Finding an ex-military job after leaving the armed forces
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-25)

Find out about employment support and ex-forces career opportunities for veterans, including jobs, education, training and self-employment advice.

Getting help from the government

Op ASCEND (https://careersafterservice.campaign.gov.uk/) 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.

Register with Op ASCEND (https://careersafterservice.campaign.gov.uk/)

Finding a job

You can search for jobs using the Find a job service (https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch).

In Northern Ireland, you can search for jobs on JobApplyNI (https://www.jobapplyni.com/).

If you’re interested in a career in the Civil Service

The Civil Service offers the Great Place to Work for Veterans (https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/great-place-to-work-for-veterans/) scheme.

When you enter the scheme, you’ll progress to the next stage for most vacancies – whether that’s an interview or an online test.

Great Place to Work for Veterans (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tehazT5s90g)

The HM Prison and Probation service offers the Advance into Justice (https://prisonandprobationjobs.gov.uk/roles-at-hmpps/jobs-for-veterans/) 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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/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 LifeWorks (https://wearelifeworks.org.uk/), 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.

Royal British Legion Industries Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) Website: RBLI LifeWorks (https://wearelifeworks.org.uk/)

The Forces Employment Charity

The Forces Employment Charity (https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/) provides support, jobs and training opportunities to veterans, service leavers, reservists and their families.

The Forces Employment Charity Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) Website: Forces Employment Charity (https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/)

The Poppy Factory

The Poppy Factory (https://www.poppyfactory.org/) 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.

The Poppy Factory Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) Website: The Poppy Factory (https://www.poppyfactory.org/)

Officers’ Association Scotland

The Officers’ 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.

Officers’ Association Scotland Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) Website: Officers’ Association Scotland (https://www.oascotland.org.uk/)

Find more organisations

To search and filter support organisations by topic and location, visit the GOV.UK directory for veteran support.

Search veteran support directory (https://www.gov.uk/support-for-veterans)

If you’re leaving or have recently left the armed forces

If you’re in your final 2 years of service or were discharged in the last 2 years, the Career Transition Partnership (https://www.modctp.co.uk/home) 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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-employment-support-when-leaving-the-armed-forces).

If you’re considering self-employment

If you’re considering self-employment, find out more about working for yourself (https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself).

Organisations that can help with self-employment

The Forces Employment Charity

The Forces Employment Charity (https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/) can help you by providing advice on how to set up your own business.

The Forces Employment Charity Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) Website: Forces Employment Charity (https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/)

X-Forces Enterprise

X-Forces Enterprise (https://www.x-forces.com/) is a social enterprise that supports ex-service personnel and their families in starting their own business.

X-Forces Enterprise Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) Website: X-Forces Enterprise (https://www.x-forces.com/)

Find more organisations

To search and filter support organisations by topic and location, visit the GOV.UK directory for veteran support.

Search veteran support directory (https://www.gov.uk/support-for-veterans)

Writing your application

The skills you’ve 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 How to write a CV (https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/cv-sections).

The Career Transition Partnership (https://www.modctp.co.uk/home) recommends using the ’CLEAR system’. This stands for:
- customised
- laid out well
- error free
- accurate
- recent
By following these steps, you’ll be better prepared when sending off your application.

Customised

Target your application to the organisation. Don’t send the same application to multiple employers. Instead, research the company and role you’re applying for. Remember they may be looking at many applications, so it’s essential to make sure you’ve 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’s essential to make sure your application is free from errors.

Accurate

The details of your qualifications and employment must be true and accurate. Don’t 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 interview tips (https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/interview-advice).

Transferring your skills

It’s likely you’ll 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 ‘know-how’ 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