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How to Build Your Civilian CV from Scratch

Inspiration on Format, Style and Tone to Get You Started

Leaving the Forces and stepping into civilian life is one of the biggest transitions a veteran can make - and one of the most crucial tools you'll need for this new chapter is a strong civilian CV. At weServed, we work closely with employers who actively seek to hire veterans, so we know that building your CV from scratch can feel daunting.

Unlike your service record or JPA reports, a civilian CV is your personal marketing tool - it's how you show civilian recruiters what you bring to the table. In the UK job market, your CV often decides whether you're shortlisted or overlooked. That's why crafting one that translates your military experience into civilian language is key.

A well-structured CV can open doors in competitive sectors such as logistics, engineering, project management, and public service - areas where veterans already have strong transferable skills. It's also worth noting that most UK employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter applications, so formatting and keywords make all the difference.

According to a 2024 Forces Employment Charity report, 65% of veterans said the biggest challenge in finding civilian work was "translating military experience into terms civilian employers understand." The good news? With the right guidance, it's completely achievable.

1. Understand the Civilian Recruiter's Perspective

Civilian recruiters aren't trying to overlook your experience - they just may not speak "military." Acronyms, ranks, and unit titles that make perfect sense in service can confuse civilian hiring teams.

Recruiters spend, on average, less than 30 seconds scanning a CV. That means clarity, readability, and relevance are everything.

Tailor each CV to the specific job. A role in the NHS, for example, values teamwork and structure, while private security prioritises vigilance and risk management. Research each organisation's values and reflect those in your wording.

2. Choose the Right Tone and Format

A civilian CV should sound confident but approachable. Avoid the formal tone of military reports and use clear, active language that highlights what you've achieved.

Top style tips:

Use strong action verbs: led, delivered, managed, improved, achieved.
Keep it concise - 2 pages maximum for UK standards.
Avoid dense blocks of text - bullet points are your friend.
Include a short personal profile at the top (2–3 lines summarising who you are, your strengths, and your goals- tailor this to the role you want).
Save in Word or PDF format to ensure it's readable by all employers and ATS software.

Example:

"Former Army Logistics Specialist with 10+ years of experience managing high-pressure operations. Skilled in strategic planning, team leadership, and risk assessment. Seeking to apply these strengths in a civilian operations management role."

3. Translate Military Experience into Civilian Language

Your service history is a goldmine of valuable experience - it just needs to be rephrased for civilian ears.

For example:

"Led a troop of 30 personnel on overseas deployment" → "Managed and motivated a 30-person team to deliver results in high-pressure environments."
"Responsible for weapons maintenance" → "Oversaw safety-critical equipment to ensure operational reliability."

Focus on transferable skills such as:

Leadership and team management
Logistics and operations
Risk assessment
Strategic planning
Communication under pressure

If you've completed UK-recognised qualifications like NVQs, City & Guilds, or ELCAS-funded courses, include these - they help civilian employers understand your professional credibility.

4. Avoid Common Pitfalls

Even the most experienced veterans can stumble when adapting their CV for the civilian world. Don't try to fit your entire military record onto a CV. Focus on what's relevant to the role you're applying for, and quantify your impact wherever possible.

Here are a few more pitfalls to avoid:

❌ Listing every posting or promotion - focus on what matters to the job.
❌ Leaving unexplained gaps - mention volunteering, training, or resettlement activities instead.
❌ Using generic phrases like "team player" or "hard-working" - back these up with examples.
❌ Skipping proofreading - typos or formatting errors can undermine your professionalism instantly.

5. Get Started

Remember: you already have the skills, experience, and mindset employers are looking for. The challenge isn't lack of ability - it's translation. Your next role could be in engineering, healthcare, project management, logistics, or corporate leadership - and a strong CV is your first step toward it.

Building your civilian CV is an exciting part of your transition - a chance to shape how you present your story and highlight what you've achieved.

👉 Explore veteran-friendly jobs and resources on weServed™ today and take the next step in your civilian career.