There are no two ways about it: leaving the military for civilian life is a huge change - and when it comes to finding a new job, there’s so much to think about.
What type of job should you apply for? Do you have the necessary skills and experience? How do you even interview for a civilian job after so many years of being in the army? With so many unanswered questions, it’s no wonder that leaving the military is so daunting.
If you are unsure of your next steps after leaving the forces, defence contract jobs can be a fantastic way to adjust to life on civvy street whilst still using your military skills.
So, if you’re considering leaving the military and aren’t sure what to do next, read on to discover why defence jobs are the perfect choice for veterans and find out more about contracting jobs for veterans overseas with M&E Global…
5 reasons why defence contract jobs are ideal for veterans
1. You’ve got the skills
One of the biggest concerns for people leaving the military is whether their skills are transferable to civilian life. However, rest assured that the skills you have picked up in the military can be easily transferred to civilian employment.
In fact, when it comes to defence contract roles, your skill set could even give you the edge over other candidates! From exceptional communication skills to impeccable time management and a strong sense of self-discipline, the skills you will have honed in the military are highly sought after in the defence industry.
Plus, if you have experience working on military vehicles or aircraft, you’ll be in an even stronger position when it comes to your job search.
2. You can cope well under pressure
When you work in the defence industry, you’ll be working at the forefront of technology. As an aircraft mechanic, for example, you could be responsible for maintaining multi-million-pound systems on aeroplanes and helicopters, whilst HGV mechanics could find themselves working on tanks such as M1 tanks or Challengers.
Being accountable for such valuable pieces of equipment is a huge responsibility, so it’s essential that you can work under pressure. Luckily, your time in the military will have taught you how to cope in stressful situations - which means you will be able to face any challenges in your new role head on.
3. You work well in a team
Whether you’re working together with a team to ensure aircraft are fit to fly or are on the ground managing supply chains and logistics planning, when you work in the defence industry you need to be able to work well in a team.
Luckily, the army is all about teamwork! As such, your time in the military will have taught you how to work well in a group and independently, communicate with others, and both follow and give instructions - which means you are perfectly placed to pursue a successful and rewarding career in the defence industry!
4. You’ve experienced life overseas
Defence contract jobs will often see you based overseas, either in Europe or possibly further afield in the Middle East. It takes a certain type of person to be able to work abroad - which is another reason why defence jobs are the perfect choice for veterans.
For starters, some of the locations you could finding yourself working in might well be familiar to you, and because you will have lived and worked away from home before, you will find it much easier to adjust to life away from home - and enjoy the benefits of living and working abroad too!
5. You can work with like-minded people
As we said above, it takes a certain type of person to be able to live and work abroad - which is why when you undertake a defence contract role overseas, you will probably find yourself working with like-minded people.
With contracting jobs for veterans overseas being so appealing, you might even see some familiar faces! Not only that, but with M&E Global, most of our clients are military clients - so you’ll feel right at home from the second your contract begins!
Ready to find out more about ex-veteran roles with M&E Global?
At M&E, we are experts in defence recruitment – but we also have a wealth of experience working with ex-military personnel.
We understand the contribution and sacrifice that those in the Armed Forces make whilst serving and continue to do so once they leave the forces, which is why we are so proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant. What’s more, we have also been awarded a Bronze Award in the Employer Recognition Scheme too.
So, if you’re ready to make the move back to civvy street, have a look at the roles are currently working on here. Alternatively, if you have any further questions about transitioning out of the military, don’t miss this helpful FAQ blog.
