Veterans Do This When Re-Entering the Workforce. We All Need to Try It.

By Vicki Salemi

Maybe you're a stay-at-home mom looking to reboot your career, maybe you're returning to employment after completing your Ph.D. or maybe you're among the thousands of veterans returning home every year. When it comes to connecting the dots from your former skills and experiences to the ones you're pursuing currently, there are several ways to build your confidence with a meaningful story to convince prospective employers your background isn't only relevant, it's an asset to the potential role and organization.

According to Dorie Clark, author of "Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future," the most important step involves creating your narrative so you can explain your past and how it adds value to the new role you're aiming for. "Your past experiences – whether it's dismantling explosives for the army or caring for preschoolers – have taught you powerful lessons, from keeping cool under pressure to time management," she says.