Top in-demand jobs for veterans in 2025

IT and technology were undoubtedly the most in-demand sectors of 2024, with healthcare, finance and renewable energy also industries seeing increased growth. In 2025, it is predicted cybersecurity, software development and operations and project management are the careers set to most in-demand this year. Lucky for you, veterans already possess the skills needed to excel in operations and project management. And your soft skills will give you a great headstart if you are looking to get into cybersecurity. And for cyber qualifications, look no further than SaluteMyJob.

Here we delve into some of the 2025 top jobs and how your skills are well-matched, making you a great candidate for these in-demand roles.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a booming industry which has seen rapid growth over the past few years. It is a broad industry, with a range of job roles, from cybersecurity analyst; to ‘ethical’ hacker (penetration testing); to threat intelligence. Cybersecurity is known for being a well-paid industry, with lucrative opportunities for networking and professional development. But, with the rapid expansion has become significant skills gaps. So, if you’re interested in cybersecurity, there’s no better time to upskill with our Pathways Programme.

We are very proud of our fully-funded Pathways Programme, which trains and provides the commercial experience for members of the Armed Forces Community – and now, former and current Police Officers to compete for demanding roles, within cybersecurity and AI. The programme is also supported by employers offering guidance, further training, work placement and employment opportunities. Find out and apply here.

Why are ex-military personnel well-suited to cybersecurity?

1. Security Mindset

Ex-military personnel have extensive military security and risk management training and experience. They have applied these skills in the most challenging situations and start their planning with security as the first priority, not an afterthought. With cyber warfare on the rise, there is also a growing number of individuals within the Armed Forces that have been specially trained in threat intelligence, risk management, compliance and cyber security, who are ready-trained to join the civilian cyber battlespace.

2. Adaptability

Military veterans are used to regularly adapting to different roles, new teams and different responsibilities. As a result, they are highly motivated, adaptable and quick to learn. They also know that, however through the planning, ‘no plan survives contact with the enemy’, so their flexibility in execution, and in a crisis, is a skill developed and tested in fast paced and ambiguous situations. Such breadth of experience is unrivalled and makes them highly employable in the commercial world.

3. Cross-Functional Soft Skills

Organisations that employ veterans report that they exhibit much needed cross-functional skills, notably team-working, motivating others, powers of communication, problem-solving, organisational skills and strategic thinking.

4. Teams Skills

Whether a team member or team leader, veterans offer proven team skills, with increasing responsibilities placed on them as they progress through the ranks. These skills, experience in managing risks, the ‘mission focussed’ ability to get things done are all key proficiencies that make ex-military personnel contributors and leaders you will want in your organisation.

5. Working under pressure

Front-line roles in cyber incident management need people who can be trusted to deal with high-pressure situations quickly and effectively. Ex-military personnel are accustomed to working in highly pressurised operational environments, and know how to act decisively and calmly, a skill gained from experience of working across geographies and diverse environments.

Project Management

Every patrol, training exercise or operation is a project, so project management is an ideal second career in civilian employment. Your acquired military skills and experience are easily transferable into civilian roles and a great-match to help employers overcome a significant skills shortage.

Why are ex-military personnel well-suited to project management?

Strategic leadership skills, getting stuff done, understanding and managing risks, often in challenging environments – are all key proficiencies many ex-military personnel possess and are highly sought-after in the project management profession. Other noteworthy skills and experience include:

Trained and experienced in the military ‘estimate and planning’ process
Relentless mission focus, results driven
Coordinating military activity is core to all military planning
Negotiating with stakeholders, often in the most challenging situations
Adaptability, flexibility and resourcefulness are instilled in the military mindset and key to success in civilian project management
Understanding and managing risk
Experience of military IT, construction, engineering and change projects
Well developed leadership skills
Willingness to take ownership
The ability to understand complex problems, develop practical solutions and implement them
Negotiation skills, often developed in high pressure situations
The ability to get things done
Stakeholder management
Team skills – building, leading, contributing
Calmness under pressure

What qualifications do you need?

We recommend qualifications such as PRINCE, APMP, Agile, CEng and ICE; as well as being proficient in the use of Project, Excel and standard software packages.

Operations Management

It is widely known that the military produces some of the best leaders – innovative, entrepreneurial and skilled at leading under pressure, problem solving and getting stuff done. No other organisation teaches discipline, management and operations and logistics like the Armed Forces. Civilian employers know that, and are increasingly keen to hire people into operations, project and logistics management roles.

Why are ex-military personnel well-suited to operations management?

In the Armed Forces, you learn how to become expert leaders, skilled at making quick decisions, giving concise orders, often in the most challenging situations. For these reasons (and many more, see below), Operations Management roles can prove to be an ideal fit for ex-military personnel who come ready-programmed with high standards and an inbuilt ability to multitask under pressure.

Leading and working in teams of operations specialists and developing individuals’ skills to a high level of competence and readiness.
Keeping ships, aircraft, vehicles, weapons and other equipment operational.
Training and developing subordinates of all ranks and bringing them up to a high state of operational readiness.
Preparing or modifying operational strategies and plans after identifying objectives and desired outcomes.
Motivating and leading subordinates to achieve objectives, often in difficult and dangerous conditions.
Allocating equipment, personnel and resources effectively to achieve clear objectives.
Communication effectively with all levels, both orally and in writing through briefings, operational reports and presentations.
Diagnosing and solving problems and crisis management.
Ops Room experience (a military Ops Room shares many similarities with a Cyber Security or Network Operations Centre)

The ability to get things done
Experience of working within and/or leading a team
Strong written and oral communication skills
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Flexibility and reliability
The ability to multitask, prioritise and get stuff done – to the highest professional standards
The ability to understand complex problems, develop practical solutions and implement them
Calmness under pressure
Adaptability and resourcefulness