Military Transition Roadmap – Step 2

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What Makes You Great

Step 2: What Makes You Great

Why is it important to know what makes you great?

Many job seekers don’t know what makes them great. Not knowing what has contributed to your success can make it impossible to sell yourself in an interview. Knowing your leadership style, problem solving methodologies, and even translating your military experience are all things you didn’t have to think about while in the military, you just did them. What made you great in the military will make you great outside the military.

Do you know what makes you great?

Great accomplishments on your resume is not going to be enough if you cannot describe them and your contributions to the team in terms a civilian hiring managers can understand.

You need to be able to answer questions like:

  • What differentiates you from other candidates?
  • What can you contribute to the team?
  • Why should I hire you?

Make a List of Your Subjective and Objective Assets

  • Subjective assets – descriptors or adjectives such as humble, team player, resilient, problem solver, or creative.
  • Objective assets – are points of fact that are quantifiable, such as having a bachelor or master’s degree, language proficiency, and 40% increase in readiness. Objective assets will be put on your resume.

This is a very important step in the transition process and is often overlooked. It is important to define your strengths so that you can:

  • Highlight how your skills can contribute to the organization
  • Highlighting opportunities for improvement
  • Shows that you are aware of areas that you are not naturally good at
  • Demonstrate your ability to improve yourself

Knowing what makes you great is how you stand out among other applicants-it is not just about stating what you have done on a resume.

Why doing the exercise is important?

Completing “What Makes you Great” exercises will require some self-reflection conducting a personal inventory.

These exercises will be:

  • The foundation for your resume
  • Your LinkedIn profile
  • Prepare you for an interview

You will be able to:

  • Speak to your growth areas more accurately in an interview
  • Provide you examples of your subjective assets
  • Define your leadership style
  • Develop a list of objective assets to use on a resume

 

Download the Exercises

Step 2: 5 Subjective Traits Worksheet

Step 2: List Objective Assets Worksheet

Step 2: Self-Assessment Worksheet

 

NEXT STEP >  Step 3: Communicate Your Value

 

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