How Canadian Armed Forces Personnel can Write Resumes for Civilian Careers

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I thought that people would benefit if I had Audrey Prenzel back on the show to talk about her approach to resume writing for her Canadian Armed Forces to Civilian clients. This show complements next week’s annual Veteran’s day show. Be sure that you have subscribed so you can hear that special edition.

Are you in the military looking for civilian careers? If so, let me know in one of three ways:

1. Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822
2. Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
3. Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

If you are a career professional who advise job seekers and adds feedback whether it’s advice or a differing opinion, I will include a link in future show notes and read your comments on an upcoming show. Just let me know if it’s OK with you.

Audrey Prenzel of resumeresources.ca (@AudreyPrenzel) is a career transition strategist and an award-winning resume writer who specializes in writing and coaching for those in the Canadian Armed Forces. She has been published in multiple magazine, newspapers, and career publications.

• Canada is unique for it has a melting pot population, so language is a major consideration. Many Canadian armed forces members speak French and English fluently
• Military bases in Canada are primarily French-speaking. Audrey coaches her military clients to showcase their bilingual abilities (some speak more than two) to civilian employers
• Audrey also coaches them to have a dedication language section as they would on a LinkedIn profile
• Interestingly enough, most resumes are written in English unless the province is predominantly or solely French
• The summary is a key spot on a Canadian armed forces to civilian resume, but provide a dedicated title for what you what to be known as e.g., “IT Bilingual Executive.” Your summary will support your description
• Audrey says that infusing personality in your summary is a great way to stand out. Hard skills and soft skills are important to include
• Audrey recommends side step cheesy-overused-clichés such as “results-oriented” or “team-player
• Your resume should answer many questions so the reader will have a good sense of who the applicant is
• A sense of entitlement will keep you from selling your accomplishments. No one will hire on reputation alone
• Reverse chronological is the preferred style by employers highlighting what the applicant did and how well they did it
• One of the challenges in helping Canadian armed forces to Civilian Transition is translating the acronyms. Audrey has a file with more than 10,000 acronyms
• “Tell me what you want to do” is important to target opportunities. Too much information is good to start
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