Jeremy Karr spent 20 years in the U.S. Army before transitioning into civilian recruiting. He’s now a career adviser at VetJobs, where he works one-on-one with more than 400 veterans, military spouses, and caregivers to help them find their next role. (Note: MyComputerCareer is the first college to partner with VetJobs and Military Spouse Jobs.)
Jeremy joined Get Into IT Live to break down what separates candidates who get hired from candidates who keep applying. His advice works whether you’re a veteran navigating the military-to-civilian jump or a career changer stepping into IT for the first time.
What do employers want from someone without direct experience?
Jeremy was clear: employers can teach you their systems. They can’t teach you how to show up to the interview.
When it comes to career changers and entry-level candidates, Jeremy said employers aren’t looking for a perfect match. “They’re more focused on the transferable skills, the learning mindset, the initiative, the track record of success that suggests they can do the job well.”
But you have to do your homework first. If you’re pivoting into IT or cybersecurity, you can’t just start submitting applications tomorrow. Jeremy said you need to understand the field, research what employers look for, and take steps to become competitive. That might mean pursuing a relevant credential like Security+ before you start applying.
What resume mistakes do you see over and over?
Jeremy has reviewed thousands of resumes. The biggest issue: candidates treat the job search like an application process instead of a marketing process.
Too many people take a shotgun approach, applying to everything and hoping something lands. Jeremy’s advice? Pick two or three specific career paths and build your resume around them.
Other common problems include listing duties instead of measurable accomplishments, using jargon or acronyms hiring managers won’t understand, and relying only on online applications without any networking. “The most successful candidates we see clearly communicate how their experience solves an employer’s problems,” he said.
Should you use AI to build your resume?
Jeremy didn’t dismiss AI, but he drew a sharp line.
“Use AI as a tool to help guide you instead of a tool that’s going to help craft a product for you,” he said. When every candidate runs their materials through the same AI tools, everyone starts looking identical on paper. The differentiator isn’t the document.
“AI can’t generate relationships, credibility, communication skills, adaptability, initiative, and the ability to clearly articulate how your experience solves that employer’s problem,” Jeremy said. “Your resume gets you considered. But your story, your reputation, and your personal connections are what’s going to get you hired.”
What’s your top interview tip?
Don’t walk the interviewer through your resume top to bottom. Connect the dots for them.
“Tell them the story of how you created value in the things that you did,” Jeremy said. Look at the job description before you walk in, identify where your experience lines up, and make that connection before they have to dig for it.
Is networking still worth the effort?
Yes. Jeremy was direct about it. For career changers especially, conversations with people in the industry and in the roles you want to do provide insight far beyond a job description. You learn the day-to-day functions, pick up the language of a new industry, and walk into interviews with a level of preparation that stands out.
The bottom line
Jeremy closed with one piece of advice: “Don’t let a career transition convince you that you’re starting over. You’re not. You’re building on everything you’ve already accomplished.”
The challenge is learning how to translate that experience into language employers understand. And if you don’t know how to do that on your own, Jeremy said, find someone who can help.
Watch the full conversation on Get Into IT Live.
Ready to build the credentials employers are hiring for? Learn more about MyComputerCareer’s IT training programs.