Part I
These posts mainly deal with OTS, but all can probably benefit. Want to let you all know what is involved with the interview, some ground rules, and why it is important to you. Some comments may ruffle feathers. Fine. Hit the “Back” key! No skin off my back.1. First of all, the interview is an opportunity for an AF officer to see if we want you in our ranks. If you are fortunate enough to interview with a pilot, then it is a chance to see if we want you in that “club.” It helps us validate the information presented by the recruiter.
2. The recruiter’s job is to push people forward who he/she thinks meet the qualifications, or at least come close. For them it is very much a numbers game. Yes, if you make a good impression, they will work harder for you, but either way your package should eventually end up going forward.
3. That said, the recruiter really doesn’t eliminate people based on things like personality or ability to communicate effectively. Interviewers do that. It makes good sense. We are the only gauge the board has to know if you fit the billet. Interviewers have no quota. INTERVIEWERS HAVE NO QUOTA. Big point. Why? We can recommend all or none of the people who walk through the door. You are competing against yourself.
Before going any further, the #1 thing that will blow you out of the water is attitude. I have seen the posts by a couple of CAP folks, and the interview would only last 15-20 minutes max before I could see through the unwarranted arrogance and tell them “Thanks for coming in, that should just about do it.” Not dogging on CAP, just on the folks who made those posts. Being fake will also show through.
Initial Prep:
Hit the gym & run. Don’t make me have to tell you that the AF has fitness standards.
Start collecting letters of rec.
Order copies of your transcripts.
What to bring:
Briefcase is not needed. If you have a nice one, fine. Usually they are cumbersome and you probably won’t open it except to pull out your log book.
I recommend having a 1″ black binder with you. Inside the binder have extra copies of everything you gave the recruiter.
Personal statements
Resume
Transcripts
Letters of Rec
Social Security card
FAA license
Copy of last 2 pages of log book
All in plastic sheets
You may not need to pull any of it out, but you are ready.
Bring your Log Book:
Make sure every completed page is signed
Check the totals for accuracy
DO NOT have any comments in there about buzzing a house, joining the mile high club, or breaking any FAR. Even if the interviewer doesn’t see it, a Fed may someday & you will regret it.
Interview day:
Ground rules at the interview:
Show up at least 10-15 mins early.
Your recruiter will probably escort you to the interview.
No matter what your recruiter says, personal appearance counts.
Buy the book “Dress for Success”
Suit that fits.
Shirt that is ironed.
Clean shoes.
Good haircut. It does not need to be a military cut, but what job are you applying for?
No military member has a beard.
Most officers do not have a mustache.
Almost none part their hair in the middle.
No earrings for men.
Very few officers have tattoos…hide any you have.
Leave the cell phone in the car, nothing is more important at that moment.
“Sir” or “Ma’am”
No cursing at all. Avoid words like “dude.” Yes, we are looking for a well-rounded individual, but we are also looking for a professional military officer.
Do not even think of bad-mouthing the recruiter, MEPS, or the process. You may be interviewing with the person who hired that recruiter. That recruiter may be the top recruiter in the command. You don’t know.
Good posture.
Smile.
Women:
Dress nice, but not too nice! Skirt is fine. So are slacks. You don’t want to look Amish or be too distracting. And you may end up interviewed by a female officer who would appreciate flaunting sexuality even less.
Minimal jewelry: post earrings, not hoops. Nothing dangling.
Minimal makeup.
If your hair is long, you may want to pull it back.
Avoid perfume…never know when an interviewer is allergic.
By no means am I saying to hide the fact you are a woman. But you have seen pictures of women in uniform, and that is the image you want to portray.
Areas graded:
This just changed around Oct 04. Used to be able to write comments on things like appearance, now it is tougher for you the interviewee. The areas graded are:
a) appearance
b) confidence, maturity
c) attitude
d) motivation
e) work experience
f) leadership potential
g) mental alertness
h) communications skills
i) potential to complete program and
j) overall evaluation.
Eventually I may break those areas down for you, but it gives you a good idea of what is required to be graded on the form.
Those areas have blocks to check which are:
below average; fair; average; excellent; & outstanding.
Part II
Now, why is the above important to you? What do you think your chances are of getting a UPT slot if you are rated “Average” in any single area? About the same as me volunteering to go through SERE again, just in case I missed something the first time. Probably not happening.
Now another area that can make or break you:
k) Comments and Recommendations. This is a blank field in which the interviewer can input up to 18 lines of information. This is the best area where your alibis can be input without sounding like you are making excuses. If you have seen my other posts, you know that an interviewer can explain away to the board a low GPA and many other things. IF you give them the ammo & make them want to use it.
Where do we get our comments for section k? Mainly from the interview, but also from you scores, GPA, resume, letters of rec. Some will use these items, some won’t.
Some may even call the references listed. I called one by a 1LT, not to gain more info, but to thank her for an outstanding letter of recommendation & to let her know the applicant did great & would almost definitely get a slot–yes, he is at UPT.
If your interview goes OK, there is probably not enough info to fill up 18 lines without adding tons of fluff. You want all 18 lines full. You have no direct control over it, but you can influence it. Because you can have a 2 page resume, list everything you have done.
*****Want a hint that will put you over the top? (Of course, or you wouldn’t still be reading). I have not seen this yet, but I would highly recommend you doing this if you are serious about joining our ranks:*****
Make a one page sheet that is a summary of your accomplishments. Just type “Supplemental Information for Applicant CAVOK”, “Summary of Major Accomplishments for Applicant CAVOK”, or whatever you like, at the top. Then break it down into a few area–
Leadership (at work & play);
Volunteer work;
Hobbies.
Go back and include things from high school too. Do not be verbose, just simple bullets like
– Captain of high school soccer team for 2 years
– PADI Advanced SCUBA diver with Nitrox certification
– Sales manager at Dollar Store 3 years while in college
Some of it may be on your resume, but that is OK. Do not give it or show it to the recruiter because it does not fit the normal mold. Instead, have it in one of the plastic sheets and at some point near the end of the interview just say to the interviewer “Sir, I have a summary sheet of some of my accomplishments, would you like a copy of it?” You have nothing to lose because even if they say no, it gives you a chance to summarize things you can talk about to strengthen your interview, and may clue you into weak areas or things that should be on your resume.
Believe me, with me putting this on this site; it will probably become the standard within 1-2 years, and may become required at some point. Luckily for you, it is a fresh idea.
Part III
Things that may be asked:
How did you get interested in the military?
Why the AF?
Did you apply to the other services?
How do you match up with your peers? i.e. What separates you from your hometown classmates?
What got you interested in aviation?
Tell me about your flying history?
Did you work while going to college?
Did you earn any scholarships for college?
Why did you pick that major?
Do you still beat your dog?!
Why were your grades so low your Freshman year?
Are you familiar with how frequently you may be required to move?
How does your family feel about you moving every 2-3 years, possibly overseas?
Are you familiar with remote assignments? Do you have a problem with them?
Are you familiar with the AF Core Values?
What are they? What do they mean to you?
Have you researched OTS?
Any concerns with the program?
Are you familiar with the AF fitness standards?
What is your typical workout?
What do you find most appealing about the AF?
What do you find least appealing about the AF?
How did you pay for your flight training?
What will you do if you are not selected?
I see you only want to come in the AF if you can be a pilot, why?
I see you are willing to take a nav slot if you can’t get a pilot slot, why?
I see you are starting to sweat profusely, is that normal?
Have you had the opportunity to talk with AF officers and pilots?
If you had your choice out of UPT, what do you currently think it would be?
Tell me about your leadership qualities.
Tell me about your leadership style.
Have you done much volunteer work?
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
… and the list goes on!!!
For those who read this and say “Thanks, sounds great, makes sense” then you will probably do well on your interview. For those of you who are mentally arguing with me as you read this, ask yourself a couple more questions. Do I really want to serve in the AF, or am I just trying to get someone else to pay for my flying? Is the military a good fit for me?
Some of you are picking your jaw up off the ground right now. Good. Those are the types of questions I will hit you with. If you handle them well and come across with honesty & not a canned patriotic answer, then, and only then, will the interviewer go the extra mile and spend a couple of hours to get those 18 lines perfect!
Thanks to CAVOK
Mental Math for Pilots
Airline Pilot Interview Success
Airline Pilot Interviews
