Melodie Cameron, MA
Adapted and Presented by
Dr. Elena Klaw
 Strengths
Based Approach helps veterans
to identify and understand their strengths
 Can
help a veteran when choosing a
major, looking for a job, or starting a
career
 Identify strengths utilized in the military
and how to use similar strengths in
civilian culture
 What
happens when veterans draw on
their talents?
 Help
transition back into civilian culture
 Can improve school performance, work
performance, and even relationships
 Uses
military language/jargon to explain
duties
 Contains all military work history
 Describes team work
 Can be multiple pages long
 Purpose
of resume is to get an interview
 Develop accomplishment statements
related to your military experience that
are listed in layperson's terms
 List relevant information for the specific
position
 Targeted resume should be 1 -2 pgs. long
 Contact
Information
 Objective
 Education
 Academic Coursework
 Classroom projects
 Work Experience
 Skills Trainings/Awards/Recognitions
 Have
a professional email address
 Have a professional voice mail
 Title
of Position, Dates
 Did you work individually or in a group
and what was the purpose of the project
 More detail about the project or your
individual role
 What was the result of the project?
 Work Experience:
 Name of the Company, City, State Title
of
Position, Dates
 • 3-5 statements that highlight what you
accomplished in this position. Focus on what
YOU did and not on the duties and tasks
performed
 Training/Awards/ Recognitions:
 Highlight your awards and recognitions
 Translate what military specific awards
mean/significance in civilian terms

Ability to:
 Work in a team structure – 4.6
 Verbally communicate with persons
inside and
outside the organization – 4.59
 Make decisions and solve problems – 4.49
obtain and process information – 4.46 plan,
organize, and prioritize work- 4.45
*Source: Job Outlook 2012, National Association of Colleges
and Employers
*5-point scale, where 1=Not important; 2=Not very important;
3=Somewhat important; 4=Very important; and 5=Extremely
important
 Ability
to analyze quantitative data- 4.23
 Technical knowledge related to the job4.23
 Proficiency with computer software
programs- 4.04
 Ability create and/or edit written reports –
3.65
 Ability to sell or influence others – 3.51
 Source: Job Outlook 2012, National Association of Colleges and
Employers
 Focus
on what you individually
accomplished
 Quantify the information you are
presenting

What Strengths Do Veterans Bring to the
Workforce?
 Leadership
 Work
with teams
 Work with diverse individuals and
cultures
 Solve problems rapidly
 Follow through
 Responsible
 Mission driven
 Work within complex organizations
 Member
of the Engineering Training
Team which specialized in creative
training for personnel on how to control
engineering casualties to prevent
equipment damage or injury to
personnel.
 Simulated
system casualty scenarios to
teams of junior staff to observe how staff
followed procedural policies under high
pressure situations preventing equipment
damage or injury to personnel.
 Strengths
showed: Solve Problems
Process Information Communication