Retruting veterans is not just about taking a position; it is also about their background. Veterans are also a very valuable source of skills, discipline, and experience. The use of the right questions will help you look deeper than the resume. To hire with a purpose, here are five considerate questions that one should not miss when recruiting a veteran.
Question 1: What Influenced Your Choice Of Military Branch?
When joining the military, veterans have a choice of serving in different branches, six in particular which are all quite different from each other. Each branch has its own goals, key responsibilities, and a specific working environment. Veterans take pride and enjoy describing the branch in which they served. When asking them about their choice of branch, it is not necessary to go into details; you can simply focus on understanding its uniqueness.
Question 2: What Were Your Key Responsibilities Within The Military?
When recruiting veterans, you should not rely solely on spoken titles, but on what the veterans actually do. Veterans often have to handle high-stakes situations, such as commanding teams, keeping intricate systems up, or making split-second judgments.
The question allows you to find the true capabilities of the person, many of which translate directly into civilian jobs. Not only seek what was done, but also seek how it was done. It can tell you about leadership, flexibility, and dedication that you cannot find on a usual resume.
Question 3: What Part Did You Play In Group Collaborations?
Veterans are seldom loner wolves, but they are trained on how to perform collectively under heavy pressure. This question will help you determine the type of teammate they are. Did they assume initiative? Did they play the role of a support player or one who kept the group grounded?
Each position is important. The answer they give can be used to indicate their communication abilities, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence, important aspects in teams. It also allows them to consider their contribution to common goals, which is also always good in a working environment.
Question 4: What Kind of Work Environment do You Prefer?
The military life differs quite a bit depending on the service and even more after moving to civilian employment. This question allows you to understand how veterans operate – whether they work best in structured environments with routine or in dynamic conditions that change frequently.
Their response will provide feedback as to how they may fit into the corporate culture of your business. It also demonstrates that you are concerned about their comfort and fit, rather than just their experience. And that type of respect takes a long time to create trust.
Question 5: Can You Relate Your Future Career Goals to Your Military Experience?
This question will prompt veterans to reflect on how their military experience will impact their long-term plans. It opens up before them their long-term prospects and enthusiasm, and provides them with an opportunity to feel listened to. It is not about the recruitment process, but instead getting to know them and putting them in the right direction.