Military Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Military Resume Templates and Examples (Downloadable)

• Entry level
• Midlevel
• Senior level

PDF

DOCX

Google Docs

PDF

DOCX

Google Docs

PDF

DOCX

Google Docs

Military members serve the country in various ways, across a wide range of occupations both overseas and on the homefront. The content of your resume will vary depending on your field. Every military resume must demonstrate how your experience and transferable skills can help you meet the demands of the job. We’ll help you create a resume that shows hiring managers how your past experiences and service have laid a strong foundation for new job opportunities.

Key takeaways:

• Emphasize specializations: Quickly highlight your military specialties, such as disaster preparedness, tactical strategy, or supply chain logistics.
• Detail quantifiable achievements: Use specific numbers and outcomes to illustrate your impact in previous military roles, such as directing the distribution of over 10,000 units of munitions and 5,000 units of medical supplies.
• Use keywords for ATS: Include relevant skills and keywords from the job posting in your resume to ensure it passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and reaches hiring managers.

How To Write a Military Resume Example

Using a resume template can help you write an effective military resume. Your resume should include these sections:

• Contact information
• Profile
• Key skills
• Professional experience
• Education and certifications

1. Share your contact information

Provide your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile. Ensure your contact information is current so potential employers can contact you for an interview.

2. Create a compelling profile summarizing your military qualifications

The profile of your military resume should present an engaging case to hiring managers by summarizing your military career. Include your job title, years of experience, knowledge, and any specializations that set you apart. Within a few sentences, show that you match key aspects of the job’s requirements.

3. Write a success-driven professional experience section

To create an effective professional experience section, clearly outline your career trajectory in the military arena. Start with your most recent position first and work backward, sharing skills such as combat training and piloting vehicles, along with credentials like Certified Professional Logistician (CPL). Include key details that align with the job you’re applying for. When you can, use numbers to measure and give value to your duties and accomplishments.

Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience

Use numbers and metrics to show the results you achieved in previous military roles. Provide context to your work history and give recruiters a better understanding of your scope and impact. You can demonstrate your value and potential by detailing how you implemented a vehicle maintenance tracking program that reduced downtime by 20% or recovered over $2 million of surplus equipment.

4. Include relevant education and certifications

In addition to your education, feature any relevant certifications achieved throughout your military career. Although most employers will be more interested in your professional experience, obtaining other credentials can set your resume apart from other candidates and increase the chance of winning an interview.

5. List pertinent key skills

Most organizations rely on some form of ATS to identify qualified candidates for job openings. To get your resume through the initial screening process and into the hiring manager’s hands, incorporate keywords from the job description directly into your profile, professional experience, and skills section. Below are key terms and skills that you may encounter while applying for military positions:

Resume writer’s tip: Use common action verbs

Take a strategic approach with the words you use on your military resume. In the professional experience section of your resume, incorporate action verbs to communicate your job duties and accomplishments. Instead of listing responsibilities, start each section with an engaging verb that shows how you executed critical tasks. Avoid using first-person language such as, “I was responsible for…” Following are some action verbs to liven up your military resume.

How To Pick the Best Military Resume Template

When selecting your military resume template, prioritize structure and readability over visual appeal. Avoid loud graphics and overbearing colors, and instead, focus on a clean design that showcases your content in an organized way. Hiring managers will always be more interested in your achievements and qualifications than the style of your template.

Military Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Frequently Asked Questions: Military Resume Examples and Advice

How do you align your resume with a military job description?

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections only cover the civilian workforce, the bureau expects emerging conflicts and global events to drive demand across military branches and organizations. Technology and science are the fastest-growing military career paths, and there is a wide range of combat specialty opportunities. Additionally, there’s a growing demand for vehicle and machinery mechanics.

Although these projections are optimistic, you must align your resume with the job description to secure interviews for the most lucrative opportunities. Tailoring your document to individual job postings will significantly increase your chances of landing your next job opportunity.

What is the best military resume format?

Reverse chronological format is ideal for most resumes, including those for military professionals. This approach ensures that your most recent and relevant experience is featured at the top of your document and shows your progression in responsibilities and rank. Avoid functional resume formats even at the entry level.

What skills should I put on my military resume?

Your military resume should demonstrate your skills in combat training, emergency response, operational risk management, and resource allocation. Also, note leadership skills and strategic solution-finding, and bring these soft skills to life with measurables such as reducing vehicle downtime by 15%. Read the job posting for which you are applying to see if you have matching skills. Then incorporate them into your resume, demonstrating how you used them.

How do I make my military resume stand out?

Make your military resume stand out by highlighting your expertise, such as overseeing security protocols or managing the distribution of critical military supplies across multiple theater operations. Read the job description for the role you’re going after carefully and consider how your experience and expertise align with what the employer is seeking. Incorporate numbers and data, along with keywords that align with the job description. Begin with a compelling profile summary, detail your accomplishments in the professional experience section, list relevant skills, and include your education and certifications.

Check Out Related Examples

Data Analyst Resume Examples and Templates

By: Andrew Stoner

Federal Resume Examples and Templates

By: Andrew Stoner

Information Technology Resume Examples and Templates

By: Andrew Stoner

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.