Should Rank be on a Resume?

CPT Steven Cunningham — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 13:04:57 -0500

A young soldier showed me a resume mostly done be a professional. It did not list her rank. She told me the professional said it is best not to include rank. Comments?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2023 1:11 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 13:11:37 -0500

I've never included my rank on a resume. I've been asked what my rank is/was during interviews, but never put it on the paper

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Feb 3 at 2023 2:03 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 14:03:08 -0500

In general, I'd leave it off, but it really depends on where the resume is being sent. If it's used to apply for a job at a defense-related company, or a government agency, that might be relevant info. I'd say add it when relevant, and remove it when not relevant. Most people likely (or should) shape their resume to the job, rather than having a one-size-fits-all resume.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Feb 3 at 2023 2:07 PM

CSM William Everroad — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 14:07:28 -0500

CPT Steven Cunningham, in my experience, it is best to leave them off. Unless they are a SGM/CSM or COL or above, and even then the usefulness can be debated.

Not many civilian hiring managers know the differences between the ranks or even between commissioned/noncommissioned. They are "aware" of "Private", "Sergeant", "Lieutenant", "Captain", and "Colonel". Adding the rank for anyone uninitiated can be confusing and subjects the resume to unconscious bias. For example, some hiring managers may dismiss qualifications that indicates the rank was "Private" because they may equate it to "general labor". The same happens even if you run into the hiring manager that knows or has prior service, for example valuing an LT's qualifications over a Staff Sergeant.

The resume should be a straightforward listing of positions held, responsibilities, and experienced gained. Anything that does not add to that, takes away.

Response by COL Randall C. made Feb 3 at 2023 2:10 PM

COL Randall C. — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 14:10:03 -0500

Agree with LTC Kevin B. . In fact, almost all of the resume writing courses when you're transitioning out of the military will tell you to "demilitarize" your resume. Highlight your military experience - yes, but put it in terms that non-military will understand.

The number of people that understand what "SGT so-and-so" means are a LOT fewer than those that do.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2023 3:54 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:54:43 -0500

CPT Steven Cunningham Since many/most HR folks don't know how rank relates to responsibility and accountability in the military world, it seems best to relate the job functions in quantifiable terms. "Managed or supervised N personnel and was responsible for a budget of $$$ over a period of time.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 3 at 2023 4:06 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 16:06:51 -0500

Resumes are meant to be flexible, sone information may be better for one position over another, therefore shifting space ina page to highlight more relevant info is important. Rank would only come to play when applying for positions that are for example witha military contracting company. When not, even the duty position should be re-written to reflect a more relevant parameter; a Captain (0-3) could replace Company Commander with mid level manager overseeing the budget, operations, training and management of an organization with 110 employees.

Anyway, there are many ways to accurately represent our roles in the military as associated with the private and public sector.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2023 4:21 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 16:21:34 -0500

Unless you are targeting your resume for a dual status job or one where you know the organization is super military oriented it should not be on there.

Response by CPT Steven Cunningham made Feb 4 at 2023 10:56 AM

CPT Steven Cunningham — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 10:56:59 -0500

Thank you all. I would have thought otherwise, but I will accede to the group's wisdom. I think in the last 50 years I have used a resume twice. I was lucky and usually was recruited for positions.

Steve