Networking Tips For a Successful Military to Civilian Career Transition

Veteran-specific organizations like Hiring Our Heroes, American Corporate Partners (ACP), and Student Veterans of America provide structured support tailored to the needs of transitioning military personnel. These organizations offer mentorship programs, leadership development opportunities, and industry-specific networking events.

As Stan Hawkins, Director of Bellevue University’s Government and Military Operations, noted, “Organizations like ACP and MilMentor have great online tools for connecting with professionals in your desired field. They take your profile, your goals, and pair you with someone who’s already walked the path you’re on.”

At Bellevue, our partnerships and on-campus collaborations also include groups like the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Network (VRSI) and the Veteran Resource Network (VRN) that have a proven track record of helping veterans identify their next chapter. Veteran-founded VRSI offers training and support services across six states, including Nebraska, while the VRN helps veterans transition from military to civilian life by helping them receive the veterans’ benefits that are due to them, by helping them find work, and by connecting vets to other vets who have successfully transitioned.

LinkedIn is a powerful resource for transitioning service members, but it’s important to use it wisely. Our experts recommend:

• Keeping your LinkedIn profile aligned with your resume.
• Highlighting your military skills and security clearances.
• Using terms like “open to work” as well as “transitioning veteran” to increase visibility on LinkedIn, especially.
• Fine-tuning your headline to include more details; instead of “Military Veteran,” it could be “Military Logistician Seeking Supply Chain Management Opportunities” or “Senior Operations Specialist | Transitioning Army Veteran Leveraging Leadership & Logistics Expertise – Open to Supply Chain Roles”
• Following companies that you’re interested in and connecting with their veteran employees or alumni from your university.

Translating military experience into civilian job duties could look something like this:

• “Completed multiple deployments in high-stress environments” becomes → “Excelled in dynamic, fast-paced environments requiring strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.”
• “Led a 12-person team responsible for maintaining equipment valued at $5 million” becomes → “Managed and led a 12-member high-performing team, ensuring efficient operations and maintenance of technical equipment valued at $5 million.“

“Networking isn’t just working a room,” JR Richardson, Director of the Military Veteran Services Center, explained. “It’s doing the research. I recommend that you look at someone’s profile, see what they’ve written or shared. Then, when you reach out, you have a point of connection that’s deeper than small talk.”

One of the most effective – and underrated – networking tools is the informational interview. These are brief conversations with people in your field of interest; they’re not job interviews, but face-to-face opportunities to learn and build relationships.

Richardson, who served as a senior recruiter in the Air Force for 25 years, shared that many of these connections happen organically at Bellevue: “If we know someone at Liberty Mutual or Principal Financial, we’ll make that connection. You never know when it might lead to a foot in the door.”

He advises that military members who are transitioning come to informational interviews and job interviews prepared with questions, do their homework on the company, and always follow up with a thank-you note.

Use this checklist as you identify individuals you’d like to connect with and learn more about their role and/or company.

• Be clear and polite in your message. Mention how you found them and why you’d like to talk.
• Come prepared with a few thoughtful questions.
• Don’t ask for a job. Ask for insight.
• Follow up with a thank-you email and, if appropriate, connect on LinkedIn.

Not sure what to ask? Try:

• What does a typical day look like in your role?
• How did you get started in this field?
• What advice would you give someone entering this industry?

Volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s about showing up. It’s a way to stay active in your community, develop new skills, and meet people who may be valuable contacts.

Richardson offered the example of a veteran who was working as a truck driver but seeking to make a career move. The MVSC team gave the vet the chance to work as a volunteer on marketing projects at the center in order to develop his graphic design skills. “It wasn’t formal, but it gave him the opportunity to grow and it gave us a chance to invest in him,” he said.

Bellevue University’s annual backpack drive for veterans experiencing homelessness is a good example, Richardson said, of a cause that brings together active duty personnel, veterans, and members of the business community.

Volunteer efforts should always be authentic. “If your motivation is something other than giving back, it will come across that you’re not there to give back,” said Hawkins, who served as an intelligence analyst for the Air Force for 20 years. “The right activity is one where a person wants to give back to a population that is important to them.”

Mentorship plays a critical role in career advancement. Staff at the Bellevue Military Veteran Services Center have matched transitioning veterans with senior military officers, industry professionals, and even peers who are a few steps ahead in their careers. The MVSC previously hosted a formal program, but staff found that informal mentorship is equally effective.

The key is finding someone who’s been where you want to go and being open to learning. Hawkins suggested that veterans also look at existing military groups like the Air Force Sergeants Association and the Military Officers Association of America, both of which have offices at Bellevue’s Military Veteran Services Center, as a place to find mentors.

It’s important to diversify your network. As Russ Lane, Vice President of Government and Military Affairs, pointed out, “Make sure you have a broad array of people, with different types of skills and in different types of career fields.”

For more tips to expand your network, check out this article with 8 tips to upscale your networking game.

Joining professional associations, even if you’re not currently in that role, can be a smart move. Richardson recalled joining the National Contracting Managers Association when he was working in government contracting sales. “Most members were buyers. I was one of the few salespeople there, and I was able to talk to other members and get insight into what my customers wanted.”

And remember, the process of adding connections doesn’t end when you secure a desired role. “You’re always adding to your network,” said Lane, who spent six years in the U.S. Army and another four in the U.S. Army Reserves. “Leaning into connections can help make that next introduction for you.”

Transitioning can be stressful in a way that military personnel aren’t familiar with. Instead of a clear-cut mission, the transition process may involve challenging unknowns like waiting for information or not knowing what step to take next.

But Hawkins emphasized that those who are seeking new careers or looking to advance in their current roles should keep up the routines that served them well when they were in the service, whether that’s regular exercise, journaling, or staying connected with their support system.

“Maintain your wellness and balance during the process. If you worked out three times a week in uniform, do it now. Keep your routine,” Hawkins explained.

For those who are starting to look for their path in a post-military life, sometimes the missing piece is education. Whether it’s a certificate, a degree, or a new credential, education can open doors that networking alone can’t.

Lane said, “That sometimes learning a new skill is the missing piece.”

Bellevue University offers dozens of certificates of completion in areas ranging from cybersecurity to accounting technology to HR management and more. Plus, the University offers a military preferred tuition rate of $250 per credit hour for military personnel and spouses, whether they are pursuing certificates or full degree programs.

Whether they transitioned out of the military decades ago or more recently, every member of Bellevue’s MVSC team has navigated the journey to civilian life after service in the U.S. Armed Forces. They’ve asked for help and they’ve paid it forward.

Find more networking tips to grow your career.

According to Lane, you don’t always know what life has in store. “You just have to do the right thing,” he said, explaining that even when there are multiple choices, those in the military know how to make good choices based on the information they have at hand.

The best advice he has for those who are transitioning out of the military? Start now. Reach out. Show up. And stay open to opportunity. Because your next mission might begin with a conversation.