Jun 21, 2017
In the civilian workplace, jobs are attained through a very different application, screening and evaluation process than in the military. A critical part of the hiring process is the job interview – a meeting where you are evaluated on how you present yourself, interact with others, answer and ask questions, and set yourself apart from others. The interview determines whether you move further in the hiring process, or you’re shown the door.
Recruiters and hiring managers interview candidates by telephone, Skype, or in person. You might be interviewed individually or as part of a group. And, in many cases, employers ask behavioral interview questions to evaluate your problem solving or decision making skills. Let’s look at some of these formats:
Being interviewed on the telephone might appear easier because you don’t have to dress up, find parking and worry about sweating from stress. But don’t take the phone interview lightly. Follow these tips and treat it as formal as an in-person meeting.
Just as with an in-person interview, first impressions matter on a video interview. The interviewer can see and hear you, and your image must align with their expectations. If you would wear a business suit to the meeting, wear one for the video interview. Pay attention to your body language, too. Look at the interviewer when speaking – even if you are looking at your computer monitor. There is a real person watching! It is permissible to have notes in front of you on a video interview, but do not read them. Similarly, be sure your surroundings are professional and clean. Avoid doing a Skype interview in a crowded place, where someone might jump into view. Treat this as an in-person meeting.
In some cases, employers feel it’s beneficial to have human resources professionals and others interview a candidate at the same time. These interviews often include the direct manager, colleagues and others from the team. Each of these interviewers will evaluate the applicant on skills, experience, cultural fit and personality alignment with what is needed for the job. Treat each person interviewing you with respect and attention during the meeting. They all have input on your desirability to the employer.
Since much of your experience likely happened in the context of your military service, be prepared to answer questions around your behavior handling stress and conflict. Behavioral interviews are common for civilian companies, especially when evaluating veterans. AARP notes: “The behavioral interview is designed to find out your past reactions to situations in your previous employment positions. The purpose of asking open-ended behavioral questions is that your past performance is the best predictor of future performance. An example of a behavioral question is, ‘Tell me about a time when you had to confront a team member about poor performance. How did you handle that?’” As you prepare for an interview, think about how you might respond to common behavioral interview questions.
Whether the interview is on the phone, by video, in person or with a group, follow these steps to ensure you are prepared:
1. Preparing for the Interview
Before you meet with the potential employer, become knowledgeable about the company, industry, company culture, and hiring manager.
2. During the Interview
In the interview your job is to answer questions, build rapport and ask questions. You should be able to explain how your values align with the company’s mission; inquire about research you uncovered and demonstrate how your values and experiences can benefit them.
During the interview, be prepared to:
3. Follow Up
After the interview, if there are things you need to follow up on (e.g. a list of references), send that email as soon as possible. Thank the interviewer for the meeting, and confirm your interest in the position. Always include a bullet point list of highlights from the interview that reinforce you are the right candidate for the job. Send a handwritten thank you note to everyone you interviewed with and be specific about how you are a great fit for the company.
Interviews are a critical step in the hiring process. Be prepared to show up consistently and authentically and you will ace the interview.
Developed through the VFW’s collaboration with Lida Citroën of the international brand strategy firm LIDA360, this article is part of the VFW’s expanding education and transitioning services, resources and webinars designed to provide service members and veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce with an opportunity to learn about personal branding and strategies for navigating the job search process. To learn more about Lida’s commitment to the veteran community, check out her recent TEDX talk.
By Lida Citroën, CEO, LIDA360