Prepare to Make a Great Impression

2016-05-31T12:55:04-04:00

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!

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Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2016 1:00 PM

2016-05-31T13:00:42-04:00

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.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made May 31 at 2016 1:25 PM

2016-05-31T13:25:26-04:00

This is a great crash course of what you should be thinking about before a job interview. #1 is critically important. Go into that interview with an excellent understanding of their competitive landscape and provide some operational recomendations based on the things you know. This company will want to know how you make decisions and recomendations based on available information.

Also, I can't stress how important sleep is. Pilots have crew rest for a reason...
Without sleep, not only will you look tired, but your brain won't think as swiftly as it usually does.
Quickly processing information and effectively answering questions is what 90% of your interview is about.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made May 31 at 2016 2:50 PM

2016-05-31T14:50:01-04:00

I do what MSG Private RallyPoint Member does as well. I will do a recon of the trip and location to limit any type of issues that may arise, like traffic and parking.

Response by Peggy Morrow made May 31 at 2016 2:58 PM

2016-05-31T14:58:22-04:00

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

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jun 1 at 2016 11:59 PM

2016-06-01T23:59:26-04:00

(1) Project a physical presentation that makes you stand out from the crowd. From the suit and tie to looking fit and clean. (2) Networking without a Business Card is like hunting without bullets. Craft a business card that fells good, looks professional, and captures your personal branding. (3) Interview skills, you have it or you don't. Toastmasters for 6 months will change the way you communicate. (4) LinkedIn, it is your online resume/business cars/resume/hand shake... and your employer will check it. Put the time and effort. Connect with your former bosses and see how their pages are. (5) Always have a resume you can give by paper or electronically (Evernote, Box...).

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Nov 16 at 2016 4:09 PM

2016-11-16T16:09:08-05:00

Let's go right down the list' #1. I went to a job interview the other day for a company and I thought I was completely over dressed and lets say I did my research on the company. Not one question asked about the company at all but what I could bring them. #2. To easy found on map and got on GPS and still when I pull up to the main gate I was asked was there for a corporate interview? #3. wrong answer the interview was so fast and I not even have time to ask a question to the supervisors because I was so shocked how she was dressed. This is a well know company. #4 I was the only person wearing a suit not even the employees were wearing dress clothes. #5. I had well enough sleep for this interview. and I rehearsed. #6. I brought a copy of my Cover letter because I was told they had my resume and I changed my cover and the lady asked me why I was giving her a copy of my cover letter?
Now this might work for you or for other people but it did not work for me, Research the company or agency you are going to be working for. When I starting walking up to the building I was going to the interview to I noticed I was completely out dressed from everyone else there. There were about 5 people in the room and no one had even a tie. and I swear they were all over the age of 50, I thought to myself what job have I just applied for.

I guess because I work for the Government and went through all these crazy classes on learning how to do interviews and to wear a tie, SO what is a Great Impression everything that was explain above, Practice, Networking, resume and cover-letter and dressing for the interview. So what was the outcome? I was over Qualified for the job, they hired pops over me, Then again who needed that it was only part time gig anyways, I was trying to better my in my field area anyways. That just means, there is something better out there waiting for me and if gave me time to shorten and adjust my resume.

I did read everything above and do listen to what is put out on RP but some it is just the same old same old stuff we learn everyday in the common world.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 5 at 2021 10:41 PM

2021-08-05T22:41:17-04:00

Thanks for sharing