Résumé
Use civilian terms. Have others review your resume. Use clear, non-jargon language. Visit our resume/cover letter page for more in depth pointers
Transitioning to Civilian Life
The decision to leave the service for civilian practice is significant. Transitioning to Civilian Life: A Roadmap for Military Lawyers offers practical advice for attorneys making this change. Here you'll find résumé, cover letter, interviewing and networking tips from military lawyers who have successfully made the transition to civilian lawyer.
The Military to Civilian Transition
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs report: The Military to Civilian Transition 2018, A Review of Historical, Current, and Future Trends.
Read it - here!
Résumé tips!
Watch video clips on how to craft a stellar résumé, what not to do in an interview, and the benefits of working for the government.
Cover Letter
Your cover letter serves as your first writing sample and an opportunity to communicate your enthusiasm and professional strengths to a prospective employer. A successful cover letter will capture the attention of the reader in a professional manner, direct the reader to the strongest points of your resume, and persuade the reader to invite you for an interview.
The Interview
Watch this video to see what not to do in an interview and visit our interviewing page where we provide some tips to assist you in framing your military career for civilian ears and understanding. We also provide some advice on how to avoid common pitfalls that may arise in negotiating cultural differences between the military and the civilian workforce.
Learn - MoreInterview Overview
Panelists Discussion
Watch experts discuss ways to improve interview skills as they analyze "Melissa's" mistakes.
Benefits of Government Work
Colonel Al Purdue (USAF Ret.) discusses the benefits of a government attorney position after serving in the military.
Networking
Don't underestimate the importance of networking! You never know when a contact will come in handy. Visit our networking page for more in depth pointers about the benefits of broadening your network!
Veterans Legal Professional Network
The Veterans Legal Professional Network (VLPN) is a central hub for discussions pertaining to the civilian legal field. The overall intent is to help military community legal professionals remove barriers of entry into civilian legal careers. Who should join? Military/Former Military/Retired Military and their spouses with experience in the legal profession are encouraged to join this group. Additionally, company representatives or military transitioning office staff are also invited to join if interested in helping to recruit/place legal professionals from the military community into civilian positions.
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Benefits and Compensation
Legal professionals transitioning from military or government service to civilian employment will have to consider what they want and what they need in a compensation package. In the military, the process is easy - you get paid a specific salary depending on your military rank and years of service.
Military Lawyer Profile
Visit our Military Profile page to view an interview with a former military lawyer.