Serving in the United States Armed Forces provides ample job security and benefits, and many people choose to stay in the military until they retire. However, there are many service members who leave at the end of their contract, and even many retiring service members will only be in their 40s by the time they’re eligible. Preparing for a civilian career is essential to maintain your income and set yourself up for a successful future.

Below, you’ll learn more about the importance of considering and setting up your career options before you officially leave the military and what steps you can take to get there.

Why It’s Important to Consider Your Career Options Early

The military provides ample job security, and it’s difficult to lose your position in the military without something major happening. Unless you’re planning on staying in the military until retirement age, it’s important to consider your career options in the civilian world, and you don’t want to wait for the day you get out to start thinking about your opportunities.

Ideally, you want to start thinking about and planning for your career transition at least a year before you get out. Planning for your next career in advance gives you plenty of time to find a job you like, apply for training programs, look at educational opportunities, and spruce up your resume so you can put your best foot forward.

10 Tips for Landing Your Next Job After Leaving the Military

If you’re not sure where to start when you start preparing for your next career outside of the military, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find our best tips for landing your next job once you leave or retire from the military.

1. Weigh Your Options

The first thing you’ll want to consider when looking for a career outside the military is what you want your life to look like after you get out. You’ll have plenty of options, whether you want to go back to school, find a full-time job in your field, learn a new trade, or something else. Think about what your career goals are to help narrow down your options. For example, if you want to make a higher income, you may want to look for additional training opportunities or even degrees to help you reach your goal.

2. Consider Fields That Interest You

You may love the job you did in the military and want to continue doing the same thing in the civilian world. If you want to try something new when you leave the military, you’ll have the opportunity to try out something that interests you, whether it’s related to your career in the military or something different entirely. You can take classes at your local community college to try something new or speak to others in different industries to see what it’s like to work in other fields.

3. Use Your Available Resources

As a service member and a veteran, you’ll gain access to resources that aren't accessible to civilians, which can give you a distinct advantage as you go looking for a new career. One of the most notable resources available to you is your local Transition Assistance Office.

The Transition Assistance Office offers plenty of assistance for career development for service members transitioning out of the military, including employment workshops, career counseling, online access for job searching, job leads, and referrals for recruiters and employment agencies. You can contact your local office or visit their office in person to learn more about the different programs they offer.

Outside the Transition Assistance Office, you can access veteran service organizations. These organizations can assist you with your transition, and many offer programs to help with job preparation, placement, and more you might need to ease your transition into a civilian career.

4. Reach Out to Your Network

Networking is one of the best things you can do to land a job outside of the military, and your career in the Armed Forces has likely connected you with a wide range of people in various industries. You should leverage these connections to see what job opportunities are available after you leave the military. Don’t wait too long to start reaching out to your network or you might not secure a job in time for your official transition.

Reaching out to your connections is also a way to re-establish bonds and friendships, which can have a significant impact on the ease of your transition. Having friends and someone to lean on during the challenging transition process can make a big difference in your mental well-being, which will play a part in the smoothness and ease of your transition.

5. Freshen Up Your Resume and Cover Letter

During your time in the military, it’s likely you haven’t given your resume much of a look since you started, and the same is probably true for your cover letter. As your prepare for your transition, you should make time to freshen up your resume and cover letter so they’re ready to be sent to potential employers when you start applying for other jobs.

When you start editing your resume, focus on what contributions you made in your career. You may want to consider editing your resume based on the job you’re applying for and the job description. You can use keywords from the job listing in your resume, particularly those you find in the knowledge, skills, and abilities sections, which will make it more likely for your resume to be seen by the hiring manager.

If you need help preparing your resume and cover letter, you can reach out to your Transition Assistance Office to receive guidance. They can help you build a quality and effective resume that sets you up for success when you start the job hunt.

6. Think About Federal Employment

Just because you’re leaving the military doesn’t mean you can’t continue to work for the federal government. You can search for employment on USAJOBS, and many of these listings will give hiring preference to veterans so you can increase your chances of landing a job after your transition by applying for one of these jobs.

Keep in mind that federal government jobs will come with plenty of benefits, such as healthcare, paid time off, student loan repayment, and continued contribution to your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Some federal jobs will also provide healthcare benefits to your dependents similar to what you received when you were in the military.

7. Take Advantage of Your Experience

The military equips you with plenty of skills and experience you can translate to a civilian career. If you’re not sure what civilian careers you would be eligible for, you can start by getting your Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET). Your VMET will give you a summary of your experience, knowledge, and skills earned during your time in the military, which will be helpful when building your resume and looking for jobs.

You can also get a career assessment to determine how you can apply your skills to a civilian career. You can get a free career assessment by going to your Transition Assistance Office. Once you get your results, you’ll be able to determine how to best apply the skills you've developed in the military to a civilian career.

8. Prepare for Interviews

Many people get nervous for interviews or aren’t sure what to expect during the interview process, which can create tension and anxiety. There are ways to prepare for an interview so you’re more likely to nail it when you show up to meet the hiring manager face-to-face.

You can even participate in mock interviews at your local Transition Assistance Office, which can feel a lot like the real thing. You’ll show up wearing what you would in an interview and someone will meet you posing as the hiring manager for a given position and will ask you questions about skills and general fit with a job description. Mock interviews are a good way to shake off your nerves and learn the appropriate way to respond to different questions while showcasing the best of your abilities.

9. Consider Attending Job Fairs

Job fairs are a great way to put yourself out there in multiple industries and connect directly with recruiters. You can share your resume, meet employers, and even have interviews all in one place. Some job fairs are specific to industries but others are more broad, giving you the opportunity to check out different industries in case you are looking to switch careers rather than stick with what you did in the military.

Even if you don’t get an interview or a job offer on the spot at a job fair, it’s still an excellent way to network. You never know what kind of connections you can make and how they’ll benefit you in the future. Your resume will also be in the hands of recruiters, so you may get a call down the line that you didn’t expect.

MLC Is Here To Support You in Your Military and Civilian Career

Whether you’re currently in the military, about to get out, or a veteran, Military Luggage Company has your back. We offer gear that will service you well during your military and tactical operations and any adventures you choose to tackle once you leave the Armed Forces. You can trust our gear to withstand the rigors of your applications, whether you’re using one of our backpacks, assault packs, duffles, rucksacks, or more. Take a look at our selection today to get started or contact us with your questions!