THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. You have turned a page on one chapter in your life and have started a new chapter – a new mission.

You may be facing a lot of changes and specific challenges as you transition from your military service back to the civilian life. The job market is constantly changing. Perhaps the job you left to join the military no longer exists, or maybe this is your first experience searching for a non-military job. We can help.

Know your next mission. What kind of work are you seeking and what career do you see yourself pursuing?

Exploring Your Next Step

Do you have what it takes? Comparing your skills set and abilities to the required qualifications on the job description is your best approach to being a good fit for the job. Conduct a job search before crafting your resume so that you can tailor your résumé to a specific job.

Conduct a job search through Bridge My Return. This site is for and by military veterans. You can also use LinkedIn, Indeed, Ziprecruiter, or any job board of your choice.

Conduct a Skills Inventory

Craft your résumé. Writing a résumé first and applying for jobs without knowing what the employer is looking for is like going to war without first graduating from bootcamp.

Talk yourself in to a job. Interviewing can be intimidating. When you joined the military, you probably didn’t have to do the same kind of interview as you would for a civilian job. Basically, you just raised your hand and gave the oath. This time, the interview will be longer, more detailed and still no guarantee that you’ll get the job. That’s why it’s important to understand how interviews are conducted and why certain questions are used. Keep your cool and focus and realize that this is not an interrogation, but more of a conversation.