Air Cadets Interviewing

Right, well as some of you know I'm part of the Air Cadets. I currently hold the rank of Corporal. Basically one of the Sergeants just left and they've opened up a position. I've been a Corporal for over a year now and I believe I'm ready to move up in the rank structure.

They've asked us to write Air Cadet CV's which include the general stuff, what I've done as a cadet, how long I've been a cadet, what a Sergeant is, how I think I'd make a good Sergeant and so forth. We also have to present ourselves infront of a board of the staff members on our Squadron. This includes the 3 highest members on our Squadron.

My problems are; I've not written a CV ever in my life. I don't interview well at all and I've never presented myself infront of a board before so I'm not really sure what to expect.

So I was wondering, does anyone have any CV writing tips? (Resume as you Americans call it!) Also does anyone have any interview tips?

I personally think it's hugely flawed, nevertheless it has to be done if I wish to progress. I think I make an excellent Corporal but I interview really badly. They'll probably end up promoting someone who interviews really well, but is a bad Corporal.

Nevertheless, all advice is welcomed!

Kind Regards,
Tyler.

I'm not too good with writing CV's so don't count on me with that. However, presenting yourself in front of a few people I've done a few times before, so I'll just tell you some basic things you should do. Firstly, try and present yourself well, act like you would as a sergeant (obviously don't boss them about) and act calm and confident. Speak loud and clear so they don't miss a word of what your saying, be helpful to them and if they decide to ask you questions answer them to your best ability.

I wish you good luck in your application, I believe you're confident and I believe you will get the position, best of luck bud.

On a CV you want to put what you think is important. It's what you present yourself with.

Now the obvious stuff is your name, address, phone number, dob etc, then you want to put down your education, under that put any trainings you've had and under that your work experience.
With work experience you want to put 2 different kind of things on it, jobs that are work related and jobs that you've held for a long period. You don't want to put your 2 months in a supermarket on there, it's not relevant in any kind of way. I personally put how long I worked there on the left, for example 2008-2011 and then hit a few tabs and describe my work there, that way it's clean, fills up the page nicely without it being tacky and by describing what you did, they really get a sense of what you are capable.
Btw your personal feeling of that job has no place on your CV.

Oh and look up a format and make sure it looks clean. Use a standard font and size, use your tab to make it align nicely, put stuff like Personal info, Eduction and Work experience in bold so to make it clear where one stops and the other continues.

I go to Air Cadets, I've never written a CV though.

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Originally Posted by GohanSSJ

On a CV you want to put what you think is important. It's what you present yourself with.

Now the obvious stuff is your name, address, phone number, dob etc, then you want to put down your education, under that put any trainings you've had and under that your work experience.
With work experience you want to put 2 different kind of things on it, jobs that are work related and jobs that you've held for a long period. You don't want to put your 2 months in a supermarket on there, it's not relevant in any kind of way. I personally put how long I worked there on the left, for example 2008-2011 and then hit a few tabs and describe my work there, that way it's clean, fills up the page nicely without it being tacky and by describing what you did, they really get a sense of what you are capable.
Btw your personal feeling of that job has no place on your CV.

Oh and look up a format and make sure it looks clean. Use a standard font and size, use your tab to make it align nicely, put stuff like Personal info, Eduction and Work experience in bold so to make it clear where one stops and the other continues.

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I'll keep that all in mind, particularly the "design" so to speak. I won't have to write a CV such as that, as it's just to place myself above the rest of the Corporals in regards to promotion. Qualifications aren't really relevant, it's just achievements within cadets.

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Originally Posted by -Jordan-

I go to Air Cadets, I've never written a CV though.

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It's some retarded idea our CO decided to whip up in order to achieve some new NCO's. You probably (I hope) won't see this happen on your squadron.
A few years ago, a previous Air Commodore came up with a CV which you receive after completing so much within cadets. An official "reference" so to speak. It had huge flaws, but some squadrons still run it.

Wish you the best of luck, i hope you get granted

Thanks for the moral support guys, but thats not what I'm after.

I've got a fairly solid idea and a first draft of a CV, so I don't require anymore help with that. It's mainly interview techniques really. I know from past experiences I'm a crap interview so any help is appreciated. I'd rather get it sorted now, to avoid it hindering future chances at job opportunities.

For the interview especially as a Cadet you need to present yourself as a Stable, Fearless, Tough, Sophisticated Man. This means yes, obviously nice firm handshakes whenever you shake someone's hand (Im willing to bet you'll shake all of the Board Member's hands when you first enter and when you leave, so just make sure it's a nice firm handshake) Make sure that you are always maintaining eye contact (Not like a stare down obviously) but make sure you let them know you are paying attention and taking into account everything they are saying. Make sure to speak clear and firm, and try to be as respectful as you can be. Be proper too, not a nod or uh-uh say Yes Sir/Ma'am while maintaining eye contact.

My Uncle trains a special board of questioners for his Company and he told me whenever I have an interview I should appear formal, sound (another word for sturdy) keep eye contact and show them that I have interest and I'm attentive to what they are saying; and of-course always leave and enter with a solid handshake and a smile, whether the outcome be good or bad always look them in the eye and smile while you are shaking their hand. When they ask you questions don't dilly-dally around the question get straight to it and be as informative as you can be with your answer.

A big thing though is maintain composure if you start to feel Nervous, bored, agitated, upset, anything, DON'T LET IT SHOW. A lot of people get halfway into an interview and they start sweating and getting all twitchy and antsy, don't, don't don't don't do this I guarantee you this will not help AT ALL.

Not sure about the resume as I'm not sure exactly what information they are going to be asking for, but I guess just go with what "feels right" and make sure to be honest and straight forward.

Goodluck man I wish you the best.

I'm pretty sure resumes around the world are the same, so I can look yours over to see if it is in the correct format with all relevant information. That is one of the benefits of going to business school.

Interview skills are no different than conversation skills in my opinion. Of course you are not going to punch them on the arm, make inappropriate comments, or use any slang. Just talk. A calm demeanor breeds confidence. Project yourself as someone who can handle the pressure, provide truthful coherent answers to their questions and just act normally. No fiddling, looking at the floor, saying "uhhhhh." Just talk. Answer what they ask and nothing else. I'm basing this off of knowing you here. You seem like an intelligent individual so if you can get past all the things I said above (which are usually what mess people up in an interview) you should be good to go.

Also, eye contact.

And if the officer is a hot woman, be on boner alert.

Woman officer. Look at me making up imaginary terms.

http://media.desura.com/cache/images...aceDancing.gif

Ah, thanks ever so much guys! I think the part I'll lack in is eye-contact. I think I'm going to leave out the handshaking. It's really only something you do when congratulating someone, particularly if its a board made up of primarily officers. Thanks for the great feedback, I'll keep it all in mind. :):

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Originally Posted by Tyler

Ah, thanks ever so much guys! I think the part I'll lack in is eye-contact. I think I'm going to leave out the handshaking. It's really only something you do when congratulating someone, particularly if its a board made up of primarily officers. Thanks for the great feedback, I'll keep it all in mind. :):

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Completely wrong on the handshake.

A strong, firm handshake shows the interviewer you are excited and confident about a positive outcome of the interview. It shows you are 100% ready to take on whatever comes your way.

Handshakes tell a lot about a person. People with wimpy handshakes are more often than not still stuck in their shell and are unsure of what they are stepping in to.

Being the interviewer for a few local businesses I've worked for and even running mock training interviews for fellow students at school, I never ranked anyone high up that did not greet me with a smile and a handshake.

I spoke to one of the officers who'll be sat on the board (as I've known him since before he was an officer) and he told me, unless one of us initiate the handshake, don't do it.

PM me if you want and I'll send you a copy of my resume for you to edit to your own information. I'd consider mine pretty nice, and well laid out.

However, it will not help you for the interview.

I've got my CV nailed like I said, not to mention yours is probably tailored to American/Canadian lifestyle such as qualifications.

Just got to learn what I need for the interview and practice these techniques.

Best of luck Tyler, if your CV is decent that's the main thing. Hope you do well in your interview, I'm not good with eye-to-eye contact either to be honest. Just show your confidence!