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Education, experience, and hard skills are always looked at by employers and recruiters. However, they’re usually not what will help a job seeker stand out from the competition. That’s where soft skills come in.
For veterans, utilizing soft skills gained through your service can be a great way to stand out. You might have a hard time putting your experience and the education you received in the military into words that describe just how impactful it was. However, showing off the soft skills you’ve learned will help employers realize you’re the perfect person for the job.
There are ways you can stand out in the job search as a veteran. You can also continue to develop your skills after your service and show those skills during the interview process. Learn how to hone your skills and highlight your strengths when looking for a job.
Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills
If you plan to start a career after leaving the military, you can give yourself a head start by getting college credit for real-world experiences, including active service. What you learn from collegiate courses, and even the specific training you go through in the military, is meant to give you hard skills so you can do a specific job. Depending on the type of career you want, you can utilize those skills in a variety of positions.
However, if you’re looking for a job that’s outside your scope of military training or any previous education you’ve received, your soft skills will make a big difference. Some examples of top skills that many employers are looking for include:
- Time management;
- Communication;
- Adaptability;
- Creativity;
- Interpersonal skills.
Already, you can probably think about how your military experience could connect to a variety of these skills. Let’s touch on a few more that are exceptionally important and that you can utilize to help you stand out on a resume and during an interview.
Leadership
Leadership skills are important in any career path you choose. You might not be in a managerial position, but it’s important to be respected by your coworkers and your employer. No matter your rank in the military, leadership skills are important. You may have led others, or you may have had to learn how to follow orders closely.
Either way, those are soft skills you can use in just about any career. Being a strong leader tends to mean you have good communication skills, you work well with others, and you’re willing to listen to the best ideas possible to help you and your team move forward. A good leader doesn’t just tell people what to do, they respect those around them while guiding them along the way.
While following orders in the military is important, everyone works together for the greater good. Those same military skills can be used in a job, and it’s important that your interviewer knows that.
The military teaches how important it is to take responsibility for your actions. No employer wants to “babysit” employees or hold their hand to guide them through every project. By proving that you have leadership skills, you’ll also show employers that you can be an independent worker who follows orders and sees every job through to completion. As you continue to show your leadership skills, even if you’re not in an “official” leadership position, coworkers will start to look to you to find answers and to work through problems.
Problem-solving and Following Through
In addition to being a good leader and working well with others, taking initiative and following through with your projects are two crucial skills that can carry over from the military into a career. You can show those skills in the interview process by:
- Coming prepared;
- Showing how you can streamline documentation practices;
- Showing confidence in your abilities;
- Discussing your productivity habits.
You’re probably well aware that no matter how well a mission is thought out in the military, things don’t always go according to plan. It’s important for soldiers to learn how to solve problems on the fly and show both adaptability and flexibility, no matter what happens.
Wherever you work likely won’t have the same stakes as a military mission. However, when something doesn’t go the way it’s supposed to, you can utilize those problem-solving skills to get the job done, no matter what.
Making the transition to civilian life isn’t always easy for veterans. Finding solid work can also be difficult, which is one reason why 4.4% of veterans are currently jobless. If you want to work but you’re concerned that you don’t have the right education or experience, consider leaning on your soft skills. Many of them are more transferable to certain industries than you might think.
By proving to potential employers that your soft skills can even be more valuable than something like a degree or years of experience, you’ll be able to land your dream job, stand out from your competitors, and find a sense of purpose and peace as you step back into society.
