Put Your Military Experience To Work For You In An Interview Setting

As a military person, you probably achieved a number of milestones in your career. For instance, you might have stars or medals to prove your prowess as a soldier. You might have received commendations for your devotion to duty. And your honorable discharge is evidence of a job well done.

Now, you are looking for work in the civilian sector, and you're stumped. You're wondering how you can find a job in the "real world," when much of your experience is limited to the military. And you may be wondering if you will encounter prejudice from interviewers who harbor ill will toward the military. Your task, then, will be to use your military experience to your advantage in various interview situations.

Cool under fire

Certainly, if the military taught you anything, it was how to maintain your composure in difficult situations. Any job interview is a highly stressful experience. You want to make a good impression, but you may be unsure about how to go about doing that. You realize that how you perform in the interview will determine whether you are called back for a follow-up interview and whether you will ultimately secure the job.

When you prepare for an interview, conduct yourself as you would if training for a military assignment. Be sure to get sufficient rest and exercise. Conduct the research that will help you to prepare for interview questions. Engage in some mock interview sessions with a friend in order to ready yourself for intense questioning. If you are committed to the idea of excellence in your performance, chances are you will achieve it.

Work your military experience into the conversation

It's a good idea to find ways to work your military experience into your conversation with the interviewer. You need to mention what kinds of skills you developed in various military situations and how those skills could be used effectively on the job. Whenever you talk about your military experience, be sure to show how that experience is applicable to a civilian work setting. In this way, you will be in a better position for selling your candidacy.

Show the interviewer the respect you would show a commander

It's important that you show respect to an interviewer. If you demonstrate a cavalier or obnoxious attitude, you will have difficulty securing the position. That may seem self-evident, but unfortunately a number of job applicants make the mistake of being too flippant in interview situations. Thanks to your military experience, you recognize the importance of showing respect to those in a position of authority. Use this knowledge to your advantage in an interview situation.

Be committed to victory

Finally, it's important that you remain committed to victory. After all, searching for a job can be like a military engagement it can be quite lengthy, and you need to have a coherent strategy for achieving your objective. But you will have little hope of landing the job you desire unless you believe that you can achieve it.

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