Tips for Interviewing with a PMS

Future2LtMom said:
Wow -- how awesome! Best of luck!

(And be prepared to have your brain picked on this forum when you get back! :shake:)
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Hahaha I was planning on it! The cadre member interviewing me said that although they STILL can't find me on the database from CC, he'd be happy to interview me now and put the information in later.
 
Had my interview today at Purdue with a Major in the battalion. He managed to get my paperwork from the application and get me officially in the system! But it was very relaxed and casual and I wasn't too nervous, because I had already spoken to him during my college visit (benefit of stopping by the ROTC offices).

I brought a copy of my résumé with everything I thought he would want to know about me, and that definitely helped keep track of what to talk about so I recommend it. We basically went down my list of activities (Academic, Leadership, Athletics, misc) and talked about each one in-depth. He asked me questions about them and also asked some "tough questions" but nothing too hard. We talked about the battalion and extracurricular activities it had and he explained the process to me from here.

I guess my application is complete now, and once he puts in my interview form to CC all I have to do is wait until the October board. He said he'd love to have me at Purdue, so hopefully that means I made a good impression :thumb: I was really impressed on how they worked with me throughout the process, and their ROTC building is awesome. If anyone has questions I'd be happy to answer.

EDIT: The interview itself took about an hour and a half, but we did a lot of casual random talking.
 
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Strength and Honor said:
I brought a copy of my résumé with everything I thought he would want to know about me, and that definitely helped keep track of what to talk about so I recommend it. We basically went down my list of activities (Academic, Leadership, Athletics, misc) and talked about each one in-depth. He asked me questions about them and also asked some "tough questions" but nothing too hard. We talked about the battalion and extracurricular activities it had and he explained the process to me from here.
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Wow - it's interesting to compare the questions from my interview (which literally consisted of a handful of questions). Didn't even look at/discuss my resume at all.

But hey - glad you had a good interview! Hope it all works out for you!
 
Congratulations on what sounds like a job well done! That must be a huge weight off your shoulders to have all this behind you.

If you don't mind answering, what were some of the tougher questions?
 
Future2LtMom said:
Congratulations on what sounds like a job well done! That must be a huge weight off your shoulders to have all this behind you.

If you don't mind answering, what were some of the tougher questions?
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1. He asked me what my lowest grade in high school was, how I got it, and what I learned from it.

2. He asked the same type of question only with my worst subject and how I overcome it.

3. Asked me to describe a challenge I had faced and how I dealt with it.

4. Asked me what the hardest decision I had to make during high school was and how I went about it. There were others but my mind is going blank. It's been a long day: two tennis practices and an interview two hours away!
 
Strength and Honor said:
1. He asked me what my lowest grade in high school was, how I got it, and what I learned from it.

2. He asked the same type of question only with my worst subject and how I overcome it.

3. Asked me to describe a challenge I had faced and how I dealt with it.

4. Asked me what the hardest decision I had to make during high school was and how I went about it. There were others but my mind is going blank. It's been a long day: two tennis practices and an interview two hours away!
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Boils down to "How did you adapt and overcome!". Good job. I think the fact you were relaxed and there were some casual moments speaks volumes about you and the quality of the interview. Good luck! Hope your dreams come true! :thumb:
 
+1 kinnem.

For posters that are also trying the SA route, those questions were comparable to what our DS was asked during his nom interview.

DS was also asked:
1. The last book you read that was not assigned by a teacher.
~~~~ That was easy for him because he just finished Black Hawk Down.
2. If he thought that the invasion of Iraq was just and worth the cost?
~~~~ Imagine being 17 and answering that question.
3. The last current event article that struck his interest and why?
~~~~ Not a problem for him because his intended major was Govt.
4. What is your career field choice and why?
~~~~ Pilot was his, and his response was tied back to his other answers....i.e. what he walked away with from reading Black Hawk Down, his intended major, and current events. How it was not about flying fighters and flight suits since he was 6, or because Dad flew Strikes, instead it was about the mission itself, supporting his military brethren for our country.

Questions vary from interviewer to interviewer. As kinnem stated the interviewer maybe looking for something in particular, in this case I agree it is how you adapt and overcome. That is the military world....adapting and overcoming.

For our DS, it was more about being well rounded and how decisions are not black and white, there are shades of grey. What would he do if he was in the shade of grey.

Interview questions may seem off the wall, such as, the music you listen to, or your favorite video game. The point is the interviewer has a purpose in the questions. Maybe it is to make the candidate feel comfortable or to find a starting point for conversation. Maybe it is for insight in a different manner. Maybe, they already know you are a lock and want to get to know you.

The thing is to remember, as we say every yr. The interviewer/s know you are 17/18. They get the pressure you are feeling. Trust them to keep this in mind during the interview. Don't think of it like visiting the dentist for wisdom teeth extraction. Think of it as hanging out with your parents friends on your deck answering questions they are curious about regarding why you want this life. You wouldn't be nervous, you know why, and you are just proving to them you know why. A PMS will be your support system next yr. and they personally care about you, they want you to succeed. Just like your folks friends.
 
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Pima said:
The thing is to remember, as we say every yr. The interviewer/s know you are 17/18. They get the pressure you are feeling. Trust them to keep this in mind during the interview. Don't think of it like visiting the dentist for wisdom teeth extraction. Think of it as hanging out with your parents friends on your deck answering questions they are curious about regarding why you want this life. You wouldn't be nervous, you know why, and you are just proving to them you know why.
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+1 Pima!

Had never thought about it that way - but, it is true. Something that all applicants should keep in mind during interviews.
 
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