profile

SkillBridge Navigators

Adjusting to a Civilian Work Environment

Published 2 months ago • 2 min read

​

Welcome to another week of military transition advice!

Getting into a civilian job can be so beneficial…. And so different.

You’ll get the opportunity to learn new skills, but certain parts may take some adjusting compared to military life.

It’s a shift, but you’ll do just fine with the right mindset.

Here’s two main things you can expect to be different -

🗣️ Communication Style
​In the military, communication is often very direct. Orders are given with clarity, and everyone knows their role in the chain of command.

However, in civilian work environments, communication tends to be more collaborative.

In the military, you receive orders from your CO with little back-and-forth, focusing purely on mission accomplishment. But in civilian workplaces, you’ll likely find that people ask for feedback, share ideas, and work together more openly to solve problems.

Instead of just “doing the task,” you’ll be encouraged to engage in discussions and contribute to brainstorming sessions.

Your voice and your input is valued, so speak up and get involved in the conversation!

📈Hierarchy and Feedback
​In the military, hierarchy is well-defined. Orders are clear, and there’s little ambiguity in who reports to whom.

However, the lines can be a bit blurred in the civilian world.

While the leadership structure is still important, civilian companies may have more fluid roles. For example, a colleague at the same level might approach you with a project suggestion or ask for your input.

At first, it might seem like a lack of structure, but it's a sign of trust and teamwork.

Feedback also works differently in civilian workplaces.

In the military, feedback often comes during formal evaluations or after big exercises, but in civilian jobs, feedback is more frequent and informal.

You might receive feedback in the middle of a project or through quick check-ins with your manager.

This could feel different from the traditional after-action reports in the military, but it’s an opportunity to show improvement in real-time.

Featured Jobs

📍 Austin, TX | Draper, UT - If developing your career in finances is interesting to you, he Senior Financial Analyst opportunity at eBay.com may be the perfect fit. They are looking for service members to be a pivotal part of their financial planning and forecasting team.

📍 Hudson, OH - Utilize your people skills through a corporate recruitment job at Leaf Home as you find talent for field roles in installation, sales, on-location marketers and more.

📍 Catskills, NY - Learn the ins and outs of running a small residential construction business as Production Foreman for The Basement Transformer. This role offers experience in leading a team, customer support, and project management.

That's all for this week! Remember, a lot may be different in the civilian work environment, but SkillBridge is the perfect opportunity to learn new skills and adjust.

You got this!

Kathy and Andrew
Career PCS

​
​

SkillBridge Navigators

Getting out of the military shouldn't be so hard

Get tips, strategies and resources for getting out along with the hottest SkillBridge postings.

Read more from SkillBridge Navigators

You’ve led teams. Managed complex operations. Made decisions under pressure. But if you’ve ever had a civilian recruiter glance blankly at your resume… you’re not alone. One of the biggest challenges in military transition is translation. Not of a different language, but of experience. But let’s be honest… it might as well be a different language sometimes. Someone who’s never served will almost never understand how “Specialized in helicopter movement and assault operations, ground assault...

6 days ago • 2 min read

Your military paycheck was steady. Healthcare was covered. BAH helped balance the budget. But what happens when that all changes? Of course, finances will look different post-transition. This can be exciting in many ways, but also takes adjusting and planning. SkillBridge is a great opportunity to do just that! It’s a chance to learn what you can AND take action before your separation so you are ahead of the game. Here’s how to use your time in SkillBridge to prepare your financial future: 1...

13 days ago • 2 min read

Some people think you need a tech background to break into a company like Salesforce. Not true! Just ask our friend Alexa. When she was transitioning out of the Navy as a SWO, Alexa was looking for a SkillBridge internship to help her develop her skillset for a civilian career. She was an English major and had some impressive degrees, but she would not have said tech was a major skill of hers (yet). But she landed a SkillBridge opportunity with Salesforce! Alexa had never even touched...

20 days ago • 2 min read