The transition from military to civilian life may seem overwhelming — especially when it comes to making career decisions. Therefore, the earlier you prepare for your future, the easier your transition will be. Ideally, you should create a game-plan for meeting your career goals while you are still an active member of the military.

It is common knowledge that job seekers will need to compile a resume before they start interviewing for jobs. Although important, creating a resume and interviewing are only two small pieces of this job-searching puzzle. Arguably, the most important first step in launching a new career is mapping out a plan that can serve as a strategic outline. This plan can help you identify your career goals and better position yourself for your ideal job. There are three steps to follow to help you prepare for the job search:

• Step 1: Inventory your skill sets: The skills obtained in the military provide a highly regarded, solid platform for your future. In addition to directly applicable skills, typical military personnel demonstrate high morality, character, integrity, responsibility, respect, discipline, an ability to work under pressure, etc. Now that you are preparing to enter civilian life, you can capitalize on that exceptional skill set. Every employer wants to know what skills a job applicant brings to the table and why he or she is the best candidate for a job. Therefore, it is extremely important to inventory your abilities, including job-specific expertise gained from your military experience (ex. technical engineering, security, etc.) as well as transferable competencies that can be useful in many different civilian careers (ex. computer literacy, public speaking, foreign language skills, etc.).

• Step 2: Identify and prioritize your wants and needs: Make a list of all the attributes of your ideal job. For example: Do you have a geographic preference? Do you have a specific salary requirement? Do you want to continue your education while you are working? Do you have an interest in a particular industry? Next, prioritize your “wish list.” Determine which of these characteristics are features you “must have” versus what you would “like to have” in your ideal job. In addition, consider if you would be willing to work nontraditional hours, travel frequently, etc. The more flexible you are, the more career opportunities you will have.

• Step 3: Build your network: One of the most effective job hunting tools is networking. Even though you may still be in the military, you can start to build a network that can help you identify and obtain a job once you are ready to enter the civilian workforce. Reach out to friends, family, old schoolmates, neighbors, military alumni, etc. to learn more about their careers and get a better understanding of their daily routines and responsibilities. Once you start to build a network, your contacts may refer you to other people with new ideas and perspectives. Before you know it, you may find yourself with a network of job resources you never dreamed possible. You can use your network to learn about different careers and industries. Contacts may be able to introduce you to specific companies. It is not uncommon for people to be hired by someone in their network, so the wider net you can cast, the better chance you have of landing a job you love.

Once you have gone through these steps, you can use your network to identify potential civilian jobs that align with your interests and strengths. This can ultimately help you streamline your job search. As a result you will end up with a more defined set of personal goals that can translate into a more focused resume and efficient search process.

*Next time we will show you how to create a resume that is clear, concise, keyword searchable and reflective of your vast accomplishments.