Please upgrade your web browser

These pages are built with modern web browsers in mind, and are not optimized for Internet Explorer 8 or below. Please try using another web browser, such as Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 10, Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.

Basic Training for ALL Interviews

Interviews

I've interviewed for a wide variety of positions over the years and these are a few core elements to keep in mind:

Non-verbal communication
The most successful employees have a common thread in how they communicate without moving their lips. The non-verbal communication in many of my interviews have convinced me of peoples' confidence, light heartedness and downright honesty.

Don't fidget
Fidgeting with hair, nails, fingers, or movement of any other part of the body that should not be moving is distracting. Successful interviewees have the common thread of being relaxed and communicating appropriately with hand and arm gestures.

Don't cross your arms
Crossing your arms can come across as negative and shut out the interviewer. You do not want to communicate in a way that makes the hiring manager non-receptive.

Don't look around
My father taught me when I was very young to look people in the eye when you're talking to them - it shows that you respect their time and what they're saying.

Have a strong handshake
Confidence is known immediately through a very simple handshake. Cold and clammy is NOT a good confidence builder. Warm and firm exude confidence and proclaim your presence in the room.

Just like the core training in all the armed forces, men and women need to work on these basic concepts on a regular basis to identify weaknesses and focus on improving them. Step into a room looking the person in the eye and shake hands warmly and firmly with a genuine smile. When you're sitting and preparing to answer questions, remind yourself to be relaxed and mindful of their non-verbal communication and your own.

Please feel free to contact me at any time so that I can help you bring the success you already have in the military into the civilian workforce.

God Bless you and our United States of America.
Respectfully,
JD

If you have comments or feedback about any article, please email your thoughts to info@acp-advisornet.org.

About the Author

Write an Article

We welcome articles on any subject that might help our veterans. Articles are especially useful in place of frequently similar responses, and can be linked in your replies.

Add an article