Resume Mistakes Veterans Should Avoid When Entering the Civilian Workforce

Veterans often find it difficult to translate their military experience into terms that civilian employers recognize and value. A well-structured resume is essential for securing interviews and landing a job, but certain common mistakes can make the process harder than it needs to be.

This guide will walk you through the most common resume mistakes veterans make and provide practical tips to help you create a resume that stands out for all the right reasons.

1. Using Too Much Military Jargon

Why It’s a Problem

Military terminology, acronyms, and job titles often don’t translate well to the civilian workforce. While these terms are second nature to service members, hiring managers without a military background may not understand them.

How to Fix It

• 
  Avoid acronyms – Instead of “NCOIC,” say “Team Lead” or “Supervisor.”
• 
  Use civilian-friendly job titles – If your title was “Operations Chief,” translate it into something like “Operations Manager” or “Project Manager.”
• 
  Explain your responsibilities in layman’s terms – Instead of “Executed logistical supply chain operations for forward-deployed units,” say “Managed supply chain operations, ensuring timely delivery of critical materials.”

Example:

• 
  Instead of: “Supervised maintenance for UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.”
• 
  Try: “Managed a team of 12 technicians responsible for maintaining and repairing high-performance aircraft.”

2. Failing to Quantify Achievements

Why It’s a Problem

Hiring managers want to see tangible proof of your impact. If your resume is a list of duties without numbers or results, it won’t stand out.

How to Fix It

• 
  Use numbers to highlight your accomplishments: How many people did you supervise? How much money did you manage? How much time or cost did you save?
• 
  Focus on outcomes, not just responsibilities.

Example:

• 
  Instead of: “Led a team responsible for equipment maintenance.”
• 
  Try: “Led a team of 15 technicians, improving equipment readiness by 25% and reducing maintenance costs by $50,000 annually.”

3. Using an Outdated Resume Format

Why It’s a Problem

A resume with dense paragraphs, excessive bullet points, or an outdated format can make it difficult for hiring managers to quickly find key information.

How to Fix It

• 
  Use a clean, modern format with clear section headers.
• 
  Stick to a professional font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) and keep font size between 10-12pt.
• 
  Ensure adequate white space to improve readability.
• 
  Keep your resume to 1-2 pages.

4. Listing Every Job You Had in the Military

Why It’s a Problem

While your military career is impressive, not every role is relevant to the job you're applying for. Civilian hiring managers need to see a focused resume that highlights transferable skills.

How to Fix It

• 
  Tailor your resume for each job application.
• 
  Highlight the roles and responsibilities that relate most to your target job.
• 
  Leave out older or less relevant roles.

5. Not Tailoring the Resume to the Job

Why It’s a Problem

Sending the same generic resume to every employer reduces your chances of getting noticed.

How to Fix It

• 
  Carefully read the job description and match your experience to the key skills listed.
• 
  Use keywords from the job posting to get past applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• 
  Customize your summary section for each job you apply to.

6. Overlooking Soft Skills

Why It’s a Problem

While technical skills are essential, employers also value leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving.

How to Fix It

• 
  Highlight soft skills in your professional summary and work experience.
• 
  Provide examples of how you’ve used these skills in past roles.

Example:

• 
  Instead of: “Responsible for leading a platoon.”
• 
  Try: “Led and mentored a team of 30 personnel, fostering teamwork, accountability, and mission success.”

7. Including Military Rank Without Context

Why It’s a Problem

Ranks may not mean much to civilian employers, and they can sometimes create unintended bias.

How to Fix It

• 
  Instead of listing your rank, focus on your responsibilities and leadership experience.
• 
  If applying for government or defense-related jobs, including your rank might be beneficial.

8. Forgetting to Include Certifications and Training

Why It’s a Problem

Your military training and certifications can be highly valuable but might not be immediately recognized by civilian employers.

How to Fix It

• 
  Translate military certifications into their civilian equivalents.
• 
  Include relevant training that aligns with the job you’re applying for.

Example:

• 
  Military Certification: “Combat Lifesaver Course”
• 
  Civilian Equivalent: “Emergency First Aid and Trauma Response Training”

9. Not Highlighting Security Clearances (When Relevant)

Why It’s a Problem

If you have an active security clearance, it can be a valuable asset for certain roles, particularly in government contracting or defense-related jobs.

How to Fix It

• 
  List active security clearances (e.g., “Active Secret Clearance” or “Top Secret Clearance”).
• 
  Avoid including sensitive or classified details.

10. Skipping a Strong Summary Section

Why It’s a Problem

Many hiring managers only spend a few seconds on each resume. A weak or missing summary means they may not immediately grasp your value.

How to Fix It

• 
  Write a concise summary (3-4 sentences) that highlights your skills, experience, and career goals.
• 
  Tailor it for each job application.

Example:

“Accomplished operations leader with 10+ years of experience managing logistics, personnel, and high-value assets in dynamic environments. Proven ability to lead teams, improve operational efficiency, and drive mission success. Seeking to leverage leadership and problem-solving skills in a logistics management role.”

Final Thoughts: Creating a Resume That Works for You

A well-crafted resume is key to a smooth transition into the civilian workforce. By avoiding common mistakes and focusing on clear, results-driven content, you can present yourself as a strong candidate.

Remember:

• 
  Translate military experience into civilian-friendly terms.
• 
  Quantify your achievements with numbers and results.
• 
  Use a clean, professional format.
• 
  Tailor your resume to each job application.
• 
  Highlight both technical and soft skills.

Your military experience has equipped you with valuable skills—make sure your resume reflects that. If you need help getting started, VetResumes.com can help you craft a resume that translates your service into a powerful career asset.