VETERANS OFTEN HAVE SKILLS THAT GET OVERLOOKED
5 Considerations Most HR People Know That Jobseekers Do Not
Historically, Veterans and recent college graduates have a much higher rate of unemployment than the general public.
Even with the recent decline in unemployment numbers, millions of Americans are out of work. With the unemployment rate sitting at 13.3 percent at the end of May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows there are still 20.9 million unemployed.
What’s more, those numbers do not include some of those who no longer qualify for unemployment benefits but are still jobless. Additionally, 2.2 million new full-time workers entered the workforce in May alone.
Historically, Veterans and recent college graduates have a much higher rate of unemployment than the general public. Those numbers get much worse for minorities, so you will have a boatload of competition for every position for which you will apply.
#1 — Your Skills Are a Valued Asset
Veterans have a valuable skillset that they need to get across to the recruiters. Coming from a military background (retired US Army First Sergeant with 28 years), I know a few things about jobhunting after leaving service.
College graduates often have hidden skillsets that they need to emphasize to the recruiters. Your out-of-classroom experiences add a vital image of your talents.
The recruiter already knows you have a degree, and what your grade-point-average (GPA) was, what you need to focus on is what’s not visible or obvious. Debate teams and leadership roles on athletic teams, etc. are crucial skills that will translate to the workplace.
You must emphasize your technical skills regardless of your background.
Are you proficient with PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Google Docs, or any widely used creation platform? You must find a way to weave that into your resume and interview.
#2 — A Demonstration of Your Skills Might Be Worth More Than Your Interview
Something many jobseekers ignore is “likeability.” Not only is it vital to be qualified, but how you come across personality-wise counts too.
One corporate recruiter wrote on Quora, “All basic qualifications being met, likability trumps all. It’s usually the most politically admired and personally connected candidate that wins and progresses into the C-suite.”
Don’t discount the interview but providing the interviewer with a PowerPoint (Google Slides, Zoho Docs, Slides, or another) presentation allows you to showcase those skills.
Even when those skills do not fit the position you are applying for, these vital skills for Veterans and college grads with little real-world experience are crucial to demonstrate to recruiters.
Being able to present any subject with confidence and flair is a skill many companies and corporations will find difficult to turn down. Use it!
The military provided you with many experiences not available to civilians. Look at all phases of the position and consider what experience matches that job no matter how long ago you learned it or perform it.
The same goes for college grads with previous summer hire or internship experience. Just because it is noted in your resume doesn’t mean everyone on the panel had time to read your resume thoroughly. Pointing to that experience during the interview could be helpful.
#3 — Recruiters Know What the Company Is Looking for & More
The recruiter is an excellent source of information. While you’re looking over the company website and the proposed duty position, write down your questions. Then, when you speak to the recruiter to set up your interview, ask them some of your questions.
Don’t worry about taking up their time, this is their job. When a candidate they hired gets fired, they look bad. Turnover costs the company money as well as lost talent. Therefore, the recruiter is motivated to hire the best candidate.
HR professionals and recruiters are sweating as much as you, the interviewee. Especially those who are new to the position, they do not want to blow it. Go in there prepared, or when it’s a Zoom or Skype interview, do not just set up the webcam, set up the surroundings. Everything you prepare for the interview will show. I set up a light blue room divider behind my chair.
Mull over the information you have and develop sample questions and answers. Have others ask you questions. The more experience you have answering questions, the better you will answer the question you didn’t prepare for or consider.
#4 — The Silent Interviewer on the Panel
Do not ignore the silent interviewer. If one person on the panel sits back and observes, chances are they will hold much weight in the decision to hire. Toward the end of the interview, try to engage them with a question or point that wasn’t raised.
#5 — Feedback Is Crucial
You can bet most HR professionals do know this, but all too often, you hear nothing. Some keep you waiting for weeks, others give you no feedback or even tell you that you didn’t get the job.
Record your side of the interview. That way, even if you don’t get the job or any feedback from the interviewers, you can still watch your recording.
Then write down key points. How did you look on the recording? Is the background bright and cheerful, or is it too dark? Does your clothing look professional? Did you slump in the chair? Slumping makes you look disinterested or tired. You might start out the interview sitting up straight; try to beware of the habit we have of slumping.
Takeaways
Veterans and recent college grads can bring a lot to a company or corporation. Let the recruiter know what special skills you have that are not apparent in your resume provide them a demonstration of it if possible, consider them as your best source of information about the company you are applying to, don’t ignore any interviewer, and accept feedback, even if you are the only source of that evaluation. After all, who knows you better than you?
Veterans do not forget to get your resume on USAJOBS.gov. There are thousands of jobs available not just in the US but around the world.
Also, college grads might not have the Veteran preference but there are tons of opportunities abroad. Everywhere DOD personnel are stationed, the government needs people to support them and provide logistics for just about everything available in the USA. Likewise, their children need educators.
Good luck and “put your best foot forward”!
BTW, I was prompted to write this after reading Kim McKinney’s Top Ten.
More Essays by the Author
Stephen Dalton is a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Currently living in the Philippines, Stephen is a Top Writer in Virtual Reality.
You can see his portfolio here. Email [email protected]
