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Use civilian-friendly language
Video

How to Talk About Your Military Experience in a Job Interview

Reframe military terms to civilian-friendly language that any employer can understand.

Military skills often match civilian job requirements. As a former soldier myself, I can guarantee you have tons of built-in transferable skills. One thing we all know how to do is adapt to change and lean on one another for effective teamwork. Explaining how you navigated those challenges will show how your experience relates to the job you're applying for. That's the key! 

Okay so now you’re in the interview! When describing your military experience, use civilian-friendly language employers can understand. No acronyms. So instead of saying you passed your ACFT every year, talk about how you maintained your physical fitness and make it applicable to the job you're applying for.

Also, no military titles. Ranks E-1 - E-4 would be considered entry level in the civilian world. If you were a Sergeant E-5 or above, you were a mid-level leader responsible for training, mentoring, and evaluating your team, and everyone passed their assessments on time. This shows you’re an effective manager who delivered quantifiable team growth.

Even if your future employer doesn’t have a military background, you can describe your experience to show you’re the right person for the job.

When talking about your military experience in a job interview, use civilian-friendly language employers understand. Instead of your rank, describe your role as entry-level, mid-level, or senior level. Skip acronyms like ACFT. Instead, say your physical fitness test showed you’re in excellent shape.

Military skills often match civilian job requirements. You have lots of built-in transferable skills like adapting to change and teamwork. Show how your abilities and your experience led to results related to the job you're applying to.

For example, as a Staff Sergeant, you were a mid-level leader responsible for training, mentoring, and evaluating your team … and everyone passed their assessments on time. This shows you’re an effective manager who delivered quantifiable team growth.

Even if your future employer doesn’t have a military background, you can translate your experience to show you’re the right person for the job.