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In the next few years we are going to have thousands of military personnel returning to civilian life. A lot of them are going to be looking for work and a lot of them are going to have a hard time finding work. We spoke to a number of HR and hiring managers and asked them the problems they had with military getting civilian jobs. One of the common responses we received was the veterans’ use of military jargon. Employers are interested in former military people because to of the following: • Disciplined approach to work • Ability to work as a team • Respect and integrity • Leadership skills • Problem-solving skills • Ability to perform under pressure • Communication skills But then communications skills can be a problem if the ex-GI uses military jargon in the business world. Employers want the traits the military emphasizes but they don’t want to be reminded that they WERE military. This is especially true if two or more ex-military are working in the same department and start using military jargon when talking to each other. The office staff may not fully understand what is being said and will feel left out, eventually creating a communications gap between the military and non-military. Business is tough enough without adding another level of translation to the mix. Similar businesses in the same industry will have different terminology or acronyms adding to the confusion. Every company will have their own unique set of terms and acronyms based in the corporate culture. So it is important that military personnel transitioning to the business world eliminate their jargon when at work. This will improve the communications quality and help them to assimilate into the business of business quicker and more efficiently. Another area of concern voiced by the hiring managers and HR staff was the use of “Yes Sir” and “Yes ma'am.” One simple rule for ex military personnel: Don’t use “Yes Sir” or “Yes ma'am” unless you are addressing the top management of the company. It usually just makes people feel older than they are or in a position they should not be in. I know is will be difficult to change the way you have been talking, especially for the number of years you have been doing it. But business work is way different than military work so it is time to make the move and fit in with your new life! Jim Stedt is a partner at The Business SoftSkills Company (GetSoftSkillsNow.Com) located in Santa Ana, California. They provide job readiness and workforce success videos for education, business, prisons and individual use. Training is available online, on DVD, or through an affiliate program. These products are the most complete and concise soft skills training packages now available for the price of an average college textbook.
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Military Jargon, Communications, job readiness,
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