Make Your Skills Count:
Validate, Showcase, and Get Hired in a Skills-First Market


Your Military Skills Are More Valuable Than You Think

Nicole Bearfield-Smith
Latest posts by Nicole Bearfield-Smith (see all)

    Transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce can feel overwhelming. You’ve developed a strong foundation of skills—leadership, problem-solving, adaptability—but when scanning job postings, you may wonder: How do I make my experience stand out?

    The good news: hiring practices are evolving. Skills-first hiring is on the rise, shifting focus from job titles and degrees to real-world capabilities. For veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses, this shift creates opportunities to leverage transferable skills in new and unexpected ways.

    Here’s how you can highlight your military background, access resources, and land a meaningful role where your skills truly shine.

    Why Skills-First Hiring Matters for Military Job Seekers & Spouses

    Traditional hiring often centers on academic credentials and civilian job history, leaving many veterans and military spouses at a disadvantage. Skills-first hiring flips the script, prioritizing ability over background.

    What This Means for You:
    • Employers value demonstrated skills over formal education.
    • Many high-paying industries (tech, logistics, project management) focus on experience and certifications rather than degrees.
    • You don’t need to start from scratch—your military training and experiences as well as  the adaptability gained as a military spouse are marketable skills that will set you apart.

    Quick Tip: Look for job postings that use keywords like “experience preferred,” “skills-based hiring,” or “demonstrated success.” If you meet at least 70% of the qualifications, apply!

    Transferable Skills That Set You Apart

    Many veterans and military spouses overlook their most valuable skills simply because they’ve never framed them in a civilian context. Here’s how to reposition those experiences:

    1. Mission Planning → Project Management

    • Military operations involve coordinating tasks, managing personnel, and meeting deadlines—that’s project management!
    • Certifications to consider: Google Project Management, CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)

    2. Crisis Response → Leadership & Risk Management

    • Making high-stakes decisions under pressure demonstrates exceptional leadership. This skill is vital in cybersecurity, emergency response, and operations management.
    • Military spouses also excel in adaptability and crisis response—ideal for HR, remote team management, and customer relations roles.

    3. Supply Chain Logistics → Business & Operations Roles

    • If you’ve handled procurement, inventory management, or transportation logistics, you have direct experience in supply chain management.
    • Resume tip: Quantify your experience (e.g., “Managed logistics for 5,000+ personnel” → “Led supply chain operations impacting a $5 million budget.”).

    4. Technical & Cybersecurity Experience → IT & Tech Jobs

    • If you’ve worked with secure communications, intelligence systems, or military-grade software, you already understand IT security fundamentals.
    • Highlighting cybersecurity skills: Instead of “Secured classified networks,” say “Managed cybersecurity protocols for protecting sensitive government data.”
    Digital Credential Wallets: Verify and Showcase Your Skills
    What Are Digital Credential Wallets?

    It is a secure platform to  store and share verified credentials, such as certifications, training records, and military records. These wallets use blockchain technology or decentralized identity platforms to ensure the authenticity of your qualifications. 

    Why They Matter for Military Job Seekers
    • Tamper-Proof Verification: Employers can instantly verify your credentials, reducing hiring delays.
    • Easier Job Applications: Instead of manually listing certifications, simply share a verified credential link.
    • Increased Trust with Employers: Skills-first hiring thrives on verifiable competencies, making digital wallets a necessary asset.
    • Portability Across Careers: Whether you plan to transition into IT, logistics, or project management, your verified credentials move with you.
    How to Use a Digital Credential Wallet

    1. Store Verified Credentials – Upload certifications from platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or military training systems.
    2. Share with Employers – Add credential links to your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job applications.
    3. Stay Updated – Continue adding new credentials as you upskill, ensuring your portfolio remains up-to-date and competitive.
     
    Top Platforms for Military Job Seekers

    Quick Tip: Choose platforms that integrate with digital credential wallets to maximize your visibility in a skills-first job market.

    Find Companies that Prioritize Your Validated Military & Spouse Skills

    Identifying companies that actively recognize and seek military skills is critical. These employers understand how your verified skills and experiences add value.

    Where Skills-Focused Hiring Happens:

    • SkillBridge & DoD-approved Fellowships: Designed specifically for demonstrating and leveraging your validated skills within civilian companies.

    • Employer Partnerships (e.g., Hire Heroes USA Job Board, Military Spouse Employment Partnership Job Board): Connect directly to employers who have explicitly stated that validated military skills align with their hiring goals.

    • Networking Groups (e.g., American Corporate Partners, LinkedIn groups): Use these channels to showcase your verified credentials directly to recruiters and mentors who value military skills.

    What to look for:
    • Employers with established veteran and military spouse hiring pipelines centered around verified skills.
    • Organizations offering skills validation and upskilling programs tailored to military job seekers.
    • Roles that emphasize flexibility and remote work opportunities—often a great fit for military spouses.
    • Job postings that seek skills rather than mandating a degree.

    Quick Tip: If you’re struggling to find companies that recognize military training or digital credentials, you’re not alone. Reverse your approach: research companies first, then explore their roles. Look for terms like “skills-based hiring” or “no degree required”, and check vetted sources like MSEP or Military.com’s top employer lists—these resources spotlight companies seeking talent like you.

    Take the Next Step Toward Your Civilian Career

    Your military background and the resilience you’ve built as a military spouse—has already equipped you for civilian success. Now you need to showcase your skills effectively.

    Your Action Plan:
    • Take inventory of your transferable skills and update your resume.
    • Apply to companies with veteran and military spouse hiring initiatives and connect with recruiters on LinkedIn.
    • Pursue validation of your skills through digital credentialing platforms to showcase them effectively in your job search efforts.
    • Boost your visibility using LinkedIn’s Open to Work feature and targeted networking.
    • Use digital credential wallets to securely share verified skills and training credentials with employers.

    Need extra support? Hire Heroes USA provides free one-on-one personalized support, professionally written resumes, skill validation opportunities, and targeted job search resources—all  tailored to veterans, transitioning service members,  and military spouses. Start today and take control of your career transition! 

    The research included in this report was made possible through funding by Walmart. The findings, conclusions, and recommendations presented in this report are those of Hire Heroes USA alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Walmart.

    Nicole Bearfield-Smith is a Client Learning Programs Specialist at Hire Heroes USA, dedicated to equipping transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses with career-focused skills. Explore her actionable insights through the “Leverage Skills for Career Advancement” Learning Plan in your MyTrak or register at www.hireheroesusa.org to be assigned a Transition Specialist and to gain MyTrak access.