One of the most daunting experiences for you right now is making the transition from military to civilian life. Not only will it seem like an uphill battle trying to fit back into this daily life but trying to find a new career can further complicate the situation. We have put together a few words of advice when faced with the task of putting together a CV.
What career?
If you know what kind of job you are going to go for, then you are half way there. Trying to decide what kind of job you want to do is difficult and it may be that you do not just decide on one job but several options. To get to this point, you need to sit down and list ALL of the skills you have developed pre-military and whilst within the military and cross-check this list with the skills required in an array of careers. This is the time to research all kinds of job opportunities, speak to your network of friends, family and acquaintances and get some first-hand feedback to work out if it is something you may be interested in doing. It is important to invest time in reading around all kinds of careers to see if something interests you! The internet is a great place to start and there are many sites out there with great explanations of what is involved in different job roles.
More than one CV?
It is highly likely that you may be interested in several kinds of jobs so it is very common to have more than one CV. We allow up to 5 CV’s to be saved into a jobseekers account on TipTopJob so that they can be used to apply to different kinds of jobs and this is the same for other job boards. Each can include different skills and experiences that relate to the role you are applying to. Each CV needs to be kept to under 2 pages.
Skills and achievements
As someone who has no direct experience in the role you are going to be applying for, it is important to pick out the “transferable” skills that you have picked up in the military and that can be used in civilian life. Some of these skills may include team work, decision making, leadership, IT and communication. You are likely to have some good quality and varied achievements that you can use to your advantage so try to pick out those most relevant to the role you are going to be applying for.
Language
Try to minimise any military jargon, acronyms, slang etc from your CV as this can be confusing for a recruiter. If you are describing specific military terms, try to explain and elaborate. You can always ask a friend to read over your CV to make sure they understand it before applying to a job.
Personal Development Record
This is something that civilians will not have so it is a good idea to use this to your advantage. You can quantify each of the areas and be specific with what you have done, who you have managed, what you achieved, what equipment you used etc For example, say that you managed over 20 soldiers, explain that you managed a budget of over £1 million and describe a situation that resulted in saving your department over £50K.
To finish
When putting your CV together, remember to keep it simple, not too wordy and relevant. There are companies that can help you to put a CV together or provide a review on what you already have. Invest some time in getting this right as it can help you to get your foot in the door. If you are rejected for a role, always ask for feedback as this can help you to tweak the content on your CV before applying for another job.
If you are seeking a better career or if you are simply looking for a position that is full-time, stable and high-paying, consider your knowledge of foreign languages and how they can help to benefit you.
When you consider language a learning, it is possible to find new career paths and opportunities by improving your skills and abilities when it comes to communicating with individuals from all around the world. If you choose to study foreign languages, there are many benefits that come along with doing so that not only helps with your communication capabilities, but also with potential future job opportunities and placements that are right for you.
The Benefits When You Study Foreign Languages
Any time you want a better job with more stability, consider the option of studying a foreign language. Whether you choose to learn languages online or if you prefer to learn within a traditional classroom, having the knowledge of multiple foreign languages greatly increases your chances of getting hired into a position you desire and that is also high-paying. One of the newest methods of learning a foreign language are online language learning tools and solutions such as Lingualia.
Foreign Language Positions
Obtaining a job using your skills when it comes to speaking, reading and writing a foreign language is possible through both local and online channels, regardless of where you are currently located and whether you prefer part or full-time work. When you want to find a position that is ideal for individuals who understand multiple languages, consider your options before selecting the language you want to immerse yourself in learning to understand thoroughly some of the best positions such as working in translating, interpreting and even language-teaching. These roles are available for those who are familiar with multiple languages, whether you know two, three or even more. It is also possible to find a solid position in the scientific, medical or even the engineering field once you have the knowledge of foreign languages.
Before you begin pursuing the option to learn a new language, it is important to consider the type of work you are interested in the career you have your heart set on. Understanding where you want to work and the specific type of work you are interested in personally can give you the guidance you need to find a language-learning program that is just right for you.
If you have a desire to learn languages online, you can do so with Lingualia, a free application and online tool to help with learning a second or third language of your choice, on demand.
Read more on our website.