It can often be difficult to transition from military to civilian life. The military is a sub-culture that bears a unique code of conduct and, in many ways, it’s very own language. When trying to enter the civilian workforce, it is this language that is peculiar to the military that needs to be abandoned in order to effectively communicate the skills and traits achieved during a veteran’s time of service. A civilian employer will not be able to interpret the terminology used by the military, so it is very important to make the adjustment to a more universally approachable style of speech. This holds true when writing a resume because this is the first impression a potential employer has and if the terminology is not understood then there is no way for that employer to gauge the level of experience or expertise a prospective employee has. Here are a few key things to consider when decoding a military resume for the civilian workforce:

1.) Get rid of acronyms and abbreviations.

Military personnel swim in a sea of acronyms and abbreviations, but no one else really does. The only rule to remember when considering abbreviating or writing an acronym in your resume is: don’t. Write things out in their entirety.

2.) Avoid using military rank.

One of the first things taught to new recruits in boot camp is military rank and it takes a long time for everyone to learn the various and sundry ranks and what those ranks mean, so it is highly unlikely that a civilian will understand the names and meanings of military rank. Instead of using the terms E-6 or First Class Petty Officer, for example, it is better to say manager or supervisor. Saying that you were a manager in charge of 20 personnel will be understood by a civilian employer; saying that you were an E-6 with several subordinates will simply sound strange.

3.) List achievements rather than listing medals.

Most people aren’t going to understand what your medals mean so it is a better practice to list the qualifications or achievements that those medals represent.

4.) Focus on the skills learned that are relatable to the job.

The military offers outstanding vocational training. An employer doesn’t need you to be a hero; but rather, just qualified. The most important thing to remember is that an employer is looking for a training and on-the-job background that suits the job being applied for. Make sure that the job experience you received in the military lines up with the job you are looking for and emphasize and reemphasize that relevant experience.

A military background is always looked fondly on by potential employers. No employer is going to look disapprovingly on time spent in the service and conveying what you garnered during your time spent clearly is to your greater advantage. If you follow this basic guideline you will effectively communicate exactly what you achieved and experienced in the service and how those achievements and experiences qualify you as a civilian employee.

If you are preparing your resume take advantage of a powerful grammar checker to ensure your future employer is nothing but delighted by the quality of your writing style.