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Interview Questions You're Most Likely to Hear

Top notch companies and selective recruiting firms will ask thorough and probing questions to identify if you have the ability and desire to be a leader in a corporate America. You cannot wing it. You must be prepared!

Each question a recruiter asks has a purpose, the candidate needs to understand what the recruiter wants and provide answers that demonstrate key competencies and interest.

Types of questions you might encounter in an interview include the following:

Character/Trait Questions
Recruiters use these to get to know candidates. They want to understand what motivates and drives a candidate and what traits have made the candidate successful.

Example Character/Trait Questions include:

• Why are you leaving the military?

• What your strengths?

• What are your weaknesses?

• What are your short and long term goals?

Process Questions
Normally, these start with "How do you..." With these questions, a recruiter wants to know the steps or methodology you use in a certain areas. The recruiter does not want a specific example.

Example Process Questions include:

• How do you solve problems?

• How do you lead change?

• How do you manage risk?

Significant Accomplishment Questions
In these questions, the recruiter asks for a specific accomplishment from your military career. You will want to focus on what you specifically did to catalyze actions in others and achieve the accomplishment versus a lot of background information. Military jargon, detailed explanations of military procedures, etc., add no value to an answer.

Example Significant Accomplishment Questions include:

• Tell me about time you solved a complex problem.

• Tell me about a time you led a team through change.
  

Be ready for a variety of questions. Take time to develop answers to the most common interview questions. First, write them out. Then put them in bullet form and finally practice with a partner or tape recorder. The first time you deliver an answer should not be in an interview.

For more helpful advice on how to prepare for your transition, we recommend you register for access to our Resource Center.

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