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Getting help from the government

is a free, government-backed scheme that offers veterans tailored pathways into meaningful careers that make the most out of the experience they have gained in the armed forces.

Specialist-trained employment advisers can introduce you to new career opportunities in high-demand sectors.

They can offer direct access to veteran-friendly employers and offer tips and advice on how to find the right job for you.

The service is completely free and you can register online.

Finding a job

You can search for jobs using the聽Find a job service.

In Northern Ireland, you can search for jobs on聽.

If you鈥檙e interested in a career in the Civil Service

The Civil Service offers the scheme.

When you enter the scheme, you鈥檒l progress to the next stage for most vacancies 鈥� whether that鈥檚 an interview or an online test.

The HM Prison and Probation service offers the scheme.

This is a scheme that offers career opportunities in the justice sector exclusively to veterans and their spouses or civil partners.

Find organisations that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant

Businesses and charitable organisations who wish to demonstrate their support for the armed forces community can sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

When doing so, they make a range of promises to set out their support, such as guaranteed interview schemes or flexible working practices for veterans.

You can search for businesses who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

Organisations that can help you find a job

There are a number of organisations that can help you find a job, including:

Royal British Legion Industries

Royal British Legion Industries delivers , a programme that provides courses and support to help you into employment

They run courses that include CV-development and learning interview skills, helping you build confidence and motivation to move forward into work.

The Forces Employment Charity

provides support, jobs and training opportunities to veterans, service leavers, reservists and their families.

The Poppy Factory

supports veterans with health conditions on their employment journey and helps them to overcome any barriers. The majority of veterans supported by the charity have a mental health condition.

Officers鈥� Association Scotland

The Officers鈥� Association Scotland provides lifelong employment support, ranging from bespoke advice and guidance, training, resources, an executive jobs board and networking opportunities to all officers and their families.

If you鈥檙e leaving or have recently left the armed forces

If you鈥檙e in your final 2 years of service or were discharged in the last 2 years, the聽聽can help you find work and settle into civilian life.

They offer expert advice, workshops, events, training courses and a searchable online jobs portal.

Find out about getting employment support when leaving the armed forces.

If you鈥檙e considering self-employment

If you鈥檙e considering self-employment, find out more about working for yourself.

Organisations that can help with self-employment

The Forces Employment Charity

can help you by providing advice on how to set up your own business.

X-Forces Enterprise

is a social enterprise that supports ex-service personnel and their families in starting their own business.

Writing your application

The skills you鈥檝e gained in the armed forces can help you stand out. Include your service experience in your application. Remember to reduce any military jargon and keep information relevant to the role.

You can find tips on writing and structuring your CV at .

聽recommends using the聽鈥機LEAR system鈥�. This stands for:

• customised
• laid out well
• error free
• accurate
• recent

By following these steps, you鈥檒l be better prepared when sending off your application.

Customised

Target your application to the organisation. Don鈥檛 send the same application to multiple employers. Instead, research the company and role you鈥檙e applying for. Remember they may be looking at many applications, so it鈥檚 essential to make sure you鈥檝e met their specified criteria.

Laid out well

Avoid anything that can distract from the key information. Keep your information brief by using short sentences or bullet points.

Error free

Employers will notice mistakes. It鈥檚 essential to make sure your application is free from errors.

Accurate

The details of your qualifications and employment must be true and accurate. Don鈥檛 be tempted to exaggerate your achievements.

Recent

Update your CV every time you change jobs or get a new qualification. This will make applications easier.

Preparing for interview

Good preparation is an important factor for a successful interview.

Consider these .

Transferring your skills

It鈥檚 likely you鈥檒l have learned a number of transferable skills during your armed forces career. These are often highly valued and sought after in the civilian job market. Examples include:

Communication skills

Strong communication skills are critical in conveying orders and articulating information clearly, effectively and persuasively.

Leadership skills

Using your armed forces leadership experience, you may be able to demonstrate an ability to:

• inspire
• influence
• motivate
• assess situations
• make decisions
• take risks
• determine goals
• achieve results through resourcefulness, creativity and teamwork

Analytical skills

If you have a strong analytical background, you may be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• evaluate data or research
• compile and interpret information
• apply logic, handle numbers and determine patterns

Organisational skills

Strong organisations skills will mean the ability to demonstrate:

• good time management
• the ability to prioritise, disseminate and record data and generate accurate reports
• the ability to manage resources, multi-task, administer, direct and coordinate

Technical skills

A strong technical background might mean you can demonstrate:

• good practical 鈥榢now-how鈥� and hands-on proficiency
• experience of specific equipment and machinery, software and hardware, chemical substances, techniques and procedures

Personal qualities

Your armed forces background will almost certainly mean you can demonstrate:

• integrity
• loyalty
• resilience
• character
• self-discipline and control (being punctual, reliable, responsible, structured, resourceful and mission-oriented, with a can-do attitude)

Interpersonal skills

Strong interpersonal skills may include the ability to:

• listen
• take orders
• cooperate
• supervise
• negotiate, guide and be part of a team