Interviews

USMAalltheway

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Hey!

I have a couple of questions regarding interviews with your state representitives. Now, I know each interview's different(considering there's a bunch of congressmen and senators), but what are some questions the interviewer usually asks you? Is it just one person interviewing you, or multiple people?

Also, how dressed up should I be for an interview? Should I wear something like khaki pants and a collared shirt, or should I go with something fancier, like dress pants, a suit jacket, and a tie? Thanks.

USMAalltheway
 
There is NO way to predict what questions you'll be asked. MOC Nom Cttees can do whatever they want in terms of questions. GENERALLY, there will be 2-3 people interviewing you; but, again, that is up to the individual MOC in terms of how his/her committee is organized.

As for dress, my STRONG recommendation is to wear at least a coat and tie and preferably a suit, IF you are comfortable in a suit. I'm sure there may be areas of the country where more casual dress is the norm. But you will never get docked for dressing too formally; the converse is not true.

If you're not used to wearing a suit/coat & tie, put them on before your interview. Get comfortable in the attire. Make sure it fits.
 
OK, big thanks! I do have one more question, this might sound stupid, but does the interview play a big role in making a person competitive for nomination?

USMAalltheway
 
^^^^

Can't say. Depends on the committees. Some make make their decision based primarily on the "paperwork"; others may give significant weight to interviews. You should always assume the latter as you can't know.
 
Also don't assume there will be an interview, for DS only one MOC had an interview (and did not do them until Jan.) The rest did it by paperwork, their slates were released in Dec.
 
Hey everyone!

Just wanted to let you know I've been accepted for an interview with my senator so far!:rockon: Just have a question, is there anything I should do that would make me stand out from the others during the interview? Thanks.

USMAalltheway
 
USMAalltheway: You are so eager to prepare for the interview, so here's a couple of suggestions:

Ask a teacher, principal, family friend, the banker, someone to do a practice interview with you.

If you are not comfortable speaking, get in front of the mirror and get to chatting. Some people are not comfortable with the sound of their own voices.

I was a teaching assistant for a college class that had a 4 hour lab once a week. The prof filmed me for the entire four hours my first time. Then we watched it together. :eek: I never said "um" or "uh" again. It was a crash course in public speaking. And the methodology worked!

Good luck!
 
Dear jennyp,

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I thoroughly enjoyed your story. I am actually doing just what you suggested. I am getting a mock interview from a friend who is an interview staff member for one of my MOC's. Thank you so much again!

USMAalltheway
 
My son had a practice interview panel w/ another cadet candidate. We had some business men (one who had a cadet at AFA) conduct the interview. He really was resistant to the idea at first, but it was excellent practice and his interviews went well.
 
Hi!

Okay...I can speak very specifically on this topic for at least my state and precisely for my congressman.

If there is an interview, expect to be one of MANY! Most likely it'll be at the local office of your MOC. You will probably be dealing with his Director of Constituent Services, or like title. This person works personally with/for the MOC so when you speak with them, think as if you're speaking directly to the MOC.

Dress...like you've heard from others here...a suit is NOT inappropriate. This is a job interview. You are there to convince the board that you are THE student that they want to tell the MOC that he/she absolutely MUST nominate to the academy! If you don't have a suit, or a sports coat, then at a minimum (my personal opinion) a NICE pair of PRESSED slacks, a pressed dress shirt, and a nice tie (and make sure it goes down to your belt; not only halfway down the shirt. :frown:

Questions you're bound to be asked...

a. WHY are you seeking this nomination?
b. WHY are you better than ALL those other young men and women you saw in the lobby with you?
c. Is that attitude confidence or arrogance? Can you explain the difference?
d. Tell me about a time you failed at something? What was it, why did you fail, what did you learn from it?
1. Failure is NOT striking out in the bottom of the 9th with a runner on third in the state championship game
2. Failure is NOT getting an "F" in a class that is for "UBER" intelligent people and where you busted your butt all semester.
(Are you getting the idea of what I mean by failure?)
e. What happens if you do NOT receive this nomination and therefore, are not able to attend the academy? What's your backup plan?
f. Have you applied to ROTC for a scholarship?

These are just a few of the MANY questions that I'd be able to answer. I'd also be able to speak intelligently on the events of the day, newsworthy items, etc.

Now...why do I put all these varied questions out for your consideration?

Maybe I've seen/heard/asked them? :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

NOMINATION BOARD CHAIRMAN FOR MY MOC
 
wow flieger,

You do everything. You have at least some input on both the academy/appointment side and senator/nomination side. If I was in Arizona, I would say you are a good guy to know real well. Thanks for the info, I am sure that those questions will be asked of almost all candidates in all states.

Later,

Brian
 
Hi!

...a suit is NOT inappropriate. This is a job interview. You are there to convince the board that you are THE student that they want to tell the MOC that he/she absolutely MUST nominate to the academy! If you don't have a suit, or a sports coat, then at a minimum (my personal opinion) a NICE pair of PRESSED slacks, a pressed dress shirt, and a nice tie (and make sure it goes down to your belt; not only halfway down the shirt. :frown:

Not sure about other states, but in GA, at the senator interview, hubby reported all candidates but one in a suit. At the congressman's interview, all boys were in suits and young ladies were in dresses and suits.
 
Not sure about other states, but in GA, at the senator interview, hubby reported all candidates but one in a suit. At the congressman's interview, all boys were in suits and young ladies were in dresses and suits.

That is VERY typical of what I "normally" see.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
wow flieger,

You do everything. You have at least some input on both the academy/appointment side and senator/nomination side. If I was in Arizona, I would say you are a good guy to know real well. Thanks for the info, I am sure that those questions will be asked of almost all candidates in all states.

Later,

Brian

Yeah...my wife keeps telling me I do too much! :shake:

I just enjoy it!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
There is NO way to predict what questions you'll be asked. MOC Nom Cttees can do whatever they want in terms of questions. GENERALLY, there will be 2-3 people interviewing you; but, again, that is up to the individual MOC in terms of how his/her committee is organized.

As for dress, my STRONG recommendation is to wear at least a coat and tie and preferably a suit, IF you are comfortable in a suit. I'm sure there may be areas of the country where more casual dress is the norm. But you will never get docked for dressing too formally; the converse is not true.

If you're not used to wearing a suit/coat & tie, put them on before your interview. Get comfortable in the attire. Make sure it fits.

Many times in the past here I've read, "don't wear your JROTC uniform" but-I disagree. I can say with certainty that in DS's MOC's interviews, almost every kid there, without exception, had on a JROTC uniform and I believe that showed some kind of incentive that a student had for obtaining a Service Academy nomination.
 
Many times in the past here I've read, "don't wear your JROTC uniform" but-I disagree. I can say with certainty that in DS's MOC's interviews, almost every kid there, without exception, had on a JROTC uniform and I believe that showed some kind of incentive that a student had for obtaining a Service Academy nomination.

A perfectly acceptable choice.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Do anyone think that having a telephone interview, since we live overseas, in lieu of an in person interview can be a negative factor? Just because the answer is "yes" to the telephone interview, does not mean that it is looked on with equal favor as an in person one.
 
Do anyone think that having a telephone interview, since we live overseas, in lieu of an in person interview can be a negative factor? Just because the answer is "yes" to the telephone interview, does not mean that it is looked on with equal favor as an in person one.

I to not think so.

I've had to do telephonic interviews with candidates in the past, I prefer to do them in person but events come up, issues, etc., and sometimes the phone is the only method.

And if that's the case, then that's what you do. And we do the very best telephone interview we can.

I know it doesn't impact me one way or the other because it's not the candidates fault (they're not trying to avoid me, this just can't be helped). With you being overseas, that can't be helped.

Now if you meant ALO interviews...we actually have ALO's overseas! But MOC's...I had two candidates for our board this past year: one was in Israel and one was in Tokyo. We did phone interviews.

BOTH are at USAFA.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Telephone interview

Son's interview was via telephone as BGO is 535 miles away! He rec'd an appointment January 20 and is currently beginning plebe year. At the time, a year ago, we volunteered to fly him to BGO's location and were told the phone interview would be adequate. Guess it worked:thumb:
 
This is kind of a silly question, but how do people overseas get a nomination? I don't live overseas or anything. I am just wondering how they are able to get a nomination since there are no state senators or reps over there. Obviously some of them might be able to get the presidential because their parents are deployed, but what if they can't get the presidential?

Later,

Brian
 
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