Want to get Real Interviews?

A transitioning military officer recently commented, "I'm tired of wasting my time on what feels like the fake job openings I see posted online". Many of us may have felt this way before, and while the opportunities are not fake, the process is frustrating. My recommendation? Use your network (which should include headhunters) for referrals.

Many jobs are filled internally from referrals before they are even advertised. By the time the job is posted, a shortlist of candidates has already been identified. A referral is more likely to get the position simply because HR staffs are busy... and why not interview someone who already has an advocate?and some level of screening?

Working to set up career interviews through their own efforts can be a puzzling experience.?To make things streamlined and more transparent, companies and the government?have automated their employment applications online.?Right now, you can apply to almost any company or agency at any time.?That’s good, but try finding out if you’re being considered, where you stand in their process, or when you might (if ever) hear from them is a struggle.?There are no phone numbers to call and no actual email to contact on the website.? This is intentional, Managers and HR professionals don’t want you calling them,?thus turning the employment application into at best a passive process. Using your network and the power of a referral increases your chances of dealing with a human and not an AI system designed to eliminate resumes that don't score high enough. There is a better way.

Start by making a list of everyone that you know and identify which individuals might be connected to industries you are qualified and interested in pursuing. Then, reach out to those people, perhaps offering to get coffee or lunch to discuss your future goals and plans. Tell them you are looking for a job and would appreciate their help with introductions to career contacts. Similarly, using a good headhunter or recruiting agency can be an effective way to receive a recommendation or referral to a "real" opportunity and hiring authority.

How do we know what jobs are open?? How do we get actual interviews set up for you?? We have talented people who do a lot of research, target what we think are the best career options out there, and then CALL into companies to reach managers . . . to talk to decision-makers.?We don’t mine job boards (a big waste of time).?We pick up the phone and call.?That’s not fun or easy, but it’s the only way to find what's going on and find the best corporate career openings.?When we surface a great opportunity that would work for a high-caliber veteran, it goes out to our internal network.?If a particular opportunity has great potential, we reach out and ask if you want to be considered. Then we recommend your credentials to the company and if they’d like to talk, we give you a detailed brief and tell you more about the company, the particular open position, and even the background of the interviewer.?We then set up a phone or video interview between you and the manager.?If you get through that successfully, the company flies you out at their expense for a full-blown day of interviews.?That’s how we have helped tens of thousands of transitioning military and veterans find the best career prospects out there.

Even though applying online is largely ineffective, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to secure interviews on your own and try job boards and company websites. Some veteran job seekers do land their new careers that way.? Just manage your time and expectations wisely when you do.