Many veterans leave the military with highly valuable skills. Leadership, discipline, teamwork and the ability to solve problems under pressure are all traits employers in the civilian world are looking for. Yet too often, these strengths go unrecognised, which may mean veterans find themselves in roles that don’t reflect their true potential.
This can lead to frustration, lower earnings and limited career progression. That’s why it’s essential to look beyond just ‘getting a job’ when leaving the armed forces and instead focus on building a long-term veteran career that makes full use of your skills and offers real opportunities for growth.
Underemployment remains a significant issue for those leaving the military and transitioning to civilian life. According to the UK government’s most recent Veterans’ Survey, just over half (52.5 per cent) of former armed forces personnel reported having taken a job at a lower experience or skill level than their last role in the UK armed forces.
This is despite the fact that more than eight out of ten veterans (85.4 per cent) felt they had transferable skills from the UK armed forces or had experiences from their time in the military in their civilian jobs (81.4 per cent).
The survey found that some of the most common causes of underemployment include:
The consequences of this can be significant. Veterans may experience job dissatisfaction, hindered career progression and underutilisation of their skills. To counter this, strategic career planning is essential. Following the below steps should enable veterans to align their unique skills with long-term career goals and opportunities.
Rather than settling for the first available job, you should focus on where you want to be in five or ten years. Planning a long-term career starts with asking the right questions of yourself to help guide your career search. Key things to ask include:
Speaking with career coaches or organisations like the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) or Forces Employment Charity can help clarify your direction. Tools like career mapping allow you to plot realistic goals and timelines, while role research helps match your skills to specific jobs with room for progression.
When looking for jobs for ex-soldiers, it’s also useful to investigate specific sectors where military experience is valued. For example, cyber security, engineering, logistics and project management all offer great potential for you to make the most of your transferable skills. What’s more, these industries recognise the discipline, leadership and problem-solving veterans bring, and offer meaningful roles with clear progression routes.
Your time in the military has already equipped you with valuable skills, including leadership, discipline and technical know-how. But civilian employers often rely on formal qualifications to benchmark experience. Earning recognised certifications helps translate your military capabilities into credentials employers trust.
Depending on your chosen field, useful certifications might include:
Continuous learning should feel familiar – after all, it’s central to military life. In the civilian world, it’s known as professional development planning and it plays a key role in staying relevant and progressing in your career.
Consider online platforms, bootcamps or formal courses that support your goals, and track your development over time. Investing in education is an investment in long-term success.
One of the biggest adjustments for veterans is learning how to “sell” themselves in a civilian context. In the military, your track record speaks for itself, but in the civilian world, visibility and storytelling are essential. A strong CV and a well-crafted LinkedIn profile are powerful tools for making your skills and experience understandable and attractive to employers.
To do this, translate military achievements into civilian terms that employers of ex-armed forces personnel will understand, highlight measurable outcomes and use job-specific language. On LinkedIn, include a professional photo, a compelling summary and a list of certifications and endorsements.
Networking is equally important. Attend veteran-friendly career fairs, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and connect with ex-service professionals already working in your target industry. Many will be happy to share advice and open doors. Remember: your experience has value – you just need to make sure others can see it clearly.
Careers after the military should be built with purpose. Underemployment doesn’t have to be part of your journey. With clear goals, the right qualifications and a strong personal brand, you can build a career that reflects your true potential.
The leadership, resilience and adaptability you developed in service are valuable assets in any industry. By investing in your long-term future and approaching your transition strategically, you’re not just finding a job – you’re laying the foundation for a successful and fulfilling second career.
Image credit: iStockphoto/Supatman
Consider the complete opportunity, including pension contributions, bonuses, training, flexible working, annual leave and other benefits. Just as importantly, compare the responsibilities, promotion prospects and skills you’ll develop. A slightly lower starting salary may be worthwhile if one role provides a much stronger path towards your long-term goals.
Look beyond your military job title and break your experience down into responsibilities, skills and results. Managing personnel, equipment, budgets, operations or high-risk situations can translate into valuable experience in areas such as leadership, project management, logistics, risk and operations. Comparing these responsibilities with civilian job descriptions can help you identify the appropriate level to target.
Underemployment isn’t just about earning less than you did in service. You may be underemployed if your role makes limited use of your experience, qualifications, leadership ability or technical skills, or if there is little opportunity for progression. A useful test is to consider whether the position is helping you move towards your longer-term career goals.
Not necessarily. Your military experience can be a useful starting point, but it doesn’t have to dictate your next career. Consider the skills you want to continue using, the type of work you enjoy and where you want to be in five or ten years. Veterans can successfully move into sectors including cyber security, engineering, logistics and project management, among many others.
Sometimes, but it should ideally be a strategic move rather than a default option. A more junior position can help you gain industry experience, build contacts and learn how a civilian sector operates. Before accepting, consider whether there is a clear route to progression and whether the experience will help you qualify for the roles you ultimately want.
Look out for roles with unclear responsibilities, little access to training, no obvious promotion route or work that significantly underuses your existing skills. During interviews, ask how employees typically progress, what professional development is available and what someone successful in the role might move on to next.
Focus on demonstrating how your military achievements meet the actual requirements of the role rather than simply stating your rank or responsibilities. Relevant qualifications, networking, mentoring, short-term projects and sector-specific training can also help bridge perceived experience gaps without requiring you to start your career again from the bottom.
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