7 Resume Mistakes That Cost Veterans Job Interviews (And How to Fix Them)

Your military resume got you through the ranks, but civilian hiring managers speak a different language. Even highly qualified veterans get passed over because their resumes don't translate their experience effectively.

After helping hundreds of veterans land civilian jobs, I've identified the seven most common resume mistakes—and more importantly, how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Using Military Jargon and Acronyms

The Problem: Civilian HR managers and recruiters don't know what "11B MOS" or "NCOIC" means. When they see unfamiliar terms, they move to the next resume.

Example of What NOT to Do:

• "Served as NCOIC for a 12-man squad conducting COIN operations in OEF"

The Fix:

• "Led a 12-person security team conducting counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan"

Action Step: Go through your resume and replace every military acronym with plain English. If a civilian wouldn't understand it, rewrite it.

Mistake #2: Focusing on Duties Instead of Achievements

The Problem: Listing what you were responsible for doesn't show what you actually accomplished. Employers want to see results, not job descriptions.

Example of What NOT to Do:

• "Responsible for maintaining communications equipment"
• "Managed inventory of weapons and supplies"

The Fix:

• "Maintained 100% operational readiness of $2M communications equipment across 6-month deployment"
• "Managed $500K inventory with zero loss incidents, improving accountability by 40%"

Action Step: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and quantify everything. Numbers prove impact.

Mistake #3: Ignoring ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)

The Problem: 75% of resumes never reach human eyes—they're filtered out by ATS software that scans for keywords. If your resume doesn't match the job description, it's automatically rejected.

The Fix:

• Read the job posting carefully and identify key skills and requirements
• Mirror the exact language used in the job description
• Include industry-specific keywords naturally throughout your resume
• Use standard section headings ("Work Experience" not "Service History")
• Avoid tables, graphics, and complex formatting that confuse ATS

Action Step: Create a master resume with all your experience, then customize it for each job application by emphasizing relevant keywords.

Mistake #4: Not Translating Leadership Experience

The Problem: Veterans often undersell their leadership experience because they don't realize how valuable it is in civilian roles.

Example of What NOT to Do:

• "Squad leader for infantry platoon"

The Fix:

• "Managed team of 12 personnel with direct responsibility for performance evaluations, training, and mission execution"
• "Led cross-functional teams in high-pressure environments, resulting in 98% mission success rate"

Civilian Equivalents:

• Squad Leader = Team Manager / Supervisor
• Platoon Sergeant = Operations Manager
• Company Commander = Department Director
• Battalion Commander = Senior Director / VP

Action Step: Frame your military leadership in terms civilians understand: team management, performance reviews, training, budget oversight.

Mistake #5: Resume Too Long or Too Short

The Problem:

• Too long: Civilian hiring managers spend 6-7 seconds scanning a resume. If it's 4+ pages, they won't read it.
• Too short: A one-page resume for 10+ years of military service undersells your experience.

The Sweet Spot:

• 0-5 years experience: 1 page
• 5-15 years experience: 2 pages
• 15+ years experience: 2-3 pages maximum

The Fix:

• Focus on the last 10-15 years of experience
• Remove outdated skills (Windows XP, obsolete equipment)
• Consolidate older positions into a brief "Earlier Career" section
• Use bullet points, not paragraphs

Action Step: Print your resume and highlight only the information directly relevant to the job you're applying for. Cut the rest.

Mistake #6: Generic Objective Statements

The Problem: Outdated objective statements like "Seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my skills" waste valuable space and tell employers nothing.

Example of What NOT to Do:

• "Objective: To obtain a position in a growing company where I can apply my leadership skills"

The Fix: Replace with a powerful professional summary that immediately shows your value:

"Results-driven operations professional with 8 years of military leadership experience managing teams of up to 40 personnel. Proven track record in logistics coordination, crisis management, and process optimization. Seeking to leverage strategic planning and team leadership skills in supply chain management role."

Action Step: Write a 3-4 sentence summary that includes: your experience level, key skills, major achievements, and what you're targeting.

Mistake #7: No Civilian-Friendly Formatting

The Problem: Military resumes often use dense blocks of text, unusual fonts, or overly formal formatting that doesn't match civilian standards.

The Fix:

• Use a clean, professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, 10-12pt)
• Include plenty of white space
• Use bullet points for easy scanning
• Bold section headers
• Save as PDF to preserve formatting
• Include your LinkedIn URL
• Use a professional email address (not your old .mil address)

Action Step: Use a modern resume template designed for ATS compatibility. Many are available free on Canva, Google Docs, or Microsoft Word.

Bonus Tip: Get Your Resume Reviewed

Free Resources:

• Hire Heroes USA (free resume review for veterans)
• American Corporate Partners (free mentorship)
• Your local VA Transition Assistance Program
• LinkedIn's resume review feature

The Bottom Line

Your military experience is valuable—but only if you can communicate it in a language civilian employers understand. Avoid these seven mistakes, and you'll dramatically increase your interview rate.

Remember:

• No military jargon
• Quantify achievements
• Optimize for ATS
• Translate leadership clearly
• Keep it concise (2 pages max)
• Use a strong professional summary
• Format for civilian readers

Ready to create a resume that gets interviews? Our AI-powered career transition tool includes ATS-optimized resume templates specifically designed for veterans, plus personalized guidance on translating your MOS into civilian job titles.

Your civilian career starts with a great resume. Make it count.