Creating a Winning Resume for Veterans Transitioning to Michigan’s Civilian Workforce

Transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce is an exciting (and often challenging) step for veterans. With Michigan’s thriving industries in mobility, defense, aerospace, tech and advanced manufacturing, former military personnel have an abundance of opportunities to leverage their skills and experience. Creating a compelling resume that highlights experience and is tailored to these industries is essential for standing out and securing a civilian job.

Here are practical tips to help veterans create a resume that translates their military experience into civilian career success:

1. Understand the Landscape of Michigan's Industries and Career Opportunities They Provide

Michigan is a hub for innovation and industry. Companies in mobility and defense are designing next-generation vehicles and defense systems. Aerospace firms are advancing space exploration, while the tech and advanced manufacturing sectors are driving the future of automation and AI. Veterans bring a wide array of skills and expertise that can be tremendous assets to these industries. Military experience in leadership, technical and problem-solving roles align perfectly with these industries.

For instance:

• Mobility and defense industries value project management and strategic planning, at which veterans often excel.
• Advanced manufacturing requires teamwork, precision, attention to detail and adherence to safety protocols—hallmarks of military training.
• Tech industries seek the ability to learn quickly and flexibility - both skills that veterans naturally develop during service.

2. Translate Military Experience into Civilian Terms

Military jargon can be difficult for civilian employers to understand. It’s essential to translate military duties, accomplishments and skills into language that resonates with a civilian audience.

• Identify transferable skills: Leadership, logistics, operations management, technical expertise and communication are valuable across industries. For example, if one managed a team during deployment, present it as leadership in a high-pressure environment.
• Focus on accomplishments: Quantify achievements whenever possible. Instead of stating, “Managed military operations,” say, “Supervised logistics for operations involving 50 personnel, ensuring 100% mission success and compliance with safety protocols.”
• Use civilian-friendly terms: Replace military-specific terms with equivalents that resonate in the corporate world. For instance, “Platoon” can become “Team,” and “Commander” can become “Manager.”
• Visit O*NET Military Crosswalk: This is an online resource for translating military specialty codes into civilian occupation codes.

3. Tailor Resume to Michigan’s Key Industries

Research the companies and roles of interest and customize a resume accordingly. Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to each occupation and industry that are of interest.

• Mobility and defense: Emphasize experience with logistics, operational planning and team leadership. Michigan’s auto industry also values familiarity with cutting-edge technology.
• Aerospace: Technical skills, attention to detail and problem-solving abilities stand out. Highlight certifications or experience with advanced machinery.
• Tech and advanced manufacturing: If there’s previous experience working with technology, emphasize adaptability and technical prowess. Experience with software systems or data analysis can be a strong asset.

4. Highlight Soft Skills

Employers value veterans for their discipline, adaptability and resilience. Include examples of how these traits contributed to military career success. For example:

• “Adapted quickly to changing environments during overseas deployments, ensuring mission continuity.”
• “Maintained composure under pressure, leading teams to achieve objectives with minimal resources.”

5. Include Certifications and Training

Many employers value specialized skills, and many veterans already have relevant certifications. Highlight any technical training, IT certifications or safety qualifications acquired during service.

6. Format for Clarity and Impact

A clean, professional resume format ensures qualifications are easy to read:

• Use a chronological format if there’s a strong work history or a skills-based format to highlight abilities.
• Start with a professional summary, e.g., “Veteran with 10 years of leadership and operations experience, seeking a role in advanced manufacturing to leverage expertise in logistics and team management.”
• Limit the resume to one or two pages, focusing on the most relevant experience.

7. Leverage Michigan’s Resources for Veterans

• Michigan is dedicated to supporting veterans in the workforce. Organizations like the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) and local Michigan Works! offices have career centers that offer resume assistance, training programs and job placement services with the option to work directly with a fellow veteran. Explore opportunities like apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing or tech boot camps to build civilian-specific skills.

8. Create Several Versions of Your Resume

One size does not fit all when it comes to resumes, especially for veterans entering diverse industries like those in Michigan. Creating tailored versions of a resume for specific roles is the most effective way to showcase the most relevant skills and experiences.

• For instance, a resume targeting a role in supply chain or purchasing should emphasize logistics, strategic planning and leadership, while a resume for a tech role should highlight technical training, problem solving and adaptability.
• Similarly, if you're applying for roles in advanced manufacturing, focus on teamwork, precision, quality and safety expertise.

By creating several versions of a resume, each aligned with the needs of a particular role or job, a veteran can better demonstrate why they’re the ideal candidate for each position. This targeted approach not only enhances the opportunities for getting noticed, but also helps make a stronger connection with hiring managers.

Transitioning to the civilian workforce can be a challenging journey, but Michigan offers a wealth of opportunities in industries that value the skills and experiences as a veteran. By crafting a clear, civilian-friendly resume tailored to the state’s booming sectors, veterans can confidently step into the next chapter. Remember, military service has provided the preparation—now it’s time to translate that preparation into career success.

Christoper Rishko retired as a Major in the U.S. Air Force, with over 20 years of military leadership experience. He transitioned to the civilian workforce in Michigan in 2018 and has held several workforce development leadership positions across the state. He currently serves as director of talent solutions for Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He is a passionate advocate for the development of military service personnel hiring programs across the state.