More buffoonery

Jarhead713

Jarhead713

Junior Mod
5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2019
Messages
728
So, while everyone is waiting anxiously for their nomination results, I thought I'd sprinkle in a little bit of humor that occurred at my nomination interview for my senator.

Me, trying to apply to a school with a 9% acceptance rate, can't figure out how to work the fancy elevator. As I finally got in, I held the door to the elevator open for another guy. He's dressed in a suit and tie, and is definitely interviewing before me. So, to break the awkward silence, I ask him "So, you interviewing today?" He responds "Yeah" and doesn't say another word. A little confused, I wondered what his time slot was. I looked at my watch and saw I was 10 minutes early before my time. So, I asked him "Uh... what time is your interview...?" He responds "Oh, 11:00." It's 11:04. So, i say "Uh... you running late?" He responds "A litte, I don't think it's a huge deal."

Uh oh.

Anyway, we both walk into the office at the same time. He checks in before me, and the second he does, his interviewer comes out of the office.

"Are you candidate _____ ?" the interviewer asks. "Y-yes sir." the kid responds.

"You're five minutes late. Get on your face."

"Sir, I don't understand." Says the kid (classic beast answer, I loved it)

"ON. YOUR. FACE" Not even kidding, the interviewer was yelling. Loud. So the kid, visibly confused, gets into the pushup position. "EXERCISE" The interviewer yells.

This kid counts out 5 pushups (one for every minute he's late) then gets up and stands at attention.

The interviewer shakes his hand and says "Hi, I'm ____ and I'll be conducting your interview today." Then they both just walked back to do the interview.

I've never been so happy to be 10 minutes early to something.
 
I heard of one or two instances of congressional/senatorial offices not knowing where a candidate was while I was waiting for my own interview. Makes me glad I arrived at least an hour early to all of mine.
 
We had a 6 hour round trip 2 weekends in a row. With likely traffic jams/wrecks. Our DS insisted we be 2 hours ahead. We did recon on the buildings and parking then went to cafe for coffee and bagel, intending to change in their restroom.

He asked the custom suit shop next door if he could change in their dressing room (they weren't open yet for the day). The man graciously said yes, and then proceeded to compliment DS on his tie knot, and lint brush his suit coat while advising of suit jacket button etiquette. So nice!

When DS was in waiting room, noone was visiting. Stone faced nervous silence. The secretary tried to lighten the mood and get them chatting, our DS said he was the only one who engaged and spoke with the staff. He also said 2 were running in the door with seconds to spare and it was noted on the secretary's paperwork.

One of the candidates for his MOC interview was a no show no call. Office was not pleased.

But the push up penalty? Absolutely priceless.
 
Jarhead713 said:
So, while everyone is waiting anxiously for their nomination results, I thought I'd sprinkle in a little bit of humor that occurred at my nomination interview for my senator.

Me, trying to apply to a school with a 9% acceptance rate, can't figure out how to work the fancy elevator. As I finally got in, I held the door to the elevator open for another guy. He's dressed in a suit and tie, and is definitely interviewing before me. So, to break the awkward silence, I ask him "So, you interviewing today?" He responds "Yeah" and doesn't say another word. A little confused, I wondered what his time slot was. I looked at my watch and saw I was 10 minutes early before my time. So, I asked him "Uh... what time is your interview...?" He responds "Oh, 11:00." It's 11:04. So, i say "Uh... you running late?" He responds "A litte, I don't think it's a huge deal."

Uh oh.

Anyway, we both walk into the office at the same time. He checks in before me, and the second he does, his interviewer comes out of the office.

"Are you candidate _____ ?" the interviewer asks. "Y-yes sir." the kid responds.

"You're five minutes late. Get on your face."

"Sir, I don't understand." Says the kid (classic beast answer, I loved it)

"ON. YOUR. FACE" Not even kidding, the interviewer was yelling. Loud. So the kid, visibly confused, gets into the pushup position. "EXERCISE" The interviewer yells.

This kid counts out 5 pushups (one for every minute he's late) then gets up and stands at attention.

The interviewer shakes his hand and says "Hi, I'm ____ and I'll be conducting your interview today." Then they both just walked back to do the interview.

I've never been so happy to be 10 minutes early to something.
Click to expand...
OMG!!! That is craaaaaaazy! Really it's blessing that they didn't refuse his interview... pushups are a minor penalty. DS is leaving 2 hours early for a trip that should take 40 minutes. Can't chance it on these Cali freeways!
 
My DS was just informed this Friday that he has an interview with our senator THIS Saturday😳. Little time to prepare. What advice can you give him? He is more of a quiet, introverted leader type. Not one to brag or talk about himself. This is out of his box type of thing. Any advice will be appreciated! We know to go way early.
 
mrspk said:
My DS was just informed this Friday that he has an interview with our senator THIS Saturday😳. Little time to prepare. What advice can you give him? He is more of a quiet, introverted leader type. Not one to brag or talk about himself. This is out of his box type of thing. Any advice will be appreciated! We know to go way early.
Click to expand...
Dress well, firm handshake, eye contact, clear voice, use humor, smile a couple of times. Relax, pretty sure the parents stress more than the kids. The kids always surprise. Gotta watch out for the quiet ones.... He'll be fine. Best!
 
Agree with everything above. A firm handshake, introducing themself with a smile and eye contact is a great way to start and end. Also a short elevator pitch 30-60 seconds about who they are. Yes, brag. Be humble, but tell them who you are and what you have done. Listen to the question and answer what is being asked. Be authentic.
 
NOTE upfront: In addition to being a BGO, I have been/am a Senatorial and Congressional interviewer.
I can't speak for how other interviewers conduct things but mine are pretty straightforward and thus not something to rehearse for. It's much less about trying to "trick" the candidate and more about understanding the real backstory to the resume.
If a team captain - tell me what you DID or DO as Team Captain. . . be ready to explain as that is LEADERSHIP AT WORK. Same for other leadership positions.
If an Eagle Scout or Gold Award Scout, be ready to talk about your project.

How do you prepare for a test, how do you prioritize, how do you do fitness out of your sports season.
 
Chapstick, freshly brushed teeth, deodorant and a smile. You have done the work to get to this point, be yourself and be confident. :)
 
If a team captain - tell me what you DID or DO as Team Captain. . . be ready to explain as that is LEADERSHIP AT WORK. Same for other leadership positions.
If an Eagle Scout or Gold Award Scout, be ready to talk about your project.
Click to expand...

This is also good advice for BGO interviews. I always ask these questions (as well as, for Eagle Scouts, "Why did you select that as your project?") and am amazed at the number of times I get blank looks. And lame answers, including (for team or club leadership), "I don't really do all that much."

I would also be prepared to answer the following question, "We're interviewing lots of terrific candidates and can only select 10 for a nomination. Why should we select you?" And try to answer using the words "I" and "me" as infrequently as possible.
 
mrspk said:
My DS was just informed this Friday that he has an interview with our senator THIS Saturday😳. Little time to prepare. What advice can you give him? He is more of a quiet, introverted leader type. Not one to brag or talk about himself. This is out of his box type of thing. Any advice will be appreciated! We know to go way early.
Click to expand...


I’m the same type. I had an interview with my senator’s office last month, and was successful in getting the nom. In an interview like that, sell yourself, but make sure you sell YOURSELF. The young man that went before me was compared to a “car salesman” and from what I heard they did not take him seriously at all (the walls were that thin, which was unnerving). During my interview, I kept my answers direct and professional, made eye contact, smiled when appropriate and remained pleasant. In short, don’t try to be someone else or put on a face that isn’t yours. Don’t sell yourself short, but don’t try to sound like you think you’re MacArthur or Eisenhower incarnate. Show them what the quiet kids can do!
Good luck to you and your DS, and here’s to that nomination and BFE!
 
Thank you so much. The quiet ones do surprise as someone posted. He is very introspective and a striking 6ft4 handsome 17 year old with an athletic frame. I think it is a surprise when someone meets him, how "un boisterous" he is. But, this is why his peers look up to him and his teachers and coaches have always appreciated him. He stays out of the fray and looks to help others and inspire in a calm, quiet fashion. I think that should be a good angle for him. I will have him read the above advice. He is talking to his BGO tonight as well. THANKS!
 
DD was asked "Who's your favorite Disney princess"? & "What's your favorite geometric shape"? Answers, Mulan & dodecahedron!
1578520065126.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top