Veteran in crisis or worried about one? Call 988, then press 1. Text 838255. If there is immediate danger, call 911.
Vols4Vets

Jobs toolkit

Veteran job search starter kit.

Use official workforce and job center pages. Vols4Vets does not promise jobs, interviews or employer contact.

Back to all toolkits
Fast answer: Pick a target role, translate military experience into civilian language, and start with official workforce resources.

Who this is for

Veterans, service members and spouses preparing a resume, training plan or job search in Tennessee.

First three steps

  1. Choose one or two target job types.
  2. Translate military duties into plain civilian skills.
  3. Use official workforce pages and ask about veteran services.

Use this in 10 minutes

  • Pick one target job title and one backup job title.
  • Write three plain skills from your service or work history.
  • Open an official workforce page and find the closest job center or online starting point.
  • Save one job posting that looks realistic.

Use this in 30 minutes

  • Replace acronyms with plain language a civilian employer can understand.
  • Write "Led a team" instead of rank-heavy language when that is accurate.
  • Write "Managed equipment, schedules or safety checks" instead of acronyms only when that describes the work.
  • List training, certificates, licenses and schedule limits.

Call script

Hi, my name is ____. I am a veteran/service member/spouse looking for job or training help in ____ County. Do you have veteran workforce services? Do I need an appointment? What should I bring for resume or training help?

What to write down

  • Date and time called.
  • Person or office name.
  • Appointment time.
  • Documents requested.
  • Next training or application deadline.
  • Website or job posting to review.

If the first office cannot help

Ask: Which official office handles this? Is there a county, state or workforce office I should call next? Is there an official program for veterans, spouses or training?

What to gather

Resume, work history, MOS/AFSC/rate, certificates, training records, education history, target job list and schedule needs.

What not to send to Vols4Vets

Do not send Social Security numbers, claim numbers, DD214s, medical records, legal papers, passwords or private case details to Vols4Vets.

Official starting points

TN American Job Center finderOfficial local workforce finder.TN Virtual AJC veterans programOfficial veteran workforce program page.Jobs4TNOfficial Tennessee jobs portal.USAJOBS veterans hiring informationFederal hiring starting point.

What happens after this link

  • You may leave Vols4Vets.
  • The official site may ask for private information.
  • Only enter private records on official secure sites or with verified accredited help.
  • Write down confirmation numbers.
  • Save copies of what you submit.
  • Come back to Vols4Vets if you need the next starting point.

Common mistakes

  • Using military acronyms without explaining duties.
  • Applying everywhere without a target role.
  • Believing any site can promise a job or interview.
  • Leaving out civilian words for leadership, logistics, safety, training, maintenance or customer service.

Print checklist

Print this checklist and mark the target roles, skills and documents you have ready.

Related Vols4Vets pages

veteran job help, American Job Center guide, jobs and training resources.

Source note

Source note: Start with the official links on this page. Rules, hours, forms and eligibility can change.

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026.