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What advice do you have for someone who has applied and is preparing to move into the interview process?

Veteran

Ally Rea Fort Collins, CO

I am separating from Active Duty Air Force in August 2020 and am moving to the Greater Boston area.

I have my BS in Business Management as well as my MBA. I am currently looking for roles in Program Management, Operations Management, or Marketing Management.

Thank you for your time and help!

26 June 2020 5 replies General

Answers

Veteran

Steve Adolt Lancaster, PA

Ally,

1. Be yourself during the interview, especially as you meet them for the first time.
2. Relax. You know your story. Just tell it.
3. Research the company but not exhaustively.
4. Research the people you are interviewing with, especially on social media, to get a feel for them as people.
5. Be yourself. :)

And if you'd like to go through some mock interviews, feel free to schedule some time on my calendar. It would be my pleasure to help.

Calendar Link: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18166954

Sincerely,

Steve

Advisor

Jerry Welsh Middleville, MI

Solid advice from the above answers. The more you know about the company, even the division or department you will be able to make an early connection. The best interviews are those that feel like a discussion about a project at work, or a conversation about planning for an upcoming event.
Patrick mentioned have stories about your bullet points, this is key. It is the telling of the story that lead to the 20% gain in operational effectiveness. From that point, it pulling in the group into the story so they have follow up questions and again you end up in conversations.
As Kevin said some networking with folks in the company, actually you may go as far as conducting some Informational Interviews geared at learning more about the company.
If you slip up and use a military term and see blank stares, apologize and use language they would understand, again knowing your career, their language and more importantly their metrics is essential. Thanks for your service and God Bless.

Advisor

Jennifer Polhemus Santa Monica, CA

Employers are looking for skills & experience, but they also want someone they would want to work with, so let your personality shine, laugh when appropriate, etc.

Possibly the interview will be virtual, so get your camera "zone" set up now, with good lighting (not behind you), background, etc. This movie clip has examples of both good and bad techniques. See if you can list some examples of each. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewek-6TudOM

Advisor

Patrick Conrad Ballston Spa, NY

Hi Ally - congrats on your progress thus far! My advice - Have a story to back up every one of your bullet points on your resume, ask yourself what questions you hope they don't ask you and prep your answer, smile while you speak (believe me it helps), and don't call your interviewers sir or ma'am. ;) Good luck Ally.

Advisor

Kevin Whirity Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Hi Ally - thank you for your service and all the best on your career transition!

As for you preparation inquiry, I've always found those candidates that have networked with employees at the target company come across very well prepared and genuine in their responses. They're able to better connect the dots of their previous roles into the new position/company for the interviewer.

A few coffee chats can go a long way!

Cheers,
Kevin

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