Hiring veterans: Advice for leading a successful job interview

There’s no shortage of reasons to hire veterans. They bring critical skills like leadership, problem-solving, discipline and cultural competency to any workplace. 

While a hiring manager might be open or excited about hiring veterans, they often make some common mistakes during the hiring process. While resume bias and other barriers can prevent veterans and military spouses from landing great jobs, the interview itself is another place where employers can unintentionally miss out on a great hire.  

At Adecco, finding veterans and military spouses great jobs is a part of our commitment to the “Future of Work,” so we partner with the Adecco Military Alliance to bridge that gap.  

Below, learn about some of the common mistakes hiring managers can make: 

Stay on point

It's crucial to stay focused on a veteran's qualifications and how they align with the requirements for the job you’re hiring for. During the interview, it’s natural to be curious about their time in the military or want to hear their perspective on a news story.  

However, those questions won’t help you better understand them as a job candidate, and if you spend 20 minutes of your half-hour interview on unrelated topics, you’re robbing them of the opportunity to talk about why they’re a good fit for your company. 

Table any questions that don’t directly apply to the job, and stick to their relevant skills, certifications, and related experiences. 

Don't mistake conciseness for a lack of experience

Military veterans are trained to communicate directly and concisely, so during the interview, hiring managers should be prepared to hear clear, to-the-point answers.  

Unfortunately, many mistake their brevity for a lack of experience or knowledge.  

Veterans' ability to convey complex information succinctly is a valuable skill. Make a point to dive deeper and ask follow-up questions to get a better understanding of their qualifications. 

Ask for clarification on job titles and certifications

Veterans possess a diverse range of technical and soft skills. However, often those skills don’t easily translate to familiar civilian terms.  

If you can do so in advance, visit O*NET. We recommend this free resource because it allows hiring managers to look up military job titles and even cross-reference them with their civilian equivalents. 

However, if you aren’t able to prepare before the interview, be sure to ask for clarification on certifications, training, or skill sets they mention that you’re uncertain of. It’s important to understand the scope and relevance of their expertise. 

Interview for soft skills

Soft skills are critical for any job candidate, but companies hiring veterans need to take this to heart.

The term actually originated in 1970s as a part of US Army training to differentiate people skills from the ones needed to use weapons or operate equipment.  Veterans often bring a wealth of soft skills to the workplace. Ask about their experiences in overcoming adversity, managing people, and building relationships or ask them to share anecdotes that demonstrate their leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.  

One good place to start: "Why did you decide to join the military?" You might receive a number of different responses, but they’ll give you an invaluable insight into their character.  

Don’t forget to highlight your organization’s initiatives

If your company offers benefits or programs specifically tailored to veterans and their families, be sure to let your interviewee know!  

Finding great talent remains a challenge, and job candidates will take notice if your team is actively supporting and hiring veterans. This could be through upskilling and reskilling offerings, mentorship programs, or flexible and remote schedules. 

For example, at Adecco, we partner with the Military Alliance to support veterans and active military spouses in find great opportunities and long-term career success. Many of our Adecco colleagues have served and understand on a personal level how critical the right opportunity at the right time is.  

It’s important to approach interviews with military veterans thoughtfully. As a population who has sacrificed and given so much, they often get overlooked, despite being driven individuals who value personal and professional growth.  

Learn more about the Adecco Military Alliance, or reach out today to talk about how we can support your recruiting efforts.