Let me tell you a story. About 12 years ago, we had a candidate, Tom, who attended our conference in Charlotte, NC, with his wife, Heather. Heather was incredible. Wherever Tom was, she was right there beside him, offering all kinds of support. It was amazing to go by the hotel atrium in the evenings and see them working side by side with papers spread out on the table. Heather created a fantastic note card system and drilled Tom on questions while also doing company research and helping him develop questions to ask his interviewers. Thanks to Heather’s support, Tom was one of the best-prepared candidates we’ve ever seen.
Did you know?
Did you know that about two-thirds of the candidates in our program have a significant other? And when we say significant other (SO), we don’t just mean a spouse. It could also be a fiancé or someone else with whom there is a significant relationship. If that applies to you, we highly encourage you to involve your SO in your preparation. Our program isn’t only about you; it affects everyone in your family. Involving your SO to the maximum extent possible can make it a true team effort.
Here are several ways your SO can participate:
- Join Classes: Your SO can take part in our classes via Zoom, even if they are at a different location. While they don’t need to attend every class, we recommend they join the Overview of Corporate America and Career Management classes. They can even attend classes without you, as long as at least one other candidate is also taking the class. We’ve found that spouses who participate tend to enjoy and benefit from the experience.
- Help with Interview Preparation: Interviewing is a skill that takes practice and feedback. Your SO can be an excellent practice partner, especially if they don’t have a military background, as they can point out military jargon that might confuse civilians.
- Assist at Conferences: During the initial two prep days of the conference, your SO can attend briefings, helping you catch important details you might miss. Pre-COVID, it was common for spouses to be present at our in-person conferences, and it’s even easier now with virtual events.
- Conduct Company Research: Your SO can help you research the companies you’re interviewing with, aiding you in developing good questions.
- Pre-Interview Inspections: An SO with good attention to detail can help ensure you look your best before going into an interview.
- Participate in Important Discussions: As the conference approaches and afterward, we will have one-on-one conversations with you about career preferences, follow-up options, offers, and negotiations. Your SO is welcome to be part of these discussions.
Involving your SO in your preparation not only benefits you but also helps them feel included and invested in the process. We believe that a strong support system can make a substantial difference in your success.
Our next hiring conference is happening August 25th-28th click this link to apply: https://alliance-careers.com/jmo-hiring-conference/