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

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

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:
βœ” Translate military skills to civilian terms
βœ” Optimize resumes for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
βœ” Prepare for interviews
βœ” Connect with veteran-friendly employers


How to Get Free Resume Help from Hire Heroes USA

Step 1: Register on Their Website

πŸ”— 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” β†’ “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:
πŸ“Œ Corporate/Office Jobs (Business, HR, Admin)
πŸ“Œ Trades & Manufacturing (Skilled labor, HVAC, Electrician)
πŸ“Œ Tech & IT (Cybersecurity, Network Admin)
πŸ“Œ Healthcare (Nursing, EMT, Hospital Admin)

πŸ’‘ 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) β†’ Replace with civilian terms
❌ Long blocks of text β†’ Use bullet points and white space
❌ No keywords β†’ Tailor resume to job descriptions
❌ Focusing only on combat roles β†’ Highlight transferable skills (leadership, logistics, training)


Success Stories

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

Additional Hire Heroes USA Services

πŸ”Ή Job Search Strategy (LinkedIn, networking, veteran job fairs)
πŸ”Ή Interview Coaching (Behavioral questions, salary negotiation)
πŸ”Ή 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 valuableβ€”we help employers see that.” β€” 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!). πŸš€

Have questions? Ask below! πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ