Strategic Placement- How to Effectively Integrate Military Experience on Your Resume

Where Do You Put Military Experience on a Resume?

When transitioning from military service to civilian life, it’s crucial to effectively communicate your military experience on your resume. This can be a challenging task, especially when you’re unsure of how to highlight your skills and accomplishments in a way that resonates with potential employers. In this article, we will discuss the best practices for including military experience on your resume and where to place it for maximum impact.

First, Understand the Format

Before deciding where to put military experience on your resume, it’s essential to understand the standard resume format. Typically, a resume consists of the following sections:

1. Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.
2. Professional Summary: A brief overview of your skills, experiences, and career goals.
3. Work Experience: A list of your professional experiences, starting with your most recent position.
4. Education: Your highest level of education, including any relevant coursework or certifications.
5. Skills: A list of your technical and soft skills.

Where to Place Military Experience

Now that you understand the standard resume format, let’s discuss where to place your military experience:

1. Work Experience: It’s most common to list military experience under the “Work Experience” section. This allows you to showcase your military background alongside your civilian job experience. Make sure to use strong action verbs and quantify your achievements to demonstrate your value to potential employers.

2. Separate Section: If you have extensive military experience or are transitioning from the military to a civilian career, you might consider creating a separate section for “Military Experience.” This can help to distinguish your military background and make it more visible to employers.

3. Professional Summary: Including a brief mention of your military experience in the professional summary can also be effective. This can help to highlight your leadership and teamwork skills early in the resume.

4. Skills Section: Mentioning specific military skills in the “Skills” section can be beneficial, especially if they are relevant to the job you’re applying for. This allows employers to quickly see your qualifications without having to search through your work experience.

How to Present Military Experience

When presenting your military experience on your resume, follow these guidelines:

1. Use Layman’s Terms: Avoid military jargon and acronyms unless they are widely understood. If you must use them, provide a brief explanation or definition.

2. Quantify Achievements: Use numbers and percentages to demonstrate the impact of your military experience. For example, “Increased unit efficiency by 20% through process optimization.”

3. Highlight Transferable Skills: Identify and emphasize the skills you’ve acquired during your military service that are relevant to the civilian job market. These may include leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.

4. Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application, focusing on the skills and experiences most relevant to the position.

In conclusion, there are several options for where to put military experience on your resume. The best approach depends on your individual circumstances and the job you’re applying for. By following these guidelines and presenting your military experience in a clear, concise, and relevant manner, you can effectively showcase your skills and accomplishments to potential employers.