When you’re in the military, it’s easy to think that nothing else will ever compare. The camaraderie, the intensity of your work, and other aspects of being in the service can make it difficult to imagine finding a job after military service.
But when it comes time to return back home from active duty, it’s important to know that there are options out there beyond just starting over at square one.
Finding a job after the military can be challenging because sometimes the skills learned in the military do not always translate well into a civilian job.
However, you may have more transferable skills than you think, and with some hard work and dedication, you can find a place to call home in the civilian workforce!
In this post we’ll explore how to get a job after the military and the steps you should take, including signing up for courses and building an effective CV. We also take a look at popular careers after the military to give you some ideas of where your skills could be put to use.
How to get a job after the military: Top tips
Securing a job after military service is not as hard as you may think, especially if you have confidence in your abilities and use the resources available to you. It’s likely that your service will have programs dedicated to helping soldiers get back into civilian life, including training courses, so use them if they are there!
Nevertheless, there are several things you can do on your own initiative to help you kickstart a new career after the military!
Identify transferable skills from the military
In the military, you learn how to work under pressure and how to deal with stressful situations. You also get used to being on a team and working closely with others. These are all skills that can be transferred to civilian life, which means they’re skills you should be proud of.
When looking for a job after military service, consider what skills you gained during your time in service, then use them in your CV and cover letter.
Go back to education
If you think it would be helpful to get a degree in an area related to your work skills, consider going back to education. You could enroll in a degree program or certificate program at night, online, or through an accelerated format that allows students to complete the coursework in less time than the traditional method.
It’s important when considering whether or not to go back to education after military service that you evaluate how much it will cost and how it fits into your budget.
You’ll also want to consider the time commitment required for completing the program and whether or not it will fit well into your schedule, as well as what type of degree or certification you hope this education will provide.
Consider taking an internship
An internship is a short-term job that allows you to gain work experience and explore your career options. Most internships last between three months and one year, though some can be as short as three months or as long as two years.
Taking an internship is a great way to get your foot in the door at the company you’re interested in working for. It’s also a good way to figure out where you might fit best with your skillset, since most interns are given more responsibility than other entry-level employees during their first few weeks on the job.
Find the community around you
You may be excited about moving into the civilian world, but if you don’t have friends and family nearby or find a job-hunting support system, it can be isolating.
Make sure that wherever you are—whether it’s back home or across the country—you’ll be able to connect with others who are going through similar experiences as well as those who can help out with your post-military job search.
Best Careers after the Military
Veterans have many options for pursuing a rewarding career after the military. Below we’ve compiled some of the best jobs after the military that can put the skills you already have to good use.
1. Automotive technician
If you’re looking for a job after military service that will pay well and offer plenty of opportunities, consider becoming an automotive technician.
This is a great career path to choose if you had experience in heavy equipment or vehicle maintenance or as an equipment repair technician during your military service.
There are currently 759,000 full –time staff working in and around the motor industry in the UK. However, there has long been a skills shortage within the British automotive industry, and because we are still so dependent on motor vehicles to get around, there is always high demand.
In addition to being in high demand, automotive technicians can make good money: Entry level positions start at £25,000 per year while most experienced workers make up to £35,413 per year. The mean wage was £28,500 per year as of 2022.
2. Aviation technician
This is another post-military job that is easy to transition to if you had any kind of aviation maintenance support or aircraft repair experience during your service.
Aviation technicians are responsible for identifying, addressing, and resolving airplane mechanics issues. Their responsibilities include performing routine safety checks, diagnosing airplane engines and assemblies, and making sure aircraft meet legal regulations.
Even if the aircraft you worked on may be different from in a civilian role, you can emphasize your previous skills on your CV to land a position in your field. These could include the abilities to:
- Read schematics and diagrams
- Following technical instructions
- Troubleshooting and isolate faults
The national average salary for an Aircraft Technician is £34,022 in the United Kingdom. However, the more specialized your training is (for example: helicopter maintenance versus commercial airplane maintenance), the higher salaries go up.
3. Construction technician
Construction technicians are skilled tradespeople who work on buildings or roads. The job combines the responsibilities of a construction manager and civil engineer.
Transferable skills from your military experience that would be useful in this role include:
- Leadership qualities
- Communicating with cross-functional project teams
- Managing multiple tasks at once
The national average salary in the UK for a Construction Technician is £30,500. You also have the option of becoming self-employed by starting your own business once you’ve got some experience under your belt.
4. Criminal investigator
In the world of law enforcement, criminal investigators have a role that’s both unique and essential. They’re responsible for investigating suspected criminal activity, gathering evidence and working with other agents to make arrests.
They must be able to work independently, but also as part of a team. Criminal investigators may need to perform tasks under pressure and follow instructions from supervisors or legal counsel.
This is a popular career after the military for many vets, particularly if they had experience conducting investigations, complaint assessments, or issue analysis during their service.
The average UK salary for a Criminal Investigator is £34,788 per year. Even though you may have to start in a patrol division of a law enforcement agency, your military experience should help you advance quickly.
5. Electrician
The Electrician’s role is to do the electrical work in a building or facility. They are responsible for installing and maintaining lighting and power systems, as well as performing safety inspections on electrical installations.
Military experience in the following can be useful in this field:
- Diagnosing faults
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing and maintaining electrical components or electronic systems.
Electricians earn an average salary of £38,074 per year in the UK, but some can earn up to £43,451 in parts of the country.
6. Mechanical engineer
The heart of a mechanical engineer’s job is to develop and test new products, and they often lead teams that design products to improve manufacturing efficiency or create new designs for engines, turbines and other machines.
Mechanical engineers also work on improving existing products by conducting tests on the current product design or developing ways to make it more efficient or effective.
This is one of the best jobs after the military for those with experience in:
- Equipment or component maintenance,
- Reading electrical and wiring diagrams
- Following technical blueprints
- Meeting equipment specifications
These skills can greatly help you in landing a mechanical engineer job, which has an average annual salary of £32,299 in the UK. However, you may need to obtain an engineering degree and/or additional certifications first.
7. Personal trainer
Personal trainers are fitness professionals who work with clients to help them achieve their individual fitness goals. They often work in gyms or health clubs, but it’s also possible to find personal trainer jobs at home or in other settings such as nursing homes and hospitals.
This is an incredibly popular job after the military as service personnel already know how to keep themselves in great shape and many enjoy helping others to do the same. Working as a personal trainer can also be lucrative, as the highest earners make up to £60,000 a year.
Nevertheless, personal trainers are usually required to have a degree in exercise science or a related field, as well as certification from a recognized organization. So, if this career appeals to you, you might have to go back to education a little first.
8. Police officer
A Police officer role is a challenging and rewarding job. It’s a great choice for military veterans who want to continue serving their country through law enforcement. But it’s also an excellent occupation for people who like helping others, are good at solving problems, and enjoy working with a team.
The starting salary of a UK police constable varies by location and the agency you work for but can range between £21,402 to to £41,130 annually depending on where you live, If you stick with the career and become a constable, you can earn up to £57,162 per year in most parts of the country.
9. Registered nurse
If you’re looking for careers after the military that will give you the opportunity to help others, consider becoming a registered nurse (RN). RNs are healthcare professionals who provide direct patient care and can often be found in medical settings such as hospitals, clinics and nursing homes.
After completing the training necessary, transferable skills you can tout from your military background to land a job include can include:
- Communicating in high-stress situations,
- Decision-making under pressure,
- Diagnosis and root cause analysis
The national average salary for a registered nurse is around £2, 5879.
10. Truck driver
If you’re looking for a post-military job that requires little training and pays well, driving trucks could be the perfect option. There are different types of truck drivers, including delivery drivers who deliver products and services, and freight brokers who manage freight for others.
Other responsibilities in the role include:
- Loading and unloading cargo
- Inspections before and after trips
- Maintaining logs
- Good communication with dispatch centers during each job
Truck driving is a good fit for many ex-servicemen, as they are already often used to working independently and unsupervised, the annual average salary for a truck driver in the UK is around £22,659 – £24,863 per year.
Conclusion
The process of finding a job after the military can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. As we’ve seen above, there are many ways for you to get started on your search for employment in the civilian world.
From using resources provided by your service branch or using online CV templates and advice to getting specialty training, there are plenty of options available to help you find success once again in civilian life. The key thing is not giving up!
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