Jobhunting? Identify and sell your skills for a solid civvy career

Leaving the armed forces and adapting to civvy street can feel like a daunting prospect – particularly when it comes to selling yourself to a new employer.

Supporting our armed forces community is a key reason why we do what we do, and we know that the unique range of skills gained during their time in active service make UK armed forces veterans highly effective employees. 

Identifying those skills and understanding how to present them in an interview can feel tricky however, so we wanted to give you our list of the top ten skills and capabilities we feel are most commonly demonstrated by UK armed forces veterans.

1. Teamwork

Active service within the armed forces requires collaboration and teamwork. Veterans therefore understand the importance of working together as a team and can contribute effectively to working towards a common goal within a civilian setting.

2. Discipline

Veterans are known for their ability to get the job done. Through rigorous training and operational experiences, you are more able to stay focused, work under pressure, and have the resilience to persevere in challenging situations.

3. Problem-solving

You are trained analyse challenges, think critically, and find practical solutions in complex situations. That makes you excellent problem solvers – a key and super helpful skill in the modern workplace!

4. Communication

Whether it’s getting on with colleagues or effectively sharing information with a customer or client, communication skills are vital both in and out of the armed forces. 

5. Adaptability

Active service demands you adapt to various situations, face problems head on or think on your feet to find a workable alternative. The speed and changes commonly seen in the workplace means this is gives you a massive edge in the job market.

6. Technical abilities

Depending on your experience, you may possess specialised skills such as within IT, engineering, logistics or medicine, to name a few. 

7. Planning and Organisation

The armed forces is nothing if not efficient and veterans are often adept at planning and organising tasks, resources, and timelines. These skills are excellent in all civvy jobs but are particularly handy when working in logistics and supply chain management positions.

8. Integrity

The armed forces place a strong emphasis on ethical conduct. It’s no surprise therefore that veterans are known and trusted for their commitment to honesty, reliability, and upholding moral values.

9. Leadership

Depending on your position, you may have experience in managing and leading teams, making critical decisions, and operating in high-pressure situations – all important skills for those in senior roles.

10. Stress management

Being able to remain calm and rational in high-stress situations is a rare skill and a huge benefit in the workplace. Managing pressure effectively, maintaining focus on the end objective, and making sound decisions (even in challenging circumstances) therefore means you can tell someone who has military experience a mile off.

Need help getting started? 

It's important to understand that individual skills and capabilities can vary depending on your specific background, rank, and training, so – if you want to know what the most popular industries you could apply for or need support writing a CV or up-skilling – we’ve got you covered, alongside helping you save on everything from state-of-the-art power tools to long-lasting workwear to suit a variety of industries (including top discounts on Cat and Caterpillar brands) and even training courses in Health and Safety and more!