What do most employers look for when they see an applicant who has had previous military experience?

It all depends on the employer and the job you are applying for.

First and foremost, you need to meet the educational and experience qualifications for the job you are seeking.

You need to demonstrate the same level of maturity and professionalism on an interview that you would show to a NCO or officer.

You need to be able to effectively translate military lingo to civilian lingo. Civilians don't understand battalions and FTXs tactical equipment names and military acronyms. It's your responsibility to tune your resume and your conversational tone to eliminate these things when talking to a potential civilian employer. If they are a fellow vet, then you can speak the language, but this won't be the case all the time.

The veteran status will be the tie breaker in a lot of cases, again based on the company and their track record with being vet friendly & vet supportive.

Primarily, they are looking for fit within their organization. Are you right for the role? Are you right for their company culture? MAJ Petrarca's advice is great. As you get ready to interview, read up on common questions and advice, there's a truckload of advice geared towards veterans making the transition. I know the job search is intimidating, but remember that you need to interview a potential employer as well. Ask thoughtful questions about the position, company, and industry to help determine if the role meets your goals.

My job hired me due to my experience, and that my supervisor understands how military can breed loyalty.