A word of advice for those handling NJ congressional interviews

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Oct 30, 2017
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When you finish interviewing someone and they stick their hand out to say thank you. A word of professional advice you might not want to ignore them and walk away to talk with a candidate you clearly already know . I saw someone I will not say who for our NJ folks but not surprised I saw the same person do this twice on Saturday at Sen Booker / Menendez interviews. But not surprised as he always walks around like this. Sir these young men & women are all amazing even it they don't have 1600 SAT's like the ones you seem to gravitate too. So to those conducting these interviews. See the candidate and say hello with a smile, When you bring them back to the main room from the biggest interview of their lives thus far tell them it was great talking with you and good luck with everything you set your mind too. And the allow them to thank you back for your time.
 
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Assuming you're a parent, did you go into the interview? If so, why? Why would parents be hovering to see if interviewers shake hands after an interview? Certainly it was nice and beyond the call of duty to walk them back to a waiting room.

Doubt you'll think any of this is a fair assessment for you, but after a day of interviewing, and a handshake for introduction, and maybe 20 more interviews to go... perhaps the interviewer was focused upon getting the job done.

I took your post as sour grapes, someone venting that their kid might be overlooked, or worse, that someone else might get favorable attention.

Back to the original post, I'm wondering why you were so close to the process. Independent, mature kids often make interview trips alone. New Jersey is not a big state.

When I see parents this involved, I wonder how instrumental they were in the application, essays, etc.
 
Not close at all I'm just the driver and my DS does it all himself. And no not a hoverer at all just sitting in the waiting area with all the other parents and was watching the interactions of the candidates. Not sour grapes but as someone who interviews a lot of people you need to be respectful and not pick and chose who you want to be cordial too. Let these great kids feel good about what they have accomplished and that their time was not a waste of yours. Its just a common way to conduct interviews "Qualified or not " . Lets see if one does not have a driver license yet that last statement is problematic no ? . And tell that to someone who drives from Cape May to northern NJ what is not long. And " 20 more interviews to go" is an unacceptable answer EVER. I would feel safe in saying some of these kids are not just wanting to go to WP for the free education but really wanting to serve this country. So if they take the time to invest in this process you need to invest in the 5 seconds of what it takes to acknowledge that. And just to make it clear my DS was not one of these 2 boys I saw this happen too. If you think parents do not participate / advise etc in this process I'm not sure what to say as its no different in than the workings of Common App. I don't think its the time to let them sink or swim they have plenty of time to experience that.
 
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Not close at all I'm just the driver and my DS does it all himself. And no not a hoverer at all just sitting in the waiting area with all the other parents and was watching the interactions of the candidates. Not sour grapes but as someone who interviews a lot of people you need to be respectful and not pick and chose who you want to be cordial too. Let these great kids feel good about what they have accomplished and that their time was not a waste of yours. Its just a common way to conduct interviews "Qualified or not " . Lets see if one does not have a driver license yet that last statement is problematic no ? . And tell that to someone who drives from Cape May to northern NJ what is not long. And " 20 more interviews to go" is an unacceptable answer EVER. I would feel safe in saying some of these kids are not just wanting to go to WP for the free education but really wanting to serve this country. So if they take the time to invest in this process you need to invest in the 5 seconds of what it takes to acknowledge that. And just to make it clear my DS was not one of these 2 boys I saw this happen too. If you think parents do not participate / advise etc in this process I'm not sure what to say as its no different in than the workings of Common App. I don't think its the time to let them sink or swim they have plenty of time to experience that.


Exactly the response I expected. Good luck.
 
Parent were in the waiting room? Our kid would have died rather than be seen with one of us on an interview, any type of interview. DH dropped him off in the parking lot, went for coffee, and picked him up when he texted after leaving the building. I know, I know, everyone parents differently, but our kid wouldn't have allowed it.
 
Parent were in the waiting room? Our kid would have died rather than be seen with one of us on an interview, any type of interview. DH dropped him off in the parking lot, went for coffee, and picked him up when he texted after leaving the building. I know, I know, everyone parents differently, but our kid wouldn't have allowed it.
This is what I do. All of the NROTC and academy interviews (except BGO) take place 2 hours from our home and down a treacherous (traffic and weather) mountain pass that I wouldn't let a new driver negotiate without lots of practice and supervision. I use the trip as an excuse to shop or get a coffee, too!
 
To the OP's point, though, his observation on the manners of the nomination panel members would be better noted to the MOC than here if the real concern is correcting that behavior. Nothing any of us can do about that.
 
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My DS just drove to them himself. He told me he didn't see a single parent anywhere.
He also didn't meet any politicians.
He met with nomination board members (staffers and an Academy graduate) doing the interviews for the politicians.
I think he would have been tickled to meet with the actual Senators, handshake or not.
 
...If you think parents do not participate / advise etc in this process I'm not sure what to say as its no different in than the workings of Common App. I don't think its the time to let them sink or swim they have plenty of time to experience that.

Here is where we will have to agree to disagree. I think that every day is a good day to let them sink or swim, especially when they are less than a year away from being old enough to vote.

By the way, I have no idea what my DS' common app even says.
He has sent it to a three colleges and has gotten a scholarship to one of them.
Do parents help their kids with common apps?
 
To be clear there was no senator there it was staff / committee groups. PS and Menendez from NJ has plenty on his plate now LOL . But from a DS/DD perspective I think I saw 2 boys by themselves of the approx. 50 students in the room from 9-1030Am that day of a 2 day interview cycle. yeah we can agree to disagree. I rather avoid the critical falls at important times in ones life which could be life changing unfortunately. Guidance can go a long way because we have lived those times when our parents ( Me being 53 now ) were never involved because they were always working. Like letting one take shops classes in his junior year vs Physics and Calc :) Then being told get back to school and get that changed.
 
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Not all interviews are held near by. My DS had to travel 3.5+ hours away for his interview. It was a long day with lots of driving, so YES we took him. No way was I sending a kid with only 10 months driving experience around town on this kind of road trip on his own.
 
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