AFROTC Interview Prep

[cutiepi314]

My AFROTC interview is coming up and I am looking for some guidance on my interview. I came up with a few questions based on information I've seen online, but want to get a more comprehensive list. This is what I have so far:

• Why do you want to serve in the military?
• Why do you want to be an officer in the AF/SF?
• How are you a leader?
• When have you had to deal with peer pressure?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• What are your future career goals?
• What was a time you were challenged?

Also, how specific should I be with my responses? For example, can I say "I want to help people" or do I need to contextualize that more (ie going into how my childhood has shaped my desire to help others)? I've heard it's also good to add anecdotes and stories.

Any other resources or tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dirtyflaco]

My AFROTC interview is coming up and I am looking for some guidance on my interview. I came up with a few questions based on information I've seen online, but want to get a more comprehensive list. This is what I have so far:

• Why do you want to serve in the military?
• Why do you want to be an officer in the AF/SF?
• How are you a leader?
• When have you had to deal with peer pressure?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• What are your future career goals?
• What was a time you were challenged?

Also, how specific should I be with my responses? For example, can I say "I want to help people" or do I need to contextualize that more (ie going into how my childhood has shaped my desire to help others)? I've heard it's also good to add anecdotes and stories.

Any other resources or tips would be greatly appreciated!

The best tip I that I can give on these interviews is to TALK. The evaluators like a candidate that can have a conversation. It is difficult to have a normal conversation when you're in such a stressful setting, but try your best to go in depth on all your answers.

For example, if your interviewer asks you "Have you read any books in the last year, and if so, what were they?"

don't say, "Yes, I read [this book] and [that book],"

instead, DO say "Yes, I actually love reading! I read [this book], and it was one of my favorite reads ever. It was about blah blah blah and I love it because of blah blah blah."

That applies with nearly every question you are asked, unless you are certain that the interviewer is expecting a one sentence answer. The evaluators want to see that you are sociable and can communicate well because those traits are vital in the leaders that they are searching for.

I made the mistake of answering with those short one-sentence answers my first year applying, and my USAFA interview lasted 20 minutes!

(It was supposed to be an hour )

So basically, have a conversation with the interviewer. Try to give them answers that have enough depth for new questions to sprout from them.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[cutiepi314]

Great advice, thanks! I saw online to aim for 3-minute answers, so that should be enough time.

 

[Ihavenoidea]

Great advice, thanks! I saw online to aim for 3-minute answers, so that should be enough time.

The above advice is great. Talk more and elaborate on a question rather than just 1 sentence. I would be leary of trying to make each answer 3 minutes long. That can be a long time for certain questions. For example the book question above. Talking about why you like a book for a few sentences is a great idea. Trying to extend that for 3 minutes(especially to a person that might have no interest in the book) can get alittle long. Especially if you are just saying stuff about the book to fill up about 3 minutes.

Now for questions about your past leadership, extra curricular activity, why you want to join the AF/SF, etc. Those being 3 minutes or longer are great.

Just something to think about.