Leaving the military and finding a new job is a big step. You have strong skills and experience, but most jobs in the civilian world don’t use military terms. That means your resume needs to tell your story in a clear, simple way.

Many veterans find this hard. They don’t know how to show their value using everyday words. They also worry about how to format a resume or what to include. That’s normal.

But here’s the good news: with the right help, it gets easier. This blog will walk you through how to turn your military experience, including leadership, technical skills, and mission-driven roles,  into a resume that aligns with Civilian job requirements. It also shows how Jump Resume Builder can make the process smoother and faster.

Military vs. Civilian Resumes: What’s Different?

Military and civilian resumes follow different rules. While military resumes often focus on rank, duties, and structure, civilian resumes highlight achievements, skills, and impact. The language also changes — technical terms and military codes must be translated into words that hiring managers outside the defense world can understand. 

This section breaks down those key differences, so you can build a resume that speaks the language of your next career move.

Language

In the military, you use terms like MOS, NCOIC, and “fire team leader.” In civilian jobs, no one speaks that language. Hiring managers might not understand what those words mean. Therefore, your resume has to use simple and clear language.

Focus

Military evaluations often list tasks and responsibilities in a resume. Civilian resumes focus more on results. It’s not just what you did—it’s what impact you made. Did you save time? Cut costs? Lead a team? Those are the things employers care about.

Format

Military records follow a formal structure for service documentation. However, when applying for civilian jobs, your resume should be clean, simple, and easy to scan. Avoid long blocks of text and extra pages. Instead, focus on presenting only the most relevant information in a format hiring managers expect.

Step-by-Step Guide to Build Your Resume for Military and Civilian Jobs

In this section, we will discuss the step-by-step guide to build your resume for military and civilian fields. 

Step 1: Make a Master List

Write down everything you’ve done: job titles, tasks, missions, awards, training, and schools. This is your starting point. You’ll pull from it later.

Step 2: Choose a Civilian Job

Pick a type of job you want. For example: security, logistics, tech support, or project management. Look at job posts for that role. What skills do they want? What words do they use?

With Jump Resume Builder, you can enter a job description and receive helpful suggestions on which skills to include, saving time and helping you stay on target.

Step 3: Find Your Transferable Skills

As you move into civilian work, it helps to look closely at the skills you used in the military and see which ones can support the kind of job you want next. Many of those abilities apply across both settings.

Examples:

• Leading a team
• Solving problems
• Planning operations
• Working under pressure
• Fixing equipment
• Handling logistics

Choose the ones that match the job you want.

Step 4: Write Your Resume in Plain English

Describe your military experience using language that civilian employers can easily understand. Avoid acronyms. Replace titles like “Squad Leader” with “Team Leader.” Focus on what you did and what changed because of it.

According to a research study, many veterans struggle with career planning after combat or services. Their career needs are often overlooked. That’s why expert support, resume guidance, and access to veteran-focused employment programs are essential in helping them build a clear path toward meaningful work.

Translate Military Experience into Civilian Terms

Many veterans face a common challenge when building a resume — making their military background easy for civilian employers to understand. Military job titles and terms don’t always translate well in the civilian world. 

That’s why it’s important to explain your background in a way that makes sense outside the service. Focus on what you did, the skills you used, and the outcomes you achieved — not just your rank or the name of your unit.

Here are the tips:

• Don’t use military job codes.
• Avoid rank or unit names unless they matter for the job.
• Break your tasks into actions and results.
• Use numbers to show impact.

Example:

Before:
“Platoon Sergeant in charge of weapons maintenance and mission briefings for 30 soldiers.”

After:
“Led a team of 30 in daily operations, maintained equipment, and improved training outcomes by 20%.”

Also Read: 25 Best Skills to Put on a Resume

Choose the Right Resume Format for Your Career Goals

Selecting the best resume format can make a big difference in how your background is viewed. Whether you’ve just finished school, served in the military, or are moving into a new field, the layout you use should bring out your strongest qualities and match the role you’re applying for.

This section will guide you through the various resume formats, helping you determine which one best suits your professional background and aspirations.

Chronological

Lists jobs by date. Good if you had clear growth over time.

Functional

Focuses on skills, not dates. Great for changing careers or if you have gaps.

Hybrid

Mix both. Shows your skills up top, then your work history. This is best for most veterans.

Jump Resume Builder includes resume templates for each format and industry. They’re clean, easy to read, and work well with job systems.

Organize Your Resume

You can organize your resume after selecting the format. List the information section-wise. Start with the header, then add your summary or objective in bio. Highlight your skills, work experience and then education in a chronological order. 

Header

Your name, phone, email, and LinkedIn. Leave out your rank or military branch.

Summary

This is a short intro at the top. It should say what kind of job you want and what you bring to the table.

Example: “Team leader with 10 years in logistics and operations. Skilled in planning, training, and problem-solving. Seeking a supply chain role in a fast-paced company.”

Jump can help write a resume summary that can best match the job you want.

Skills Section

Choose 6–10 skills that fit the job post. Focus on abilities you gained in the military that match what civilian employers are looking for. These could include leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, or technical tools you’ve worked with. Use clear, civilian-friendly terms — avoid military jargon.

Use common words like:

• Leadership
• Scheduling
• Risk management
• Troubleshooting
• Training teams
• Communication

Work Experience

Use bullet points. Start each with an action verb. Focus on what you did and what happened because of it.

Bad:
Example: “Responsible for safety checks.”

Better:
Example: “Performed safety checks on equipment, reducing breakdowns by 25%.”

Use numbers when possible. How many people did you lead? How much did you save? What improved under your leadership?

Education & Training

List degrees, schools, and military training. Include dates and full names of programs.

Example:

• U.S. Army Advanced Leadership Course, 2020
• B.A. in Criminal Justice, University of Maryland, 2018

Related Sections

You can also add the security clearance, certifications, or any volunteer work in this section. As this can boost your resume if they’re relevant:

• Security clearance
• Languages
• Certifications (like PMP or ITIL)
• Awards or honors
• Volunteer work

Related Article: How to List Education on a Resume with examples?

Use Job Postings to Shape Your Resume Content

Every job post is a guide. It tells you what the employer wants. Read it carefully.

What Should You Ask:

• What skills do they list?
• What tasks will the job include?
• What kind of person are they looking for?

Now compare that to your experience. Then write your resume to show you match.

Jump Resume Builder helps here. Paste the job post into Jump. It will find keywords, flag missing items, and suggest what to add.

This helps your resume pass ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), which many companies use to screen resumes.

Common Resume Mistakes Veterans Make

There are some common resume mistakes that veterans usually make while creating a resume, which can impact their profile and purpose.

• Using Military Jargon

Most people won’t know what a “Company XO” or “S2” is. Always use plain terms.

• Focusing on Duties Only

Don’t just list what you were assigned. Show what you did and how it helped.

Example:
Instead of: “Planned supply routes,”
Write: “Planned and optimized supply routes for 5 locations, reducing delivery delays by 30%.”

• One-Size-Fits-All Resumes

Don’t use the same resume for every job. Tailor each one. It’s extra work—but worth it.

• Fancy or Overloaded Design

Keep it simple. Use white space. Avoid images or fancy graphics. Many hiring systems can’t read them.

Suggested Reads: How to Write an Effective Resume Summary?

Military to Civilian Resume Examples

Looking at real resume examples can make a big difference when unsure where to start. This section shows how to turn your military background into a resume that fits civilian job roles. From combat roles to technical support, these examples highlight how to frame your experience in a way that speaks to hiring managers outside the military.

Example 1: Infantry → Security Manager

Before:
“Led patrols and supervised squad security.”

After:
“Managed a team of 10 for facility security and risk response. Cut security incidents by 25% through updated patrol routes.”

Example 2: Logistics Officer → Supply Chain Coordinator

Before:
“Coordinated equipment and transport for the battalion.”

After:
“Led supply planning and transport for 200+ personnel. Improved delivery times by 20% and reduced inventory errors.”

Example 3: Communications → IT Support

Before:
“Maintained radio and satellite systems.”

After:
“Supported communication systems for cross-team operations. Reduced downtime by 40% and improved system reliability.”

Each example shows how to change the language to match civilian jobs. You show value by showing results.

Why Use Jump Resume Builder?

Jump Resume Builder is made to help job seekers write better resumes fast. It’s especially useful for veterans.

Here’s how it helps:

• Translates your military experience to civilian terms
• Suggests skills and keywords based on real job posts
• Offers clean templates that work with job sites
• Saves time by letting you copy and adjust resumes for each job

You bring the experience. Jump helps you show it clearly.

Final Tips for Veterans

Moving from military life to civilian life isn’t always quick or easy. Finding a new job can feel like starting from scratch. But with the right approach, you can make that change smoother. These final tips are here to help you stay clear-headed, on track, and ready for what’s next.

Use Veteran Hiring Programs

Some companies look for veterans. Use sites like Hire Heroes USA, Military.com, and VetJobs to find them.

Practice Interviews

Get used to explaining your background in plain terms. Practice with friends or mentors. Keep it short and clear.

Keep Learning

Take free courses. Learn new tools or software. Stay sharp. It shows employers that you’re ready for the next step.

Track Your Progress

Keep a list of where you apply. Save versions of your resume. Update as you go.

Final Thoughts

Your military experience gave you valuable skills — leadership, problem-solving, resilience, and the ability to take action when it counts. These are valuable skills in any workplace. Civilian employers want people who can take responsibility, stay organized, and deliver results. That’s you.

But they won’t see it unless your resume makes it clear. You have to tell your story using words they understand. No acronyms. No ranks. Just facts, outcomes, and skills they can connect with the job they’re trying to fill.

Use short, direct language. Highlight what you achieved. Show how your experience matches what the job needs. Each resume should speak to that one job—no copy-pasting the same version over and over.

Need help? Jump Resume Builder makes it easier. It helps you turn your military experience into a resume that gets attention.

Start your next mission strong using our free and easy-to-use tool to create your resume and step into your new career.