LinkedIn’s Most In-Demand Skills of 2024 – Translated for Veterans

Arielle is a United States Air Force (USAF) veteran making an impact in the life sciences. She translates LinkedIn’s most in-demand skills for 2024 to veterans; showcasing their incredible aptitude for not only the life sciences but whatever industry they choose to transition to.

By Arielle Garcia | March 7, 2024

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After coming across the data insights from LinkedIn’s Talent Blog The Most In-Demand Skills for 2024 by Dan Brodnitz, I immediately thought how useful it could be to highlight how veterans inherently have these in-demand skills.

In today’s rapidly evolving talent market, veterans are challenged with translating their military performance reports into resumes formatted for civilian industries. There is not always a one-for-one direct translation for the talent and skills learned from military service.

This article provides a guide to help veterans highlight the soft skills accumulated in the military, as well as, insights for talent managers when working with veteran job seekers.

Let’s dive into how the on-demand skills can be used on resumes to highlight the invaluable expertise of veterans and their potential to excel in the civilian workforce. 

In-Demand Skills for 2024

1. Communication

Military members must effectively communicate with team members, subordinates, superiors, and external stakeholders. This includes verbal communication in briefings, written communication in reports and emails, and possibly even non-verbal communication in tactical situations.

2. Customer Service

While not always framed as “customer service,” military members often engage with civilians, local populations, or allies in diplomatic and support roles. This involves understanding their needs, providing assistance, and fostering positive relationships.

3. Leadership

Military members inherently evoke leadership, whether as a formal leader of a unit or team or through informal leadership by setting an example and guiding others. Leadership skills are crucial for mission success and the well-being of personnel.

4. Project Management

Military operations often involve complex projects with multiple moving parts. Military leaders, enlisted and commissioned, must effectively plan, coordinate, and execute missions, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and objectives are met in a timely manner.

5. Management

In a military context, management involves overseeing personnel, equipment, and resources to accomplish missions. This includes setting goals, providing direction, and ensuring tasks are completed effectively and efficiently.

6. Analytics

Analytical skills are vital in the military for assessing situations and making strategic decisions. Military members are trained to interpret data, assess risks, and adjust plans accordingly.

7. Teamwork

Military operations rely heavily on teamwork and collaboration. Military members must work cohesively within their units and with other branches of the military or allied forces to achieve common objectives.

8. Sales

While not framed as “sales,” military members often engage in diplomatic or public relations efforts to build relationships and gain support from local populations or international partners.

9. Problem-solving

Military members frequently encounter challenging and unpredictable situations that require quick thinking and creative problem-solving to overcome obstacles and achieve mission success.

10. Research

Military members engage in various forms of research to gather intelligence, assess threats, and develop strategies. This involves utilizing advanced technologies and collaborating with internal and external organizations to stay ahead of adversaries.

Top Skill of the Moment

Adaptability

At the forefront of these skills lies adaptability, a trait crucial not only for the military but also for success in today’s dynamic and ever-changing life science industry. Military service inherently involves exposure to a wide range of roles, responsibilities, and scenarios. From combat operations to humanitarian aid missions, military members must be versatile and adaptable, ready to perform different tasks and roles as required by the mission at hand. By nature, veterans are dynamic and remain adaptable, which showcases their capability to thrive in various industries.

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Arielle Garcia was born in Honolulu, HI, and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Following her father’s footsteps, she enlisted in the military after high school. She began her career in 2009 as an Airman in the United States Air Force (USAF). Arielle spent her days working, her evenings taking college courses, and her free time volunteering. Through determination, grit, and recognition from her leadership, Arielle received the Scholarship for Outstanding Airman to ROTC (SOAR) in 2011. She was then released from active duty to attend the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with a Communications major and a Computer Science minor.

After graduating, Arielle re-entered the USAF in 2014 as a commissioned Cyberspace Officer and remained for five years until she decided to separate in 2019. Although her time in the military was nothing short of incredible, she wanted to pursue a career that focused on improving human health. Arielle then moved to San Diego, CA, where she attended the University of San Diego. She continued her studies through the pandemic shutdown and earned a Master of Science in Health Care Informatics in 2022.

As a true philomath, Arielle continued her academic journey in the fall of 2022 with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), pursuing a Master of Science in Bioinformatics. Learn more about her in our 5 Questions With and be sure to connect with her on LinkedIn if you want to buzz.