Advantages of Military Training in Job Interviews for Veterans
You might not necessarily think it, but military training can serve candidates well during civilian job interviews for veterans.
Finding a job these days is not easy. It gets more difficult if you are switching careers. For example, a veteran applying for a civilian job must, first of all, ask some important questions. Will military training give you a competitive advantage over other interviewees? Which companies or sectors lead the race in hiring ex-servicemen and women, and what do they look into before determining your suitability?
The truth is that military training could be your wild card when switching from the battlefield to civilian employment. This is because army men and women undergo rigorous training that cuts across different areas of knowledge and skills. In the end, one has a variety of skill sets, most of which fit job requirements in the civilian enterprise. Whether you want to start a veteran-friendly business or you simply want to join a charity organization, there is always something you can do.
This post explores the competitive advantages of military training, especially for those looking to transition to the civilian workforce. But before we get into the details, let’s examine a few things.
Where Do You Fit?
After assessing your suitability for civilian jobs based on the skills you have acquired as a serviceman, the next question you must answer is: Where will you fit? Ostensibly, government jobs happen to be the most immediate landing pad for veterans. Apart from skills, it is always important to consider interests and talents.
The fact that a veteran has also undergone top-level clearance on security issues makes it even more appealing to government agencies seeking your services. Now, taking all these into consideration, possible areas of job placement include, but are not limited to, taking up a job that involves administrative duties in the police department, postal services, ambassadorial duties, especially in the Department of Foreign Affairs, and also a placement in the fire rescue department.
Other areas in which you can prospect for a job include the Department of Medical Services, paralegal placements, and Information Technology sectors such as cybersecurity.
Preparing For and Passing the Interview
Now that you have a few ideas in mind regarding jobs for veterans, not to mention employers that prefer veterans, it is time to ready yourself for the big day. How then do you prepare for the interview? Well, it is imperative to do the following in readiness for an interview:
- Buy a new suit, which should include official shoes and a tie.
- Train on how to exchange pleasantries such as handshakes and verbal greetings. While military training equips one with the highest level of discipline when it comes to salutations, saluting, interviewing panel members, and standing attention could overbear your new status as a civilian looking for a civilian job.
- Once you appear before a panel ready and set to answer questions, assume a relaxed posture but don’t be too formal to appear intimidating. Being super informal hardly works in interview situations. Remember, first impressions do count, so just be friendly in your tone while also trying to avoid using phrases like ‘Yes sir’ or ‘Yes Ma’am’ all the time.
- Honesty is the best policy. You must always tell the truth during the interview. With the internet and big data, fishing out your accomplishments in the military is always a click away. Should you be discovered to have lied, it will have costly consequences on your employability or even when prospecting for jobs in the future.
- Explain how your service and experience in the army befits a job position for which you are being interviewed.
Popular skills and training that qualify veterans for civilian job interviews
As aforesaid, those who join the army undergo rigorous training, something that endows them with wide-ranging skills. It does not end there. After serving in the army for some years, and you feel it is time to retire and switch to a civilian job, you will have acquired experience and even more skills in the following areas:
- Every employer wants to hire someone who can work well in a team with others towards a common goal, and veterans looking for civilian jobs guarantee this.
- How to manage human resources is another skill that service acquires throughout their years in the military. If one doesn’t get an opportunity to lead, he or she learns from some of the most qualified leaders in the army, who notwithstanding, have the best educational and professional qualifications.
- According to GoArmy.com, post-army life training also equips servicemen and servicewomen with the right civilian mindset, which further helps them prospect for jobs.
- Discipline and focus.
- Time management skills.
It's worth noting, therefore, that the wide-ranging skills one acquires while in the army are transferable to civilian jobs upon retirement or resignation, and your military skills can be put to good use to get you securely through difficult interviews.
Visit our job board regularly to find companies offering jobs for veterans, and follow our blog and social media profiles to learn about job fairs in your area.
About the Author: Sebastian Miller is a patriot, writer, and professional career expert who works for Thesis Rush. With many years of experience helping veterans search for and win job interviews, Sebastian’s articles have always been golden gems for job seekers switching from one career to another.