As an ex-mil, you're not starting from scratch. Far from it. You’re already packing the kind of high standards, work ethic and leadership experience most civilians don’t get near until mid-career, if ever.

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Here are five qualities armed forces soldiers bring to the table (and how to use them to land top roles in the civilian world).

1. Communicative ‍

In the military, if your communication’s off, people get lost - or worse. You’ve learned to brief, debrief, and deliver clear instructions under pressure.

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Out here? That’s gold dust. Most civilians waffle. You don’t. Use this to your advantage in interviews, in meetings, in any job where clarity matters (so… all of them). And if you’ve ever had to explain something to a confused officer at 0500 then you’ve already mastered stakeholder management.

2. Adaptable

‍ “Here’s half the resources you need, half the people you asked for, and none of the time. Crack on.” Sound familiar?

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Adaptability is one of the top skills employers want right now, and it’s baked into every armed forces role. Whether you were building sandbag walls, planning convoys, or keeping aircraft mission-ready, you’ve already done more with less than most people will ever face. Use your stories. Civvies love them.

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3. Competitive

‍This one’s not a buzzword, it’s a mindset. The kind that pushes you to be better, hit targets, and lead from the front.

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If you’ve ever gunned for the best army careers, made the cut for selection, or just taken pride in being the best at your role, bring that energy into interviews. Employers want people who care about performance. You already do.

4. Level-headed

‍You’ve handled real-world pressure. Not just “Q4 targets” or “Karen from Finance having a wobble.”

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Whether it’s rapid redeployment, shifting mission priorities, or dealing with chaos mid-task, your ability to stay cool under pressure sets you apart. Show employers how you’ve managed change and crisis, and you’ll have them nodding before you finish your sentence.

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5. Leadership

‍Let’s not downplay it: in the armed services, you’re often handed serious responsibility, early. Whether it was managing kit, people, operations - or all three - you've led.

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Compare that to civilian careers, where some folks wait ten years to lead a team. If you’re a veteran, you’ve already done it. So when someone asks, “Have you led before?” the answer isn’t just yes, it’s “in more challenging conditions than this job will ever throw at me.”

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If you want more advice on leadership and teamwork, check out this article by Greg Poole on how to translate your teamwork skills. 

Now what?

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Include these skills in your CV. Mention them on your profile. And arm yourself with examples (ideally ones with actual impact, not “just doing your job”) when heading into an interview. Want to sharpen your answers? Click here for our interview prep tips.

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