For veterans and transitioning military members, the shortcut to another high-impact leadership job seems simple. All you gotta do is liberally dash the words led, lead, leader and leadership all over your resume like sriracha on scrambled eggs. That will spice things up on the job market and get you a great leadership job after the military, right?
I wish it worked that way. The fact is, the leadership gene that steered you into the military and kept you there for so long is one of your best and most marketable traits. Despite that, it’s your leadership gene that makes hiring managers tremble in their $600 shoes.
It’s not that they’re afraid of you. They just doubt the ability of someone like you to have enough patience to stick around long enough to be useful. They are not wrong.
Still, you can't afford to bury that leadership gene forever. Leadership does not rest quietly.
How Do You Get a Leadership Job After the Military?
So how do you manage the mid-ground of your first job after the military? How do you position yourself to make the most of your best trait?
I think the best way to make room for your leadership gene to grow back in the civilian world is to give up the use of the word leader right now. Instead, analyze what you really liked about being a leader, and translate that into specific work behaviors.
Here are eight limbs of leadership that can help you decide what kind of job opportunity is best for you. These aren’t necessarily C-suite executive jobs, but roles that can help you start in that direction.
8 High-Powered Jobs for Leaders After the Military
Taking the time to identify how your leadership gene works is a powerful path to your next high-impact job in leadership.
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