Nom interview etiquette?
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Get a hair cut, wear a nice suit with tie, black leather shoes. Take a copy of your resume, just one page to highlight yourself backed with a few copies of certs placed in a nice professional binder (5 copies). Look sharp, Be sharp, Act Sharp.
Get there early.
Take a couple of deep breaths and go for broke!
Good Luck!! Keep us posted
Push Hard, Press Forward
Get there early.
Take a couple of deep breaths and go for broke!
Good Luck!! Keep us posted
Push Hard, Press Forward
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2007
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Take a handkerchief or tissue... nothing is yuckier than sneezing into one's elbow... if you get my meaning.
As a West Point Field Force officer I have conducted over a hundred interviews.
Tug_Boat (above post) has good advice.
Some additional advice about dress, grooming, and preparation.-
-No facial hair
-No chewing gum
-Short Hair
-Look the interviewer in the eye and answer his questions in an honest and straightforward way. Be yourself and do not tell the interviewer what you think he wants to hear.
-Do not give the impression that your parents want you to go to WP more than you do (I have seen this many times)
-Show that you have thoroughly researched WP (do not ask question like - Is WP a regular college? - will I have to do PT as a Cadet? etc)
-Be prepared to answer the question "Why do you want to go to WP?"
-With your words, body language, and demeanor clearly show that you have a burning desire to be a WP Cadet.
-Indicate that you sincerely want to serve your country
Good luck
Tug_Boat (above post) has good advice.
Some additional advice about dress, grooming, and preparation.-
-No facial hair
-No chewing gum
-Short Hair
-Look the interviewer in the eye and answer his questions in an honest and straightforward way. Be yourself and do not tell the interviewer what you think he wants to hear.
-Do not give the impression that your parents want you to go to WP more than you do (I have seen this many times)
-Show that you have thoroughly researched WP (do not ask question like - Is WP a regular college? - will I have to do PT as a Cadet? etc)
-Be prepared to answer the question "Why do you want to go to WP?"
-With your words, body language, and demeanor clearly show that you have a burning desire to be a WP Cadet.
-Indicate that you sincerely want to serve your country
Good luck
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I think women can skip the short hair and facial hair elements - but hair should be nicely styled, but not date night sexy, ditto make-up. No jangly jewelry. No overwhelming scent (same for men.) Be sure you can sit comfortably and appropriately if wearing skirt or dress. This is a job interview. Project "young professional."
5Day
5-Year Member
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- Nov 18, 2015
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The interview start when you pull into the parking lot. You never know who you will meet as you go into the building. When my DS went to his MOC interview he was greeted by the MOC chief of staff. Although he is not on the board I am sure all the board's decision flow through him to the MOC. Just treat everyone with respect, as you would do normally.
Do not use their first name of the board members. Sir or Ma'am would be best as you stated.
You are not just interviewing for the academy, but to serve your country with a career in the military.
Remember it is possible that not everyone on your panel is Army, so don't disparage the other military branches.
Leave your phone in the car or give it to your parent to hold. Don't just turn it off, but get rid of any threat.
When standing keep your hands out of your pockets. In fact, take everything out of your front pockets, nothing worse than jiggling change.
Look after the details of what you are waring. This is your interview "uniform". Make it neat.
Make sure you have a question to ask the board. Most likely, at the end they will ask you if you have any questions. IMHO, no, is an incorrect answer. You can always ask "When will the [insert MOC] be making his nominations"
But most importantly be confident. You wouldn't be interviewing if you weren't qualified.
Best of luck.
Do not use their first name of the board members. Sir or Ma'am would be best as you stated.
You are not just interviewing for the academy, but to serve your country with a career in the military.
Remember it is possible that not everyone on your panel is Army, so don't disparage the other military branches.
Leave your phone in the car or give it to your parent to hold. Don't just turn it off, but get rid of any threat.
When standing keep your hands out of your pockets. In fact, take everything out of your front pockets, nothing worse than jiggling change.
Look after the details of what you are waring. This is your interview "uniform". Make it neat.
Make sure you have a question to ask the board. Most likely, at the end they will ask you if you have any questions. IMHO, no, is an incorrect answer. You can always ask "When will the [insert MOC] be making his nominations"
But most importantly be confident. You wouldn't be interviewing if you weren't qualified.
Best of luck.
bookreader
5-Year Member
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- Feb 5, 2015
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- 889
Make sure you have a firm handshake. The limp fish handshake is the worst!
proudmom1231
Member
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- Nov 20, 2015
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What is the etiquette AFTER a nomination is received? Are thank you notes appropriate? Should DS wait until he knows if he has an appointment/ made his decisions then send a thank you?
goforspaatz
USAFA c/o 2020
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2015
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- 344
My 2 cents worth: brush your teeth beforehand, and brush again at the location if you have time/space. Otherwise eat a mint or something to make doubly sure your breath is fresh. Also, don't take a seat before the committee does or says you can. Either wait or ask "May I?" Sources: personal experience.
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- Nov 25, 2007
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If there's a seat, wait until others sit, but "may I" seems a little weird of its clear a chair is for you.