How to Transition From Military to Tech Career

How to Transition From Military to Tech CareerHow to Transition From Military to Tech CareerRobert Half Technology conducted a panel interview with three military veterans on our staff in an effort to better understand some of the challenges veterans face in finding new and meaningful careers upon leaving the service, and how they transitioned from military to civilian jobs.Here, we begin a two-parte series of QAs based on that interview. (You can find part two of the series here.)The panelists included Zach Torre, a former Army sergeant with experience in networking security, fiber optic repair, and transmission operation, now working as a network operations specialist Jim Lantz, whose government and military career spanned more than two decades, including stints as a detachment commander, exchange officer and Middle East policy planner, currently working as an IT portfolio manager and Philip Bull, a former Air Force satellite communications technician and unit deployment manager no w working as a senior tech asset management coordinator.In our first post, we discuss the many assets these professionals bring to their respective Information Technology teams. We also take a look at how veterans can prepare before separation, and after, to market themselves and their skills - many of which are transferable and in high-demand across industries.1. How do you plan ahead for the move from military to civilian jobs?Zach Torre Resume writing, cover letters, networking and company research all can be done before you leave the military. In my case, planning for finding a job welches easy - working with a recruiting agency like Robert Half Technology made the transition smooth for me.Jim Lantz The onus is upon the service member to take the transition assistance training thats offered prior to separation - attend the classes, do the homework and really prepare yourself to leave. I did the homework. I had a multiple types of resumes based on the jobs I was pursuing. I was networking with friends, family, colleagues and even people I didnt know.2. How important are the resume and education?Jim Lantz Both are important. You never know where your resume may end up. I emailed my resume to an IBM executive in Southern California. He saw the potential I had and emailed it to some of his business colleagues, and eventually it came across our CIOs desk in the San Francisco Bay Area. He looked at it and said, wow, this guy doesnt have a background in IT, but I bet he could help me in this particular job (project and finance management).Philip Bull I landed several interviews simply because I had a degree. One recruiter told me he was leaning toward an applicant with more job experience, but he wanted to talk to me because I had a degree, an impressive resume and portfolio.3. Why a career in Information Technology?Philip Bull I fell into IT asset management in the last three years of my military career. I joined what was previously a one-man shop. The command er came in and said I need you to fix this program. The inspectors came back afterwards and said this is one of the best programs weve seen in the Air Force. I got lucky. Robert Half Technology recruited me three years ago and Im still here.Zach Torre The tech field is always progressing. It keeps you wanting to learn more. Consumer tastes and the tools they are using are constantly evolving. And thats why Im here. Maybe Ill figure out a way to develop something that no ones developed yet.4. What are the most transferable skills you build in the military?Philip Bull For so much of my career, I was in positions where I was writing procedures and policies. And while I may not have been directly supervising people, I was indirectly supervising them and affecting their careers. Its those skills that I developed over time that helped me in my job search. Also, the military has an adapt-and-overcome mentality that transferred well to IT because technology is always changing.Jim Lantz Soft skills are key - the ability to learn, the ability to lead and the ability to communicate are skills that are valuable in any job, but particularly in the tech industry. I told my boss when I interviewed I had limited experience with technology, but over the course of my career I learned Arabic and worked extensively in the Middle East, a place very different from where I grew up, so I was pretty sure I could learn IT. I think he felt confident in my ability to learn and gave me a chance.5. Any advice for other vets considering jobs in IT?Philip Bull Learn how to translate your technical skills into IT skills because thats whats going to get you noticed. But also learn how to sell your soft skills. The technical stuff is impressive, but its going to be the soft skills that will get you the job.Zach Torre Expect to start at the bottom, but work your way up quickly. The technical piece isnt as important as you convincing the interviewer that youve got the ability to learn. And thats something weve all proven in the military. If youve got the ability to teach us, weve got the ability to learn.Robert Halfs Career Opportunities for Veterans - This website features job-search tools for the move from military to civilian jobs. In addition to job listings, Robert Half has a wide range of resources for helping veterans find jobs.Additional resources may be found at the Four Block Foundation, a New York City-based nonprofit organization offering career development and transition support services to returning veterans and their families.This post has been updated to reflect more current information.