


As a veteran, you know that becoming a member of the military is no easy task. 

Every new servicemember is broken down so that the military can build them up again. Then, they're put through incredibly difficult situations as part of their day-to-day job. 

Most people would turn tail and run at the prospect of that kind of challenge. But not you. 

This is a great quality to show employers because they want someone who will grow alongside the company and continue to make themselves a valuable employee. As a veteran, you're familiar with continual improvement--after all, no one starts with a high rank. 

Knowing that you need to work hard to earn the recognition you get is a trait any employer can respect. 

Security Clearance

Depending on the type of career you're seeking, another benefit of your military experience is a security clearance.

Most military positions require a security clearance of some kind. For you, that might just be part of the job. For a regular employer, not necessarily. 

Government agencies and contractors know that they need to get security clearances for their employees in order to have them do the necessary work. However, this is a lengthy process that requires a great deal of commitment on their part. 

As a veteran, there's a good chance you already have an active security clearance. This opens you up to jobs requiring clearance and makes it easier for you to get a higher clearance if needed. 

Alternately, if your industry doesn't require a security clearance, having one makes an important statement to your employer. 

Basically, an active clearance shows an employer that you're already a worthwhile (and trustworthy) investment. If the United States government entrusts you with its secrets, an employer certainly can. 

Performance Under Pressure

Finally, your military experience shows a critical skill that employers love: the ability to perform under pressure. 

Few people can comprehend the amount of difficulty and stress you face each day as a member of the armed forces. You're thrown into complicated, often dangerous situations and asked to act with efficiency and integrity to carry out your mission. 

To an employer, that shows that you're able to perform well under pressure, regardless of the circumstances. It's difficult to find that skill in everyone, so when a hiring manager spots it, it makes you extremely valuable. 

Ready to Use Your Military Experience?

If you're ready to turn your military experience into a lasting, engaging civilian career, you've come to the right place.  We offer all kinds of tools and resources to help veterans prepare for life in the workforce, regardless of the circumstances. 

Check out our blog for more helpful posts to boost your new career, like these seven mistakes to avoid on your resume (and these seven skills you should definitely include). 

Looking to kick off your job search? Click here to check out all of our available job categories, from accounting to nursing to broadcasting to federal positions and more. 

You've already served your country. Let us help you find your next calling in life. 

Job Hunting Tips for Veterans: 7 Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Job Hunting Tips for Veterans: 7 Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Getting ready for a job hunt after leaving the military?

Want to make sure your resume is the best that it can be?

If you're recently out of the military and looking for a job, it can be tricky making the transition. It's also important to make sure you avoid the most common mistakes when creating your resume.

Luckily, we're here to help. Below we'll look at the biggest resume mistakes that you need to be aware of.

1. Using Too Much Military Jargon

One of the biggest mistakes veterans make when creating their resume is using too many military words or jargon that the general public isn't familiar with. Too much military jargon can make your resume difficult to comprehend for many recruiters and employers.

The way your resume appears can influence how they see you fitting any particular position. Leave the military jargon out so that the average employer will be able to easily understand what skills and experience you can bring to the job.

2. Leaving Off Contact Information

While this may seem like a simple mistake, leaving your contact information off of your resume can also be a big problem. When making your resume you need to double check that you've remembered to write in a way for employers to get in touch if they're interested.

You should also ensure that all of the contact information on your resume is relevant and up-to-date whether that includes an email address or phone numbers. Also keep in mind that while putting your home address probably isn't necessary, you should at least put your city name on the resume so that any employer will know that you're in their area.

3. Not Formatting It Well

When you're trying to create the perfect resume, a big part of that includes not just what the resume says but also how it presents everything you have to offer. Understand the importance of great formatting when building your resume.

Everything on your resume should look very organized and you should avoid cluttering it up too much. A great format will be easy for an employer to scan quickly. They should be able to easily understand what skills, education, and past experiences you have had with only a passing glance.

Remember that a great format will help ensure you're presenting yourself in the best light and an employer can quickly understand what's unique about you.

4. Including Photos

There are many resume formats to choose when building your resume and some of it is up to personal preference. However, keep in mind that you usually shouldn't include photos on your resume. 

You may mistakenly have heard that you should include your professional military photo on your resume, but that is usually not the best idea. Employers usually don't expect to see any photos on a resume.

It's best to stick to important information about your skills, experience, and education. The employer will have the chance to see you in person once they schedule an interview.

5. Giving Too Much Personal Information

Another mistake that veterans often make when filling out their resume is to add in too much unnecessary personal information.

Information that interviewers aren't allowed to ask you about shouldn't have a place on your resume. Remember that you shouldn't put your age, your marital status, or things such as race or religion. Your interests and hobbies usually shouldn't have a place on your resume, either.

Finally, you shouldn't put any information about disabilities or limitations you have either. As long as you can perform the job you're applying for, physical or mental issues won't be relevant and shouldn't be mentioned.

6. Making It Too Long

When creating your resume you should aim to keep it short. One or two pages is usually ideal.

While there is no definitive answer for how long it should be, you shouldn't take any more space than you have to for describing your experience, education, and other achievements.

Hiring managers are busy and want to see the most important and relevant things about you in a quick and manageable way. A resume that's too long may frustrate them or make them overlook your resume completely. Make sure that it's short and you're only listing what is most relevant about you and the job you're applying for.

7. Not Proofreading It

One big thing that can be a problem on a resume are typos, misspellings, and grammatical mistakes.

A resume that is full of these errors may indicate to an employer that you have a poor attention to detail or that you aren't serious about applying for the position. Make sure you've checked and double checked your resume to make sure it is free from errors and mistakes.

If necessary give your resume to a friend or family member to read over to catch anything you didn't notice. The presentation is everything with your resume, and many misspellings and grammar mistakes may distract a hiring manager from understanding what you're capable of.

Taking the Time to Correct These Resume Mistakes

If you're out of the military and putting effort into getting a job, you need to make sure you avoid the biggest resume mistakes listed above. Don't waste your time and effort applying for jobs when your resume isn't the best it can be.

By taking the time to tweak your resume to perfection, you'll do yourself a huge favor and will have a much easier time with your search.

Ready to start your job search? Click here to signup for JOFDAV and check out our job board now.

10 Ideal Work from Home Jobs for Disabled Veterans

Are you a disabled veteran looking for work? Worried that there are no jobs out there for you?

Well, we've got some good news. There are actually plenty of jobs that disabled persons can do, all from the comfort of their own home.

There are jobs that can provide a nice chunk of side income, or, if you are disciplined, can turn into full-time jobs.

Here's a list of 10 awesome work from home jobs for disabled veterans.

1. Freelance Writer

Have you always had a way with words? Maybe you've thought about writing as a career, but never acted on it?

Well, a job as a freelance writer may be the career for you.

The possibilities of a freelance writer are nearly endless. You could work as a blog writer, grant writer, copywriter, technical writer, etc.

There are plenty of sites out there where you can find one-time gigs, like Upwork.

Plenty of companies also look for freelance writers to develop content for their websites, or to develop reports or informative writing pieces for other businesses they work with.

If you have no formal experience under your bet, don't sweat it. Just develop a few writing samples for the industry you'd like to work with, create a small website with your portfolio, and start emailing prospective clients.

You can also use this portfolio to apply to formal writing jobs with companies if you'd like something a little more steady.

2. Customer Service Representative

If you're someone who has always worked well with others, then a job as a customer service representative may be the perfect fit for you.

As a customer service representative, you have to be outgoing and energetic, as well as a great problem solver.

Depending on what type of company you work for, you could do anything from answering billing related questions to taking reservations to providing information about services or products.

Those who are bilingual are especially sought after for these positions as well.

3. Transcriptionist

Working as a transcriptionist is another great job for disabled persons looking to work from home.

As a transcriptionist, your primary duty is to transcribe (aka type) audio and video files on a wide range of topics.

Transcriptionists can work in a variety of industries, from medical to legal to entertainment.

While some types of transcription jobs require a couple years of training, such as medical ones, others require hardly any training at all.

If you are a good typer and have good attention to detail, a job as a medical transcriptionist would be great for you.

4. Translator

If you can speak fluently in at least one other language besides English, then a career as a translator could be perfect for you.

In today's globalized world, translators are highly sought after.

You could find work translating anything from legal documents to news articles to novels. The work of a translator never gets tiring.

5. Online Tutor

Have you always dreamed about helping others learn a new subject?

If so, a job as an online tutor could be perfect for you.

You could be responsible for educating youth, teenagers, or adults, in this country or in another.

If you have an expertise in a specific subject matter, such as math, then you could easily market yourself as a tutor to math students of all ages.

Or, even as an English speaker, you can find many lucrative tutoring jobs teaching English as a second language to children and adults in other countries.

6. Etsy or eBay Seller

Are you the one who is always knitting scarves for all of your family members during the wintertime?

Did you know you could take your hobby and turn it into a side business?

If you have a knack for making crafts with your hands, then you should consider making these crafts in a more professional manner and selling them on sites such as Etsy or eBay.

Just be aware that it does take quite a bit of work to build up a steady revenue stream with this type of work.

7. Travel Agent

There's a chance that during your services, you spent sometime trotting the globe.

For former globetrotters, or those who feel comfortable finding information about travel easily, a job as a travel agent may be perfect.

As a travel agent, you will get the opportunity to help others plan vacations, excursions, and business trips.

This job is great for anyone who is a great communicator and has a passion for exploring the world.

8. Graphic Designer

Are you always doodling away on the corners of notebooks and napkins? Maybe you've always loved to draw, but never saw yourself as the starving artist type?

Enter the career as a graphic designer.

Working as a graphic designer is the perfect career for disabled veterans who have an artistic side and are looking for a steady income.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of jobs out there to work remotely for a specific company as a graphic designer, or on a freelance basis.

9. Editor

If you're someone who goes crazy when you see people mixing up their "yours" and "you're" then a job as an editor may be your calling.

Editors are those who look over and edit pieces of writing before they are sent to print.

Seeing that so many things are primarily printed online these days, it's quite easy to find editing positions where you can work from home, editing for the web.

10. Web Developer

Thousands of new websites are created every single day.

This means that there are plenty of jobs out there for web developers.

Web developers are those who create websites and applications, and they also work to maintain them.

There are many different coding courses you can take online these days to learn the skills of web development.

Work From Home Jobs for Disabled Veterans: Wrap Up

As you can see, there are plenty of work from home jobs for disabled veterans to choose from.

All you need is to know where to look for them!

We've made the process easier for you by creating a job board for vets in need of work. Be sure to check it out today.

Show Me the Money: 9 High Paying Jobs for Veterans

Are you a veteran looking for a high paying job? For many, this is a difficult feat to manage. It shouldn't have to be though.

You've gained several admirable and useful skills during your time serving the country. There are many jobs where you can show off these skills and excel. It's nothing short of what you deserve. You performed a great service, you shouldn't have to struggle to get by.

If you're not sure what jobs are out there need you, or how you can apply your skills, we've got you covered. Here are 10 high paying jobs for veterans like you.

1. IT Program Manager

Most commanding officers make it a requirement for you to learn the skills of the person above them. It's actually a really great strategy. It ensures that if something happens to that person someone else can easily step up to the plate.

This is the same way an IT Programming Manager position will work. You'll be responsible for learning the jobs of every person on your team, that way when someone calls out sick or some other unfortunate event happens, you can take over for them until they come back or you find a replacement.

2. IT Project Manager

If you have experience with commanding a unit then an IT product manager job is kind of like that. You'll be responsible for making sure everyone on your team stays on task.

Another factor to this job is that it takes someone with organizational skills. It's because so many pieces of technology have to fall in place to make sure projects are a success. This is another skill that you most likely picked up during your service.

3. Business Development Manager

Being a business development manager is a great high paying job for veterans. You'll need leadership skills and know how to strategize. Again, if you were put in charge of a unit, you'll be able to lead a crew.

You're most likely familiar with strategizing for military operations and business thrives from that. Help the business grow, and gain the trust of your crew to lead things flawlessly.

4. Intelligence Analyst

Do you still feel a calling to help out your country even after your military service? Then you might find happiness as an intelligence analyst.

You'll be working closely with the FBI to protect America's national security. You'll be responsible for reading and listening to all information gathered in field offices to check for any sort of threats.

Being in the military you'll have the eye for detail that this job will require of you, not to mention a strong sense of duty and caution.

5. Electronical Engineer

If while in the military you were in charge of developing weapons, improving navigation systems, or creating test standards for electrical systems then you'll do great as an electrical engineer.

There will be several places for you to find work like firms, government agencies, or in public utilities. There are plenty of options in this job field for you to find work and thrive.

6. Vice President, Technology

It's very true that the military sees a lot of technology before anyone else gets a chance to. This means if anyone can keep up with changes in technology for a company, it's you.

Not only will you have to keep up with these changes, but leading people is also a huge part of the position. Having both of these will make you a huge asset to any technology company. The job title doesn't sound too shabby on a resume either.

7. Chief Information Security Officer

As technology evolves so does those who want to steal confidential information and data. Your job will be to lead an advanced team to protect company data from any of these leaches.

It doesn't end with you leading the team, you'll also have to come up with strategies to combat cyber warfare. It's for these reasons that this is one of the best jobs for veterans. Companies are highly likely to hire a veteran for this position over a regular civilian.

8. Software Developer

Software is a very complicated mistress. When one thing falls apart chances are several other things will as well. There is a lot of trial and error in software development.

This is why companies need someone with exceedingly amazing problem-solving skills. If you've got this, plus strong math skills, and a deep understanding of computers, you'll have this job in the bag.

9. Pilot

If you were a military pilot, why not continue with this job once you've finished your service? That is if you enjoyed your time being a pilot. As you rank up in the military the time you spend in the air lessens but with this job, you'll literally spend most of your time there.

If that sounds appealing to you, then go ahead and transfer your military flight certification into an FAA and get ready to take off!

The Top High Paying Jobs for Veterans

There are plenty of high paying jobs for veterans, you just have to be aware of what skills you have and put yourself out there. Veterans make great managers, leaders, are handy with technology, and are amazing strategists. Any company would be crazy not to hire you!

Applying for jobs are one thing, but interviews are another beast entirely. Visit our blog for common interview questions, how to answer them, and other helpful tips you'll need to ace it.

10 Industries that Offer the Best Jobs for Veterans

The above picture shows two people holding up small American Flags watching a parade

As of 2017, there were 18.8 million veterans in the United States.

At any one time, tens of thousands of veterans join civilian employment with many of them doing so for the very first time. Although the transition might be a bit tricky, choosing a job that closely matches your military experience can make your work search easier.

If you've retired from the military recently and are looking for a civilian career that best fits your training and skills, you're probably wondering what the best jobs for veterans are.

In this piece, we've identified 10 industries with amazing career opportunities for veterans, based on their skills and experience.

Here are our top 10 industries offering the best jobs for veterans.

Law Enforcement

This is hardly a surprise as most law enforcement positions are a good fit for veterans of today. Since police and military work have the same organizational structure, law enforcement can be ideal for veterans.

In addition, law enforcement positions are often similar to those of the military. From detectives to dog handlers, many service members already have got much of the training required to work in the police force.

There are already lots of veterans working in law enforcement, so it's easy to find groups of people with shared experiences.


The aerospace industry values the leadership, management, and military experience of veterans. Top aerospace companies hiring veterans include Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrup Grumman.

Veterans find work within the aerospace industry as mechanical and aerospace engineers.

Skilled Trade

Skilled trade jobs in the military include civil engineering construction, HVAC, and plumbing. These have a great demand in the civilian workplace.

But veterans may need to add continuing education or certifications in order to be hired as civilian employees.


Healthcare offers many career options for veterans because it taps into the various skills they acquired in the military. These include the ability to interact with people well and think fast.

Healthcare is a particularly sound option for individuals who worked as medics in the military.

Some leading healthcare jobs for veterans include:

  • Pharmacist
  • Phlebotomist
  • Medical assistant
  • Nurse practitioner
  • LPN


Government jobs are ideal for ex-service members as they basically follow the same organizational structure as the military. In addition, government roles span various departments and agencies--including civilian positions in the army, air force, marine, coast guard, and navy.

Indeed, the government also has positions for individuals interested in the technology and law enforcement industries.

Veterans will also be pleased to hear that their experience in the military can earn then promotions in their specific careers.

And perhaps the best news of all: Veterans and their spouses get preference for all job openings in the government.

Food and Beverage

This industry is another with lots of opportunities, and it attracts many veterans who want to grow and further their profession.

In fact, 19 percent of veterans working in the food and beverage industry are in management--compared with just 10 percent of non-veterans employed in the industry.

Top jobs for veterans in the food and beverage industry include:

  • Dishwasher
  • Server
  • Executive chef
  • Bartender
  • Restaurant manager


The business industry and military work have one key thing in common: the team spirit that spurs members to work towards a common goal. Veterans will realize this when forming their own companies or taking an entry-level position in a big company.

Military friendly companies in this industry also cherish the skills veterans have. From leadership and teamwork to organization and discipline, these skills make veterans perfect for many business careers.

Some of the best jobs for veterans in the business industry include:

  • Administrative assistant
  • Brand ambassador
  • Business analyst
  • Call center representative
  • Pharmaceutical sales representative

Weapons and Security

Many veterans have skills directly associated with the world of weapons and security. This makes them a perfect fit for security firms.

In this industry, veterans serve in roles that vary from intelligence analysts and management consultants to senior leaders and software developers.

Strong leadership and familiarity with weapon use and national security make veterans attractive in this industry.


Many veterans may not know that they are the perfect fit for tech--the fastest growing industry in the country.

With the recent technology boom across all big cities, employers are looking to recruit the right employees for their companies. And they're not just looking for the next programming wizard--they want team players who can keep time and make the right decisions without supervision.

Contrary to popular opinion, most technology firms aren't that keen on hiring 'rock stars'. Instead, they prefer calm and disciplined people who can get a grip on themselves during stressful times.

It's no surprise then that top companies that hire veterans in this industry include Hewlett Packard, Dell, and Amazon.

For today's veterans, this industry offers a good career that requires a flexible, never-say-die attitude. This is something familiar to soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen.

And considering that most tech jobs offer six-figure salaries, this industry should be a great choice for veterans.


The automotive field is rewarding for veterans with experience in fixing different equipment and vehicles in the military.

Even for those without the experience, it can be a good idea to explore opportunities in the automotive industry. This is because roles in this industry rely on the ability to follow directions, work under pressure, and solve problems.

Some great jobs for veterans in the automotive industry include:

  • Auto mechanic
  • Diesel mechanic
  • Heavy equipment mechanic
  • Automotive parts manager
  • Automotive sales manager

Final Thoughts on the Best Jobs for Veterans

The best jobs for veterans largely depend on their interests, positions held in the military, and experience.

Some veterans opt to go back to school and pursue careers in industries that are very different from the ones they had in the military.

If you're a disabled veteran and are looking to transition into civilian employment, make sure to visit our blog. We've got lots of job opportunities, so browse through our job listings, and post your resume too.

All the best in your job search!