AFRC offers effective writing resume course

  • Published
  • By Zachary Hada
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  For military members and their families transitioning into the civilian workforce, life after the military can be full of unanswered questions and insecurities about what the future holds.

This is where the 28th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center steps in, playing a large role in helping Airmen transition out of active duty military and even offering courses to aid them in what can sometimes be a challenging process.

One of these courses is the Civilian Resume Writing workshop, held once a month in the Airman and Family Readiness Center for anyone looking to improve their job prospects.

Jeff Hollinshead, 28th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness technician, said the resume workshop is an extension of the Transition Goal, Plan, Success program. It is designed to help improve people's resumes with the aid of professionals from the local area who look at resumes every day and volunteer to share their expertise with those planning to separate from the military.

"The only way to improve a resume is to have extra eyes on it, and if you can have expert eyes who hire off of resumes all the time, it's that much better," Hollinshead said.

The course is open to spouses, dependents, active duty members and civilian service members-basically anyone who is looking to improve their resume.

Unfortunately, one of the highest unemployment rates comes from separated veterans from any of the military branches between the ages of 18 to 25.

Some of the problems people face when putting together a resume is showing confidence and communicating attained skills in a way that civilian employers can understand, said Hollinshead. 

"We gain skill sets in the military that civilian employers look for. We have to become comfortable in translating our skills," said Hollinshead. "During this course people will get help with that translation and when it comes to writing resumes no one can tell your story like you can." 

Hollinshead added that he likes the opportunity to work with both the veterans and dependents from the base, as well as the downtown employers.

"It's an awesome opportunity for networking for those who are interested in staying in the area, but even better its giving to those here at Ellsworth," Hollinshead said. "It's rewarding to know that some of these military members who have served our country are now going to have an opportunity to be very successful as they transition back to the civilian world."

Master Sgt. John Nickel, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron quality assurance inspector, who is looking to retire in the next year, attended the class to prepare for his transition to the civilian life.

Nickel said this course provided him with valuable information that will help him show employers his qualifications against his civilian counterparts.

"We've done great job training these individuals to do the military job," Hollinshead said. "Now we need to do a great job of training them back [into] the civilian [sector] and continue to be successful, just as successful as they were in the military."

Hollinshead added that the most important thing anyone should take away from the workshop is that a resume is a growing piece of art - it is never finalized. Individuals are encouraged to continue to improve on resumes like any other written work.

"We'll continue to do this class to take care of our people, and we're really proud to offer these courses for free," Hollinshead said.