Joining the air force military is a life-altering experience. Maybe it’s your patriotism, education, or career opportunity which motivates you to join the military. Whatever the reason is, you get to serve your country by being military personnel. People may join the military right after passing high school or have some professional experience as a civilian. In either case, your resume must highlight your devotion to the country and your exceptional personal traits as a true patriot. This article contains tips and guidelines to help write a perfect US air force military resume.
While writing an air force officer resume, don’t forget to mention relevant skills and work experience according to the position you are aiming for. Whether you are applying as an experienced professional or an entry-level candidate, highlighting your honors and achievements will make your resume stand out among many and will land you an interview call.
What are the job positions you can choose in military forces?
There is no job in the world that military personnel can’t do. There are job positions in the air force in almost every field imaginable. But there are some specialized departments in which people usually apply. Here’s the list:
- Future technology and innovation
- Medicine and mental health sciences
- Dental health
- Space Technologies
- Arts and humanities
- Natural science
In the US military, more than 137 thousand members are war specialists. However, war is not the largest category of military professions. Most military personnel work in science, engineering, and technical departments. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 153,000 workers are in tech departments, and 151,000 workers come under the department of machinery mechanics.
How to write an air force military resume?
Writing a resume for the air force military should follow the same format as all other professional resumes. Following are the sections a resume should have:
- A personalized header
- Summary (Personal statement)
- Work experience
- Skills & Competencies
- Educational Background
The military is a well-ordered and strictly regimented option. Therefore, you should write your resume professionally, and your writing style should be neutral. Choose your wording carefully and state your points concisely. There’s no need for any flowery language or a designed layout. For a reference, check recruitment websites and literature and copy the tone and writing style in accord.
You might not be applying to different organizations but try to keep your resume customized according to the job position you’re targeting.
Choosing the correct format for military resumes.
The appropriate format for a military resume depends on your career level. You might consider using the functional resume format while applying for a scientific or technical role. The functional resume format allows you to focus on your complex and niche skills rather than your work experiences. This format style will have an extensive section of your skills with details and explanations and a very brief section of your work history. The combination resume has the best of both worlds, and you can use it in multiple ways. Usually, niche IT experts use this type of resume.
Most job-seekers prefer a reverse chronological order format for a resume. Fresh graduates or entry-level candidates should use hybrid or alternatives to chronological format. Experienced professionals can get help from these resume formats to apply for air force military positions or civilian roles.
A good resume always has a well-written summary!
Your resume summary should answer the crucial question: Why are you planning to join the air force military, and what do I aim to get from it? And the next important question is: “What military will get from you?” Keep your tone professional and demonstrate your desire to serve the country while answering these questions. You might also mention your highest achievements and the essential pointers that show how hardworking and efficient you are. Cover all these details within 4-5 lines.
A summary of a resume is the first thing an employer reads. So, make sure you make the first impression right. Here is an example of a resume summary for the air force military:
Committed Military person with an extensive career efficiently planning and implementing thousands of military operations. Magnificently piloted various war missions, getting resources and supplies to alliance troops and the needy. Well-experienced in giving training to future officers and junior military staff members. Self-motivated and enthusiastic, with the capability of leading projects and teams. Passionate towards serving the country for the well-being of this nation.
Work Experience & Employment History: Describe Your Progress
Military personnel usually use a reverse chronological resume format to highlight their work history in detail. The chronological resume format is a way to showcase your march to career progress. If you are a fresh graduate, the section of your work history will be shorter. Remember that you can still mention any part-time or volunteer work you have done during your schooling because it shows how responsible and passionate you are towards the community.
Your work history tells the employer details of your accomplishments and what you have done so far. A list of skills and competencies is not enough to convey to recruiters how you have benefitted your previous employers with your efficiencies and problem-solving skills. Highlight the progression towards responsibilities and learning as you move from one job to another. If you aim to change your career path, try to mention transferrable skills and experiences. For instance, if you were working as a police officer, you can include the achievements and skillset you developed over time to demonstrate your worth as a military member. Here are some examples of how to write your transferrable work experiences:
- Coherently served the military with dedication, and motivation and exhibited integrity.
- Went on night patrols in allocated locations.
- Participated in war missions with complete precision and expertise.
- Worked as a committed and trustworthy team leader.
- Resolved multiple problems while maintaining law, order, and safety.
Boost Your Ranking with Adding Relevant Skill Sets.
One of the most crucial sections of your resume is the skills section, so you should write it carefully. You must mention the most marketable skills that employers seek in a candidate. It is up to you to add as many skills as you want. Employers get hundreds of resumes every day, so your resume should stand out with a high-in-demand skill set. Recruiters have keyword databases to shortlist the most relevant resumes. Make sure you research these high-ranking keywords and include them in your resume.
Individuals applying for military positions must have more than technical skills. Experts recommend including soft skills like effective communication, teamwork, pressure handling, and honesty in your resume. Create a mix of your hard and soft skills to impress your employer.
Also, add skills after going through the air force officer job description. You will know what exactly the recruiters want.
Following are some of the top-ranking and adaptable skills you can mention in your resume:
- Effective Communication Skills
- Honesty & Integrity
- Physical Strength & Endurance
- Leadership Skills
- Teamwork & Collaborative Skills
- Commitment to Justice
- Problem Solving Skills
How to list down your educational background in a military resume?
The most rigid section of your resume is your educational background. List down your certifications and degrees under this heading. If you have achieved any distinctions or awards, don’t forget to mention them here.
If you have a master’s degree or higher education, it is not mandatory to list your high school diploma or certification. Follow this sample for formatting your education section:
2019-2020 US Army Military Police School
2015-2019 US Military Academy, Bachelor of Criminology, New York
2010-2015 Garrison High School, High School Diploma, New York
Use the layout and design of your resume wisely!
Does the design and template of your resume really matter when you have a great career story to tell? The answer is a clear yes! Do you know why? You are following these guidelines to get yourself the best version of your military resume. The outlook of your resume is as important as the information you have put in it. Consider the example of military parades. You won’t be able to find anything out of place. Your resume should give a similar feeling.
Expert Tips
- Apply the CAR (Challenge, Action & Results) method to compile your pointers. Create a challenge first, describe the action you took to resolve it, and explain the results you got after using the data.
- Spend time brainstorming your best attributes and skills. Select 6-8 skills according to the job position you’re applying to. It will surely take you one step further in the air force officer selection process.
- Add sections that add value to your resume. For instance, if you are a scientist, consider adding your published papers under the Publications heading.
- Never make your resume lengthier than two or more pages.
The Takeaway
We have provided air force resume examples with each section. Here are some key takeaways for an air force executive officer resume:
- The air force military provides career opportunities to everyone from fresh graduates to highly experienced professionals. There is no discrimination between military personnel and civilians.
- Let the employers know why you are applying for the job and how suitable you are for the military position.
- Check the skills military forces require before writing your skills and competencies.
