Bridging the Gap Between Military Experience and Civilian Careers: 5 Tips for Veterans

NEW YORK, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Feature Impact) Every year, approximately 200,000 service men and women transition from military life to corporate America. Finding the right civilian career is a transition, but it’s an opportunity to leverage military leadership and mission-driven talent.

Traditional hiring processes often focus on conventional resumes, but forward-thinking organizations recognize military experience as a competitive advantage in today’s workforce. The resilience, integrity and adaptability of America’s veterans and military families make them uniquely positioned to drive growth and innovation in their communities.

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“Veterans bring unmatched discipline, adaptability and a results-driven mindset that directly translates to high-impact corporate careers,” said Drew Matheson, Senior director at Capital One’s Commercial Bank and retired U.S. Army infantry officer. “While military experience doesn’t always fit perfectly on a traditional paper resume, employers like Capital One who know how to decode these unique leadership skills are able to unlock an incredible pipeline of proven performers.”

To help transitioning service members successfully navigate this career pivot, military community leaders at Capital One offer these five essential tips for service members entering the civilian workforce:

1.   Start With What You’ve Already Earned

Opportunity starts with preparation. Beyond the well-known Post-9/11 GI Bill, which can cover tuition, housing and books, transitioning service members can look into vocational rehab or the SkillBridge program, which allows them to do civilian internships during the last 180 days of service. Many employers also offer internal tuition reimbursement programs. Taking the time to proactively map out these benefits ensures you aren’t leaving valuable opportunities or money on the table.

2.   Find Employers with Veteran Support Structures

With almost half of veterans leaving their first post-military job within a year, according to research published by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families and VetAdvisor, finding the right culture and community is key to a successful transition. Look for employers with active veteran networks and dedicated mentorship.

For example, Capital One’s Salute Business Resource Group serves as a thriving internal community of more than 6,000 members, offering peer support, year-round professional development and mentorship for veterans, reservists and military spouses. Additionally, partner organizations like Hiring Our Heroes provide career workshops, fellowships and job fairs to ensure you’re employment-ready from day one.

3.   Lean Into and Translate Your Soft Skills

Veterans bring a distinct competitive advantage to the applicant pool. You should confidently lean into the cross-functional “soft skills” learned in the line of duty such as risk management, crisis resolution and building trust under high-pressure scenarios.

The trick is translating these capabilities out of military jargon on your resume. Swap military terms like “NCOIC” for “Operations Manager” or “commanded” for “directed.” To make this easier, look for military-friendly employers that employ dedicated military recruiters who specialize in decoding military resumes to align skills with the right roles.

4.   Prioritize Support for the Whole Family

Military service is a family commitment, and the transition out of uniform affects everyone. Military spouses often face unique career hurdles, including frequent relocations and employment gaps. When evaluating employers, look for companies that offer holistic benefits and flexible structures.

For example, Capital One, recognized by “U.S. Veterans Magazine” as a Top Veteran Employer and Top Military Spouse Employer, actively supports military spouses and families through dedicated spouse hiring initiatives and internal support mechanisms. Furthermore, look for organizations that support continued military training and active-duty leave, ensuring military associates never have to choose between their service and their careers.

5.   Build Your Civilian Network Early

In the military, your network is built in. In the civilian world, you have to cultivate it. Long before your terminal leave begins, Connect Group with veterans who work at companies you admire. Reach out for brief, 15-minute informational interviews to learn about their transition journeys rather than simply asking for a job. With more than 70% of civilian jobs filled through networking, according to estimates from Career Horizons, making organic connections early is a powerful tool for getting your foot in the door.

To find additional resources and learn more about how to support the hiring of veterans and military spouses, visit CapitalOneCareers.com/Military.

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