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As you transition into the civilian workforce, you want to look for ways to make a good impression – especially in the job interview. Some things translate from the military very well: look professional and be on time. Some things – like saluting a superior officer – not so much.
So although saluting is out of the question, there are things you can do to ensure you make the right impression. Here’s a six-step method to help you be at your best for your next job interview:
Step 1: Research the company
No one expects you to be an expert, but it’s a good idea to know a few interesting facts about the company. Seriously, this is almost a no-brainer. Find out some things about the company you want to work for.
Check out the company’s mission statement. Find out when it was created. See if they have a client listing. Do a search on recent company news releases. Just don’t take it too far. You don’t want to drop dates after every question and sound like a know-it-all who’s just trying to impress. Focus instead on sprinkling these findings over the course of the interview.
Step 2: Map the route
You wouldn’t report late during your service – don’t do it in civilian life. To avoid the possibility of tardiness, travel to the interview location the weekend before the big day with a timer. Or if the location is more than 30 minutes from your home, use a GPS to determine the best directions. On the day of the interview, give yourself plenty of time to arrive.
Step 3: Think of questions for the employer
It’s smart to anticipate the questions the employer will have for you. Just don’t forget it’s a two-way street. Toward the end, the employer often asks, “So, what questions do you have for us?” Pausing to think is okay (and even encouraged), but awkward, lengthy moments of silence are not. Prepare three to five questions for the employer. Write them down and bring them with you. Take notes as they answer. End the interview strong.
Step 4: Break out the iron or head to the dry cleaners
If you have enough advance notice about the interview, have your interview clothes dry-cleaned a few days in advance. By the way, as a general rule, if you’re even asking the question on whether to wear professional attire to a business interview, you already have your answer. Assume it is business professional and proceed accordingly.
Step 5: Target eight hours of sleep the night before
Get at least eight hours of sleep and you’ll be more alert and refreshed the day of the interview. This will show in how you answer questions and interact with the people you hope to work with on a daily basis.
Step 6: Take a trip to the copy machine
Find out how many interviewers will be in the room and print a copy of your resume for everyone. If you’re unsure how many people will be there, bring five copies of your resume in your briefcase, just to be safe.
You know the more prepared you are, the more at ease you are. This is true in the military. It will be true in your interview. Good luck in your job hunt!
Helpful Hints by Grantham University. If you’re interested in more helpful hints for your transition, http://bit.ly/granthamU-hints is a great place to get started!
So although saluting is out of the question, there are things you can do to ensure you make the right impression. Here’s a six-step method to help you be at your best for your next job interview:
Step 1: Research the company
No one expects you to be an expert, but it’s a good idea to know a few interesting facts about the company. Seriously, this is almost a no-brainer. Find out some things about the company you want to work for.
Check out the company’s mission statement. Find out when it was created. See if they have a client listing. Do a search on recent company news releases. Just don’t take it too far. You don’t want to drop dates after every question and sound like a know-it-all who’s just trying to impress. Focus instead on sprinkling these findings over the course of the interview.
Step 2: Map the route
You wouldn’t report late during your service – don’t do it in civilian life. To avoid the possibility of tardiness, travel to the interview location the weekend before the big day with a timer. Or if the location is more than 30 minutes from your home, use a GPS to determine the best directions. On the day of the interview, give yourself plenty of time to arrive.
Step 3: Think of questions for the employer
It’s smart to anticipate the questions the employer will have for you. Just don’t forget it’s a two-way street. Toward the end, the employer often asks, “So, what questions do you have for us?” Pausing to think is okay (and even encouraged), but awkward, lengthy moments of silence are not. Prepare three to five questions for the employer. Write them down and bring them with you. Take notes as they answer. End the interview strong.
Step 4: Break out the iron or head to the dry cleaners
If you have enough advance notice about the interview, have your interview clothes dry-cleaned a few days in advance. By the way, as a general rule, if you’re even asking the question on whether to wear professional attire to a business interview, you already have your answer. Assume it is business professional and proceed accordingly.
Step 5: Target eight hours of sleep the night before
Get at least eight hours of sleep and you’ll be more alert and refreshed the day of the interview. This will show in how you answer questions and interact with the people you hope to work with on a daily basis.
Step 6: Take a trip to the copy machine
Find out how many interviewers will be in the room and print a copy of your resume for everyone. If you’re unsure how many people will be there, bring five copies of your resume in your briefcase, just to be safe.
You know the more prepared you are, the more at ease you are. This is true in the military. It will be true in your interview. Good luck in your job hunt!
Helpful Hints by Grantham University. If you’re interested in more helpful hints for your transition, http://bit.ly/granthamU-hints is a great place to get started!
Grantham University
Transition
Civilian Career
Command Post
Education
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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If you need "practice" interviewing set up a few interviews for positions that you really aren't interested in. I know this may seem like you are wasting time BUT it allows you to sharpen your interview skills. The first interviews can be tough and practice interviews will help build confidence as well as anticipate any "curve ball" questions that might be thrown your direction.
Additional suggestions:
1. Come across as confident, not cocky ( there's a fine line).
2. Take a legal pad with you with some key trigger words, this will help should you get nervous and forget some of your selling points.
3. Be YOU. I was told once that I needed to mask my personality a bit due to me being an extraverted person. Be yourself in the interview, it's okay. It takes all kinds of personalities to balance a company.
4. Send a hand written thank you to all that you interviewed with. Keep it short, to the point, and be sure to touch on a point of your interview. You can send an email but a hand written thank you will stand out. ( Send this the day of the interview)
5. At the end of the interview always leave the door open by asking "If I have any additional questions may I contact you?". Leave one question out during the interview process and email that question a couple of days after the interview. If you send the thank you note and then follow up with a question then you have recaptured their attention two times post-interview.
6. DON'T be that pesky fly that keeps buzzing in someone's ear. Remember........you probably aren't the only candidate and the person conducting the interviews is probably wearing many hats. The interview and decision making process can be lengthy, and at times, painful. You just have to be patient.
7. If you get the dreaded "thanks but no thanks" email don't give up. It took me 6 grueling months to find the perfect job for me.
I hope this helps
Additional suggestions:
1. Come across as confident, not cocky ( there's a fine line).
2. Take a legal pad with you with some key trigger words, this will help should you get nervous and forget some of your selling points.
3. Be YOU. I was told once that I needed to mask my personality a bit due to me being an extraverted person. Be yourself in the interview, it's okay. It takes all kinds of personalities to balance a company.
4. Send a hand written thank you to all that you interviewed with. Keep it short, to the point, and be sure to touch on a point of your interview. You can send an email but a hand written thank you will stand out. ( Send this the day of the interview)
5. At the end of the interview always leave the door open by asking "If I have any additional questions may I contact you?". Leave one question out during the interview process and email that question a couple of days after the interview. If you send the thank you note and then follow up with a question then you have recaptured their attention two times post-interview.
6. DON'T be that pesky fly that keeps buzzing in someone's ear. Remember........you probably aren't the only candidate and the person conducting the interviews is probably wearing many hats. The interview and decision making process can be lengthy, and at times, painful. You just have to be patient.
7. If you get the dreaded "thanks but no thanks" email don't give up. It took me 6 grueling months to find the perfect job for me.
I hope this helps
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Peggy Morrow
One more thing.....................try to refrain from using military lingo when applying for a civilian job, most civilians will not understand what you are saying. You must be creative in translating military lingo in to civilian lingo.
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Rather than Step 2: Map the route, I take a drive out to the location to make sure there's no unexpected surprises like limited parking forcing you to park far away, walk back and be all sweaty for your interview.
Walk in (if it's an open office building) and get the lay of the land, make sure you're in the right wing of the building. You know, basic recon stuff. I only offer up because it's happened to me.
Walk in (if it's an open office building) and get the lay of the land, make sure you're in the right wing of the building. You know, basic recon stuff. I only offer up because it's happened to me.
(4)
(0)
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