MILITARY
PERSONNEL
To write a successful resume, the person
with 6–30 years in the military needs to have confidence that the abilities he
or she possesses are marketable. Without that assurance the resume will
probably come out bland and next to useless. Feel good about yourself.
Regardless of your function in the military, you developed skills there which
are valuable in the civilian job market. If you plan well, analyze your
strengths, and are clear on what you want to do in civilian life, you should
have no more difficulties than anyone else finding the job you want.
Use Your
Strengths
Analyze your background carefully and
emphasize the experience that will help sell you into a civilian job. There may
be functions you performed in the military that are so unique to the military
that they should be mentioned briefly or not at all. You’ve done plenty of
things which civilian managers are looking for so emphasize those things.
If you have been involved in any phase
of electronics, computers, mechanics, or other technical fields, you are
highly marketable. The U.S. government has invested thousands of dollars
training you, and there are employers who seek your expertise and experience.
Many ex‑pilots have gone to work
for airlines and defense contractors. Don’t feel limited to seeking jobs that
are directly related to your military functions, however. As an officer you
were assigned various command positions. Describe them properly, and you can
sell yourself into a midmanagement or executive position. Whatever your
background, sell your experience.
Things to Avoid
As you write your resume, scrupulously
avoid military jargon, also known as militarese. Let a civilian read your
resume to determine if your descriptions are understandable.
Be careful about mentioning the
supervision of large numbers of people. In the military, to have responsibility
for 500 people is not unusual, but most presidents of companies never have 500
people under their control. Seeing such large numbers can seem threatening.
Generally you would only list the number of direct reports.
Avoid phrases like “Responsible for overseeing
a $95 million budget.” In the military overseeing large budgets is common, but
in the private sector, only executives with large companies could make such
statements. Again, it can seem threatening.
The same principle would apply if you
were a pilot or ship’s captain: “Responsible for a $21 million piece of
equipment” (pilot) or, “Had total responsibility for operating and maintaining
a $260 million piece of equipment” (captain of a destroyer). The statements may
sound impressive, but they are actually counterproductive.
Using
Evaluations And Letters Of Commendation
As a military person you have
undoubtedly saved your fitness reports, evaluations, and letters of
commendation. Selected short quotations can be included in your resume to make
positive statements about yourself. Praise coming from an objective third
party, especially from a superior, will carry more weight than if you made the
same statement about yourself. Rarely should anyone include more than one or
two quotes in the resume, so choose them wisely. See page 162 for an example of
a retired military person who used extensive quotes from evaluations as an
addendum to his resume. In places where the evaluation would have said “Captain
Handle,” it simply states “Handle,” in order to remove as much military
terminology as possible. These quotes were heavily edited, with only small
portions of each evaluation included. When skipping portions of the evaluations
there was no attempt to use ellipses (...) to signify a gap. Instead, it was all
woven together to make a strong statement about Handle and allowing commanding
officers to say things he couldn’t say about himself.
Generally you should take your addendum
(label it “Portions of Annual Evaluations”) with you on interviews so that if
it seems appropriate you could give a copy to your interviewer. Occasionally
you might include it with your resume when you send it in the mail, but our
research indicates that people with professional or technical experience are
usually better off not including letters of recommendations or evaluations with
their resumes.
For some military people a functional
resume works best because no matter how they describe their jobs, those jobs
don’t sound like anything that goes on in the civilian world. See page 136 for
an example.
In the first sample resume, Sanders does
an excellent job of convincing the reader that he is totally dedicated to
safety. It is clear that the record he set for the most consecutive months
without a major accident, came by his dedication and the development of a
comprehensive safety program.
In the second and third sample resumes,
Tolson and Handle clearly sell their technical ability.
Safety
Management Bookman
PETE SANDERS
237 Durham Way
Durham, California 95938
(213)
628‑9714
OBJECTIVE: Safety Administrator
QUALIFICATIONS
Developed a
comprehensive safety program which resulted in six years without a serious
accident to any of the 800 personnel.
Proven ability
to set up effective, low-cost, industrial safety programs which rely heavily on
instilling a safety consciousness in all employees.
Totally
familiar with OSHA regulations and compliance procedures and have worked
closely with OSHA inspectors.
WORK EXPERIENCE
U. S. Army 1970 to 2000
Safety
Officer ‑ 1976 to 2000
While Safety
Officer at Ft. Bradley for ten years, was responsible for the safety of 800 air
field personnel ranging from mechanics, machine operators, and vehicle
operators to supervisors and management staff. Developed a comprehensive safety
program which set a Ft. Bradley record for safety. Awarded a six‑year
safety award for 72 consecutive months without a major accident (over $5,000
property damage or loss of life).
Directly
supervised three safety technicians and coordinated the efforts of 20 officers
responsible for safety in their immediate areas. Held monthly safety seminars
to promote and enhance safety awareness within each specialized group.
Made daily and
weekly inspections of offices, maintenance facilities, and mechanical, paint,
electrical, and machine shops, to ensure compliance with safety regulations and
performed on‑the‑spot corrections for minor infractions. Identified
potentially hazardous practices and recommended changes.
Formulated and
administered safety policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal
and state safety acts. Worked closely with OSHA inspectors and developed
excellent knowledge of OSHA regulations.
Airfield
Safety Officer/Pilot, Ft. Bradley, California 1989 to 2000
Airfield
Safety Officer/Pilot, Munsun‑ni, Korea 1983 to 1989
Airfield
Safety Officer/Pilot, Ft. Lewis, Washington 1976 to 1983
Pilot,
Ft. Benning, Georgia 1970 to 1976
EDUCATION
Business ‑
California State University, 85 credits (1985-1988)
SAFETY EDUCATION
Accident
Prevention, U. S. Army Agency for Aviation Safety, 640 class hours (1979).
U. S. Air Force
Crash Investigators School, 320 class hours (1979).
Aviation Safety
Officers Course, University of Southern California Safety Center, 960 class
hours (1976). Course covered reconstructing accidents, investigative
procedures, evidence acquisition, analysis of causation factors, methods of
accident prevention, and gaining employee cooperation.
Electronics Technician Bookman
RICK TOLSON
PreComUnit USS Antrim
1102 S W Massachusetts Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98134
(206) 641-2737
QUALIFICATIONS
During seven years in Naval Communications
gained broad experience in troubleshooting electronic systems. Specialty is recognizing
system or circuit deterioration, isolating the fault, and restoring the system
or circuit to normal operation through corrective procedures or by an alternate
route. Personally construct, operate, and maintain all types of communication
systems.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Constructing
Communications Systems
Satellite Systems, High Speed Data Systems,
Voice Systems, Teletype Systems, Continuous Wave.
Maintaining
Communications Systems
Perform quality control and performance
monitoring on audio and DC circuits.
Electronic
Communications Equipment
Transmitters,
transceivers, receivers, modems, multiplexers, demultiplexers, cryptogear,
microwave, couplers, antennas, high level black patch panels, high and low
level red patch panels, and numerous types of test equipment.
EDUCATION
Graduated
Pisgah High School, Pisgah, Iowa (1993)
Navy Schools ‑ Technical Control,
Satellite Communications, Management, Communications Supervision, Maintenance
and Material Management, High Frequency Transmitters, Antenna Maintenance.
WORK HISTORY
U.S. Navy
August 1993 to Present
Tech
Controller, 1st Class Radioman
Assignments have included Naval Communications Stations, Naval
Telecommunications Centers and three Navy ships. Since 1988 have supervised
numerous groups of technicians and trained them to use sophisticated
communications equipment. While involved with the construction of an FFG‑7
class ship, developed an extensive set of lesson plans to explain the
construction of the circuits and also diagrammed all of the wiring and block
schematics for this new class of ship. These two projects will save hundreds of
training hours. Participated in the quality control tests of the USS Antrim.
Top Secret Security Clearance
Electronics
Maintenance Times
PAUL HANDLE
3715 Pearl Ave. N.
Everett, Washington 98206
(425) 954‑3721
OBJECTIVE: Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical Maintenance
QUALIFICATIONS
Consistently rated superior in both technical expertise and supervisory ability. Constantly finding more effective methods of making repairs and reducing downtime of equipment.
EDUCATION
Graduated ‑ Sheppton High School, Sheppton, Pennsylvania (1969)
EMPLOYMENT
US Navy, 10/69 to 12/99
Electronics Instructor 2/93 to 12/99. Provided comprehensive instruction to maintenance technicians and pilots covering aircraft electrical and electronic systems. Courses ranged from basic electricity and electronics to advanced solid state theory and repair. Taught 13 separate courses averaging 80 classroom hours each. Course Manager for 5 of the 13 courses. Took difficult courses and made them more practical and easier to understand. Wrote numerous manuals and lesson guides which simplified previous courses. Students consistently outscored the students of other instructors.
Senior Supervisor 7/79 to 2/93. Supervised 2 shift supervisors and up to 35 technicians. Developed work schedules for personnel, scheduled maintenance, and provided overall management of a large maintenance shop. Trained new technicians and personally performed many repairs on state of the art aircraft electrical systems, automatic flight control systems, and navigational systems.
Took over one command position where outdated maintenance and record keeping procedures had created serious maintenance problems. Reorganized the reporting and maintenance procedures and streamlined the operation. In 36 months the unit moved from “poor” to “excellent” in readiness reports.
Electronic Maintenance Supervisor 6/73 to 7/79. Supervised up to 20 technicians in the repair of electrical and electronic aircraft systems.
Aviation Electrician 10/69 to 6/73. Maintenance and service technician on aircraft electrical and navigational systems.
TRAINING ‑ Navy Schools (completed over 75 courses with a total of 2,400 classroom hours)
Advanced Electronics Courses (1974 ‑ 1999)
Polyphase power and control systems (200 hours)
Advanced magnetic devices (240 hours)
Digital, analog, solid‑state, and T.T.L. devices (400 hours)
Advanced syncro/analog/solid state control and indicating systems (400 hours)
Hybrid solid‑state inertial navigation systems (200 hours)
High resolution hydraulic/electronic T.T.L. control systems (160 hours)
Component/miniature component repair, including P.C.B (160 hours)
Aviation Electrician Course, 1969 (320 hours)
Paul
Handle
PORTIONS OF SEMIANNUAL EVALUATIONS
Handle’s
broad qualifications and maintenance know how on A6A electrical systems have
enabled him to become a particularly valuable instructor. He is always striving
to make difficult courses easier for the students to comprehend by ensuring
that proper maintenance procedures are included in his lessons. His willingness
to work at any task, no matter how large or small, has contributed materially
to the mission of NAMTD. His conduct sets an example worthy of emulation by
other officers. He has amply demonstrated a fair and unbiased attitude, readily
accepting each and every person as an individual. Handle is industrious,
thorough, and accurate in this work and extremely conscientious in all duties
and endeavors. He is alert and stable, displaying a creative mind. He shows
great ability to develop effective procedural methods and to prepare
excellently written and easily understood lesson guides. He secures the
attention and respect of his students whom he guides and directs with
understanding and tact. He is frequently called upon by other rate groups of
this detachment to help solve technical problems in the writing of lesson
guides. He attacks these problems with a cheerful and aggressive nature, seeing
any problems through to a successful conclusion. Success in his work is shown
by the students’ final grades and their comment sheets. January 1999
Handle
is intelligent, exceptionally quick to learn, with the ability to grasp pertinent
details rapidly. Given broad guidelines, he accomplishes assigned tasks in an
enthusiastic and exemplary manner. Handle is a conscientious and concerned
instructor who demonstrates a sincere feeling of responsibility towards his
students and works very hard to ensure they receive maximum benefit from his
instruction. He is equally at ease before a group of juniors or seniors. He is
very effective in conveying his thoughts clearly and fluently, both in casual
conversation or when presenting a formal lesson. During this reporting period,
he has been assigned the task of writing the avionics portion of AZF under the
individualized instruction format. He willingly assisted other instructors with
this new format and readily assumed the responsibility of insuring that
uniformity was met by all rate groups. He spent many hours researching
instructions. Acting as liaison between rate groups, he arranged and conducted
meetings to achieve this goal. January 1997
Handle has been extremely instrumental in
the training of the less experienced men assigned to the branch. He can be
counted on to do any assigned task correctly, efficiently and safely. January
1995
Handle is a dedicated, knowledgeable
First Class Electrician who strives to ensure work is completed safely and that
the proper maintenance procedures are utilized. He keeps his superiors informed
of all potential trouble areas and draws on his vast experience to propose
viable solutions. He leads with an easygoing, unobtrusive manner, never
interfering with the personal initiative of those he supervises. He plans the
work load efficiently and utilizes a smooth rapport with the men to carry out
the work. January 1993
Handle has demonstrated a high
proficiency in his field and is very adept at putting his knowledge and
experience to good use. He has an ability to quietly evaluate difficult
situations and to arrive at practical solutions while working under trying
conditions. He is a very thoughtful and sincere person who has the ability to
communicate with the younger technicians and to define some of their problems.
January 1991
Handle is a calm and reserved supervisor
who receives the full support of his subordinates without haranguing or
berating them. His assigned tasks are never too insignificant to warrant his
total attention. The capable manner in which he plans and assigns work to his
technicians is further enhanced by his cheerful and pleasing personality. These
traits, coupled with his willingness to work with others, make for a smooth
running crew on his shift. January 1989
Facilities Management Utopia
JASON RYERSON
14568 NE 9th
Street
Redmond,
Washington 98053
(206) 877-7594
OBJECTIVE: Facilities Management
QUALIFICATIONS
Over 20 years of exceptional
management experience. Proven ability to successfully complete projects cost
effectively and on schedule. Received numerous awards for completion of high
quality projects.
Implemented comprehensive programs that
dramatically improved productivity and efficiency of personnel.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Engineering Management - Eight years of demanding and
successful “hands on” engineering management and plant management
responsibilities. Coordinated hundreds of repair jobs conducted by both own
work force and outside contractors. In one instance increased overall plant
reliability by 300%. While providing repair support for 12 naval ships over a
three-year period, reduced equipment downtime by 50%.
Facilities Management - As Chief Engineer and Material
Manager, directly responsible for operation, maintenance, and repair of steam
and diesel electric power plants. Associated equipment included heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning systems; firefighting and sprinkler systems;
and various emergency equipment. Charged also with infrastructure repair and
modifications. Supported numerous office and work station relocations in
minimal time and without loss of productivity.
Contract Administration - Broad experience in working
with prime and subcontractors in overseeing scheduled and emergency repairs.
Represented the U.S. Government in the management of an $18 million resupply
contract for 76 remote sites in the Pacific.
Troubleshooting
- Volunteered to rebuild a faltering yet critical department of 95 personnel.
Within 45 days identified all major problem areas and initiated a corrective
action plan that included a comprehensive training program for 900 people. The
revitalized training program improved morale and decreased absenteeism over 60%.
Received a special commendation for the project.
EMPLOYMENT
United States Navy 6/73-12/99. Completed
Naval service with rank of Commander.
EDUCATION
MA - Political Science,
Naval Postgraduate School (1980)
BA - International Studies,
University of Washington (1973)