How to Translate Military Experience in an Interview (STAR Method Guide)
Master the interview process with proven techniques for translating military experience into compelling civilian career stories using the STAR method and strategic preparation.
Members of the Veterans Transition Center community—whether you are working through your Individual Transition Plan (ITP), attending the Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition (EFCT) workshop, or actively job searching—interviewing is your critical moment to demonstrate the immense value you bring to the civilian workplace.
The Department of Labor (DOL) Employment Workshop (DOLEW) emphasizes that interviewing is a two-way street: A company interviews to find the right person for the job, and you interview to find the right company and job fit.
By approaching this process with the same meticulous preparation you applied in the military, you can successfully translate your service accomplishments into compelling civilian career stories. Here is how to interview and what to ask prospective employers.
Your success starts long before the interview time slot. The fundamental concept is to "Think Like an Employer" (TLAE), which means assessing your presentation through the employer's viewpoint.
1. Conduct Your Reconnaissance
- Research the Company and the Interviewer: Always investigate the organization to understand its culture, mission, vision, history, and leadership. If you know who is interviewing you, research their role and background on the company's website or professional social media (like LinkedIn) to facilitate a meaningful connection.
- Analyze the Job Posting: Thoroughly re-read the job description, paying attention to qualifications, requirements, responsibilities, and key terminology. Identify keywords used in the posting to help tailor your resume and your spoken answers.
- Prepare Your Materials: Gather your resume, references, and notes, and place them in a portfolio or folder. Prepare a brief for your references, providing them with a copy of the job announcement and your resume so they can speak intelligently about your suitability for the role.
2. Master the Professional Introduction
Be ready for the classic opening: "Tell me about yourself". Your goal is to deliver a concise, 60-90 second professional introduction (or "elevator speech") that captures their attention.
Structure your introduction by following these steps:
- State Your Goal: Identify the target role you are seeking.
- Include Relevant Experience: Highlight your professional history and results (using the STAR method—see below).
- Make the Connection: Briefly explain why you are the best fit, connecting your skills to their needs.
- Avoid Military Jargon: Always communicate your experience using civilian terms, as many employers are unfamiliar with military culture and terminology. You can use AI tools to translate military terms into civilian equivalents during preparation.
The most effective method for responding to interview questions, especially behavioral and situational questions, is the STAR Method.
STAR is an acronym for:
- S (Situation): Define the specific time or circumstance when you used a particular skill.
- T (Task): Name the key objective or challenge you were responsible for overcoming. (Remember to focus on you and your role, not the whole team).
- A (Action): Explain the steps you took to accomplish the task, emphasizing your unique skills and resources. Always start your response bullet points with strong action verbs.
- R (Result): Describe the positive outcome of your action. Where possible, quantify your accomplishment using numbers (e.g., increased efficiency by 15%, trained over 150 staff, maintained a 100% safety record).
Using STAR helps bring your work to life and demonstrates soft skills (like problem-solving, efficiency, and innovation) without explicitly listing them.
The last part of the interview is often dedicated to your questions. Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your preparation and provides crucial information about the workplace fit.
Questions to Ask to Determine Fit:
Ask about the company's expectations and environment:
- What types of strengths and experience do you look for in new hires?
- Are there any particular positions the company is focused on hiring?
- How long is the application and interview process? What does it consist of?
- What is the company culture like? (Check platforms like Glassdoor to supplement this information).
- How does this role contribute to the company's overall mission?
Questions to Avoid:
Do not ask questions that reveal a lack of research or prematurely focus on compensation:
- ✗"What does your company do?"
- ✗"How much is the pay?" (Salary negotiation should wait until an offer is extended).
Closing with a "Call to Action":
At the end of the interview, politely but proactively propose an actionable next step to maintain control of the communication timeline:
- "I would love the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team further. Could we exchange information and possibly set up a follow-up meeting?".
- "May I contact you with further questions? Do you have a business card?".
- Ask when you may expect to hear back from them.
1. Disability Disclosure and Accommodation
If you have a service-connected disability, understand your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In many jurisdictions, it is illegal for an employer to ask about a disability during the interview unless it relates directly to the essential physical requirements of the job.
If you are hired and require accommodations to perform your duties, you can engage in self-advocacy—the ability to clearly communicate your needs. Resources like the Job Accommodation Network (Ask JAN) can help you determine possible accommodations that employers may provide.
2. Virtual and Remote Interviews
If your interview format is virtual (e.g., phone or video), use these tips:
- Practice with Notes: Use the advantage of being unseen (in a phone interview) or having a discrete workspace (in a virtual interview) to reference your notes or "cheat sheets".
- Test Your Equipment: Ensure your audio, video, and background are working smoothly ahead of time.
- Maintain Professionalism: Dress professionally, even if online. Look at the camera, be present, and use non-verbal cues like nodding. If you are not speaking, mute your microphone.
3. The Follow-Up
Regardless of how the interview went, follow up immediately:
- Send a handwritten thank-you note or email ideally within 24 hours.
- If you receive an offer, confirm all details in writing (the offer letter) before accepting.
Navigating the interview process requires converting years of military experience into compelling civilian context. Think of the interview like a highly structured mission brief: You must clearly articulate the Situation (S), your specific Task (T), the Actions (A) you executed, and the verifiable Result (R) to show the employer exactly how your skills achieved success.
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