If you’re transitioning from a military career to a civilian one, especially aiming for a role within the Australian Public Service (APS), you’re embarking on an exciting new chapter. Here’s how to make sure your resume effectively communicates your unique skills and experiences to civilian employers.
Understanding the APS Landscape
The APS is a great fit for ex-defence personnel, appreciating the discipline, leadership, and structured approach that military experience brings. It’s important to understand the structured nature of APS applications, including their specific job criteria and selection processes. Familiarise yourself with the APS recruitment guidelines, which often include addressing selection criteria that show how your military skills translate into public sector competencies.
Decoding Military Jargon
Transitioning to the public sector means translating your military skills into civilian terms. This goes beyond swapping military jargon for standard language; it involves reframing your experiences to highlight the underlying competencies that are relevant to civilian roles. Focus on skills such as strategic planning, operational leadership, and crisis management, and demonstrate these with specific, quantifiable achievements from your military career.
Choosing the Right Resume Format
When it comes to formatting your resume, you have a couple of options:
- Chronological Resume: This traditional format is favoured for its straightforward layout, listing your job experiences in reverse chronological order. It’s particularly effective if your recent roles have direct relevance to the jobs you’re applying for in the public sector. It allows potential employers to see your progression and the timeline of your career at a glance.
- Functional Resume: This format is centred around your skills and achievements rather than your job history. It’s ideal for ex-defence members who may have a diverse range of experiences that don’t linearly translate to civilian roles. By focusing on skills rather than job titles or dates, you can highlight your capabilities in areas like leadership, project management, and strategic planning—skills highly valued in the public sector.
Detailed Tips for Each Resume Section
- Header: Start with your name and contact information, including a professional email address and your LinkedIn profile URL (if you have one). It’s a simple section but starting off with the right details sets a professional tone.
- Summary Statement / Professional Profile: This is a brief section at the beginning of your resume that outlines your career intentions. It should be tailored to public sector roles, emphasising your transferable skills and how they relate to the roles you are targeting.
- Skills Section: List skills that directly correlate with public sector needs, such as analytical skills, compliance knowledge, or public administration capabilities. Use bullet points to make this section easy to scan.
- Professional Experience: For each role, list your title, the organisation’s name, and the dates of employment. Under each role, instead of just listing your responsibilities, focus on achievements and how you added value. Use bullet points to describe your duties and accomplishments, quantifying them with numbers where possible.
- Education and Training: Include any military training that is relevant to the public sector, as well as any education or certifications you’ve completed that could benefit your new career path.
- Additional Sections: Depending on your specific experiences, you might also include sections for awards, overseas deployments, or volunteer work. Each of these can provide a fuller picture of your capabilities and character.
Tailoring Your Resume with Keywords
Each job application should be tailored to reflect the job description. APS jobs, in particular, use specific keywords that should be mirrored in your resume to ensure it passes through Automated Tracking Systems (ATS) and catches the eye of human reviewers. This means customising your resume for each job, highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position.
Leveraging LinkedIn
In today’s job market, your LinkedIn profile is crucial. Update it to reflect your new career direction, ensuring it highlights relevant skills and is aligned with your resume. Engage with groups and networks within the APS and related fields, and use LinkedIn to network with other public sector professionals and potential employers.
Navigating the Job Search
Transitioning to a civilian job in the public sector can be complex due to the formal nature of APS applications. It’s essential to thoroughly address selection criteria, focusing on how your military experience equips you for the roles you are applying for. Also, prepare for a different style of interviewing, and practice articulating your experience in a way that resonates with civilian employers.
Staying Informed and Proactive
Keep yourself updated on the latest trends in the civilian job market. Subscribe to relevant newsletters, attend webinars, and participate in network events specifically targeted at ex-defence personnel looking to transition into civilian roles. This will not only help you stay informed but also build a professional network that can be invaluable in your job search.
Preparing for Success
Finally, invest time in refining your resume and cover letter. Ensure they are polished, professional, and proofread. A well-prepared application can make a significant difference in making that successful leap to the public sector.
By understanding how to effectively translate your defence skills to meet the expectations of civilian employers, particularly in the APS, you can make a smoother transition and position yourself as a top candidate for public sector roles. Good luck on your new career journey in the civilian workforce!
Ready to turn your military precision into a civilian career success? Your resume is the first step towards unlocking new opportunities in the public sector. Don’t let your vast experience get lost in translation. Let our expert resume writers craft a document that showcases your unique skills and achievements, tailored specifically for the roles you’re aiming at. Whether you’re transitioning from defence to a desk job or seeking to leverage your strategic skills in a new arena, we’re here to help you make that leap with confidence.
Contact us today to start your journey with a resume that opens doors! Don’t just transition—transform your career with a professional resume that stands out.
