AROTC Interview

Him botching this interview is one of my biggest fears. DS is VERY good at speaking and interacting with adults, but he's NEVER been through anything that even closely resembles a formal interview. I know a lot of posters out here keep saying that the interviewers know the applicant is only 17, but all it takes is one hard a$$ or stand off-ish interviewer to totally throw a kid off. Luckily, I was able to talk him into letting his Dad & me work with him to prepare for the interview (he also tends to "always know better..."). We're trying to walk the line between having DS comfortable with whatever is thrown his way during the interview and having him sound stiff & rehearsed.

Surprisingly, one of the questions he's having the most difficult time with is "Tell me about yourself". Based on my experience in the business world, I keep telling him they don't want a chronological re-telling of his life (i.e. I was born in X city and I've lived there for Y number of years, etc.). They want to know what skill set he's bringing to the table. However, my DH, based on his experience in the law enforcement world, says that when they are interviewing someone for a position, they DO want some life history. It helps them to understand the environment they came from. It can affect how they react to things they encounter on the job.

Also, that's usually one of the first questions that will be asked in an interview. So, if he gives a bad impression on that one, it may not bode well for him for the rest of the interview.
 
gojack said:
We asked a couple of our professional adult neighbors to do mock interviews, I think that really helped.
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I think that's an excellent idea, gojack, but unfortunately DS called on Friday to make the appointment and they told him to be there on Monday (tomorrow!). We wouldn't have time to coordinate anything with our professional contacts.
 
Future2LtMom said:
Him botching this interview is one of my biggest fears. DS is VERY good at speaking and interacting with adults, but he's NEVER been through anything that even closely resembles a formal interview. I know a lot of posters out here keep saying that the interviewers know the applicant is only 17, but all it takes is one hard a$$ or stand off-ish interviewer to totally throw a kid off. Luckily, I was able to talk him into letting his Dad & me work with him to prepare for the interview (he also tends to "always know better..."). We're trying to walk the line between having DS comfortable with whatever is thrown his way during the interview and having him sound stiff & rehearsed.

Surprisingly, one of the questions he's having the most difficult time with is "Tell me about yourself". Based on my experience in the business world, I keep telling him they don't want a chronological re-telling of his life (i.e. I was born in X city and I've lived there for Y number of years, etc.). They want to know what skill set he's bringing to the table. However, my DH, based on his experience in the law enforcement world, says that when they are interviewing someone for a position, they DO want some life history. It helps them to understand the environment they came from. It can affect how they react to things they encounter on the job.

Also, that's usually one of the first questions that will be asked in an interview. So, if he gives a bad impression on that one, it may not bode well for him for the rest of the interview.
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Future2LtMom, I totally get what you are saying. The interview for us last year was very stressful. I googled helpful tips with my DS and went over as many as possible with him. All you can do is give him the tools to be successful. The rest will be up to him.

DS's interview lasted about 1 hour and 15 min. He instantly had a connection with the PMS, which was great. Apparently they had a lot to talk about. He said that the secretary told him that the interviews never last that long. So we were kind of nervous waiting to hear final word from cc.

Also we found an example of the AROTC interview score sheet and questions somewhere on the internet. We used it as a guide. Don't know if it was current, old, or what, but I think it helped us. I'll see if I still have it on my computer and PM you if I find it.

Good luck to you guys....
 
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Future2LtMom said:
I think that's an excellent idea, gojack, but unfortunately DS called on Friday to make the appointment and they told him to be there on Monday (tomorrow!). We wouldn't have time to coordinate anything with our professional contacts.
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Some Last Minute Interview Tips

1. Before you go in

turn off the cell phone, get rid of the chewing gum, tuck in your shirt and clear your throat

2. After you go in

establish eye contact, smile, offer a firm handshake, and wait until you're asked to sit down. if you catch yourself mumbling to your shoes, re-establish eye contact
 
EDelahanty said:
Some Last Minute Interview Tips

1. Before you go in

turn off the cell phone, get rid of the chewing gum, tuck in your shirt and clear your throat

2. After you go in

establish eye contact, smile, offer a firm handshake, and wait until you're asked to sit down. if you catch yourself mumbling to your shoes, re-establish eye contact
Click to expand...

Thanks Delahanty! I think sometimes it's especially difficult to remember to dump the phone before something like this. I'll have DS attach a post-it to his binder so he will see it before he gets out of the car.
 
Well, just got home after being gone most of the day to take DS to his interview. DS said it went really well. This particular PMS focused a lot on getting to know my son, what he really wanted, & what he could contribute to the battalion. He focused heavily on the rigor of his coursework, his sports, his extracurriculars, and any leadership roles he played in any of them. He asked him what he felt were his greatest strength & greatest weakness. There was nothing about current events or asking about what was the most recent book he read. The PMS said he would be happy to have DS in his battalion & that his scoring on the interview was close to perfect. He said that the only thing that could be slightly viewed in a negative light was that he was only involved in one competitive sport. However, he felt that it was probably offset by the fact that he lettered all four years of high school & that he was also involved in an intramural sport. I'm just glad it's over with! Now, back to college apps!
 
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Congrats for completing another step in the process. Glad to hear that all went well. Now comes the hard part.. Waiting..... At least all will be done by the first board.
 
DS was making me laugh today. On the way home from the interview, I made a comment about being glad this was over with. DS said, "Mom, you know you're still going to be out on that forum every day!" He knows me well.
 
Future2LtMom said:
DS was making me laugh today. On the way home from the interview, I made a comment about being glad this was over with. DS said, "Mom, you know you're still going to be out on that forum every day!" He knows me well.
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+1
 
My ds's interview Saturday morning. Long drive down Friday night. Been doing mock interviews last couple of days. All the interview info has been a great help. Trying to fit it in between heavy school work and workouts. This will be the last piece to the long process. Good luck to all my forum moms!
 
Good luck to your son degli! Try to stay calm yourself. My son's interview was short and a piece of cake compared to what we were expecting, so I guess every interview is different.
 
About how long did it take for the interview to show up as complete on the application? The PMS that conducted DS interview yesterday said that he was going to write a report & submit it before he left for the day. As of late this afternoon it still wasn't showing as completed. I wonder if CC has to do something with it on their end before they update the portal.
 
I think it was a good 3 to 4 days. I can't remember now, but I remember wondering if it had been sent in, and getting nervous that it hadn't!
 
soccmomer said:
I think it was a good 3 to 4 days. I can't remember now, but I remember wondering if it had been sent in, and getting nervous that it hadn't!
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Ok, thanks. I just wanted to get an idea of how long DS should wait before he contacts CC.
 
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