Any Tips?

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massachusetts23

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I interview with Senator Warren tomorrow. I have read a lot of the threads about interviews but still have a couple questions.

1) is it customary to bring anything? I have seen that some people have brought resumes but I was wondering if this was standard
2) any general advice?

thank you for your help
 
  1. A resume is a good thing to bring. Not mandatory, but can be helpful. Bring some extra copies.
  2. Shake hands firmly and look people in the eye.
  3. Dress professionally, look sharp and be confident.
  4. THINK before you answer a question. It's okay to pause a moment and digest the question. Don't just blurt out an answer.
  5. There are some questions that there is no right answer. They just want to hear you address it and see your thought process.
  6. Relax and be yourself.
 
Be prepared to answer why your first choice of academies is your first choice (first question at both of my interviews).
Other than that not much to add onto AROTC-dad's advice (that's the advice I followed and got a nomination for USMA).
Good luck with your interview!
 
Turn OFF your cell phone or leave it in the car to avoid distractions. Lots of older threads on the questions typically asked, but each MOC runs their own process and what one does may not the be the same as another. Be yourself, don't try to act like the person you think they are looking for. Interviewers has LOTS of experience and can easily see through someone who is phony. DO NOT try to memorize replies to anything you think they might ask. You will probably be nervous and trying to recite something you have memorized will only make it worse. Do NOT try to be a comedian to impress the panel. Usually that doesn't go well and something you think is funny, they may not and then the interview goes downhill from there.

Be self-confident, but not arrogant. Everyone being interviewed is highly qualified and just as interested in getting a NOM as you are.
 
Don’t run down another service or academy while explaining your preference. Not cool. You also don’t know the background of who’s on the interview panel.
Listen to understand the question and resist the urge to already start forming the answer in your head - you could miss a critical part of a multi-part question. Google “listening to understand vs. listening to reply.” You’ll see plenty of articles.
Don’t go on and on. Know when to stop and wrap it up.
 
Capt MJ said:
Don’t run down another service or academy while explaining your preference. Not cool. You also don’t know the background of who’s on the interview panel.
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So true! When my son was preparing for his nomination interviews he asked an Army colonel mentor for advice. Although my son had not known it, the colonel had been on one of our senator's nomination committees years before. The colonel related an incident to my son. Apparently one of the young men being interviewed was pontificating about how much better service academies are compared to ROTC. The colonel said, "Young man, I am a proud ROTC graduate, and I don't like your attitude one bit!" Although the colonel didn't say, I'm guessing this young man did not receive a nomination from the senator.
 
my best advice? have family members sling questions at you any time, any where
keeps you prepared for any type of question and you have to think on your feet. did it both rounds for my DS (awaiting word of nomination...) and started with my 10th grade DD who dreams of USAFA
 
While timing is too late for the OP, for others going to MOC interviews . . . if you like tend to say "like" like every few seconds of like conversation like because it's like what all your friends say . . .

STOP!!!

Your friends may not care (and may all do it). Your loving parents may have learned to live with it (and they love everything about you anyway). But it's incredibly annoying and distracting to the people who are interviewing you and deciding whether to give you a nom. It also makes you come across as immature and not thoughtful (when you are probably not either). And, it's hard to follow what you're trying to say because the listener has to filter out almost every other word ("like").

If you have the habit, practice until you break yourself of it. Painful as it may be, record yourself. Use "like" all day with your friends if you must, but force yourself not to use it when talking with older adults.

Also minimize the use of "basically" and "quite frankly" and "to be honest" (what else would you be?).
 
One thing I learned is to try to not worry about if your answer is "good" or not. Just worry about giving a complete answer that explains who you are. I strongly agree with thinking before you speak, take a few seconds to really structure your answer.

In terms of bringing something, I made sure to bring a notepad, in case I needed to write something. I don't think it really made a difference.

usna1985 said:
While timing is too late for the OP, for others going to MOC interviews . . . if you like tend to say "like" like every few seconds of like conversation like because it's like what all your friends say . . .
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Definitely this. I have this teacher, who graduated from USNA, who made sure to beat that habit out of us. Getting rid of filler words such as "Like, uh, um" alone makes you sound like a much professional speaker.
 
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@massachusetts23: I apologize for not seeing this post earlier. I interviewed with Warren last cycle and wrote down all the questions I was asked, which may have been helpful for you. I also wrote down the interview questions from Markey and my Congressman, so PM me if you are interested. Hope the interview went well, and good luck!
 
Nomak54 said:
In terms of bringing something, I made sure to bring a notepad, in case I needed to write something. I don't think it really made a difference
Click to expand...

Personally, I would NOT recommend bringing notepads or similar things into the interview. It is too easy to start fiddling with it and/or writing down something instead of keeping your focus on the interview panel. There isn't anything during the interview for you to write down and it becomes more of a distraction to the panel.

When you answer a question, be brief and get to the point. IF you don't know a topic being asked, be honest instead of giving a long/rambly answer that simply shows you don't know the subject. Interview panels get annoyed by those who constantly talk 'around' a question and think if they talk long enough people will be impressed.
 
Also from Mass. My DS interviewed with Warren this weekend. Is it true Warren releases noms late in Jan? Any chance she is ahead of schedule this year?
 
USMA #1. USNA #2. DS had interviews with all 3 MOCs. Waiting game. How about you?
 
SY96 said:
USMA #1. USNA #2. DS had interviews with all 3 MOCs. Waiting game. How about you?
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Also from Mass, still waiting to hear from Warren. Interviewing with Markey this week and already interviewed with my congressman. Do you know if Warren is interviewing in chunks by academy?
 
SY96 said:
Also from Mass. My DS interviewed with Warren this weekend. Is it true Warren releases noms late in Jan? Any chance she is ahead of schedule this year?
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SY96, last year I received a nomination from Warren on January 31st (last possible day). No call, email, or letter beforehand. Just popped up on my portal. When I asked the (same) board this past weekend when we should hear back, they said they will make a list of potential candidates and compare that with all the other MOC to make sure the most candidates receive nominations, and thus, it’ll be a while before any decisions are made. Good luck!
 
Sorry for the late response! I think my interview went well. I am applying to USAFA. I have had interviews with Warren and my congressman but ever heard back from Markey
 
My DD has an interview with Warren in early December. Any chance anyone here remembers the questions asked? Thanks for any help.
 
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