Military jobs at J&J: 7 tips for transitioning service members

By Ebony H., Military Talent Sourcing Partner at Johnson & Johnson 

After 23 years with the U.S. Air Force, I transitioned to the private sector four years ago and joined J&J. 

Are there things I wish I’d known going in? Are there things I’ve learned along the way?

You bet.

Here are seven lessons from my experience to help you navigate your journey—or even join our team at J&J.  

1. Your experience is valuable, but you have to translate it.  

Wish I knew: Saying “NCOIC” or “Superintendent” won’t communicate the real weight of your responsibilities.

What I learned: “Managed operations and led cross-functional teams to achieve mission-aligned outcomes under pressure” opened doors. Same work. Different language.

(Check out J&J’s military skills translator for more hands-on help translating your military experience to employment opportunities in the private sector.)

2. Sharing your accomplishments isn’t bragging.  

Wish I knew: Humility is honorable, but silence hides impact.   

What I learned: In a corporate environment, communicating results is part of the role. You aren’t boasting. You’re providing clarity.  

3. Ask questions—clarity is currency.  

Wish I knew: I worried that asking questions might be interpreted as "she isn't prepared.” 

What I learned: Asking questions early not only aligns expectations but saves time and builds trust. It shows that you’re attuned to the strategy—not a sign of weakness. 

4. The pace is different—don’t fight it, learn it.  

Wish I knew: I expected decisions to move at the speed of “go.”  

What I learned: Collaboration and alignment matter a great deal in a large enterprise environment. So while your decisiveness is an asset, you’ll need to pair it with patience in order to be effective.  

5. Relationships can help move everything forward.  

Wish I knew: I believed performance alone would speak for itself.  

What I learned: People tend to support, elevate and advocate for who they know and trust. Your network is power.  

6. Your leadership doesn’t change, but your delivery evolves.  

Wish I knew: I didn’t need to change who I was.

What I learned: Leadership looks different in different rooms. Still leadership. Still you.

7. Take advantage of the resources available to you.   

Wish I knew: I didn’t have to figure everything out on my own.   

What I learned: There are programs and communities designed to support your transition at every step. Here are a few to consider exploring:  

• 50Strong
• American Corporate Partners (ACP) Mentorship
• FourBlock   
• Heroes MAKE America (HMA) 
• Hire Heroes USA (HHUSA) 
• Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) 
• MedTech Vets 
• Onward to Opportunity (O2O) 
• SkillBridge (for those still in uniform) 
• Veteran ERGs within your organization 
• Veteran LinkedIn and local networking groups   

Understand: These are groups offering support, strategy, structure—not charity. Use it. You deserve it.

Join J&J

As a military veteran, I appreciate everyone who raised their hand and served, and I hope this article can serve as a guide to those navigating their own transitions to private-sector employment.     

One final takeaway for military veterans from my move to J&J: The uniform may change, but the values that you bring to the mission don’t have to. 

Eager to make an impact? Explore jobs at J&J. Plus, sign up for our military-connected talent community if you want to stay in touch and find out about job opportunities as they become available.