Getting to an interview is one of the most difficult parts of any job search. You competed with potentially thousands of applicants and after careful consideration, you are a finalist for what could be an important next step in your career. While getting to an interview is an important achievement, success is by no means guaranteed.
Interviewers are looking closely at every candidate, and they will likely expect certain things from each of them. Here’s how you can put your best foot forward toward interview success while avoiding the most common pitfalls.
Job Interview Basics
1. Know your purpose
The purpose of an interview is to offer insight into your personality and abilities. Interviews are extremely important for both you and the interviewer/hiring authority to ensure a good cultural fit, measure personality attributes, review your desired career expectations and see if your goals are aligned.
2. Be prepared
Prior to an interview, know your resume inside and out and compile a list of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list of answers to typical interview questions (accomplishments, failures, leadership style, why this company and position interests you, etc.).
Most of all, prepare to discuss your background and skills. The S.T.A.R. method is a great way to frame your experience:
Situation: Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example.
Task: Describe your responsibility in the situation.
Action: Explain the steps you took to address it.
Result: Share the outcomes your actions achieved.
3. Eliminate distractions
For in-person interviews, arrive 15-20 minutes early to silence your phone, get settled in, and prepare mentally. Arriving early shows initiative and promotes trust. For video or phone interviews, minimize distractions by finding a quiet, private space with good reception.
4. Perfect your posture
Make a lasting impression with your body language. Sit (or stand) up straight, keeping natural eye contact with your interviewer, and of course, smile and show genuine enthusiasm about the role. During a virtual meeting, maintain eye contact by looking directly at the camera to create a more engaging and personal connection with others.
5. Answer with confidence
Interview questions should be answered with clarity, focus, and confidence. Don’t be afraid to answer “yes” or “no”—but never leave it at one-word answers. Provide context to shape the narrative of your answer. Be concise; a long, drawn-out response can be difficult to follow.
6. Make it personal
Researching a company before applying is crucial. You will likely be asked, “Why are you interested in us?” Be authentic, but always be prepared with something positive to say. Highlight something about the company that stands out to you, such as their products or services, mission statement, or marketing, for example. In addition, use the interviewer’s name occasionally, as people appreciate the personalization.
7. Close
At the end of the interview, ask two or three questions to show your interest. If you want to continue with the process, ask about scheduling a follow-up interview. If that feels awkward, simply ask, “What can I do to ensure I’m a competitive candidate moving forward?” This clarifies any uncertainties and highlights anything missed.
Common Pitfalls of Job Interviews
These missteps can undermine your chances of making a positive impression.
1. Being ill-prepared
While you will not be expected to know every single detail of a company for a first interview, you should know the basic aspects of what the company does, the position requirements and location, etc. Going into an interview without the basic ‘who, what, where’ of the opportunity demonstrates a lack of preparation and disinterest.
2. Bringing low energy
A lack of enthusiasm or being too relaxed says, “I’m not interested in this position or what you have to say.” Low energy during an interview can take a candidate out of the running, even if their resume is a great match.
3. Providing too much information
When answering a question or explaining an experience or skill set, be sure to give pertinent details and communicate the result concisely. Keep it short! It is normal for nerves to keep you talking, but long responses can shorten opportunities to cover other questions and topics.
4. Displaying poor body language
Your body language can convey as much meaning as your spoken words. Negative body language might signal disinterest, attitude issues, or low energy and confidence levels. Maintain good eye contact, lean slightly forward, rest your forearms on the table or armrest if sitting, and keep your shoulders relaxed. When facing multiple interviewers, avoid focusing exclusively on one person; distribute your attention and address all participants.
5. Using excessive military jargon
Avoid military acronyms whenever possible. A way of demonstrating that you can seamlessly transition to the civilian world is by explaining your military experiences in a language that everyone can understand. Instead of “I was an 11B” say “I was an infantryman responsible for…”
6. Not asking questions
Concluding the interview without a question can be interpreted as a lack of interest. Be prepared to ask a question, even if the interviewer covered every aspect of the position. A good fallback question is “Can you tell me about your career progression here and why you enjoy working for this company?
From mastering the job search basics to reinventing your career path, RecruitMilitary is here to help you reach your employment goals. Get started at RecruitMilitary.com.
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