Here are few of the things veterans do right in the hiring process. These are a few tips and secrets that have worked well for others and should work well for you.

1. Look the part. When one of my clients is hiring a veteran, he/she has a vision in their head about what you look like. The picture they have is somewhat about your physical appearance, but mostly about the way you carry yourself. Whether you are interviewing for an executive position or a technical job, maintain the military posture. Now, I'm not saying you need to stand at parade rest. I'm saying you need to stand tall, chest out and shoulders back. Ensure your interview attire is appropriate and pressed. A more civilian haircut is typically preferred, but not a showstopper. The military posture, however, is highly impressive. It raises the bar for your unsuspecting competition.

2. Do your homework. Once you know the name of the company and the person with whom you're interviewing, do something different – research them. You don't need to spend all day figuring out who their soul mate is or the names of all the company board members. You do need to find 2 or 3 things about the company that you find interesting. This way, when they ask you "Do you know anything about us" you can say "Yes, I know a little" and then discuss the items you thought were interesting.

3. Close the interview. Many of the people I placed with companies had no interest in getting sales jobs. Well, on the day of an interview, we are all sales people. You're selling the company on you. You are letting them know why you're a better fit than candidate B. Most important, you should be following the first rule of sales – Always be closing. Once the interview is complete, you need to ensure that you have a.) Answered all of their questions; b.) Thanked them for their time; and c.) Let them know you are interested in the position. On a number of occasions, I've had clients come and tell me that they really liked the veteran they interviewed, but they weren't sure if that person was really interested in them. Do not be that vet.

It's hard to improve your career's circumstances if your immediate work environment is toxic. That's why some experts say it's important to disengage from dysfunctionality wherever practical.

These are a few of the hints I gave to my veteran candidates when I was a headhunter. When these vets looked the part, did their homework and closed the interview well, they normally moved forward in the interview process or got the job on the spot. The tips worked for them. They should work for you too.

Top Ohio Careers:

• Manager
• Customer Service Representative
• Industrial Maintenance Mechanic
• Supervisor
• Sales Representative
• Security Officer
• Project Manager
• Local/Delivery Driver
• Electronics Technician
• Records Management Analyst

Ohio veterans have an edge...

Veterans in Ohio have an edge in finding their next career. Ohio values the service and sacrifice of its veterans; to that end, on OhioMeansVeteranJobs you'll find a wealth of information to help you make a smooth transition into civilian life. You'll also find lists of veteran-friendly employers, top careers for veterans, federal and state benefits and tools like the Military Skills Translator to help you locate that next career.

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