By Patricia Dorch
In the Military you presented ideas and strategies to officers, peers and civilians to accomplish daily goals. The skills you used in the Military are transferable to the civilian job market. Use transferable skills and new interview strategies to illustrate to civilian employers you are the most qualified candidate for the job. Listed are strategies to prepare you for your interview.
Strategy 1: Interview Image
• Wear a quality business suit – with matching jacket, trousers, skirt or slacks in the same fabric and color.
• Men – wear lace-up shoes polished in good condition.
• Women – wear closed toe shoes polished in good condition.
Strategy 2: Interview Etiquette – Be on Time
• The interviewer interprets your arrival of 15 to 20 minutes early as your interest, commitment, dependability and professionalism.
Being late can show the opposite.
Strategy 3: Interview Questions
Ask interview questions and gather valuable information. For example
1. Skills: Where do you see my Military transferable skills in this position?
2. Changes: What changes if any would you like to see implemented in this position?
3. Department Goals. What are the goals for this department and how can I help you achieve them?
Strategy 4: Transferable Skills to Market to Employers
• Skills: Identify your top transferable skills required for the job
based on the job description.
• Examples: Provide examples of your knowledge, skills and abilities as it relates to the job requirements. A “short story” provides the interviewer insight how you used key skills in past positions.
• Tell A Story: Short stories are essential to “stand out” from other candidates with similar skills and experience.
Strategy 5: Job Search Checklist – What You Should Bring to Your Interview
• Present Letters of Reference on letterhead.
• Present your Resume and Cover Letter in a professional portfolio folder.
Strategy 6: Interview Mental Preparation Strategies
• Recall important military facts, figures and other supportive information that will successfully move you through the interview process.
Strategy 7: Resume and Cover Letter Strategies
Resume
• Include your personal contact information on each resume page.
• Create a professional email address.
• Proofread your resume – do not rely solely on spelling and grammar check.
Cover Letter
• Write a different cover letter for each position you apply for based on the job description requirements.
• Put the job description – identification information on the cover letter.
Strategy 8: Effective Telephone Interview Skills
• Be prepared for scheduled and unscheduled telephone interviews.
• Treat the telephone interview with the same importance as the face-to-face interview.
• Organize your thoughts before you speak – ask for clarification if you do not understand the question.
Strategy 9: Personal Branding
Visual Brand – Appearance
• Your visual brand sends a non-verbal message how successful you are.
• Your body language, gestures, and posture all communicate your personal brand.
Strategy 10: Ask For the Job – A Powerful Career Strategy for
Employment
How do you close the interview? Do you ask for the job?
• Never leave the interview without “asking for the job” and finding out what the next step is in the interview process.
• Asking only what the next step is in the interview process will not get you the job offer.
A competitive job market requires exceptional interview skills to land a new career. A large pool of candidates are actively interviewing and seeking the job you want. Make a commitment to plan, prepare and execute an effective interview strategy that will have a life-changing effect on your career, income and future.
The goal of interviewing is to gain the job offer. The most important strategy you can use at the end of your interview is to – Ask For The Job™. The stakes are high – this unique interview strategy will position you to close the deal.
PATRICIA DORCH is an Author, Speaker and Career Expert. She is the Author of Military to Civilian Transition: Job Search Strategies and Tips to Get Hired in the Civilian Job Market and Professionalism: New Rules for Workplace Career Success.
Patricia provides job search seminars for Veterans in Transition Assistance Programs, Job and Career Fairs and other events.
Visit: http://www.militarytociviliantransition.net
Visit: http://www.militarytociviliantransition.net
This was printed in the June 16, 2012 – June 29, 2013 Edition
