Well, that was a very eventful and interesting 2 days! It's definitely filled me with even more confidence about joining the force.
I arrived to the initial greeting and brief late as I got stuck in traffic on the M1
but they didn't mind as that was pretty much unavoidable. What followed was a barrage of information and I learnt a lot of things I never really knew or ever thought would be true about their way of life.
I was suprised to find that only 5 people were on the selection day. Apparently this is because they like to keep the numbers down so they can get to know you more personally as opposed to having a large group of us. From the word go they were studying us, watching how we acted, how confident we appeared and how well we interacted with stranger's and our peers.
Andr3w I'd like to just give you a few pointer's if I may:
- Firstly; arrive, shake hand's and look in their eye's whilst you do, don't salute!
- Dress smart, even upon arrival. 2 out of us 5 were not dressed in suits. Granted, the girl wore a smart top and trouser's so she looked fine but one guy wore a shirt and jeans. This instantly put him on the backfoot to the other's. As a matter of fact he didn't even bring a suit so I ended up lending him one of mine! Bring a change of casual clothes though as you shall be encouraged to visit the on site bar for a drink with the corporal at night.
- Be as talkative, polite, friendly and approachable as possible. Convey an air of confidence about yourself because I think if they see this in you they will think you can easily slot in and you also really do want to be there.
- Be sure of the format of the day. It is called the specialist interview but I did not actually have a one-on-one interview with either the corporal, sergeant or flight sergeant (FS)! It was later explained to us that over the last 2 days they have been watching everything we do and that they can assess our character much better that way. Anyone can master good interview technique with pre determined questions and answer's. It was slightly confusing but the FS explained to me that although the AFCO invited me to an "interview" the AFCO don't really know anything about what they do. Apparantly this was because I'm applying for a role in the Intelligence Wing so this may not be the case in your trade.
- Don't drink too much at the bar at night! If like my trade, you are required to sit exam(s) on the 2nd day. We had to sit 3 seperate exam's totalling about 3 hours. We was tested on some average numerical questions and equations but some rather testing stereoscopic imagery analysis. Any more beer in the pub the night before and I'd have been in a right pickle LoL!
- Talk to people in the bar! The Intelligence Corporal met us in the bar that night to give us more information about the RAF and answer any questions we had. Use this time to get to know the Corporal and also chat to a few other servicemen in there. No doubt that if you come across as keen to learn more and show confidence in talking to other people it would all get relayed back to the FS. (The FS is the guy who decide's if I get the position by the way!).
- When you leave at the end of the day approach each of the servicemen that have assisted you during your stay and shake their hand whilst thanking them/wishing them well etc. A few of our group didn't do this and I'm not trying to pick fault and claim I was perfect but it's just the little thing's that will give you the edge. I would have thought this as common decency anyhow, especially to the people who decide if you get the job or not.
All said and done, just go and enjoy yourself. Out of earshot from the FS and other senior staff the Corporal was fun and just like any other person. She ate in the mess with us at Breakfast and lunch and drank in the bar with us at night. She joked about sex, poo and thieving people's push bike's on camp. This helped us all relax I think, whilst also allowing her to monitor our behaviour in a more personal situation. I can't really stress enough to just go there with an open mind, ask loads of question's (even if you already know the answer's) and at least look like you're having fun
Good luck mate,
keep us updated how you do. I should know my result's by end of January. Any question's then ask away!
I'll have to work on my method's of data gathering... i.e. not rely on the damned internet so much! hehe