Tips to Make Yourself More Marketable

Some of the educational benefits available to student veterans require interviews, written essays or other application steps. Therefore, it's essential to make sure you are doing some research before approaching these programs. It's the same approach you'll take when applying for admission to college or interviewing for a job after graduation.

VR&E Interview Tips

Some veterans are interested in the benefits of the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, which may involve an interview. If you have a disability rating of at least 10%, you are eligible for this program which can help with training and employment services.

Marlena Blackman, lead benefits optimization coach, has suggestions for student veterans interviewing for programs, such as the VR&E.

"First of all, never, ever lie," she said. "Be honest with them about what you're looking for and why you want them to pay for the training."

Blackman encourages everyone to have an idea of what they want to accomplish or achieve from the program to share it with the person they're speaking with. The program is about employment, and if you're asking them to pay for schooling, they need a good reason.

Practice explaining the situation and your plan to them. Imagine all the questions you would ask yourself regarding this plan and prepare an answer for them.

How to Make Yourself Marketable

A little research can go a long way, and this is one area you'll want to do a little research on. Blackman suggests that you view your plan, and yourself, like a business. What is your business plan? How can you sell yourself as a reasonable risk for this benefit?

You can also stress that you understand the program is for employment and not education, making it clear you know the purpose. You need to explain your justification for the funding, including why your disability rating impacts it.

Read Next: Ace Your Next Interview with these Tips

It would also be helpful to prepare a master resume and several job postings for the position you're interested in. If you've interviewed for jobs in this area, you may want to bring up those examples and note what you learned from those interviews or rejections.

Think of it like this: What is standing between what you have and what you need to succeed in your career? How can you bridge that gap through VR&E -- or another program? Explaining the answers to these questions in an interview will help you with this process.

Learn more about the challenges facing transitioning veterans and how VVC can support them.