Entering life after service can be confusing for former servicemembers. Among other things, there is the pressing matter of finding a civilian job. As a part of the Armed Forces, you likely built a pretty impressive resume, but it is time to prepare it for its next target: the civilian hiring manager. Take a look at the top six things hiring managers look for on a resume:
1. Relevancy
Human resources workers are busy people. They see dozens of resumes a day. You do not want to be the person that wasted their time by applying for a job for which you were not qualified. Carefully read the job description that accompanies the posting. If you have the skills and knowledge to fill that position successfully, tailor your objectives section to demonstrate this.
2. Quantifiable information
While your skills and experience are impressive, hiring managers want to see the results behind your work. If you increased your unit's proficiency by 10 percent, put that on your resume. Having numbers you can backup on your resume is more likely to get you noticed and in the door for an interview.
3. Powerful language
Passive language is a massive turnoff for HR personnel. Scan your resume for any phrasing or adjectives that could be "punched up" or improved. Instead of saying you have leadership experience describe yourself as a "strong, proven leader." Hiring managers are more drawn to powerful language.
5. Leadership
The military offers plenty of opportunities to gain leadership experience. If you took advantage of these, do not be afraid to boast about it on your resume. In fact, many hiring managers prefer individuals with leadership experience because it shows that they are responsible, capable and self-motivated. Make sure your leadership experiences are listed near the top of your qualifications.
6. Room to grow
Though you want to demonstrate that you are capable of handling the job for which you are applying, you should indicate that you are willing to grow in some way. On your resume, you can do this by suggesting that you are willing to relocate, would be open to additional training or are interested in moving up in the company. This will show HR managers that you are motived.
Hopefully, you can use these suggestions to create a stronger resume. Check back to AFBA's blog for more tips for life after service.