Transitioning from military service to a civilian career can be challenging, but LinkedIn can make the process easier. It’s not just about connecting with employers; it’s about building an authentic personal brand. Here’s why this is important, and five tips to help you get started.

The Importance of Building an Authentic Brand on LinkedIn

• Professional Networking: Discover opportunities by connecting with industry leaders and peers. Gain valuable insights, find mentors, and discover job openings tailored to your skills and interests.
• Visibility: Stand out in a crowded job market. A strong LinkedIn profile increases your chances of being noticed by employers and recruiters actively looking for candidates like you.
• Showcase Your Skills and Experience: Effectively translate your military experience for civilian employers. Highlight your unique skills and accomplishments to demonstrate your value.
• Build Trust and Credibility: Earn the trust of your network and potential employers. An authentic profile showcases your integrity and builds a solid reputation.
• Engage with Communities: Connect with fellow veterans and support networks. Join groups to access resources, share experiences, and gain encouragement during your transition.

5 Tips to Build an Authentic Brand on LinkedIn

1. Create a Strong, Genuine Headline and Summary   

Use your headline to reflect your role and career goals (e.g., “Electronics Maintenance Engineer seeking hands-on, customer focused opportunities in the semiconductor industry | Marine Corps Veteran”). In your summary, briefly describe your military background, skills, and career aspirations. Be genuine and focus on how your experience translates to the civilian job market. 

2. Highlight Your Skills with Honesty

List both soft and hard skills relevant to your desired career. Hard skills are job-related competencies and abilities that are necessary to complete work (reading schematics, troubleshooting equipment, etc.) while soft skills are personal qualities and traits that impact how you work (communicating problems, critical thinking, etc.). Hard skills are often applicable to a certain career; soft skills are transferable to any type of job. Both are necessary for a successful career in any field. 

3. Detail Your Experience and Achievements Authentically

Avoid military jargon. Describe your responsibilities and achievements in a way that highlights your transferable skills. Be specific about your accomplishments to make your experience relatable to civilian employers. If you find it challenging to translate your military experience, use resources like DoD COOL or ChatGPT to help. 

4. Get Genuine Recommendations  

Ask former supervisors, peers, and subordinates to write recommendations, similar to job references, explaining why you’ve been great to work with and highlighting key strengths. Encourage colleagues to endorse these skills to add credibility to your profile. Ensure these endorsements reflect your true capabilities and contributions.

5. Engage Authentically with Content and Build Your Network. 

Follow companies and groups relevant to your interests. Like, comment, and share posts that resonate with you to increase your visibility. Connect with people you know and personalize connection requests to build genuine relationships.

In Summary:

Creating an authentic LinkedIn profile is a crucial step in your transition from military to civilian life. It helps you connect with employers, showcase your skills, and build trust within your professional network. By following these tips, you can craft a compelling profile that reflects your unique strengths and sets you up for success in your new career. 

Good luck on your journey, and thank you for your service!