As the new year approaches, many military veterans are considering how to transition from a civilian career to military career. The biggest hurdle? Traditional hiring systems that rely heavily on experience-based resumes, which military veterans may lack. But in 2025, a new approach is redefining how veterans can find their place in the workforce - by focusing on skills rather than resumes.
For veterans, resumes often fail to capture the breadth of your abilities. Leadership, problem-solving under pressure, adaptability and technical expertise are just a few of the skills honed in the military. Unfortunately, civilian employers might not see the full picture if job descriptions don’t explicitly match military roles—even though they desperately need those types of skills in leadership and project management roles.
This disconnect can lead to frustration as veterans struggle to find roles that value their expertise. Afterall, you know you have all the skills necessary to succeed at a multitude of jobs and companies, but some won’t give you the chance because you don't have extensive experience listed on your resume. However, by ditching the traditional resume process and switching to skill-based job matching, veterans can bridge this gap and highlight what you know you’re already successful at.
A job matching system that prioritizes skills over experience levels the playing field for veterans. These systems analyze abilities, attributes and training to match candidates with roles suited to their strengths, bypassing the rigid structure of resume-based hiring.
For instance, a veteran with logistics experience can seamlessly transition to supply chain management, while leadership skills can lead to supervisory roles in various industries. This approach not only broadens opportunities but also ensures veterans are placed in positions where they can thrive and make meaningful contributions.
Transitioning into civilian careers often requires learning new industry-specific skills. With upskilling programs and short-term certifications, veterans can quickly prepare for roles in high-demand fields without the need for lengthy schooling. From tech certifications to management training, these opportunities are designed to complement military skills and accelerate your career growth.
By leveraging skill-focused job matching and upskilling resources, veterans can confidently step into 2025 ready to embrace their next chapter. If you’re looking for assistance as you begin to transition careers, consider downloading the pepelwerk app and learn more about how our AI Career Assistant can help you match your skills to employers in need of those skills - without the need for a cumbersome resume.