Job Interview Fails?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 12:10:18 -0500

After reading a discussion led by SFC John Gates It appears some veterans over - qualify themselves when looking for work after the military.

What are your job interview failures? And how did you rise up above the cocky stereotype, or were you just unprepared, lacked civilian communication skills, or didn't do enough research on the company?
Or did you have feel you were owed the job, or perhaps your wage requirements were beyond expectations...I am attempting to dig deep into the matter why so many vets struggle to land that perfect civilian job...so you may need to get uncomfortable and let down your guards and reveal some of your weaknesses.

This isn't so much about failures, but How we corrected those failures, your story will help others...we all have issues, some of us were a little pro-active about getting interview practice, research, and learning the civilian lingo. What did you do?

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jan 28 at 2015 12:32 PM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 12:32:40 -0500

When I retired I initially did like a lot of Veterans, wished upon coming back to my position just as a Civilian...queue sad trombone sound.
When that failed I had a recent retiree friend help me craft a resume and get it uploaded to USA Jobs. I received a notification fairly quickly from Redstone Arsenal for a telephone interview, I was excited, I figured "I got this". Once the interview came along I found out just how unprepared I was for it.
They had some fairly straightforward questions which they seemed to be content with, but the kicker question was "How are you with doing high level briefings to Senior Officers?" I thought that was a no-brainer, I've been doing briefings to them throughout my career. Well, let's just say my "take my word for it" approach did not work. I never got a call back.
I do believe interview practice and how to sell yourself became my new mantra, it worked. My next phone interview went very well, and I've been a DOD Civilian for the past three years.

Response by Sgt Martin V. made Jan 28 at 2015 1:03 PM

Sgt Martin V. — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:03:56 -0500

My biggest problem is that I have a rather strong personality and I kind of in a sense, hijacked my first interview when I got out. I was not being too assertive but I asked questions back and expected more of a dialogue rather than them asking me questions and filling in their bubbles on their sheets when I replied. I drove almost an hour one way for the interview that was 10 mins long.
For my next few interviews I toned it down a bit and bit my tongue and answered their questions except these interviews were exactly what I expected the first time (dialogue) and I was kind of unprepared! ouch. I did end up getting the position I wanted am very happy with it.

Response by SSgt Kevin Chavez made Jan 28 at 2015 1:34 PM

SSgt Kevin Chavez — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:34:26 -0500

Great thread, I am in the job hunting process, 10 years of Military service and 12 years of co-owning and operating a business. Here is my question, should I put on my resume that I am an owner of the business that I also worked for? I grew that business into a multi-million dollar business. My official title was Executive Director as I ran the company on a day to day basis. We were a very flat organization as we were owner operators, which means I handled everything from strategic planning, HR, billing, accounts receivable and service delivery to name a few. There was nothing I could or did not do for that highly successful business. My only reason for leaving it behind was to move my Family to a better location and a place that my wife could have more opportunity as a Speech and Language Pathologist. I left the small rural town for the big city for opportunities for my family. Since I am no longer a full time employee I no longer draw a Salary and to be honest I am ready to get back into another career. With all that being said, I submit my qualifications for job listings, but never say I owned the business. Am I making a mistake by doing that, am I selling myself short and should I discuss this during the interview process???

Thanks in advance for any input. S/F

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 2:31 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:31:31 -0500

Preparation is key, on top of real desire for the position you are interviewing for.

My company (Cardinal Health) receives over 1 million resumes for 5000 positions on an annual basis. HR whittles those down to anywhere from 20 to 100 resumes per submission and passes them to hiring managers in batches. We further whittle the pile down to 5 or so for phone interviews.

There are typically only a few resumes where someone actually tailored their resume to the position description; I'd say of the 5 -10 I would set aside, 2-4 actually come close to matching the position description. So most folks make it easy for the hiring manager to toss their resume in the trash can.

The phone screen is intended to save time for both you and the hiring manager. Because honestly, most people -- civilians included -- "just want a job."

So, to shorten this down, an interview is built to determine your preparation:

1. Questions about the company are done to determine if you're really interested in our company or "just want a job." It also helps us understand if you actually do prepare or do research.
2. Will you fit the team and culture? Pay attention to the interviewer and how they act. Be natural and friendly. And DEFINITELY use as a future networking opportunity or keep that option open.
3. Do you have the skills necessary to do the job

Keep in mind. You are your own company selling services. Are you selling what they want to buy? Just like a company posting "requests for proposals" for vendors to provide services, the hiring process is exactly the same way.

My company has a "Veterans Professional Advancement Course" given monthly by volunteers, both prior military and civilian. We have hiring managers and HR folks come in. It's like TAP or whatever the new programs are, but different. We talk about all of the things you are talking about and also help translate resumes and work on interviews using mock interviews. The team provides direct and specific feedback to help you. These are folks who live and breath corporate culture. It's free to the veterans. You can either show up or dial in remotely.

Copy and past this link: http://www.cardinalhealth.com/mps/public/!ut/p/c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjA3cDAwtfZ18fV2NTA09HL_dAYz8TQ4NQM_2CbEdFADfU32U!/?WCM_PORTLET=PC_7_20G008MCMLCQD0I6KL912K3005_WCM&WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/mps/wcm/connect/us/en/careers/military/militaryresourcesupport

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 28 at 2015 2:33 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:33:55 -0500

All I can say is "Semper Fi!"

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jan 28 at 2015 2:35 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:35:22 -0500

I've interviewed and sat in on dozens of interviews over the last few years (an a technical SME).

A couple of things come to mind:
- Nobody is "overqualified" for a job. Business' want a person that can do the job for the salary that is budgeted for the position, period. There is a possibility that the budget will not allow for the salary that an individual deserves, but if you're hungry enough, or you want a "foot in the door" at a company that you would really like to work for, tell the interviewer as much. Something as simple as "I'm excited to work for this company, and I'm willing to come in at the 'ground floor' so I have the opportunity to move up in time.

- Look for the opportunity to contribute to the team. Every hiring manager is looking to see what you can contribute... help them find that, and give them examples of things you've done in the past that are similar in nature and led to success.

- You don't have to know everything, but you need to be able to contribute while you get up to speed.

- Personality matters. We all know that annoying guy that got assigned to our unit that nobody wants to work with. In civilian jobs, that guy doesn't get hired. Don't be that guy. I've known a ton of "geeks" that were brilliant technically, but don't get hired because they can't talk to PEOPLE.

- Relax, smile, and above all else ask yourself "Is this where *I* want to work?" an interview is a two way street, you're looking for a match of need and ability.

- The hiring manager will usually make up their mind in the first five minutes of the interview. Make 'em smile, make 'em laugh in that time and you're golden.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 28 at 2015 8:06 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 20:06:37 -0500

My first interview on leaving the Army got me the job, but it was a failure.

I was running scared. I learned that I was being RIF'd and had just a few weeks to find something. I had a wife and a child to support.

Fortunately, I was stationed in Hawaii and liked it there. I went to an employment agency and they got me an interview with a Life Insurance company that wanted me to enter a management trainee program. Well, that is what they said. What they really wanted was someone to sell life insurance. I didn't discover that until I was committed to the job. I worked at it for six months, sold one policy to a former sergeant, and was let go.

I then shipped my car to the West Coast and took off in search of a real career. I had a vague idea of what I wanted and got as far as Denver when a tip sent me north to Fort Collins where a new startup ad agency was located. I camped in their lobby until they hired me.

The truth is that I didn't have the funds to look further. They were going to hire me or else.

I took a job at a ridiculously low rate of pay but got GI bill payments for OJT to supplement my income and never looked back.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jan 29 at 2015 7:35 AM

SPC Stewart Smith — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 07:35:15 -0500

My biggest problem landing a job was my language. I was up front and honest about how I use words like damn, shit, and fuck in everyday conversations. True story, most employers don't want you to use 'foul' language.

My job at now, I was as open and honest as could be about all my weaknesses, but when it came to my language I told them that while I do lack a filter, I am working on it and showing results.
They called me back for two more interviews. I spent about 9.5 hours interviewing and I got the job. I love it here and my boss enjoys my candor. He said it's hard to find employs that will be transparent on things because they are afraid of hurting feelings and losing their job.

My point being: Be yourself in every interview. Be open and honest. That way the employer will know what they are getting when they hire you and won't have any nasty surprises like foul language, which is pretty common among the military folks.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jan 29 at 2015 1:47 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 13:47:04 -0500

I have interviewed hundreds of folks, one particular interviewee came in jeans, t-shirt, and flip flops. This was a professional office position. Needless to say, wasn't hired.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Jan 30 at 2015 8:26 AM

SPC James Mcneil — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 08:26:22 -0500

"Looking at your resume, I can see you were in the Army. Did you kill anyone?"

I got up and walked out of the interview at that point.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jan 30 at 2015 3:36 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:36:58 -0500

I drove 800 miles to arrive 2 hours late. That one didn't work out so hot.