THINKING BACKWARDS TO MOVE FORWARDS

A couple of weeks ago I completed my final assignment in the Royal Air Force. As the sun set on my last working day in the US Department of Defence (The Pentagon), I considered the 23-years that had led to this point; from my initial officer training in rural Lincolnshire to numerous tours flying fast jets, several operational deployments, and the privilege of leading some exceptional teams through achievements and adversity around the world. It has been an extraordinary journey and has passed at the speed of sound.

Yet, despite the variety and interest of my career, and a recent offer of promotion, I feel that the time is right for me to seek a new challenge outside of the military.  By the end of this year, I will have completed my resettlement period and will leave the only full time job I have ever had. As I strive to secure my first role in a new occupation, I have 4 short months to learn how to sell myself to an organisation, which is likely to be very different to the one I am departing.  

So how do I stand out from the crowd?

Anybody who has retired from the Armed Forces to begin a new life in ‘the real world’ has probably felt similar to the way I do now. Regardless of our military branch or the length of time we have served, as we approach ‘the end’, all veterans are prone to reflect on our how our life in uniform has shaped who we are.

As we look back, we recall personal experiences, which yielded unique challenges - often under considerable pressure or even danger.  We remember specific opportunities that developed our personal qualities and character.  We feel proud of what we have learned and achieved.  We regret that we must step away from the indescribable camaraderie, which is one of the most special aspects of life in the Forces.

However, one of the most important lessons that the military ingrains into its people is the importance of looking (and moving) forwards.

As a veteran stands upon the ledge of retirement and contemplates the leap into the unknown, they must have the confidence to look forwards in order to ensure that they land softly on ‘civvy street’.

For the majority, the transition to civilian employment is daunting. We must learn how to construct résumés, understand commercial language, acquire new practical skills, build professional networks, and apply for jobs.  Most veterans are fortunate that the military provides excellent guidance on how to approach all of these key elements of a career change.  However, despite this support, there is one crucial task that each veteran must perfect without much assistance and our competence in employing this technique is likely to determine the level of our success in articulating our worth and in securing a dream job outside of the military.  We must master the art of explaining how our military experience has relevance to the skill sets required by civilian employers.

We must become experts in Translating our Service.

Whilst it important to acknowledge the challenge of switching from military to civilian employment, all veterans who aspire to change their career should be encouraged that they are not the first to ‘make the leap’. Many people have completed successful transitions in the past and have flourished in their new lives. Following in their footsteps may seem intimidating at first but if a veteran learns how to communicate their personal history and qualities clearly, then they can maximise their chances of ‘landing softly’. One of the most effective methods of doing this is through story telling. For centuries people have used stories to inspire listeners, to convey ideas and to allow others to relate to them.

I am yet to meet a member of the global military family who doesn’t have a good story to tell. Therefore, whether they know it or not, every veteran has a toolset to begin selling themselves. Whilst stories come from our past, if we tell them well we can explain who we are in the present; moreover we can showcase our potential for the future.

Story telling is a powerful method for veterans to forge a compelling profile.

Notwithstanding my confidence that the military community possesses a rich library of adventures and anecdotes, I am aware that the process of selecting and crafting appropriate stories to build a professional brand may not be natural or comfortable for every Service leaver. Therefore, with the intent of contributing to the broad network of veterans who are considering a career transition, as I begin to translate my own experience I intend to share some of my own personal stories.  By presenting examples of what I discover over the next few months I hope I can provide a useful service, which might assist other veterans to catalyse their own thinking.  Throughout the process, I will remain mindful of one founding principle: from the lessons and experiences of our past, we can secure a successful future.

To succeed in Translating Service, the veteran must think backwards to move forwards. 

#veterans #military #transition #careers #vetforce

© All text belongs to - Andrew J Wright - Translating Service