Interview Tips

[scoutpilot]

Originally Posted by bdaMom

My son is in the Army Reserves and ROTC as a freshmen in college. He has a 3-Year ROTC scholarship, but after joining the Reserves has decided to try for West Point. He has a congressional interview and I'm wondering if he should dress as a civilian (dress clothes), or should he wear his ACUs or dress uniform?

ACUs are a utility uniform and should NEVER be worn to an interview. He should wear civilian clothes. They are aware he is in ROTC and there is no reason to assume that an interview is a uniformed event. Wearing a uniform can, in some cases, backfire by appearing as grandstanding or trying to get a leg up. Class As are ugly anyway.

[bdaMom]

Ha! I agree, they are pretty ugly. Thanks for the info, civilian dress clothes it is then.

[mtnman17]

For the nom interviews with con. and sen. should a male wear a suit, or just a button down shirt, khakis, tie, and maybe a blazer? How formal is too formal, or is there a too formal?

[scoutpilot]

Originally Posted by mtnman17

For the nom interviews with con. and sen. should a male wear a suit, or just a button down shirt, khakis, tie, and maybe a blazer? How formal is too formal, or is there a too formal?

Suit is fine, provided it fits well. Blazer/tie/khakis is fine as well. Just don't wear anything considered formal, such as a tux. Even a three-piece suit is overkill.

[Ken2012]

Originally Posted by scoutpilot

ACUs are a utility uniform and should NEVER be worn to an interview. He should wear civilian clothes. They are aware he is in ROTC and there is no reason to assume that an interview is a uniformed event. Wearing a uniform can, in some cases, backfire by appearing as grandstanding or trying to get a leg up. Class As are ugly anyway.

Sir, is that just senior ROTC? I've read about some stories of how some high school students showed up in JROTC or some other cadet uniform. It appeared to go well based on the reading. But I digress.

[scoutpilot]

Originally Posted by Ken2012

Sir, is that just senior ROTC? I've read about some stories of how some high school students showed up in JROTC or some other cadet uniform. It appeared to go well based on the reading. But I digress.

In my opinion, that goes for any uniform. Your packet for your nomination says you're a JROTC/ROTC cadet. Were I on the board, I would look at the uniform and think, "this kid really wants to play up his ROTC gig, to the point of throwing it in everyone's face." To me, it reeks of brown-nosing. JROTC is an extracurricular, nothing more. If you were the band leader, would you wear your marching uniform? No, of course not. Wearing the uniform, in this guy's opinion, says more negative things about you than positive things. Let your resume speak for itself. You speak for yourself when you answer questions. Your clothes needn't say anything more than "I dressed nicely because I take this seriously." They should not say "Look at me, look at me, look at me!!! I did JROTC and don't you forget it!!!"

Just my opinion.

[Gruviemom]

My son had an interview Saturday with our senator's academy review board. The interview went well and he felt very confident. The panel briefly introduced themselves, but didn't offer any business cards or additonal personal information. My son would like to send a thank you note and wonders if he should just send it to the senator's academy coordinator and thank her and the panel (in general) since he doesn't have their names. What are your thoughts on this and any suggestions would be appreciated.

[scoutpilot]

Originally Posted by Gruviemom

My son had an interview Saturday with our senator's academy review board. The interview went well and he felt very confident. The panel briefly introduced themselves, but didn't offer any business cards or additonal personal information. My son would like to send a thank you note and wonders if he should just send it to the senator's academy coordinator and thank her and the panel (in general) since he doesn't have their names. What are your thoughts on this and any suggestions would be appreciated.

I would wait a bit. You don't want that to backfire and seem like brown-nosing. Once the results come out, send a note. If the intent is genuine, it'll mean just as much then.