LOL!
Mike (Christcorp) just described EVERY one of my 35 other ALO's in Arizona!
A lot of folks become all worked up about the interview and yet, as both Mike and Pima have stated (VERY accurately by the way) we are NOT the enemy!
Also, remember, of the @ 1,800 +/- ALO's worldwide, VERY few are on active duty. MOST are AF Reserve officers (some are ANG) and have other jobs outside the AF. And that is both a benefit and sometimes a curse. We're not always the most available people! I have a FEDEX pilot that works for me. He flies in Asia. When he's on a 10 day Pacific Rim trip...he's ONLY available via e-mail. BUT...he's VERY available that way! Phone calls...for him are hit and miss. I have another 20 Southwest Airlines pilots...same issue for them.
The interview itself? It can take MANY forms and the questions are ALWAYS different. Why? Because we have such diverse backgrounds and that plays a role in who we are and what we focus upon.
MY interview method? Depends upon the candidate. And trust me...before I interview a candidate, I've learned a GREAT deal about them! How? I go to their school and speak to:
a. Counselors
b. Teachers
c. Coaches
d. Faculty staff (P, VP, etc.)
This tells me a little about the person; strengths and weaknesses as seen by others, and so on. Only THEN will I be ready to interview them. BUT...I won't schedule that. The candidate must do that. It's not me that's interested in attending USAFA; been there, done that. It's the candidate and they need to show me they're serious. So I wait for them to call ME. When they were notified they were a candidate they were given my name, e-mail, phone. NOW it's in their hands. And for folks that are not "officially candidates" yet but are interested...they can contact their guidance counselors or the academy directly and they'll get the information. But for both groups...
If they're serious, they'll call or write; if not...
The ONE thing folks need to realize about ALOs above all else: we are NOT recruiters! We have no numbers to meet. If we don't get folks, then we don't get them. We are not going "hunting" for candidates because unless this is something they REALLY REALLY want, they won't succeed. So we "lie in wait."
BUT...once we are called, contacted, or meet you at a school function...THEN we to into action!
Because the ONE thing we ALOs share is a deep desire to HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS!!!
I will bust my A** for a candidate if they're serious and busting theirs. I may not have all the answers BUT I have access to ALL the folks that DO!
So...don't worry about the interview. Give honest answers to questions; don't be afraid to say "I don't know" if you truly don't know. Do NOT try to 'blow smoke' at us. That is something that will instantly turn us off.
As for dressing for the interview...I tell my candidates to decide based upon the time and location. I've interviewed students at school, at Starbucks, after football practice, in their home with their parents in the room, etc...etc...the dress was dictated by the location and time. Just be smart about it. Do NOT show up at a formal interview in shorts, ratty t-shirt, and flip-flops like one student did at a congressman's board. He was VERY lucky...he was scheduled for a later interview; took one look at everyone there, and raced home to change.
Okay....REALLY long post over. Bottom line?
Be yourself.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83