Skip to main content
a blue sky with a white background

Interviewing Tips for Veterans

alt

This blog post was written by Centene Talent Advisor, Jamie R. who served in the Air Force and is currently a member of Centene’s EIG, CenVet.

The transition from a military career to a civilian career can seem like a daunting task. And one of the first steps in the process – the interview – can seem extra intimidating, especially if it's been a while.

As you prepare for the interview, here are several tips to keep in mind.

  1. Reflect on the skills you’ve built during your time in the military and be confident in those. Use them to highlight how you’ll make an impact on the job and organization.
  2. Try to not use too many military acronyms or jargon since many people who have never served in the military may not understand them. For example, if you want to talk about a “battalion”, you can include a reference to the number of people, instead of saying “I managed one thousand men and women serving in Europe”.
  3. Always shape your answers to the position you’re applying for. Be clear and concise in your answers. Use the STAR method - which stands for situation, task, action, and result - for your responses. There are several resources and videos online about the STAR method.
  4. Research the company so you can demonstrate you put the effort into learning about their organization and culture. You’ll also find out whether they are ‘Veteran-Friendly’ and have tools and resources for you to use in your professional journey.
  5. Know the type of interview that is expected after the initial contact with the recruiter. For video interviews, find out what video conferencing platform will be used. Make sure you do a test run of your technology to check video and sound quality. And, make sure you dress professionally. If it’s an in-person interview, drive the route to the location to make sure you know where you are going and where to park.
  6. Always have questions to ask in the interview. This will help you assess whether it’s a company, team or manager you want to work for. See some other examples of questions here.

 

 

Tags

Related Articles

a woman wearing a black suit and orange necklace

Resilience and Agility: Life at Centene for Military Spouses

For those in the military and their families, receiving orders to relocate are a part of the job. While it’s an opportunity to explore a new area or region, it can also cause stress for the whole family, including spouses who may find themselves looking for a new job.

Read more
a group of people on a video call

Leveraging Skills and Forging Careers for Veterans

Centene is proud to be recently named to the 2022 Military Times Best for Vets list of employers for our efforts to recruit, retain and support veterans and military spouses. Learn how veterans have been able to make an impact at Centene through the CyberUp and SkillBridge programs at Centene.

Read more
a collage of a woman and a woman

5 Tips to Make Your Resume Shine

A resume is one of your first chances to highlight skills and show a company why you might be the perfect fit. But what's the best way to stand out in a pool of applicants? Check out these 5 tips from recruiters to help bring your resume to the next level when applying to roles at Centene.

Read more