Industry research shows that recruiters spend six to eight seconds reviewing a resume before they decide whether the candidate is suitable for the position or not. So, what is the point of spending so much time writing the perfect resume, if recruiters will not even bother to invest 10 seconds in reading it?
Your resume is the single most important professional document you own, as it will determine your future earning potential. As military spouses and transitioning service members, we can be easily overwhelmed and confused when it comes to writing our resumes. What do we include? Is it ok that we have so many employment gaps? Will being a military spouse help me gain employment? How do I translate my military experience for the civilian sector?
Spending the right amount of time writing your resume, and ensuring it is clear and reflecting dedication in past roles can help you secure that job.
- Keep it plain and simple: Recruiters who are looking at your resume do not want to read a short story, and many have little to no experience with the military. Use words that keep it short and to the point, remove acronyms, and explain clearly what past work experience you bring. When it comes to length, this topic is always up for debate. The rule of thumb is to not be longer than one page long. I will explain below how to get your resume one page long, but if you need to, staying at two pages max is fine.
- Target your resume: With a targeted resume, this will only focus on the job you are applying to. This resume will focus on the skills and experiences of that job. Once you send your resume, it is as if you are bidding for this job hundreds are applying for, and you are proving that you are the best out of all the candidates. By writing a targeted resume, you are highlighting why you are qualified for the position. This will also give you the ability to delete unnecessary roles from your resume and keep it simple and short.
Overall, writing a targeted resume is where you are going to have to use the “copy, paste & delete” mechanism. Some recruiters appreciate the experience but try to keep your resume and employment history relevant to the position and no older than 10 years old.
Quick Resume Tip: Do not know what to include in your targeted resume? Look at the job description and skills listed of the job you are applying to. Make sure to utilize the target keywords they are looking for. For instance, if you are applying for a marketing assistant job, look back at other positions you have had where some of the experience may match. And remember to use those specific keywords. Most companies use “Applicant Tracking Systems” that pull keywords from resumes, so the more keywords that match, the better chance you have of landing that interview.
- Job Gaps: As a military spouse or service member you may have job gaps. There is nothing wrong with explaining those gaps; one great way to do this is by using dates. When listing employment dates on your resume you do not need to list the month/year if you were in a position for over a year. For example, use this format: 2014 – 2016 (rather than June, 2014 – October, 2016) which would also serve as a way to give you some room to cover the gaps:
Project Manager, ABC Company
2014 – 2016
Marketing Assistant, XYZ Company
2012 – 2014
As you can see, the resume doesn’t specifically say when you started or ended a position, which can easily cover the gap on the resume. Do not use this to lie about dates; many recruiters still verify employment, so always be honest when explaining gaps.
Quick Resume Tip: When you have any employment gaps, you can use the cover letter to explain the gap. Briefly explain why, you do not need to go into excessive detail or bring it to the recruiter’s attention unless asked for details about it.
- Do not skip over volunteer work – According to the 2023 Blue Star Families Lifestyle Survey, military families volunteer at rates three times higher than the general U.S. population. Volunteer work is just as valuable as working for an employer and a LinkedIn research study found that one in five hiring managers consider volunteer work experience a valuable asset when considering candidates. As a volunteer, you are providing services to an individual or organization. If you have not volunteered yet, find an organization in your field of interest, and find out if you can volunteer your time for work experience.
Working on your resume should take some effort, and by making the time to do so, you are showing that you are indeed the best person for the job.