Resume Tips for Defence Kids

How military family life can be leveraged to write a stand-out CV.

In this modern, highly competitive job market, crafting a standout resume is an essential skill for anyone on a job hunt. For the children of veterans, this process can often feel daunting as you may struggle to translate your unique experiences and background into a compelling resume. However, your background as a military child can provide a unique lens that employers value highly. The key is understanding how to frame these experiences in an engaging, relatable, and professional manner.

For one-on-one support in writing a CV that stands out (and any other aspect of job hunting), reach out to the RSL Veterans’ Employment Program. This service is free for veteran and Defence families.

In the meantime, this article will provide a set of actionable, user-friendly tips and advice to help children of veterans put their best foot forward in their job search.

1. Demonstrate your unique perspective

As a child of a veteran, you've likely been exposed to diverse cultures, new environments, and a variety of challenging situations. These experiences can translate into several valuable skills, including adaptability, resilience, and cross-cultural communication, which employers highly value. When writing your resume, ensure you highlight these skills, demonstrating real-life instances where you have used them.

2. Translate Military Life into Civilian Terms

It's important to translate any military-related experiences or jargon into civilian terms that any hiring manager can understand. For instance, if you’ve assisted your parent in a 'unit welfare office', you might translate this into terms like 'administrative support', 'conflict resolution', or 'family support services'.

3. Highlight Your Ability to Deal with Change

One key attribute children of veterans often possess is the ability to handle change. You may have frequently moved house, changed schools, or had to adapt to a parent’s deployment. This ability to handle change and remain resilient is an invaluable skill in many professions, so be sure to highlight it on your resume.

4. Volunteer Work and Extra-curricular Activities

Don’t overlook the value of non-professional experiences. Volunteering at a community centre, participating in school clubs or organising events at your local RSL can all demonstrate your leadership, organisational skills, and commitment to service - traits that are highly sought after by employers.

5. Use Available Resources

There are numerous organisations and resources designed to assist veterans and their families in transitioning to civilian life and careers. This includes the RSL Veterans’ Employment Program and the Veterans' Children Education Scheme (VCES), which can provide you with additional support and tools in building your resume and preparing for interviews.

6. Professional Presentation

Remember, your resume is a representation of your professional self. Ensure it is free from spelling mistakes, grammatically correct, and well-structured. It should be no longer than two pages. Include your contact details, a brief personal summary, followed by your work experience, educational qualifications, and skills. Use bullet points for clarity and conciseness.

7. Tailor Your Resume

Ensure that your resume is tailored to the specific role you're applying for. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description. This shows employers that you've taken the time to understand the role and how your unique skills can contribute. You might like to identify keywords used in the job advertisement and repeat these in your CV to reinforce that you’re a good fit. Read more about the importance of using keywords in your CV in this article.

You’ve got this 

Creating a powerful resume can be a challenging task, but remember that your experiences as a child of a veteran offer a unique perspective that employers will value. By articulating these experiences in a clear, professional, and relatable manner, you're well on your way to catching the eye of potential employers.

Want more job hunting tips for military kids? Check out this article.