The transition from military service to a civilian job can be quite a demanding process. On the plus side, the military is one of the best career preparation programs in the country. With over a thousand different disciplines and types of technical jobs, the military provides training and hands-on experience that can become extremely valuable when looking for a civilian job after leaving the military.
Before you can begin your search for a post-military career, it’s a good idea to create a strong resume and cover letter to showcase the skills, knowledge, and abilities you’ve acquired in your military service career.
The cover letter is an important component of your resume presentation. It is the document that introduces your resume and gives potential employers a brief look at you and what you hope to achieve. Here are some tips for putting together an effective cover letter to accompany your resume:
- Address your cover letter to a specific person within the organization you are applying for. Let the person in charge of hiring know that you are actively seeking this job and that you are not just sending out massive amounts of this cover letter in the hope of getting something good on the net.
- The cover letter is an opportunity to explain the unique characteristics that make you a good fit for the job. If you have served in the US Navy as a Nuclear Power Specialist and are applying for a job at a power plant, please explain how you would apply your training to this job.
- Cover letters also allow you to explain any discrepancies your resume may contain. If he left the army a year ago like electronic technicianbut you have been working at a grocery store, explain how you have been searching for a position like the one you are applying for and are very excited to return to the field for which you were trained in your military service.
- Use the cover letter to highlight the specific skills and abilities most relevant to the job for which you are applying. If the job is for a field service electrical technician and she has worked in the military repairing electrical connections at APCs, be sure to describe how her skills would translate to this new civilian job.
- Finally, end your cover letter with a call to action. Tell the employer to scan your resume and contact you right away to discuss how you can improve your company.
A cover letter that is concise and descriptive, without being arrogant or pedantic, will entice an employer to explore your resume and hopefully open you up for an interview. Look for the next article in this series to outline some cover letter pitfalls to avoid.
If you are a transitioning military looking to find a civilian career, visit www.cmc-jobs.com and let professional military recruiters help you with your post-military job search.