By popular demand, some members of my Linkedin group, military to civilian, have requested samples that reflect military to civilian transition.
Before I launch my ebook, “How to demilitarize your resume,” here is one sample of Doug N. Doug was a Recruiter, Petty Officer, and Purchasing and Logistics Officer in the Canadian Forces.Now, he is a Solar Farm Technician.
See the BEFORE and AFTER samples.
Your comments are welcome!
DOUGLAS N__________
124 xxxxxxxxxx, Hamilton, ON L8K 2V4 905-000-0000 xxxx@xxxxx.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
IEC Electric September 2014 – February 2015
Solar Farm Fabrication Technician (through IBEW local)
Working in a team environment ensuring electrical wiring is placed correctly within the 1000 acre solar farm facility. Motivating team members in harsh weather conditions.
Performing fitness co-ordinator duties for morning stretches before going into the field.
First aid responder for team members if required. Meeting daily targets and company goals. Recently asked to supervise 12 new hires for training. Took on duties of team bus driver as requested from foreman to ensure safe arrival and departure of colleagues to and from construction areas.
H.B.White Electric Feb 2014 – June 2014
Solar Farm Fabrication Technician (through IBEW local)
Working in a team environment constructing a 100 acre Solar farm from start to finish in extreme weather conditions at times. Trouble shooting technical problems and anticipating tasking priorities to achieve daily and weekly targets.
Black and McDonald Electric December 2012 to February 2013
(through IBEW loc 105)
Employed as a permit worker within the union. Assigned to QA/QC team rapidly. My work ethic was observed and complemented by co-workers and various foremen on numerous occasions.
Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre October 2001to September 2012
Hamilton
Recruiter
Supervised and evaluated 9 recruiters within their particular geographical areas of responsibility
in Southern Ontario through Personnel Evaluation Reports (PERs). Produced working schedules
and provided positive feedback as well as disciplinary measures as required.
Provided information on all aspects of the Canadian Forces to potential applicants for enrolment
during contact interviews. Developed and delivered current presentations for schools, job
fairs,etc.
Over 450 presentations to date. Maintained confidential personnel files during the recruiting
process to achieve entry into the Canadian Forces. Conducted telephone background reference
checks on Canadian Forces applicants. Attended many conferences, workshops and community
events across Canada for augmentation or brain storming sessions to improve the recruiting
process for applicants to the CF.
PAGE TWO
DOUGLAS N_____
124 xxxxxxxxxx, Hamilton, ON L8K 2V4 905-000-0000 xxxx@xxxxx.com
Environmental Sciences Group February 1993 to July 2001
The Royal Military College of Canada
Purchasing and Logistics Co-ordinator
Researched, planned, organized and deployed numerous field research teams to sites across Canada, mainly in remote areas of the Arctic region and research vessel deployments. Supervised an “Operations Centre” procuring all equipment, flights, charters, lodgings, cash advances and claims, for many science teams in the field. I facilitated all procurement of equipment for home offices as well as research groups at the University of British Columbia as well as a department of Queen’s University in Kingston, ON.
Maintained inventory and accounting for a multi-million dollar company. Proficient with MS Excel, MS Word, MS Access, and MS Powerpoint. Assisted with sampling programs in remote areas on land and at sea. Marine survey team leader.
Royal Canadian Naval Reserve June 1983 to Present
Various Units across Canada
Petty Officer 1st Class Boatswain
Harbour Defence Unit 4 watch supervisor. Manned exercises across the country with personnel from 24 units. Instructed Drill & seamanship, qualified as a range safety officer, small boat coxswain, shipboard petty officer, fire leader, rescue team leader, spill response team member, supervisor of daily routine & evolutions on board ship. Chief and Petty Officer’s mess bar manager and vice president (volunteer).
EDUCATION
Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology. Hamilton, ON
Law & Security, General Business September 1983 to April 1986
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Instructor for classroom and practical military operations
• St John’s Ambulance Basic First Aid and CPR
• Fire warden for office and warehouse buildings
• Petty Officer of the year, HMCS Cataraqui, Kingston, ON
• Safe driving / backing certification
• Rescue boat driver, regattas, air shows, search & rescue tactics
• Restricted Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency in Radio
• Professional sales training program certified – Salesforce Training & Consulting inc.
• Senior Leadership Qualified
• Canadian Decoration 2nd Clasp
• Commander’s Commendation Award for facilitating and co-ordinating Remembrance Day Ceremonies and Canadian Football League Forces Appreciation Game.
AFTER RESUME
DOUGLAS __________
154 ____________ South, Hamilton, ON L8K 2V4 905-XXX-XXXX xxx@hotmail.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
IEC Electric 2014 – 2015
Solar Farm Fabrication Technician
*On a team of 20, installed electrical wiring is placed correctly within a 1000 acre solar farm facility.
Increased morale by motivating 8 team members in harsh weather conditions.
Enhanced work wellness by performing fitness co-ordinator duties for morning stretches before going into the field.
Served as First aid Responder for team members
Selected to supervise 12 new hires for training. **RESULT:
Chosen by foreman to volunteer as team bus driver to construction sites.
H.B.White Electric 2014
Solar Farm Fabrication Technician
Exceeded daily targets and company goals by 2% through troubleshooting technical problems and prioritizing
Constructed a 100 acre Solar farm on a team of 15, from start to finish, in adverse climates .
Black and McDonald Electric 2012- 2013
Promoted to Quality Assurance/Quality Control team rapidly, based on outstanding performance evaluations.
Praised by co-workers and 2 Foremen for strong work ethic
Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre, Hamilton, ON 2001- 2012
Recruiter
Supervised and evaluated 9 recruiters within Ontario through personnel evaluations reports. Provided positive feedback to increase member’s chances of promotion.
Promoted 100+ career opportunities to potential applicants for enrollment
during contact interviews.
Boosted the reputation of the Canadian Forces by developing and delivering 450+ presentations for schools and job fairs
Improved recruiting process for CF recruits by attending conferences, workshops and community events across Canada.
Environmental Sciences Group 1993-2001
The Royal Military College of Canada
Purchasing and Logistics Co-ordinator
Marine survey team leader.
Organized 5-8 field research teams to sites across Canada, mainly in Arctic, to research vessel deployments. RESULT:
Supervised an “Operations Centre” arranging all equipment, flights, charters, lodgings, cash advances and claims worth $100k+
Procured equipment for home offices and research groups at the University of B.C.and Queen’s University. RESULT: Saved money in federal government budgets.
Maintained $ inventory and accounting for a multi-million dollar company.
Royal Canadian Naval Reserve 1983 to Present
Various Units across Canada
Petty Officer (Junior Manager)
Supervisor, Harbour Defence Unit.
Manned exercises across the country with personnel from 24 units.
Instructed drills & seamanship, qualified as a range safety officer, small boat coxswain, ship Junior Manager, Fire Leader, Rescue Team Leader, Environmental Officer and Manager of Operations on board a ship.
Senior Manager of a Mess Bar.
EDUCATION
Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology. Hamilton, Ontario
Law & Security, General Business
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Instructor for classroom and practical military operations
• St John’s Ambulance Basic First Aid and CPR
• Unit environmental officer certification – Canadian Forces
• Fire warden for office and warehouse buildings
• Safe driving / backing certification
• Rescue boat driver, regattas, air shows, search & rescue tactics
• Restricted Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency in Radio
• Smart serve certification
• Professional sales training program certified – Salesforce Training & Consulting inc.
• Health and safety representative
• Senior Leadership Qualified
ACHIEVEMENTS
Petty Officer of the year, Junior Manager, HMCS Cataraqui, Kingston, ON
• Canadian Decoration 2nd Clasp, for time served in Canadian Forces
• Commander’s Commendation Award, facilitating and co-ordinating Remembrance Day Ceremonies and Canadian Football League Forces Appreciation Game.
COMPUTER SKILLS
Proficient with MS Excel, MS Word, MS Access, and MS Powerpoint
View my recommendations on Linkedin____________
MY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS REGARDING DOUGLAS’ RESUME
What I see in your 25+ career in the navy/military is a pattern of leadership, supervision and increased responsibility. Because of your rank, you would be at LEAST the equivalent of “middle management” or higher in the corporate world, but then, I don’t know what your aspirations are.
Given your steady stream of career progression, I don’t see you conveying the image of being promoted. Is there a reason why you did not make reference to that?
Is this meant to be a civilian resume?
If so, I don’t know your TARGET
A target= A job title, industry or sector
Example: Purchasing Manager
While reading the top of your resume, I don’t know what your target is. Keep in mind that the top half of your resume is your REAL ESTATE. It will make or break whether the HR Manager wishes to continue reading (they SCAN resumes for 10-30 seconds….That’s all you get!)
Therefore, think of that target.
INSERT A CAREER PROFILE OR SUMMARY (not exceeding 6 bullets or bulleted statements).
Alternative strategy: A BRANDING STATEMENT
This acts as a short, punchy statement that communicates your brand.
Your brand= what distinguishes you and sets up apart from your competitors
Reputation, credentials, special skills and training, etc. Basically how you want to be known to a potential employer.
*Quantify your accomplishments by including #’s, $ or %’s.
** Ideally, start your bulleted statements with the accomplishment or insert RESULT at the end.
*** For each job, think of when you have:
Saved or made money
Improved or streamlined operations
Solved a major problem
EVERY job has a problem to solve. You want to position yourself as a solution builder and not a job seeker (if you are seeking a civilian job). A good resume will elicit questions like how you solved major problems.
**** I don’t know what a permit worker means. I have taken out the reference to the union. It can be a contentious issue.
***** If this is meant to be a civilian resume, try to “de-militarize” your resume by replacing with civilian equivalents. PO and Watch Captain can be Supervisor or Manager.
****** Only 1% of resumes have testimonials. They are powerful ways to affirm your brand.
Use the content from you PER’s and extract positive comments.
Example: “Douglas received 11/15 master ratings in ______(category), _____(category 2) and (category 3), “performance evaluation, name of supervisor, 2014
Example:
Douglas “exceeded ratings in______”, name of supervisor, 2013