From Military to the Private Sector:

Making the transition from the military to the private sector can have lots of hurdles. In some cases, the biggest challenge isn't getting the job; it's succeeding in your new career. Those who have successfully made the transition have learned to navigate the unchartered waters of corporate life with these soft skills:

1. The art of negotiation. "In the private sector, there is a lot more flexibility than in the military. Many of us are not prepared to negotiate," says Lynda Davis, Ph.D., senior vice president at ICFI and advisory council member of Joining Forces for Women Veterans. Whether you are discussing salary and benefits or working on a project, you'll find the need to negotiate to get what you want. The first step in a successful negotiation is to have a clear vision of your desired outcome. Then, do your research to see why it makes sense. If it's salary-related, check out salary calculators for similar positions. Talk with family members, your mentor or the VA to see if they have salary comps. Think about the other person and emphasize how they will benefit. Be ready to offer alternatives that will help you achieve your desired result.

2. Be aware of unwritten rules. "There are unwritten rules in a corporate environment and the private workforce. You need to know what the rules are for advancement," notes Davis. Having open conversations with your supervisors, HR and other colleagues will help you learn about the company culture and practices. You can start learning even in the interview by asking, "What does it take to get ahead in the company?" Once hired, seek out a mentor who can give you guidance. Meet regularly with your supervisor to ask for feedback, both positive and negative.

3. Gain supervising savvy. Building respect and trust with employees may be different on the job than in the military. While rank is important, successful supervisors earn employees' respect and trust by respecting and trusting them first. Learn to delegate responsibilities. Guide employees, but give them autonomy and empower them to perform on their own. Help employees see the bigger picture. Provide on-going feedback and encourage employees to develop new skills. Be accessible to employees by keeping an open-door policy. Respect employees' privacy and keep sensitive information confidential.  

4. Think outside the box. This requires approaching problems in new and innovative ways. Looking at things from different perspectives opens the mind to new thinking. Turn a problem or product upside down. Think backwards, starting with an end goal and work back through the steps needed to attain the outcome. Bring in experts from other areas that have fresh perspectives. Draw a picture to engage the right side of your brain to break your logical left-brain's hold on a problem. Visualizing engages other modes of thinking and can help you think more creatively. Bring small toys, like squishy balls or Play-Doh, to a meeting to relieve tension and engage the senses. Sit on the other side of your desk or at a table when problem solving. Hold meetings in new venues, beyond the traditional four beige walls, to instill more open-minded thinking.

5. Embrace teamwork. Whether leading a project team or a military mission, it's critical that all team members clearly understand the goals. In the military, roles and responsibilities may be clear. With cross-functional corporate teams, you'll need to provide clarity of roles and responsibilities. For teams to be successful, you may need to seek consensus through group discussions and gain commitment of all team members for a decision or direction on the project. Ensure lines of communication are open and keep everyone informed of progress and potential roadblocks.