Probably one of the most stressful situations for veterans to be in is when they are seeking civilian employment and are having to attend an interview in order to get hired. The veteran may feel as though their resume should speak for itself. After all, if you can face combative situations in an overseas environment, you can manage the office.
However, an employer is often wanting to have an interview in order to see whether the person is as qualified as they claim to be, whether the person is going to fit into the type of workplace they have and, most importantly, whether the person is going to work well with others who are employed in that area.
When realizing just how much the interview is going to affect your chances of getting hired, it is rather stressful. With this being said, there are a few tips that you can use to ensure that you impress the employer with your interview and get the job.
Do Not Put on an Act. Be Yourself.
This is probably one of the best pieces of advice that a veteran can get. Many times, veterans are told to go into an interview with the right type of attire, wearing a suit and tie, and to even ensure that they do not come off as being too direct or outspoken. Many people tell veterans that employers want someone who is going to listen and never ask questions.
However, veterans who are wanting to impress the employer should be themselves, and not put on the act. If you are not comfortable with a tie, wear a nice button-up shirt and slacks instead. And instead of sitting there and acting as though you are a follower, be direct if that is who you are. You want to be as authentic as possible in order to show the employer that you are a great fit for them.
Related: Search for Veteran Jobs
Answer the Questions. Ask Your Own, but Don't Volunteer a Lot.
This is often the downfall for many veterans seeking employment in the civilian world. They may state how they were in the military and how their family life is. However, a new rule to listen to is that you want to answer the questions that are asked of you, and that is all.
You do not want to volunteer too much information. In volunteering too much, you can give the employer room to overthink you, which could result in the employer thinking up conclusions that are not true about you. Don't give too much information away, but don't be afraid to ask your own questions as well. In fact, asking your own questions is often what some employers like, as it proves the person is serious about the job.
Be Sure to Do Your Homework.
Do not go into an interview unprepared. Research the company and the actual person who will be giving the interview. In the military, you would not go on a mission without proper planning. So think of this interview as a major mission that you must plan for in order to ace. Planning can usually be done with a little research, finding out what the person is like via their social media accounts, and then what the company is all about.
Going on an interview is stressful; after all, you are putting yourself out there to be judged. However, try not to let your nerves get the best of you. Being nervous during an interview is going to lead to a lot of unavoidable mistakes. Instead, be patient, do your homework, answer their questions and always be yourself.
For more information, contact our partners at HOH.
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