How SkillBridge Helped a U.S. Army Veteran Launch His Civilian Career

When Moses Toliver began planning his transition from the U.S. Army to civilian life, he knew one thing for certain- he could ace an interview. After Years as a recruiter had sharpened his communication skills and confidence to excel in the hot seat. The real challenge? Getting an interview in the first place!

“My number one priority was to have a job lined up before I signed out of active duty. The question became,’What do I have to do to get there?’”
— Moses Toliver

That question led him to a position as a Candidate Success Representative through RecruitMilitary’s DoD SkillBridge internship program, a decision that would transform not just his job search, but his perspective on the entire transition process.

What Is the DoD SkillBridge Program?

The Department of Defense SkillBridge program allows service members in their final 180 days of active duty to gain hands-on civilian work experience. Through partnerships with trusted organizations like RecruitMilitary, participants receive real-world training, networking opportunities, and professional development support- all while still on active duty.

A Crash Course in Civilian Hiring

Moses wasn’t starting from scratch. He has a background in marketing and a strong education. However, the private sector hiring process has changed dramatically since the last time he looked for a job.

Through RecruitMilitary’s workshops, one-on-one coaching, and SkillBridge mentorship, he learned how to:

• Translate military experience into civilian terms
• Build a professional LinkedIn profile
• Approach employers with confidence and focus

“RecruitMilitary provides the tools to pick your own destiny. You can’t place a value on that after years of having little choice over your career path.”

The Long Game Pays Off

Moses started the DoD SkillBridge program in March, but it wasn’t until May that he felt ready to start applying for jobs. In the meantime, some members of his cohort had already announced job offers, which made him question his approach.

“I was getting nervous. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong.”

But in the final weeks of the program, things shifted. “I started getting two, three, sometimes five interviews a week. That’s when I knew I was on the right track.”

His patience paid off. Soon, those interviews became second and third rounds, and eventually, multiple offers.

Beyond the Job Offer

Today, Moses is the Supervisor of Marketing and Community Outreach at Newport News Public School District. He credits his time in RecruitMilitary’s DoD SkillBridge program with preparing him to land the role.

From resume resources to connections to knowledge of the job market and networking, Moses took advantage of everything RecruitMilitary has to offer. In addition to the expertise and assistance he received, he also gained assurance that he would succeed in his goals.

“I knew I wanted to pursue a marketing or talent acquisition role. My time at RecruitMilitary gave me the confidence to go after those roles and know I had a real shot at landing one.”

Advice for Fellow Veterans

Moses now encourages other transitioning service members to:

• Focus on the industry you want, not just a specific employer.
• Use your available resources fully – and be patient with results.
• Temper expectations, but stay committed to getting to the interview stage.

“Hang in there – you’re not doing it wrong. You just have to keep moving.”

A Different Kind of Basic Training

Moses draws a powerful parallel between military onboarding and civilian career preparation:

“It takes six months to turn a citizen into a soldier. Without programs like this, you get one week of TAP and then they tell you, ‘Go out there and do great things.’ This program gives you months to ask yourself: ‘Who are you beyond the uniform? What value can you bring to another organization?’”

Those months, he says, were invaluable. They gave him clarity, confidence, and ultimately, the power to choose his next mission.

“Once I had my story down, a solid resume, and the right connections, I realized the job market isn’t as treacherous as I thought. I can do this.”

Start Your SkillBridge Journey

Whether you’re just beginning your military-to-civilian transition or ready to explore your next career move, RecruitMilitary can help you succeed.