How do I best prepare for a post military job interview?

2015-02-09T19:28:07-05:00

I am getting myself prepared for an interview in a few days. It is potentially my first "real job" since being discharged. Any thoughts on how to prepare?

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 9 at 2015 7:30 PM

2015-02-09T19:30:22-05:00

Limit the use of military jargon speak confidently. Do some research on the company you are interviewing with if possible. Be nervous but remain composed do not let them see you sweat.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 9 at 2015 7:35 PM

2015-02-09T19:35:16-05:00

Relax. Really relax. Remember an interview is more of a conversation to find out if they want to work with you than anything else.

Be Confident, but remember that Military Confident and Civilian Confident are two different levels. Military confident can come off as arrogant or aggressive, so be aware of that.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Feb 9 at 2015 7:49 PM

2015-02-09T19:49:42-05:00

Show knowledge of the company and the role you are applying for. Show interest for that specific job, and show that you either have skills for that specific job, or a plan on how you would gain those skills.

In the military, you show up at a unit with a "put me where I can best help out" attitude, but that doesn't go over so well in the civilian world. You want to show them that you know what job you want, that you can do it well, and that you are the right person for it. Always think about the employer's point of view... they are looking for people who will help solve their problems and make their team more successful. Research common problems in their industry or with those kinds of jobs in advance, and show that you are ready to solve those problems.

Knowledge shows preparation, and some of the best ways to prepare is to connect with other veterans in your desired field, do a quick call with them asking them about their experiences, and becoming knowledgable about the job you are applying for. You can use RallyPoint to help form those connections.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 7:51 PM

2015-02-09T19:51:41-05:00

SPC Nicholas Cureton: First and foremost: KNOW your subject of expertise. If you are interviewing for an IT job - know IT, if you are going for a law enforcement job, know your law enforcement, etc..

Just like a promotion or SOM board, don't be afraid to say "I don't know, but I will find out" especially if it's something that you normally would know.

My most recent interview was for a position that has a lot of interaction with CISCO routers. I work with them every day, but at the time of the interview, I couldn't remember the command to bring up the router's build version, software version, time, etc... (it's "show version" by the way - but I answered "show run") The interviewer asked me some other router questions, which I did answer correctly and he said that he understood I might have messed up that answer. He told me the correct answer then. I thought I had blown the interview, but I hadn't, and was invited to a 2nd interview.

During my 2nd interview, I was asked the question again, and this time, I got it right. I aced that one, and got offered the position informally. Now I'm just waiting for the formal offer.

The biggest mistake you can make, is lie about your experience. You will get caught out, either during the interview, or afterwards - and they can fire you for lying.

2nd: Dress for the part. If you are going for a less formal job, nice slacks, collard shirt, nice shoes, appropriate socks, no hat. If you're going for something more formal, like a managerial position, wear a suit - a clean, pressed, suit, with a white, gray, light cream, or light blue shirt - and something that is either gray, navy or darker blue, or black. Do NOT wear white, green, bright colors, orange, or anything else that screams you're an idiot (and trust me, I've seen it!).

If you're going for pizza delivery, then jeans and a decent shirt are fine, with tennis shoes.

3rd: KNOW the company you are applying to. At a minimum, you should know who the president of the company is, what the company does, and what the JOB is that you are trying for! If you don't care enough to know the company, and the job, then why would they hire you?

4th: Bring a copy of your resume... bring TWO or THREE copies! If you made some changes, you owe it to the interviewer to give him your latest and greatest copy. The extra copies are in case you go in front of a panel instead of just a single interviewer.

5th: Bring a note pad. Write down any info about the company you might need to refresh your memory on (such as who the president/CEO is). Also write down questions you have so you remember to ask them. Write down any answers you get as well during the interview. The notepad and pen should be the ONLY thing you bring in to the interview. LEAVE your phone in your car! Do NOT bring it in. Period. Not even to use as a clock!

6th: Do NOT discuss salary during the 1st interview UNLESS the interviewer brings it up. Instead, discuss benefits if they ask and don't forget to factor the value of those benefits in to the final salary negotiation. In fact, if possible, you should avoid flat out salary negotiation until you are offered the position and see what they are going to offer. If they ask "What were you expecting for salary/wage?" reply with "I actually am more interested in what I can offer the company - the salary I expect should be commensurate with the position you expect me to fill". Now, if they ask a second time, this is where you need to know what salaries are paid for the job - so you need to know that off hand, but it's not the main focus.

Last: A smile! Always smile - warmly, and from the heart! Watch your body language, but don't be stiff or super formal either. Relax, smile, and be sincere.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Feb 9 at 2015 8:16 PM

2015-02-09T20:16:32-05:00

Make sure you look the part, dress professionally (look at how the office dresses) and make sure it is in line with the company. Don't wear a suit if everyone is in T-shirts, and don't wear t-shirts if everyone is in suits.

Study the company and be prepared with good questions to ask. Be respectful, have a good handshake, and I recommend googling typical questions you will get and have a good idea of what you will say if asked it.

Good luck!

Response by SGT Allison Churchill made Feb 18 at 2015 11:09 AM

2015-02-18T11:09:08-05:00

Research, research, research. And make sure you can explain your experience without using military lingo; pay close attention to the language used in the ad for the position.

Also--remember that interviews are a two-way street. You want to make a good impression on the interviewer (and the receptionist, pretty much anyone you come into contact with in the office), but pay attention to your impression of the environment. Is it a place you'd want to go every day?

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 30 at 2016 12:07 PM

2016-03-30T12:07:40-04:00

Don't try to be something your not. If you don't know an answer, just say it. Look directly at the person, don't him-haw around. Be confident. If you haven't I'd trim the beard a bit. Depending on who it is, long and shaggy doesn't make too good of a first impression, just remember you only get to make one first impression. Don't be too forceful, but be assertive. Do a recon of the AO. And like said, don't use too much military slang.
Glad to see another Idaho dud here.