During resettlement, there’s a lot to juggle: finding a new industry, moving house, budgeting, job applications... It goes on and on. In all the chaos, it can be easy to forget one of the most important things: yourself.
This was true for Elly Ruston. Elly left the Navy and landed what she hoped would be an ideal role for her and her family; Chief of Staff in a Tech Start-up.
We chatted about her experiences leaving the Navy, and what she calls ‘Resettlement 2.0’—the mindset she took on after being made redundant from the CoS role. It made her realise she hadn't fully considered her own needs when she first left, from job satisfaction to her mental health and well-being after military service.
In this edition, we discuss everything you should consider during resettlement, from career satisfaction to what you’re willing (and not willing) to compromise on when finding a new career that fits your life.
[Jade] Hi Elly, thanks so much for joining us today. Could you tell us a little about your military career?
[Elly] I was a training management officer in the Royal Navy for 13 years. After doing many different roles, I was looking for a new challenge. I wanted more control over my career, and by that, I mean control over my job satisfaction and daily role requirements.
It was after COVID and baby number one that I thought to myself, “Yeah, I'm ready. New challenges, bring it on.”
[J] Transitioning is often more than just a career shift—it’s also about reshaping your personal life. How did you find that mental adjustment after leaving?
[E] To be honest, I didn’t find the initial mental shift as challenging as expected. I’d already decided to leave a while before I officially left, and the way COVID and my maternity leave fell helped me mentally—it was like I’d already left. I didn’t have that hard stop that a lot of other service leavers experience.
Another big factor was my last job in the Navy. I worked from home for quite some time, so when I left, my day-to-day life didn’t fundamentally change. All in all, the transition was quite straightforward mentally, which I feel very fortunate about because there isn’t enough focus on the mental health and wellbeing service leavers need to maintain when they transition.
[J] That’s amazing. Even with your smooth mental transition, did you still experience any challenges?
[E] Absolutely. I still had that “my goodness, I'm leaving the only job I've ever known as an adult” moment.
One of the challenges when job hunting was my preconceived expectations of the role I wanted, which turned out to be wrong. I was so focused on finding a specific job type, regardless of whether it suited me or my personal life.
I took what I thought was the 'proven route'—roles that seemed prestigious or typical for service leavers—without truly reflecting on what I needed from a job or my life outside of work.
I took the proven route… but I quickly realised that it wasn’t right.
[E] I applied for roles I thought I should want. I didn’t get the job, but fortunately, that process helped me realise this proven route wasn’t for me. I stepped back and asked myself, “What am I leaving for?”
I realised I wanted to leave the military to embrace my creative side and have ownership of my career. I didn’t want others to determine what my job satisfaction should be. That’s when I started changing my approach.
No matter what route you’ve taken, your transition will last however long it lasts.
[E] I’m still figuring out my purpose, and it’s taken me a while to get to this point. It’s an ongoing challenge.
Some service leavers know exactly what they want when they leave, but for others—like me—that clarity comes later. Traditional career support programs like CTP can help with your CV and applications, but they often overlook the bigger picture: your happiness and fulfilment outside of work.
[J] That’s an important point. The focus on just the job sometimes feels like it ignores how intertwined your career is with your personal life. Do you think traditional support helps enough with those elements?
[E] I want to say “no” immediately, but it’s more nuanced.
I don’t think the system always sees resettlement as the holistic journey it is. Yes, your job is important, but so is your personal life—your family, finances, and passions. You have to know what your non-negotiables are, not just in terms of salary but also mental health and the things you do outside of work. You need clarity on what you’re willing to compromise on, like taking a long lunch to go to the gym or leaving early to pick up your kids.
There isn’t a straight line from leaving the military to finding a job. It’s more complex than that, and your life outside of work is a huge factor in your overall happiness.
[J] That’s so interesting and important. To wrap up, what actionable tips do you have for service leavers looking to approach their resettlement journey holistically?
[E] Definitely. My first tip is broad: be kind to yourself. Resettlement is a huge upheaval. It’s slow, and you’ll learn a lot about yourself during this time. Take time to figure out what you want, reflect on each step, and be patient with yourself.
Next, networking is crucial. Talk to everyone, from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. You learn so much from others’ experiences, and networking can give you insights that help you find roles that better fit your needs, both professionally and personally. Use platforms like LinkedIn and Redeployable. The military community is incredibly supportive, and people are eager to help—you just need to ask.
Finally, sit down and map out your non-negotiables. What do you need professionally? What about personally and domestically? Write it out and figure out where you can compromise. You have to spend as much time on the personal side as the professional side to be truly happy.
Want to try mapping out your needs? Check out this article about Ikigai.
Key Takeaways
Think of every aspect of your life during resettlement: Transitioning isn’t just about finding the right job. Consider your needs and happiness outside of work—your family, mental health, and overall well-being.
Find your 'why': The resettlement journey is one of self-discovery. You might find a great job that doesn’t align with your personal needs, but don’t get discouraged. You’ll come out with a clearer understanding of your “why” the second time around.
Three tips:
Be kind to yourself: Resettlement is a significant transition, so give yourself time to adjust and understand what you truly want from both your professional and personal life.
Network: Engage with a diverse range of professionals and tap into the military community. Platforms like LinkedIn and Redeployable are invaluable for finding connections aligned with your goals.
Define your non-negotiables: Clarify your essential needs in every aspect of your life. This will guide your job search and ensure a balance that promotes overall happiness.
Every resettlement journey is different. Sometimes there’s so much going on that you forget what matters most to you—personally and professionally. Taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture can help massively.
If you need guidance, then try the Redeployable AI Career Recommendation Report. Just input your CV and your goals, as well as important lifestyle details, and it will produce three career paths for you. It's free. Give it a go now and see where your career could take you next. Click here!
