Topic: Military service on a non-military resume

[Sythen]

The only topic on this I could find was locked, so I will start a new one. I am currently filling out an application for the Ottawa Police Service, and on it they ask for a "Brief Description of Duties".. I honestly can't think of a brief way to describe what my duties as an infantryman were. Anyone more articulate than me have some advice?

[Sigs Pig]

First, what is brief?

From the CF Recruiting site:

Infantry Soldiers have the following primary duties:

•Expertly operate and maintain a wide range of personal and section-level weapons, including rifle (with and without bayonet), hand-grenades, light, medium and heavy machine-guns; and anti-tank weapons;
•Use sophisticated equipment for field communications, navigation and night-vision surveillance;
•Inspect and maintain weapon systems, vehicles and equipment (including clothing, survival gear and personal defensive equipment);
•Participate in airborne operations;
•Operate with support elements such as fighter aircraft, tactical helicopters (troop-carrying and reconnaissance) and artillery;
•Engage in unarmed combat; and
•Employ fieldcraft and battle procedures including camouflage and concealment, patrol, assault, defence, and escape-and-evasion tactics.


ME

[Container]

Explain it in simple terms and mention the applicable stuff. When you get to the interview if they want you to explain and expand you can. The odds are someone in the unit will have an idea what you are referring to.

I went through this too- something like (having not been in the Infantry- just as an idea)

Worked and lived in a team environment, responsible for the safety and development of X amount of soldiers. Duties included the employment and care of personal weapons in defensive and offensive operations. Safe handling and security of detainees, operation of armoured vehicles etc. Responsible for care and maintenance of expensive Government property. Position required high degree of personal fitness and discipline under stress.

They don't care about the real specifics only the stuff that would seem to be applicable. They have an idea of what the Infantry does and we'll read into it as they see fit.

[milnews.ca]

To take Container's approach a step further:
http://www.cflc.forces.gc.ca/ees-pae/rr/esr-rr/rwg-ger-eng.asp

Here's a Gov't of Canada tool that translates military MOS's to HRSDC work descriptions:
http://www.cflc.forces.gc.ca/ees-pae/mor-gpm/index-eng.asp
here's what HRSDC includes in "Occupations Unique to the Armed Forces":

Main duties
Personnel in occupations unique to the armed forces perform some or all of the following duties:

    Operate armoured vehicles, artillery, hand-held weapons and other military combat equipment and defence systems
    Engage in peacekeeping operations and enforce cease-fire agreements
    Provide aid in emergency situations, such as civil disorder, natural disasters and major accidents
    Engage in drills and other training in preparation for peacekeeping, combat and natural disaster relief duties
    Perform administrative and guard duties.
    Personnel in this unit group are assigned to specific operations related to reconnaissance, peacekeeping, disaster relief and combat.

[Sythen]

Thanks a ton for the replies. I didn't think to use bullet form list, was trying to think of how to write a brief essay lol

[Container]

Ah yes- I forgot the disaster relief stuff. Thats golden.

I think there is a tendency to (and I just did it myself) to overlook the "soft side" of your job. But thats the stuff that can really help your application.

You aren't applying to doorkicker commando school- the humanitarian stuff serves you better on your application I think. Right or otherwise. I often think that police work could use an injection of warrior- but I'll never work in recruiting if you catch my drift. *opinion*

[milnews.ca]

Since this has some applicability to folks getting out of the CF, I'll be moving this shortly to the Release, Retirement & SCAN forum.

Milnet.ca staff

[Sythen]

If anyone in the future looks this up for info, here is what I chose to put:

-Expertly operate and maintain a wide range of personal and section-level weapons;

-Use sophisticated equipment for field communications, navigation and night-vision surveillance;

-Inspect and maintain weapon systems, vehicles and equipment (including clothing, survival gear and personal defensive equipment);

-Safe handling and security of detainees;

-Work with many different types of people, overcoming language and cultural barriers to achieve a working and cohesive unit;

-Position required high degree of personal fitness and discipline under stress.

[1984]

Here's a Gov't of Canada tool that translates military MOS's to HRSDC work descriptions:
http://www.cflc.forces.gc.ca/ees-pae/mor-gpm/index-eng.asp

WOW!  Did they ever get my job wrong.  Take that link with a GIANT grain o' salt.

[Dolphin_Hunter]

I do not see my trade on that list!  I guess sandwich artist or pillow tester isn't all that important

[pfinlayson]

My civilian occupation--Carpenter Foreman--doesn't quite fit in their descriptions either.

[GnyHwy]

Here's a Gov't of Canada tool that translates military MOS's to HRSDC work descriptions:
http://www.cflc.forces.gc.ca/ees-pae/mor-gpm/index-eng.asp

WOW!  Did they ever get my job wrong.  Take that link with a GIANT grain o' salt.

The Arty one is kind of comical also.  Being part of a FOO party is quite arguably the most demanding and rewarding job within the Arty.  Sadly, it gets about 3 secs of barely recognizable description and falls in between ammo truck driver and radio operator.  Tee hee hee.

[Greymatters]

I would also advise you restrict the CF skills and experience you mention to those that are relevant to the job you are applying for.   

Also include training or skills you have gained that are applicable to the job you are appllying for, i.e. describe how proficient are you with a computer; almost every CF resume I've reviewed fails to mention this. 



 

[Brihard]

FYI, hiring for Ottawa is looking exceedingly bleak for the next while. I was in for my PBQ not long ago and they told us the last 12 hires had been pared down from 1300 applicants. Their next class (the spring) will all be laterals, and the next direct entry class isn't until September. Ottawa in particular is a highly desirable force because- well, you get to live in Ottawa. A separate contact of mine confirms that their budget is very tight for the forseeable future and that hiring will suffer. I applied in August 2010, and only got called finally for my PBQ 11 months later.

My advice is obviously to continue with the application - it would be stupid not to - but to cast a MUCH broader net and get many different irons in the fire. It's an ugly job market right now. That, incidentally, mirrors what the recruiting sergeant at OPS told us- "We completely understand and are not bothered if you have other applications in, and if you get an offer from another force, for the love of God take it." Extend that more broadly to other pursuits you might try both in and out of the CF.

[Hammer Sandwich]

This may seem out of left field, but, IMO, skip it completely...
I worked for a company that only supported me because they had to.

I have seen (with my eyes)  people denied from the pool of applicants because of Military Service.

The last place I worked, we were shown a resume of a guy who drove trucks in Somalia.

REJECTED.

Oh...he's probabaly  crazy..........we don't want that here...


I know that people understand it here.....but they may not in public.

(anyways...just a little ignorance I've ran in to....YMMV)

[Greymatters]

I have seen (with my eyes)  people denied from the pool of applicants because of Military Service. 

Many have experienced this, but fortunately there are are exceptions where military service was/is appreciated and desired.

From your example, my question would be 'why did he/she mention driving trucks in Somalia'?  There's no job out there in Canada that an employer would need to know that level of detail in an application resume. 

[Occam]

For anyone who hasn't heard of it (and there seem to be quite a few), VAC offers Career Transition Services (CTS).  The details of who qualifies is on the webpage, but it's fairly broad in who is eligible.

The three day seminars are excellent.  If you think that your military experience doesn't seem to "fit" civilian-style resumes, it's because you haven't been taught how to properly present it.  There is always some type of experience that you've gained in the military that can be used on a civvie resume.  The seminars deal with topics such as employment searches, interview techniques, resume writing, salary negotiation, etc.

I strongly recommend the seminars, as well as the 15 hours of personal coaching you're entitled to afterwards.  The people VAC have hired to do this are great at what they do, at least as far as I can tell from the ones I've met.

[milnews.ca]

WOW!  Did they ever get my job wrong.  Take that link with a GIANT grain o' salt.

Good point.  In a government world where people often seek "pigeonholes" to categorize stuff, I have to agree this is a pretty blunt instrument for categorizing - I note Int Op is in the same category as tank driver and air defence technician.

Given the broadness of this sort of reference, use it as a VERY broad starting point.

Here's how I've summarized some of my military experience re:  planning/logistics and teaching leadership courses:

Operational Management:  .... Planning operations, training, exercises, and special projects in military environment; Training junior level supervisory candidates in material and project management skills (time management, setting priorities, planning, worker supervision), small-group leadership .... 

Teaching/coaching:  .... Approximately 850 classroom hours teaching/training experience, teaching skills and theory subjects, with students aged 12 to 40; More than 300 classroom hours teaching principles of instruction, lesson planning, use of visual aids, student assessment techniques and student behaviour management; Assessed and developed junior level supervisors and small group trainers ....

Also, +1000 on this:

I would also advise you restrict the CF skills and experience you mention to those that are relevant to the job you are applying for.   

Also include training or skills you have gained that are applicable to the job you are appllying for, i.e. describe how proficient are you with a computer; almost every CF resume I've reviewed fails to mention this. 

[daftandbarmy]

I suggest that you include a couple of examples of 'projects' you've been involved in that help illustrate your many and varied skills e.g., "Over a 6 month period in Kandahar province I participated in over 100 high risk combat patrols. During this period I searched several dozen civilians, over 50 dwellings, and detained 25 suspected terrorists while faciliatating improved relationships between the local military and police forces. My performance during this period was exemplary, as indicated by my company commander in my PER (copy attached at Annex A)." This will help more than a bulleted list.

Check these guys out. They're hiring: https://search.employment.gov.bc.ca/cgi-bin/a/highlightjob.cgi?jobid=6577

[Sythen]

This may seem out of left field, but, IMO, skip it completely...
I worked for a company that only supported me because they had to.

I have seen (with my eyes)  people denied from the pool of applicants because of Military Service.

The last place I worked, we were shown a resume of a guy who drove trucks in Somalia.

REJECTED.

Oh...he's probabaly  crazy..........we don't want that here...


I know that people understand it here.....but they may not in public.

(anyways...just a little ignorance I've ran in to....YMMV)

I appreciate the heads up, and I figured some places would be like that.. However I am very proud of my service, and no matter what way the wind is blowing in the public opinions I will never hide my service

[Greymatters]

I suggest that you include a couple of examples of 'projects' you've been involved in that help illustrate your many and varied skills e.g., "Over a 6 month period in Kandahar province I participated in over 100 high risk combat patrols. During this period I searched several dozen civilians, over 50 dwellings, and detained 25 suspected terrorists while faciliatating improved relationships between the local military and police forces. My performance during this period was exemplary, as indicated by my company commander in my PER (copy attached at Annex A)." This will help more than a bulleted list. 

I hate to disagree with daftandbarmy as I respect him and his opinion immensely, but I would advise that you never write a paragraph like this on your resume unless you are specifically applying for a security-related job that requires a particular level of experience and skills.  Most resumes are read by HR and support staff and these kind of descriptions tend to scare the crap out of them.  A lot of this detail can be saved for the interview, which is the point of the resume, to get the interview. 

I would also point out that although these are well-written descriptions of work, none of them decribe how well you did them, which is also an important point in resume writing.

[daftandbarmy]

I hate to disagree with daftandbarmy as I respect him and his opinion immensely, but I would advise that you never write a paragraph like this on your resume unless you are specifically applying for a security-related job that requires a particular level of experience and skills.  Most resumes are read by HR and support staff and these kind of descriptions tend to scare the crap out of them.  A lot of this detail can be saved for the interview, which is the point of the resume, to get the interview. 

I would also point out that although these are well-written descriptions of work, none of them decribe how well you did them, which is also an important point in resume writing.

OK, so I'm putting THAT in MY resume! Tell my wife too, will you please? 

[Greymatters]

OK, so I'm putting THAT in MY resume! Tell my wife too, will you please? 

I dont think my opinion is gonna swing much weight with many people; but, maybe next time I'll show up with with an embossed and framed letter for her, showing that statement?