Interviews

[AFAcandidate]

Does the interview suppose to be like this?

Like I call my BGO officer up and between us talking there is like 5-10 seconds of silence; it just feels really awkward and I feel as if I am suppose to keep the conversation going?

I don't want to make it seem like I am not interested but I don't know what to say.... He says a question, I answer it, then its just silence

Same happened for me in my AFA interview like are they suppose to be silent or is there suppose to be some type of convo?

 

[BlahuKahuna]

Maybe you're just awkward...
kidding.

Phones can be incredibly awkward, especially if you haven't met the person on the other end. Did this happen with your BGO over the phone or in your actual interview? Interviews can have some pauses while the interviewers are taking notes or reading questions.

If you're having a casual conversation with your ALO or BGO and want to avoid awkward conversations, it's not a bad idea to keep a few questions in your back pocket. My BGO and I ended our first discussion with a 15 minute off topic talk about sports, studying, and pranks.

 

[usna1985]

It's hard to address your specific situation b/c none of us was there. As a BGO, I do all of my interviews in person. However, in some rural areas, they really have to be done by phone and, as the above poster notes, that can make things a bit more awkward.

I actually look to see if the candidate can carry on a conversation. For example, I may say, "I see you're an Eagle Scout. What did you do for your project?" Now, the person may say, "I cleaned up the mark near my home." Period. And then I'm left to answer another question.

OR, the candidate can tell me more, such as why he picked this project, what the "cleanup" entailed, how long it took to complete, etc. That may lead me to ask how he became interested in scouting, what other leadership he has, etc. IOW, a conversation.

It is harder on the phone b/c you can't gauge each other's reactions (Have I said enough? Am I going on too long? etc.). You just have to feel your way through.

 

[Whistle Pig]

Does the interview suppose to be like this?

Like I call my BGO officer up and between us talking there is like 5-10 seconds of silence; it just feels really awkward and I feel as if I am suppose to keep the conversation going?

I don't want to make it seem like I am not interested but I don't know what to say.... He says a question, I answer it, then its just silence

Same happened for me in my AFA interview like are they suppose to be silent or is there suppose to be some type of convo?

Hmmm. That's like really strange. Do you think he mighta been like counting the number of "likes" in the interview?

 

[ctuma2]

Well one major thing to keep in mind is that your BGO is taking notes throughout the interview so those 5-10 seconds of silence may be him finishing writing down what you said. When I had a brief interview (unofficial) with my ALO for the Air Force, she told me that there would be these times in the interview where she would be finishing writing down what I said. It's completely normal. Take the time to recuperate and get ready for the next question. If you aren't sure if you said enough, you can always ask, "does that answer your question, sir/ma'am?"

 

[AFAcandidate]

SMH......

My BGO asked me if I knew about the Navy Academy's honor code. (The only question I didn't answer)

I said no! Epic fail

-_-

Not cool, I should have looked that up before I went. He threw me off too; everything I had prepared for he NEVER asked! ((((

I knew the Air Force one only because I went to the summer seminar; had I went to the Navy Academy summer seminar I would have known.

There goes my chances...

 

[mdrob214]

AFAcandidate - I really doubt your chances when anywhere because of the single question. Were you honest? Sincere? Able to carry an adult conversation? The BGO isn't looking to see if you memorized something, they want to see if you can talk to an adult. There are no "right" or "wrong" answers to most of the questions. My DD laughed at me when I told her that the first question she would get was "So tell me about yourself." In two of her three MOC interviews, her NROTC interview, ALO, and BGO she said either that exact phrase or a variation was used. In one case a member of the interviewing board opened with a question in German (she has taken for four years). She said she responded in German without hesitation. Kind of shocked herself. So, don't worry about one answer. If you make it to an SA you won't answer all the questions there either.

 

[kinnem]

It ain't over 'til its over. It's only one question. Perhaps the rest of the interview went well despite the long pauses. In any case keep working plans b, c, etc just as you would if you thought you nailed the interview.

 

[usna1985]

SMH......

My BGO asked me if I knew about the Navy Academy's honor code. (The only question I didn't answer)

I said no! Epic fail

-_-

Not cool, I should have looked that up before I went. He threw me off too; everything I had prepared for he NEVER asked! ((((

I knew the Air Force one only because I went to the summer seminar; had I went to the Navy Academy summer seminar I would have known.

There goes my chances...

It's a required topic for BGO interviews. The BGO should have gone on to explain USNA's system. The key is that you are familiar with it -- either before OR after the interview.

 

[mdrob214]

It's a required topic for BGO interviews. The BGO should have gone on to explain USNA's system. The key is that you are familiar with it -- either before OR after the interview.

usna1985, I am guessing you were/are a BGO. Is my perception about DDs take on the interviews correct? It is more about how you carry yourself then any specific knowledge? She can talk to a wall so she likely would have filled any pause but she just felt her BGO was interested in her knowledge of the USNA and provide her information and didn't try to "catch" her on some question.

 

[usna1985]

usna1985, I am guessing you were/are a BGO. Is my perception about DDs take on the interviews correct? It is more about how you carry yourself then any specific knowledge? She can talk to a wall so she likely would have filled any pause but she just felt her BGO was interested in her knowledge of the USNA and provide her information and didn't try to "catch" her on some question.

Yes, I'm a BGO. Each BGO is different and there is no universal approach. I want to make sure my candidates understand what USNA is about -- Plebe Summer, honor system, limited majors, military environment, etc.

I don't expect people to be a walking encyclopedia. I do hope they have at least availed themselves of common public resources and have some idea what they're in for. If not, I try to educate them.

I NEVER see the interview as a "gotcha" moment. I can't speak for everyone.