Military Experience and a Caterpillar Career

At Caterpillar, we want you to have a rewarding career. After all, we know it’s most beneficial to the employee and the company when an employee enjoys the work he or she does. With the help of your supervisor and our career planning process, we’ll help you create a plan for professional growth and success.

From jobs building machines or supervising on the factory floor, to those of entry-level engineers or mid-level managers, or even all the way up to division directors or executive offices, Caterpillar has opportunities for individuals with all levels of military background. With opportunities in multiple functional areas, including operations, engineering, manufacturing, HR, marketing, logistics, finance and accounting, you’re sure to find a job you’re passionate about.

Caterpillar is a Fortune 50 company and the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For more than 85 years, Caterpillar has been an industry leader, forging a strong reputation for performance and financial strength in both good and challenging times.

Caterpillar leadership stems from its strong career development programs, growing worldwide presence and unmatched technological expertise. But truth be told, our values are what guide us everywhere we operate. Our values set us apart as corporate citizens and as individuals. And they are the cornerstones of our business success.

When you join Caterpillar, you join a team of 300,000 people around the world—employees, dealer employees and suppliers. We speak over 100 languages, serve customers in 18 distinct industries and share the passion of experiencing and driving positive change.

Caterpillar’s Culture

Caterpillar’s culture is focused on accountability and values – key concepts learned in any military training. Our strategy has a clear focus on being accountable, and rewarded, for actions and results.

And, Our Values in Action – Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork and Commitment – set a foundation for behavior throughout the organization. This foundation, coupled with an environment that applauds strong work ethic, makes Caterpillar an ideal fit for individuals with a military background.

Caterpillar Armed Forces Support Network–Employee Affinity Group

The Caterpillar Armed Forces Support Network is a corporate affinity group set up to attract military veterans to opportunities with Caterpillar, help transition to corporate life and support those employees who are called back to active duty. This group of employees has become an integral part of Caterpillar’s global recruiting strategy and represents Caterpillar at career fairs and outreach events to the military community.

Marketing Yourself for the Corporate Environment

Whether you are marketing yourself for a career at Caterpillar, or an opportunity with another corporate employer, there are many things you can do to help increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Build a Solid Resume

1. Make your case in 15-20 seconds. Your resume should shout, “I’m deserving of a closer look!” Have a concise, clear job objective that changes depending on the job you are applying for.

2. Remember who you are writing the resume for. Understand the needs of a prospective employer and then communicate how you can best meet those needs.

3. Resumes without achievements are like report cards without grades. Add individual accomplishments to make you stand out as a topnotch performer worthy of corporate recruitment.

4. Don’t assume a company can understand the military jargon in your resume. Don’t focus on your formal, DOD-approved job descriptions, but on the skills derived from each job with respect to the company and job opportunity at hand.

Prepare for the Interview

1. Make the most of your interview. The interview is not a “test” that you need to pass. It’s an opportunity for the hiring manager to get to know you, and for you to determine your interest in the position and the company.

2. Answer the interview questions using the STAR technique. This allows you to walk the interviewer though the situation, your actions and the results of the actions you took. (ST – Situation or Task, A – Actions you took or performed, R – Results of these actions).

3. Military Bearing: Interview Friend or Foe? To someone who hasn’t served, military bearing can often be judged incorrectly. While you may be exhibiting the highest level of respect for the interviewer; the interviewer may perceive this as being disrespectful, guarded, stoic, or as if you are hiding something. Avoid the “yes sir” and “no sir” after every statement, relax and be cognizant of who is interviewing you.

4. Stay away from military jargon. Translate your experience into civilian terms and adjust to the demeanor of the interviewer and/or the position.

Applying for a Job with Caterpillar

You can apply generally for a job at Caterpillar, or apply to one you find that seems to fit your interests and skill set. Available jobs are updated daily. If the job or location you desire is not immediately available, you are encouraged to set up your preferences to enable email notifications when a job with your specifications becomes available.

Cat^® Dealership Opportunities

Caterpillar’s extensive network of independently owned and operated dealerships also provide employment opportunities for all types of military personnel. Our dealers welcome individuals who have a passion for delivering excellence. Skill sets for service technicians and diesel mechanics are in high demand. To find more information about the many career opportunities available in the dealership network, contact your local Cat dealer for details or visit caterpillar.com/dealercareers.