Struggling to translate your military experience? You’re not alone. Whether it’s writing a resumé, choosing the right words in an interview, or even matching your skills with opportunities, plenty of veterans find it tough to showcase their skills.
Making the leap from a life of self-sacrifice and routine to a civilian working environment is often jarring. Most of your colleagues will have had a head start on learning how to sell their experiences and skill sets, and this can no doubt be intimidating, no matter what stage of the transition process you’re at. Thankfully, the forces will have helped you develop an invaluable set of skills, all you need to do is recognize them.
What are Evergreen Skills?
Evergreen skills are timeless and essential, unlike hard skills which are typically more volatile. For example, software engineers might learn web development or database management, hard skills that run the risk of becoming outdated as technology evolves. Evergreen skills (also known as soft skills) like empathy and communication don’t go out of date quite so fast, but they do still need nurturing.
It doesn’t mean hard skills are any less valuable than evergreen skills – every job requires a combination of both. What makes a veteran’s evergreen skills so desirable to employers? And what do they look like in the first place?
Adaptability
Veterans are trained to adapt quickly to dynamic, high-pressure environments, making them ideal candidates for ever-changing markets like technology and finance. Adaptability and coachability go hand-in-hand. Alongside the growing adoption of AI-enabled technology, employers are increasingly targeting candidates they can upskill. As such, an adaptable workforce has never been so valuable.
Teamwork/Collaboration
Can you find a finer example of teamwork than the military? Veterans have a better understanding of collaboration and teamwork than most – success, and sometimes even survival, depends on their ability to coordinate, communicate, and depend on one another. This makes veterans adept at working as a team to achieve a shared goal, another highly sought-after trait.
Resilience
High-pressure work environments in the civilian space usually look very different from the military. Veterans learn to thrive in some of the world’s most stressful situations, where they’re sometimes forced to face off against mortal danger. Naturally, this builds up resilience. Resilient and adaptable team players make for very desirable candidates.
Integrity
Integrity is a fundamental aspect of any veteran’s skillset. It’s deeply ingrained into military life, from following orders to dedicating themselves to duty above all else, veterans are familiar with integrity in a way that your average candidate could only hope to be.
A Fresh Start on Civvy Street
Looking for a fresh start of your own? As a veteran, you’ve likely got the top evergreen skills on the market. Don’t worry if you’re feeling like you don’t know where to start, we can help you. Ex-Military Careers have helped thousands of veterans find meaningful work on civvy street over the years, and most of the time, helping them recognize and articulate their unique skill sets is all it takes. We can match you with an opportunity that suits your needs. Get in touch here
