Expectations Are in Sight
How can recognizing hiring manager expectations be used to the veteran’s advantage prior to and during an interview?
We have two signs printed out in every one of our classrooms, above the board, that read as follows:
" WHY are you here today? WHAT are you seeking to accomplish by doing whatever you do today? "
" Everything that you do here today has only 1 purpose ... To prepare you to be successful at what you will do tomorrow "
We believe, and communicate to every one of our students that preparation is the key to success in any and everything that they attempt, no matter how big or small the thing being attempted. As a result, we hope to show our students that understanding expectations and root cause are key to mastering any situation and as a result being prepared for the opoortunity to create success when it appears.
What tips do you give your students on how to anticipate a hiring manager's expectations? Do you find the HR expectations vary by industry? And what do you tell your students to do if they just can't figure out the expectations regardless of their research? Is there a generic approach that you coach your students to take?
This is very important for anyone applying to a job or preparing for an interview. Being prepared with the hiring managers expectations arms the potential candidate with specific information to speak to and highlight about themselves during the application and interview process. If for instance, I know that an expectation of a hiring manager is to grow their business or improve customer experience, I can then highlight specifics from my background and relay how such skills will aid in the company achieving such goals.
April
I think you are right on target. For transitioning military, how can they best take what on the surface seems to be a "military only" skill and apply that to the expectations that the hiring manager has to fill the position? There are usually not too many expectations for infantry skills in corporate America, but what skills from being an infantryman can our veterans highlight that would better meet the hiring expectations?
Garland
You are informed with the knowledge before the interview by doing research not only on the company but also combining what the posting description requires along with the applicant expressing how he can fill the shoes in the certain position and bringing out strengths when doing so. Knowing before hand gives an upper hand in your readiness and hunger for the positions.
Veterans are well versed in strategy or at least the power of strategy. By creating a game plan in creating a resume, cover letter, and interview presence, is breaks down the individual pieces of the process with a set goal in mind. This can ease anxiety and let them realize the control that they can assert during the process.
Christina,
You outline it in a very logical sequence that can be used as part of a veteran's "mission" brief. The mission is to get hired in a job of the veteran's choice and the operation order is the sequence that you lay out in your response. What veterans also must remember is that your resume passed the test if you were called for an interview. In the interview is where the personality of the veteran must shine through. The interview confirms that the veteran has the necessary skills for the job. The interview confirms that the veteran has the personality traits to fit in well with the corporate structure and will be a value add to the team.
