Hire Heroes USA Resume Guide: How to Build a Veteran-Friendly Resume

Why Hire Heroes USA?

Hire Heroes USA is a nonprofit organization that provides free career coaching and resume help for transitioning military members, veterans, and military spouses. Their services are designed to help you:
✔ Translate military skills to civilian terms
✔ Optimize resumes for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
✔ Prepare for interviews
✔ Connect with veteran-friendly employers


How to Get Free Resume Help from Hire Heroes USA

Step 1: Register on Their Website

🔗 Hire Heroes USA Registration

  • Fill out your military background, career interests, and upload your current resume (if you have one).

Step 2: Get Matched with a Career Coach

  • A dedicated career advisor (often a veteran themselves) will review your resume and suggest improvements.
  • They’ll help with:
  • Military-to-civilian translation (converting MOS/Rate codes to civilian skills)
  • ATS optimization (keywords, formatting)
  • Tailoring resumes for specific industries

Step 3: Receive a Revised Resume

  • You’ll get a civilian-friendly resume optimized for your target job.
  • They also provide:
  • LinkedIn profile optimization
  • Cover letter templates
  • Interview preparation

Key Elements of a Veteran Resume (Hire Heroes USA Style)

1. Contact Information

  • Name, Phone, Email, LinkedIn (professional email, not military)
  • Location (City, State – no full address for privacy)
  • Clear headline (e.g., “Logistics Manager | Supply Chain Expert | Veteran”)

2. Professional Summary (3-4 Lines)

  • Example:

“Transitioning Army Logistics Specialist with 8+ years of experience in supply chain management, inventory control, and team leadership. Proven ability to optimize operations, reduce costs, and ensure mission readiness. Seeking a civilian logistics manager role in the manufacturing sector.”

3. Key Skills Section

  • Hard Skills:
  • Project Management | Lean Six Sigma | Inventory Control
  • Data Analysis | OSHA Compliance | Procurement
  • Soft Skills:
  • Leadership | Team Building | Problem-Solving

4. Work Experience (Civilian-Friendly Language)

  • Avoid military jargon (e.g., “Platoon Leader” → “Operations Manager”)
  • Use metrics (e.g., “Managed a $2M equipment inventory with 98% accuracy”)

Before (Military Jargon):

“Served as an 92Y Unit Supply Specialist; maintained company-level logistics.”

After (Civilian Translation):

“Managed inventory and supply chain operations for a 150-person unit, ensuring 100% accountability of $5M in equipment.”

5. Education & Certifications

  • List degrees, even if in progress (e.g., “BS in Business Management, Expected 2025”)
  • Include military training (e.g., “Advanced Leadership Course, U.S. Army”)

6. Optional: Volunteer Work & Clearances

  • Security clearances are valuable (list if active, e.g., “Active TS/SCI Clearance”)
  • Volunteer roles show leadership (e.g., “Team Leader, Team Rubicon Disaster Response”)

Hire Heroes USA Resume Templates

They provide industry-specific templates:
📌 Corporate/Office Jobs (Business, HR, Admin)
📌 Trades & Manufacturing (Skilled labor, HVAC, Electrician)
📌 Tech & IT (Cybersecurity, Network Admin)
📌 Healthcare (Nursing, EMT, Hospital Admin)

💡 Pro Tip: Ask your career coach for a template matching your target field.


Top Resume Mistakes Veterans Make (Fixed by Hire Heroes USA)

Using military acronyms (MOS, NCO, COB) → Replace with civilian terms
Long blocks of text → Use bullet points and white space
No keywords → Tailor resume to job descriptions
Focusing only on combat roles → Highlight transferable skills (leadership, logistics, training)


Success Stories

  • Army Infantry → Corporate Trainer (Used leadership experience)
  • Navy IT Specialist → Cybersecurity Analyst (Translated certifications)
  • Marine Logistics Officer → Supply Chain Manager (Highlighted budget management)

Additional Hire Heroes USA Services

🔹 Job Search Strategy (LinkedIn, networking, veteran job fairs)
🔹 Interview Coaching (Behavioral questions, salary negotiation)
🔹 Career Webinars (Free workshops on resume writing, career transitions)


How to Apply for Hire Heroes USA Assistance

1️⃣ Visit: www.hireheroesusa.org
2️⃣ Click “Get Started” and fill out the form
3️⃣ Upload your resume (or start from scratch)
4️⃣ Schedule a call with a career coach

“Your military skills are valuable—we help employers see that.” — Hire Heroes USA

Need help ASAP? Call them at 1-855-223-1887.


Final Tip: Pair your Hire Heroes USA resume with a strong LinkedIn profile (they’ll help with that too!). 🚀

Have questions? Ask below! 🇺🇸

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