So my AFA interview is tomorrow right after school at my school and my ALO sent me the kinds of questions i will be asked, I am alot doing my AFROTC interview with him as well. So i mean as long as I wear a polo shirt, khakis, and shave I should be okay right? I have meet him in person before and talked to him quite a bit over email and phone, unlike the other academy and ROTC interviews I've done where i didnt know the person. So if anyone has any little bits of information they could share, that would be great!
ALO interview tomorrow, how should i dress and any advice?
- Thread starter sjbd94
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If you have met with him before and both of you are "comfortable" with meeting...then I think your idea is fine.
Otherwise I'd say treat it as a "formal" interview. Your ALO sounds a little more "relaxed" with you as he knows you. I do this too...
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
Otherwise I'd say treat it as a "formal" interview. Your ALO sounds a little more "relaxed" with you as he knows you. I do this too...
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
My sons interview is after his CFA in another week, accordingly he was told not to worry about what he was wearing. Hopefully he'll have a few minutes to catch his breath
I am sure you will do great
Haha don't worry! Another candidate (I believe now a cadet at USMA?) was saying how relaxing (the most relaxing he had ever had, actually!) was his interview with the USMA version of the ALO officer right after the CFA!
Don't worry, your sons will do great!
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I had talked on the phone and emailed my ALO many times and also had an informal meeting with him. However, unless your ALO tells you not to dress up, I would recommend wearing a shirt and tie, nice pants, and maybe even shine up a pair of dress shoes (the cotton ball and hot water method works great
). Although it is not a first impression it wouldn't hurt to look professional. If you look good, you will feel good. I feel that it is always best to be overdressed than underdressed. Personally, I would feel pretty awkward wearing a polo shirt if my ALO was in Service Dress.
As for advice for the interview. Show up early, relax, and answer the questions honestly, personally, and don't stray off topic. And my last piece of advice is something my sister told me. If you are struggling to find the words for your answer, avoid saying "and" after your sentences or you will dig yourself in a hole.
). Although it is not a first impression it wouldn't hurt to look professional. If you look good, you will feel good. I feel that it is always best to be overdressed than underdressed. Personally, I would feel pretty awkward wearing a polo shirt if my ALO was in Service Dress.As for advice for the interview. Show up early, relax, and answer the questions honestly, personally, and don't stray off topic. And my last piece of advice is something my sister told me. If you are struggling to find the words for your answer, avoid saying "and" after your sentences or you will dig yourself in a hole.
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If you have time...
If you have time, wear a tie, dress shirt, slacks and nice shoes. It's an interview....probably the most important interview you will have in the next few years, so dress like you want the job. If you're coming from football practice, our cfa, or have a really good excuse not to dress up, then fine, but it better be a good excuse. Even if your AOL is dressed in shorts, hawaiian shirt and sandals. you will NEVER be faulted for being too dressed up. This is applies to any job interview. Remember, you NEVER get a second chance to make a first impression.
If you have time, wear a tie, dress shirt, slacks and nice shoes. It's an interview....probably the most important interview you will have in the next few years, so dress like you want the job. If you're coming from football practice, our cfa, or have a really good excuse not to dress up, then fine, but it better be a good excuse. Even if your AOL is dressed in shorts, hawaiian shirt and sandals. you will NEVER be faulted for being too dressed up. This is applies to any job interview. Remember, you NEVER get a second chance to make a first impression.
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Just relax, as good as the advice is to shine your shoes... I feel like that's way over the top. I met my ALO at starbucks after a work out. Just show that you care about the interview, so a polo and khakis should be fine. Answer the questions in a real and respectful manner. My interview was a lot of fun, she made fun of me for saying, "I want to beast the academy." She got a real kick out of that. I'm a very laid back individual, I'm not trying to show some fake individual who acts like they do all of these things they don't. I was very real with my ALO, I told her if it was meant to be, I'd be at USAFA, if not oh well. I answered every question like I was talking to my mom, only I used, "Ma'am." Relax, breathe, and be yourself. She told me she wrote a great write up for me, admissions told me it was the best one they'd gotten from her. I'm no outstanding person or anything, I'm just myself. That's what you should be, don't be what you think someone from USAFA would look or act like. There is no cookie cutter format they have to fill. Hope that helps, and good luck.
Christcorp
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There's a lot of good advice here, and some valuable experiences. However, you need to remember that just like no 2 candidates are the same, neither are ALO's. They are individuals. So, what am I getting at?
Doesn't matter how ANYONE else here did their interview. Doesn't matter how they dressed. What matters is you. UNLESS your ALO specifically told you not to dress up for the interview, then DRESS UP. Doesn't matter if you are coming from football practice or anything else. You have time to put on a decent set of pants, a shirt, and a tie. Again; UNLESS your ALO specifically tells you otherwise, don't assume it will be OK. Unless of course going to the air force academy isn't all that important to you.
Do some ALO's tell their candidates to not dress up? Yes. Matter of fact, I have an individual who lives about 200 miles from me and we were trying to work out an interview. Just so happens I had to go through his town for work. We worked out an interview while I was coming through town. We did it at the Taco Bell. He was in between classes at school, and I was on my way back from installing some electronics equipment. He wore his jeans and sneakers because that's what he wore to school. I wore my jeans and cowboy boots. I specifically told him to wear whatever was normal for school. But after the interview, I went into "Mentor" mode and gave him suggestions for his application and his MOC interviews. The first thing I mentioned was to not go to those interviews like he did for this one. Those interviews are scheduled and planned; and as such, should be dressed up.
Point is; it doesn't matter how anyone else did their interview. This is your interview. UNLESS your ALO tells you otherwise, consider this a job interview. The company in question is going to pay $400,000+ for you to go to college; they are then going to guarantee you a job and experience for at least 5 years; and they are going to pay you a starting pay of close to $50,000 a year. Possibly more with occupation incentives. So tell me...... "HOW SHOULD YOU DRESS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY".
As for how to act, that's simple. Be sincere. Be honest. Make your answers truthful and well thought out. Don't say "Yea, ummmm, like....," or any other uneducated or lazy language. Most of all, relax. Best of luck to you.... Mike.....
Doesn't matter how ANYONE else here did their interview. Doesn't matter how they dressed. What matters is you. UNLESS your ALO specifically told you not to dress up for the interview, then DRESS UP. Doesn't matter if you are coming from football practice or anything else. You have time to put on a decent set of pants, a shirt, and a tie. Again; UNLESS your ALO specifically tells you otherwise, don't assume it will be OK. Unless of course going to the air force academy isn't all that important to you.
Do some ALO's tell their candidates to not dress up? Yes. Matter of fact, I have an individual who lives about 200 miles from me and we were trying to work out an interview. Just so happens I had to go through his town for work. We worked out an interview while I was coming through town. We did it at the Taco Bell. He was in between classes at school, and I was on my way back from installing some electronics equipment. He wore his jeans and sneakers because that's what he wore to school. I wore my jeans and cowboy boots. I specifically told him to wear whatever was normal for school. But after the interview, I went into "Mentor" mode and gave him suggestions for his application and his MOC interviews. The first thing I mentioned was to not go to those interviews like he did for this one. Those interviews are scheduled and planned; and as such, should be dressed up.
Point is; it doesn't matter how anyone else did their interview. This is your interview. UNLESS your ALO tells you otherwise, consider this a job interview. The company in question is going to pay $400,000+ for you to go to college; they are then going to guarantee you a job and experience for at least 5 years; and they are going to pay you a starting pay of close to $50,000 a year. Possibly more with occupation incentives. So tell me...... "HOW SHOULD YOU DRESS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY".
As for how to act, that's simple. Be sincere. Be honest. Make your answers truthful and well thought out. Don't say "Yea, ummmm, like....," or any other uneducated or lazy language. Most of all, relax. Best of luck to you.... Mike.....
My Son's ALO told him it would be a very casual chat for his interview last week and not to worry about formality, but he went out the door anyway in full business dress, resume in hand, just to be sure. He came out of the interview with his jacket in his hand so it really was a laid back get together but I'm glad he dressed up anyway...
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Everyone here has given excellent advice, examples, etc.
My colleague (and friend) CC said it VERY well, as I knew he would. And he's completely correct.
I have interviewed candidates at Starbucks, the mall food court, in school, in their homes, etc. And perhaps I'm a bit different, but I will quite often tell the candidate how to recognize me if we've never met (and drop them a hint).
And that hint is my "here's your chance to shine" hint...
"...okay, we'll meet at the Orange Julius seating area at the Chandler Mall! I'll be easy to spot, I'll be the guy in the USAF service dress uniform."
Okay...that just said: the ALO will be in a formal uniform with coat, shirt, tie...what would YOU wear?
"...great, I'll meet you at the HS learning center...I'll be easy to spot, I'll be in casuals with a blue polo shirt with AF on it." Okay...that just said: the ALO is coming to MY school, dressed like most of my teachers...I'm at school...come to school looking "good" and do my best.
Great posts by everyone here!!!
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
My colleague (and friend) CC said it VERY well, as I knew he would. And he's completely correct.
I have interviewed candidates at Starbucks, the mall food court, in school, in their homes, etc. And perhaps I'm a bit different, but I will quite often tell the candidate how to recognize me if we've never met (and drop them a hint).
And that hint is my "here's your chance to shine" hint...
"...okay, we'll meet at the Orange Julius seating area at the Chandler Mall! I'll be easy to spot, I'll be the guy in the USAF service dress uniform."
Okay...that just said: the ALO will be in a formal uniform with coat, shirt, tie...what would YOU wear?
"...great, I'll meet you at the HS learning center...I'll be easy to spot, I'll be in casuals with a blue polo shirt with AF on it." Okay...that just said: the ALO is coming to MY school, dressed like most of my teachers...I'm at school...come to school looking "good" and do my best.
Great posts by everyone here!!!
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
My son's interview is tonight at 7pm with the ALO in charge of "perspective student-athletes. After reading the comments we will error on the side of caution and have him dress in a shirt and tie. Should we serve dinner or dessert or both? Thanks in advance for the advice.
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I've been an ALO for a LONG time...and I would NEVER expect either of these! That's not why I'm coming to your home, it's to meet your daughter/son and to interview them and potentially you too!
Now...I've had "pie" offered to me...a soft drink, etc...at times. That's very nice, completely not necessary, but kind.
I'd have some cold water and perhaps a soda or something available since the ALO will be doing some talking...other than that...I would just have a comfy chair for him/her to sit in during the interview.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
I will soon have my interview with my ALO. My flight chief and the director of operations suggested that I dress in full service blues since I am currently serving on Active Duty.
Thanks for the tips everyone. Wish me luck.
-Candidate for C/O 2016
Thanks for the tips everyone. Wish me luck.
-Candidate for C/O 2016
Christcorp
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For prior enlisted; most definitely dress in service dress uniform. No question there.
That doesn't mean if you're a Boy scout, Civil Air Patrol, or JrROTC that you should wear your uniform. I don't know how to say it, but that could be perceived as someone trying to equate a level of equality between the military and those uniform wearing extra curricular activities. And personally; there is no equality. Then again, I can't speak for your ALO, but I would never recommend wearing a scout, cap, or JrROTC uniform. But for military members, that's a no brainer. Service dress uniform all the way. Best of luck to you. mike.....
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I am with those who err on the side of being overdressed and not underdressed UNLESS your ALO gives you specific guidance about what to wear. I think it helps you get your game face on.
As someone who has interviewed young people from time to time for intenships, I am always impressed that a young person has dressed up for the interview. It scores a few extra points with me and helps separate them from candidates who come to the interview dressed casually or worse.
What you wear expresses how seriously you want the opportunity. I can't ever imagine an adult, especially an ALO, ever deducting points from your interview because you wore a pressed shirt & tie or even a coat & tie, but they possibly could if they felt you dressed too casually. Why take that risk with something so important?
As someone who has interviewed young people from time to time for intenships, I am always impressed that a young person has dressed up for the interview. It scores a few extra points with me and helps separate them from candidates who come to the interview dressed casually or worse.
What you wear expresses how seriously you want the opportunity. I can't ever imagine an adult, especially an ALO, ever deducting points from your interview because you wore a pressed shirt & tie or even a coat & tie, but they possibly could if they felt you dressed too casually. Why take that risk with something so important?
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I have seen lots on what guys should wear to an ALO interview, but what about girls, most of us do not have suits, and a fancy dress is more dressed up than a suit? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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I met my ALO at his workplace in his office and I wore the full suit, jacket, and tie. The only other time I had met him was at one of my MOC interviews, as he was one of the people on the review board. He never mentioned what I should wear and he never commented on how I was dressed, but I don't have any regrets wearing what I did. 
As a girl, I have never really had a problem with what to dress. I invested in a suit my sophomore year when I did Speech and Debate and it has come in handy several times since then. When I go to really important interviews, I wear the full suit. If I'm going to an event where I want to look formal, I wear the slacks from the suit and a formal shirt or blouse. If you don't have a suit, I recommend wearing a nice plain skirt (with tights of course) or some plain black or grey pants and a blouse or formal shirt.