Or maybe they will tell you that they've already tried, and failed miserably.

This is the reality for many who are about to, or have already left, the British armed forces. It is a serious problem, but one which is being addressed.

Today, two top Scottish career counsellors will fly back to Britain after conducting an intensive training fortnight in Hongkong.

Consultants Mr Bruce Lindsay and Ms Lizbeth Johnstone have been giving army and navy personnel based in the territory clues on how to go about finding a job on Civvy Street.

Mr Lindsay said: ''Quite simply, the British armed forces are the best-trained workforce in the world.

''They are so highly skilled and have so many transferable skills.

''But they have been cocooned in an environment where they don't realise how good they are.

''It's our job to take them through the minefield of finding a job. We give them that one skill they haven't got - being able to market themselves in a competitive job environment.

''There is literally no job they can't do,'' he added.

The force's promise of a job for life disappeared in 1991, when the British Government announced the staggered reduction of 40,000 personnel down to 116,000 by 1995.

Under its Options For Change plan - implemented at the end of the Cold War - the British Ministry of Defence decided on a three-year annual reduction in Hongkong. The cuts have taken place across the board.

Officers and soldiers alike are shown how to reply to job adverts correctly, prepare a curriculum vitae, conduct themselves properly at interviews, and be comfortable in that high-pressure situation.

More than 100 personnel - ranging from senior officers to junior ranks - benefitted from the pair's expertise.

All were rusty in the department of applying for jobs. One staff sergeant last went for a job interview 24 years ago.

Ms Johnstone added: ''The problem they really have is one of language. For example, 'I'm a bomb disposal expert therefore I am unemployable'.

''We help them to identify their skills, experience and personal qualities and we look at what sort of jobs those can be transferred to.

Mr Lindsay, who was in the navy until 14 years ago, taught resettlement even then.

He added: ''I'm living proof that it works.

''We are in the attitude game. Success or failure depends on mental attitude more than mental capacity.'' The experts also argued that Britain's crippling recession would not reduce the chances of getting work in Britain.

Mr Lindsay said: ''The job market is not a disaster - it is more competitive.

''There will always be jobs in the worst recession.'' Prospective employers could rely on commitment, loyalty and integrity, from a former soldier or sailor.

''These are things you would be hard pushed to find in the outside world,''.