Transitioning from military to civilian life is one of the biggest career moves you'll ever make. It can feel overwhelming when you're trying to translate years of military experience into civilian terms, navigate a completely different workplace culture, and figure out where you fit in the corporate world. But here's the thing – you've already proven you can handle challenges, adapt to new situations, and lead under pressure. Those skills are exactly what employers are looking for.

It comes down to knowing how to present these skills in the best way and find the right opportunities for you to bring them to the table. Let's look into some practical strategies to help you make this transition successfully.

This blog includes:

• Practical advice for transitioning from military to civilian careers
• How to identify transferable skills and apply them to new roles
• Tips for crafting a strong CV and preparing for interviews
• Guidance on finding employers that value military experience
• Resources and support networks to help veterans succeed in the workplace

How can you apply your military experience to the corporate world?

One of the most common challenges veterans face is the "translation" problem. Military roles, responsibilities, and achievements often don't have direct civilian equivalents, but that doesn't mean they're not valuable. The trick is learning to speak the language that civilian employers understand.

Start by breaking down your military experience into core competencies that transfer across industries. Did you manage logistics? That's supply chain management and operations. Were you responsible for training junior personnel? That's leadership development and team management. Did you work with sensitive information? That's data security and confidentiality management.

Create a master document listing all your military roles, then for each one, write out what you actually did in civilian terms. Focus on outcomes and measurable results wherever possible. Instead of saying "Led a squad of 12 soldiers," try "Managed a team of 12 professionals, achieving 95% mission success rate while maintaining zero safety incidents over 18 months."

Remember, employers want to know what problems you can solve for them. Your military background has given you problem-solving skills, the ability to work under pressure, and experience managing complex projects – these are incredibly valuable in any industry.

Research the industry you’re planning to join 

Start by identifying industries that align with your interests and skills. Look at job descriptions for roles that appeal to you and note the common requirements, preferred qualifications, and key responsibilities. This will help you understand what skills to emphasise and what gaps you might need to fill.

Use online resources like company websites, LinkedIn, industry publications and Flexa to research potential employers. Look for companies that actively recruit veterans or have veteran employee resource groups. Many organisations value military experience and have programs specifically designed to help veterans integrate into their workforce.

Don't overlook the power of informational interviews. Reach out to veterans who've successfully transitioned into roles or industries you're interested in. Most people are happy to share their experiences and offer advice – you just need to ask.

Expand your networks

Networking as a veteran can feel awkward at first, especially if you're used to more formal military communication styles. But building professional relationships is important for career success, and you have natural advantages that many job seekers don't.

Start with your existing military network. Fellow service members, former colleagues, and military mentors can be invaluable sources of advice, referrals, and opportunities. Many veterans are eager to help other veterans succeed, so don't hesitate to reach out.

Join veteran organisations and professional associations in your target industry. These groups often host networking events, provide mentorship opportunities, and maintain job boards specifically for their members. LinkedIn can be particularly powerful for veterans – make sure your profile clearly highlights your military experience and the value you bring to civilian employers.

When networking, focus on building genuine relationships rather than just asking for job leads. Show interest in others' careers, offer help where you can, and maintain connections over time. The best opportunities often come from relationships you've developed, not from cold applications.

Bridge the skills gap

While your military experience provides a strong foundation, you might need to get some civilian-specific skills or certifications to be competitive in your target field. The key is being strategic about what additional qualifications will give you the biggest return on investment.

Look at job descriptions in your target field and identify the most commonly requested skills or certifications. If you're interested in project management, consider pursuing a PMP certification. For IT roles, specific technical certifications might be valuable. For business roles, an MBA or specific business skills training could set you apart.

Some institutions, like Project Management Academy and Salesforce, offer discounted course rates for veterans. Salesforce also runs the Hiring Our Heroes and Salesforce Fellowship Program, which supports veterans in developing the skills they need for civilian careers.

The Forces Employment Charity is another great place to find support during your job hunt. They offer a range of helpful resources, including a dedicated Ex-Forces Employment Programme.

Don't feel like you need to be perfect before you start applying. You can often learn on the job, especially if you can demonstrate your ability to learn quickly and adapt – skills that military service has definitely given you.

How to prepare for the interview

Military interviews and civilian interviews are quite different beasts. Civilian interviews tend to be more conversational and focus heavily on behavioural examples and cultural fit. You'll need to adjust your communication style while still showcasing your unique strengths.

Prepare stories that demonstrate key competencies using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Focus on leadership examples, problem-solving situations, and times when you've driven results under challenging circumstances. Make sure to translate military jargon into civilian language and explain the context when necessary.

Practice explaining why you're leaving the military in positive terms. Focus on your desire for new challenges, interest in applying your skills in a different environment, or excitement about contributing to a specific industry or company mission. Use examples that show your flexibility, collaborative approach, and ability to thrive in different types of organisations.

We have lots more interview tips on our content hub that you can explore here.

Consider the full package, not just salary 

When looking at job offers, look beyond just the base salary. Many civilian companies offer benefits that might be different from military compensation, and the total package might be more valuable than it initially appears.

Pay attention to health insurance options, retirement benefits , professional development opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and paid time off policies. Some companies offer exceptional benefits that can significantly impact your quality of life and long-term financial picture.

Also consider the growth potential and learning opportunities in different roles. Sometimes a job with a slightly lower starting salary but better advancement prospects or skill development opportunities can be the better long-term choice.

How are companies supporting veterans in the workplace?

Anglian Water Services

"At Anglian Water, we recognise that transitioning from military to civilian life is more than just changing jobs. It’s about rediscovering your purpose and applying your unique strengths in new and impactful ways.

We firmly believe that ex-service personnel bring a wealth of experience, resilience and leadership to our workplace. As one of the largest employers in our region, we’re proud to offer fulfilling careers where those skills are not only recognised but truly celebrated.

We’re committed to helping veterans build rewarding second careers. That’s why we’ve established our Armed Forces Community — a supportive network open to ex-service personnel and those with family members currently serving. We want everyone at Anglian Water to feel welcomed, valued and set up for success.

Our support doesn’t stop with veterans. We also actively support colleagues who serve in the Reserves, recognising the immense contribution they make to both our organisation and the wider community.

We’re proud to partner with organisations such as Walking with the Wounded and the British Forces Resettlement Services. We’re also honoured to have been recently reaffirmed as a Gold Award employer under the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising our strong and ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces community.

If you're ready to apply your skills to a new mission, one that helps protect and provide one of life’s most essential resources, we encourage you to explore our opportunities."

We also have a dedicated page on our career site: https://anglianwatercareers.co.uk/armed-forces/

Mott Macdonald

"At Mott MacDonald, we are proud to support those who have served and those who continue to serve. Veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, service leavers, and military spouses bring a wealth of skills, experience, and values that align powerfully with our purpose and culture. Through dedicated pathways, internal support, and a commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant at the highest levels of the business, we have a workplace where military-connected individuals thrive. 

As a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award holder, Mott MacDonald is dedicated to ensuring that no member of the Armed Forces community faces disadvantage in the workplace. Our commitment goes beyond compliance—it’s about creating tangible opportunities, fostering inclusive environments, and celebrating the strengths people from the Armed Forces community bring."
You can find out more about how Mott Mcdonald support veterans here.

OVO

This Armed Forces Day we are proud to announce that we will be signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

On 26th June, Brigadier Kirsten Daglwess, OBE from the Ministry of Defence will join our CEO David Butress so sign the covenant.

This sets out how we support veterans and reservists at OVO.

We already have an active Tri Services community who have their own support group and actively share their experiences and stories.

The OVO pledges in the Covenant are :

Employment: 

• OVO will seek relevant opportunities to promote our jobs directly to veterans, reservists, cadets and the wider Tri Service communities  

Communications, engagement and outreach:

• Working with our Tri Service community, OVO will promote stories of veterans, reservists, cadets and their families, and engage with relevant charities when appropriate to raise awareness
• As part of our Belonging calendar, OVO will promote Armed Forces events, such as Armed Forces Day/Week, Reserves Day, the Poppy Appeal and Remembrance activities
• OVO will continue to leverage the promote our internal Tri Service community to ensure our people who have an Armed Forces connection, including their families, can meet and support one another and provide feedback to us as an organisation.

Customers:

• OVO commits to explore ways to ensure the Armed Forces Community has fair access to our services and is not put at a disadvantage by their service
• OVO will seek opportunities to promote our services directly to the Armed Forces Communities across the UK

BAE Systems

“More than 7,000 of our global team have served in the Armed Forces and many of them tell us that their move to BAE Systems was the natural next step. We’re certain we can support you in your transition. We provide the career opportunities veterans deserve. Your values, team spirit and expertise are vital in making sure the solutions we develop provide safety and security to our Armed Forces. With a wide variety of specialisms and training available that will suit your experience, you can continue to push yourself and protect all our futures.”