4 Misconceptions About Your Transition
Misconception #1: I'm pretty much guaranteed a job because I was in the military
Truth: Employers and hiring managers appreciate your service, but it by no means guarantees a job. While your time in the military brings a host of transferable skills and experiences, you may be competing against other candidates with years of industry experience. It's up to you to network, create a strong resume highlighting relevant experience and skills, close the gap with missing skills, and portray your value to the company during interviews.
If you're applying to competitive service roles with the government, you may be eligible for 5 or 10-point preferences. This may help you stand out as a more competitive candidate, but again does not guarantee selection for a role.
Misconception #2: It will be easy to land interviews
Truth: Many transitioning veterans come to the harsh realization that reaching the interview stage can be difficult. In many cases you may not hear anything back from recruiters or may receive a decline email shortly after applying.
Long-term, it's best to build a diverse network of connections. You never know where a connection may lead down the road. Relationship building takes time. Immediately connecting and asking for a referral is the wrong approach. If you foster and build the relationship over time, that connection will be more apt to see your value and may be willing to provide a referral.
It's also important to take the time to customize your resume to the role. Thoroughly read through the job posting, looking for key phrases, words, and skills. Re-read your resume from the perspective of a recruiter for the role. Would they consider you to be one of the top candidates? Does your resume highlight your experience and ability to solve the problems the company is facing?
Misconception #3: I can interview the same way as a military promotion board
Truth: Employers aren't looking for candidates that are able to memorize answers. They're looking for candidates that possess the ability to solve problems. They're interested in how you think, how you approach a problem, how you work within and lead a team, and how you create a plan of action to achieve the end goal.
Think out loud as your answer questions. Interviewers aren't mind readers. If you don't expressively state it, it's like you never thought of it. Ask clarifying questions, structure your answer, and walk the interviewer through how you would solve the problem.
Misconception #4: Everyone understands what I did in the military
Truth: Imagine a hypothetical scenario where a software engineer was interviewing for an infantry platoon leader role (a crazy scenario, right?). If the software engineer jumps straight in to talking about IDEs, system design, Big O notation, and algorithms, you'd probably be lost.
The reverse is also true. Interviewers aren't likely familiar with terms such as an MRAP, crew serve weapon system, a rifle team, NTC, or battle drill #6. Translate your experience and skills into terms that someone completely unfamiliar with the military would understand. Have your 14 year-old nephew read your resume. If he can't understand what you did, it's probably too complicated and nuanced.
