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Talking about other Jobs in the Interview
One of the great advantages of the guard and reserve is the ability to be a citizen airman and have a second career. But addressing that second career in an interview requires some finesse.
First let’s talk about the timeline: Your application is tight, you crush the interview and you get the call from the squadron commander welcoming you to your dream job. Boom!
Your first few months will be gaining actions (read: paperwork), then OTS and pilot training. Now a winged zipper-suited sun-god you’ll go to your aircraft’s formal school house with some other training along the way, finally arriving at your unit 18 mo – 3 years after that phone call.
Welcome to the squadron! Time to learn. To help you, your squadron will put you on full seasoning orders (MEST). Heavy units usually give new folks 6 months; fighter units usually provide 3 years. You are expected to complete all of your (full time) seasoning orders.
So there you are 2 – 6 years after that joyous phone call. Now, we can talk about you going part-time.
Now, while they may insist otherwise, squadron’s are jealous. They really want to spend time with people who want to spend time with them. So telling them a 30-minute story about how you are excited to do this other thing…might not win their love.
A squadron wants to hear that you have a life plan that makes sense as part of a whole-person construct. For example if I was applying to a squadron in Minnesota I might bring forward my love of snowmobiling and I might explore a Minneapolis domiciled airline. Where squadrons get nearvous if if you’re applying for Montana unit but love surfing and want to be part of the bay area app developer scene.
Something that was true for me. “I’m excited to be part of this unit, my near and middle-term goals are to learn all I can about the unit and give back in any way I can. Long term I’d love to be part of the leadership team if the opportunity presented itself. Full-time work would be great, but if there resources aren’t available I’ll live here and take the easy commute to my airline. My wife is excited about the jobs in the area and we plan to stay here for the long term so her career can take off.”
Cheers!
Husky
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This discussion was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by
Husky.
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This discussion was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by
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2 Replies
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This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by Husky.
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This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by
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I think this is great advice, Husky! The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) is the Unit wants to know that you are fully committed to them without a lot of “conditions”.
I have worked with lots of clients with Interview Prep and when we cover this topic, a common trend is for the interviewee to “sell” the city/unit to the Board without really knowing that much about the area.
For example, “I really think Savannah is a great place! It’s got beaches, a fun downtown and lots to do” when in reality, Savannah can be very expensive and hard to get to know people if you are not from the area. Also, the school system is not the best, there are not a lot of big companies here and the night life can get old pretty quick.
On a personal note, I’ve lived here 20+ years and love it, but it took awhile!
Sounding genuine, real and credible are more important then trying to “hype” up the city/unit. You will be gone about half the month most of the time. We are trying to find the right “balance” between being on the road with you and not having a lot of “drama” when you are back at home station.
D.J.
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