• 24 April, 2021
• Posted By: Dr. Karen Walker

Important Steps to Consider While Someone Transitions From Military to Civilian Employment

One of the major goals of every veteran transitioning from military to civil life is finding out a path to a new career. Research has, shown that 95% of the veterans often try to find employment after they have served in the military for several years.

Military transition is hard, and as per the Pew Research Center Study, 26% of the veteran respondents have faced difficulties while shifting to civilian life. The percentage jumped to about 48% who served during 9/11.

Even when military personnel find a good job in the civilian job market, they may find it challenging to adapt to the new environment. They may not like the manner of work. As per a study made by VetAdvisor and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, 43% of veterans remained in their first civilian job for less than 12 months or less. More than 80% of them are in the first civilian job for less than two years. Thankfully, veterans can now access various resources and support that help them to find a suitable job, boost their productivity, and improve their skills.

Transitioning From the Military to Civilian Job

It is beneficial to start establishing a foundation two years before you are retiring from a military job. It is truly a long-drawn process, and some may find it to be too stressful. However, there are a lot of veterans who have crossed this stage already. Here are some steps that will help you to transit from the military job to the civilian job easily-

Learn more: 7 Steps for Transitioning From Military to Civilian Employment

1. Finding The Right Resources- The first step involves finding all the military transition resources available. One of the best sources is to help from the Transition Assistance Program offered by the Department of Veteran Affairs, but there are also more options available to you like State and local governmental bodies, personal and professional relationships with people, and schools that can provide you guidance and information.
2. Self-Assessment Is Very Important- The next step is to take a self-assessment and find out your skills and talents. You should set aside some time for understanding your own skills, strengths, weaknesses, and interests that will help you stay on track and pursue a career in a relevant field. There are also online assessment platforms available that can help you to assess and measure your skill level.
3. Choosing the Right Career- Next is to find out the right educational option for you. Depending upon the type of career you have an interest in, you may need to go back to school to finish the degree or pursue a new one. There are several common degree programs available for veterans that you can try out.
4. Research The Job Market Nicely- Research the job market and identify the career goals that come next. Knowing more about the industry, including the requirements, the salary scale, and the type of projects going on, is very important to check when applying for a civilian job.

Also Read: Three Important Things You Must Know About Personality Assessment Tools

At KW PRODUCTIONS, we help to provide various tools that make you more effective as an employer, consultant, employee or even a consultant firm. We help veterans to readjust to civilian life again and make the transition from military to civilian life hassle-free.