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Cadetship Interview/Assessment Tips
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10-03-2008 6:33pm#1Hey all.
First time poster but long time admirer.
I just got a phone call arranging my preliminary interview for an Army Cadetship and decided to begin the research process in earnest.....
I have no military background or any family ties with the Defence Forces and thought here might be a good place to start looking for some more info on the Cadetship process and indeed what life is like as junior officer.
I have combed the www.military.ie website over the last few weeks as well as searching this forum for info but neverthelss I remain to have many many questions.........Perhaps there are a few current Cadets or junior officers on the forum that could help? You all seem like a decent bunch.....
I'm sure there will be plenty of others getting a call about interviews over the next few days so maybe us wannabe Cadets can post our questions here and get a little help from a few of the more experienced lads........
So......
I'll get the ball rolling...;
1. What sort of questions will one be asked in the prelim interview? Is it similar to an interview for a job in the private sector? Anything different etc?
2. What day- to -day duties would a newly commissioned officer have? The website ain't great for this and I'm sure it's going to be a question that comes up.- So, what are the boring hum-drum things that a Second Lieutenant or Lieutenant mite have to do?
3. Upon commissioning what length of contract does a Lieutenant sign?
4. How long would it take for a Lieutenant to get an opportunity to go overseas?
That should do it............for now.
A lot of these questions presume someone getting the Cadetship, surviving the Cadetship and then being commissioned, I know.........and believe me I am far from confident of that- But nonetheless I think it's good to know what one's (trying) to get themself into!
Thanks lads..0
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Best of luck with the interview, mine is soon too
I was lucky enough to get talking to an officer who gave me some good advice on the interview (He had been on the selection committee before).
Some things:
Know the basic structure of the brigades
Roles of the Defence Forces
Be able to display a couple of the competencies - i.e talk about your college/work/sport examples.
Keep talking, make them interrupt, mention anything at all you think is relevant, i.e sell yourself.
A couple of questions he said that can throw people off are "Why do you want to join the Defence Forces" and "What do you think a normal working day entails" so practice some answers for that.
Oh and the number one thing he said was have confidence! Don't show any nervousness at all. Their logic he said is that if you can't merely talk to someone for 20 minutes about things how could you be relied upon to make decisions as a platoon commmander.
You won't be grilled too badly in this interview, they really just want to see that you've thought about your decision and that you're confident and show some enthusiasm for the job (by researching on military.ie etc)
The real grilling comes if you get to final interview apparently.
I'm not sure about No. 2 so if anyone can help there that would be great for me too.
For 3. I was told it's the standard 5 year contract.*
4. If you're commissioned as a 1st Lt. you should be eligible straight away.*
*I was told this at a careers fair by a Lieutenant so the reality may be some what different.
Best of luck mate.0 -
Best of luck with the interview, mine is soon too
I was lucky enough to get talking to an officer who gave me some good advice on the interview (He had been on the selection committee before).
Some things:
Know the basic structure of the brigades
Roles of the Defence Forces
Be able to display a couple of the competencies - i.e talk about your college/work/sport examples.
Keep talking, make them interrupt, mention anything at all you think is relevant, i.e sell yourself.
A couple of questions he said that can throw people off are "Why do you want to join the Defence Forces" and "What do you think a normal working day entails" so practice some answers for that.
Oh and the number one thing he said was have confidence! Don't show any nervousness at all. Their logic he said is that if you can't merely talk to someone for 20 minutes about things how could you be relied upon to make decisions as a platoon commmander.
You won't be grilled too badly in this interview, they really just want to see that you've thought about your decision and that you're confident and show some enthusiasm for the job (by researching on military.ie etc)
The real grilling comes if you get to final interview apparently.
I'm not sure about No. 2 so if anyone can help there that would be great for me too.
For 3. I was told it's the standard 5 year contract.*
4. If you're commissioned as a 1st Lt. you should be eligible straight away.*
*I was told this at a careers fair by a Lieutenant so the reality may be some what different.
Best of luck mate.
Cheers Tribulus- great help.
All very important things you mentioned......
5 years? That's great. I had heard possibly 10? Anyone able to clear this up? I will be a graduate if that makes any difference.....
Also, if any officers or former officers could tell what a normal day may consist of for a junior officer I think myself and Tribulus would be very grateful........
Cheers- and best of luck to you too mate.0 -
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Hey all.
1. What sort of questions will one be asked in the prelim interview? Is it similar to an interview for a job in the private sector? Anything different etc?
2. What day- to -day duties would a newly commissioned officer have? The website ain't great for this and I'm sure it's going to be a question that comes up.- So, what are the boring hum-drum things that a Second Lieutenant or Lieutenant mite have to do?
3. Upon commissioning what length of contract does a Lieutenant sign?
4. How long would it take for a Lieutenant to get an opportunity to go overseas?
1.
Questions should be on the line of what pressurised situations have you been in before and how you handled them, what leadership abilities you have ie. have you ever captained your football team(YES you have!)
your hobbies, which are running, swimming, cycling, hill walking etc ok
why you want to be in the army and they will ask how much you know about it so know a little bit like the numbers or personel and a bit of history will impress in the interview.
just make sure your cleanly shaven, wear a suit, cleaned and ironed and have an impecible CV with you and sit up straight, look them in the eye and be confident but not arrogant.
2.
generally the lieuy's will be knocking round the barracks doing some paperwork but they spend a decent bit of time on the ground too, theres also a good possibility being in control of a recruit platoon when your a 2nd lieutenant, then they usually disappear through the school year to do their degrees and they are back around the holidays, they would generally be doing a few courses too so youd be busy enough.
3.
hrm...not sure about that one but if you dont like it you can always buy yourself out, not too expensive depending on the courses you have done.
4.
well when i was overseas all the lieuy's were 2 pippers, as in full lieutenants not 2nd lt's and they were in the army a few years so it could take a little bit of time depending on unit etc...0 -
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