A Virtual Summit Connection

Gemma sat in front of her laptop, the light from the screen illuminating her face. She had just attended a virtual summit for veterans transitioning into civilian careers, feeling a mixture of excitement and dread. The summit was filled with panels, workshops, and breakout sessions about everything from job searching to resume writing. But, as a Navy veteran who had served for over a decade, Gemma felt overwhelmed by one thing in particular: her resume.

Her military experience was vast, but how could she possibly translate years of naval service into a resume that would appeal to civilian employers? Gemma couldn’t help but feel lost.

It was during a breakout session led by Ms. Veteran Affairs that Gemma’s outlook started to shift. She spoke about the challenges veterans face when entering the civilian workforce and how one of the biggest hurdles is translating military skills into civilian terms. Ms. Veteran Affairs’ approach was warm and relatable, and Gemma could tell that Ms. Veteran Affairs truly understood what veterans go through during this transition.

After the session, Gemma couldn’t wait to reach out. She sent a message, asking for guidance on her resume. Ms. Veteran Affairs replied almost immediately, inviting her for a one-on-one session to discuss her resume in detail.

Breaking Down the Military Experience

When Gemma and Ms. Veteran Affairs met virtually, Gemma explained her situation: she had been stationed all over the world, managed teams, and was responsible for complex technical tasks, but none of that seemed to translate easily into the civilian job market.

Ms. Veteran Affairs listened closely, nodding. "The first thing to remember is that your military experience is valuable. The challenge is to show civilian employers exactly how it translates into their world," she said.

"Right," Gemma replied, leaning forward. "But where do I start?"

Translating Military Experience

Ms. Veteran Affairs explained how the key to a great resume was in translating military terms into language that would resonate with civilian employers. “You don’t need to overcomplicate things. Instead of saying, ‘I was responsible for leading a squadron,’ say something like, ‘I managed a team of X people and led them to achieve Y outcome.’ Focus on the results, not just the tasks,” she advised. “For example, if you oversaw logistics, translate it to project management, supply chain coordination, or team operations. The skills are the same; it’s just a matter of presenting them in a way that’s understood outside of the military.”

Gemma’s eyes widened as the pieces started to come together. She realized she had been focusing too much on specific military jargon and not enough on the bigger picture—the leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills she had developed over the years.

Writing a Powerful Resume Summary

Next, Ms. Veteran Affairs turned her attention to the most important part of Gemma’s resume: the summary. “Your resume summary is your elevator pitch,” she said. “This is the first thing employers will see, so it needs to grab their attention.”

Ms. Veteran Affairs walked Gemma through crafting a summary that would catch an employer’s eye. Instead of just listing skills, she emphasized highlighting Gemma’s unique qualifications. “Something like, ‘A results-driven leader with over 10 years of experience managing teams, coordinating operations, and executing high-level projects in fast-paced environments.’”

Gemma was surprised at how simple it could be to reframe her experiences into concise, impactful statements.

Highlighting Achievements

Ms. Veteran Affairs continued, “Instead of listing duties, let’s focus on achievements. Were you able to increase efficiency, reduce costs, or boost team performance? Employers want to see outcomes. If you saved your command money, or if you improved a process, make sure to showcase those results.”

Gemma began to think back on her time in the Navy and realized that many of the initiatives she had led had quantifiable results. She had helped reduce supply chain costs by streamlining processes and improved the readiness of her team by introducing new training programs.

"Exactly," Ms. Veteran Affairs said, her voice encouraging. "Those are the things that will set you apart."

Tailoring the Resume for Each Job

As they worked through Gemma’s resume, Ms. Veteran Affairs also highlighted the importance of tailoring the resume for each job application. "Every job is different," she explained. "So each resume should be customized to show exactly how your experience fits the job description. Look at the key skills in the job posting, and make sure your resume highlights how your military experience relates."

Gemma took notes, feeling a new sense of confidence. She hadn’t realized how important it was to tweak her resume for each position, but now she understood how critical it was to match her skills to what employers were seeking.

Keeping It Concise and Focused

Finally, Ms. Veteran Affairs offered some advice about keeping the resume concise. "The goal is to capture the employer’s attention, but you don’t need to overwhelm them with every detail. Keep it focused on the most important skills and achievements. A hiring manager spends only a few seconds on the first read-through, so make sure they get the gist quickly."

Gemma nodded. “I’ve been trying to include everything, but now I see how that could work against me.”

Ms. Veteran Affairs smiled. “It’s about quality, not quantity. Stick to the top highlights and make every word count.”

The New Resume, Ready to Go

By the end of their session, Gemma had a polished resume that was both clear and compelling. She felt proud of the document she had created and was excited to send it out to potential employers.

Ms. Veteran Affairs smiled at her screen. “You’ve done great. Your military experience is valuable, and now you’ve learned how to communicate it effectively. Employers will see the dedication, the leadership, and the impact you bring to the table.”

Gemma, with a renewed sense of purpose, thanked Ms. Veteran Affairs and was ready to tackle the civilian job market with confidence.

Key Takeaways

Gemma had not only learned how to craft an effective resume, but she had also gained the confidence to approach her job search with clarity and purpose. Ms. Veteran Affairs had shown her the path forward, and now it was up to her to walk it.

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