My first non-military job: Where do I even start?

When we talk to current servicemen and women, one of the first things they want to know is how to
take the first steps towards that first civvy street role. There are a number of different routes you can
take towards securing your first job outside the military.

One of the most effective is using your existing contacts. Talk to friends, family and former colleagues
about their roles out in the civilian sector. They can advise you on the sorts of roles you might be suited
to and, if you’re really lucky, they might just know of an opening. It’s a well-kept secret that many
employers like to hire people who have been recommended by existing, trusted staff. So, not only are
you keeping in touch with people, you might learn of a great role in the process!

Setting up a LinkedIn profile is an excellent way to reach out to people and let them know that you are
starting to look at your future and may be in the market for a new role. You may even find that
employers will proactively come to you with a role you may be interested in. With this in mind, make
sure that your profile is up to date, well-written (get a friend to check if you aren’t sure) and has a good
quality, professional photograph. Depending on your preferences, you might also want to contact
people via Facebook, just remember that if they don’t know you and you want them to hire you, you
may need to have a think about what you have shared previously!

Another good way to scope out roles that might suit you when you leave the forces is to figure out
where you’re going to settle. Have a look at the area on Google, see what companies are based there,
what sorts of roles those businesses have advertised and what skills they tend to look for. You can then
try to get those skills under your belt before you leave the military and make sure they are well-
represented on your CV.

Your CV, of course, should always be on your mind. Once you’ve done your scooping out of potential
new employers, you can start to write a CV that will appeal to them and show them you have all the
relevant skills – and motivation and enthusiasm – to be a great new hire for them. We’ve got lots of CV
advice here.

These are some of the tried and tested routes to your new post-military career. However, if you’re
having problems and you need more advice, please feel free to give us a call and we’ll see what we can
do to help.