DCO Panel Interview Gouge

[bubblehead]

Good point, if a person is in the final interview for a job most of the time it is an in person interview.

That was my point. There's more to it than someone who can "talk the talk" over the phone. Can they do the same and remain cool when getting interviewed by a panel. Also, by evaluating their physical appearance you can also gauge their level of professionalism, attention to detail, and their "give a sh*t" factor.

I once interviewed someone for a role at a start-up where I once worked. We needed highly technical, motivated people who could and would go the extra mile so we would succeed (all stuff in the job description and we compensated accordingly). The guy shows up looking like he just rolled out of bed. 4 day shadow. Un-ironed dress shirt that had some small holes in it. He had all the technical things we wanted. I voted "no" cause I've seen the type before. Our VP (who himself was later fired) hired the guy anyways. Did the guy get the job done? Sure, but he was a 9 to 5 bare minimum.

 

[johngonavy]

If it is appropriate to ask, what's the best way to answer these questions

 

[FinkUFreaky]

If it is appropriate to ask, what's the best way to answer these questions

Best way to answer these is honestly... Which means, put some thought into those type of questions before showing up. For example, if you aren't reading anything related to the field, pick up a book. If you haven't thought as to why you want to join the Navy, do some thinking about it. There are no "great" canned answers. Many different ones would work; many people have very different motivations for joining. My main reason for joining the Navy was to eventually be an astronaut (and I didn't keep that a secret; it was on my personal statement). Now that I know a bit more about the astronaut selection process, that was kind of silly. But I don't think that hurt me. I think if my main reason for wanting to join tho was that I needed a paycheck, I think that might have hurt. Don't get too cheesy with the core values either; they're clearly important, but I'd imagine it's easy enough for dudes that do these interviews to see through the "BS".

Disclaimer: Never been interviewed for DCO, nor had anything to do with the community. But I'd imagine it's a fairly accurate response regardless.

 

[johngonavy]

Best way to answer these is honestly... Which means, put some thought into those type of questions before showing up. For example, if you aren't reading anything related to the field, pick up a book. If you haven't thought as to why you want to join the Navy, do some thinking about it. There are no "great" canned answers. Many different ones would work; many people have very different motivations for joining. My main reason for joining the Navy was to eventually be an astronaut (and I didn't keep that a secret; it was on my personal statement). Now that I know a bit more about the astronaut selection process, that was kind of silly. But I don't think that hurt me. I think if my main reason for wanting to join tho was that I needed a paycheck, I think that might have hurt. Don't get too cheesy with the core values either; they're clearly important, but I'd imagine it's easy enough for dudes that do these interviews to see through the "BS".

Disclaimer: Never been interviewed for DCO, nor had anything to do with the community. But I'd imagine it's a fairly accurate response regardless.

Thank you

 

[nodropinufaka]

What is wrong with Telework interviews? It is 2021. There is no need for someone to drive hundreds of miles for what is essentially a part time job.

 

[bubblehead]

What is wrong with Telework interviews? It is 2021. There is no need for someone to drive hundreds of miles...

I'll vote for the candidate who drives and shows up in a suit versus the candidate who opts for a "tele-interview" in polo shirt.

...for what is essentially a part time job.

Uh, yeah, no...

 

[ABMD]

I'll vote for the candidate who drives and shows up in a suit versus the candidate who opts for a "tele-interview" in polo shirt.

Uh, yeah, no...

Had to drive 90+ miles (each way) from MD to Springfield, VA for an 8am interview. Do you realize how bad traffic is on 95->495 at that time? I spent 3-4 hrs commuting (total time) for 30-45 minutes of interviews. Face to face matters.

And I am constantly communicating with leadership and running down taskers for my "part-time job"

 

[nodropinufaka]

I'll vote for the candidate who drives and shows up in a suit versus the candidate who opts for a "tele-interview" in p

Uh, yeah, no...

This is the issue the military has. Some of the biggest idiots I ever came across were the ones who had super shiny boots, a high and tight hair cut, super pressed uniforms. Sure they went the extra mile and looked good. But didn’t make them better at their jobs. Regs are regs.

I don’t see the point in the drive.

it literally serves no other purpose. You can make them wear a suit and do a Zoom meeting.

The reserves is a part time job. No matter how people want to see it. It isn’t our full time primary income we work 40-50 hours a week. So it’s a part time job.

If you disagree I’d very much like to know the reason.

 

[nodropinufaka]

Had to drive 90+ miles (each way) from MD to Springfield, VA for an 8am interview. Do you realize how bad traffic is on 95->495 at that time? I spent 3-4 hrs commuting (total time) for 30-45 minutes of interviews. Face to face matters.

And I am constantly communicating with leadership and running down taskers for my "part-time job"

Again. Like I said. Face to face doesn’t matter. Just because you did it doesn’t mean we have to have others do it.

and it is a part time job. Just like I posted in the other post. This isn’t our primary income.

we need a better way of screening.

I think the best way forward is get rid of DCO program all together and only take NAVETS. At least NAVETS with 4-10 years of service have a track record. The url communities do that and it works for them.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Again. Like I said. Face to face doesn’t matter. Just because you did it doesn’t mean we have to have others do it.

and it is a part time job. Just like I posted in the other post. This isn’t our primary income.

we need a better way of screening.

I think the best way forward is get rid of DCO program all together and only take NAVETS. At least NAVETS with 4-10 years of service have a track record. The url communities do that and it works for them.

If they could fill spots with NAVETS they probably would, but they can't, NAVET recruiting has often been "difficult".

 

[SELRES_AMDO]

Most NAVETs that didn't want to go the distance want nothing to do with the Reserves when they get out. At least in my experience.

And we can split hairs all we want over if the reserves is a part time job. Most part time jobs can't call you up and send you away at a moment's notice. So it is a bit different in my opinion. I don't mind telework and think it is valuable. But I'd never consider a telephone or VTC interview when it comes to selecting for commission.

 

[SELRES_AMDO]

This is the issue the military has. Some of the biggest idiots I ever came across were the ones who had super shiny boots, a high and tight hair cut, super pressed uniforms. Sure they went the extra mile and looked good. But didn’t make them better at their jobs. Regs are regs.

This is not an issue that is exclusive to the military.

 

[Rudy.30]

I'll vote for the candidate who drives and shows up in a suit versus the candidate who opts for a "tele-interview" in polo shirt.


Uh, yeah, no...

In the end the board is looking for any measureable metric to separate candidates in the selection process. You can learn more from talking to someone face to face than you can over a video or phone call. How they carry themselves, how they treat others when ordering their coffee, did they iron their pants, ect.. Details matter in our line of work and we all know that. This does not mean a candidate who got all 10's over the phone is any better/worse than an someone who got all 10's with an in person interview, but the in person carries more weight, period.


Show up in person, shave your face (men), wear a suite, don’t be weird, and most importantly ask questions!

 

[nodropinufaka]

But I'd never consider a telephone or VTC interview when it comes to selecting for commission.

I guess I just don't understand.

When I went to OCS I didn't do any interviews whatsoever. I just applied and gave the recruiter my transcripts, statement, etc and a letter of rec from my boss and off I went 8 months later. No interviews needed.

So I am just kind of confused about why we put so much weight on interviews when active duty doesnt even really do them.

 

[nodropinufaka]

In the end the board is looking for any measureable metric to separate candidates in the selection process. You can learn more from talking to someone face to face than you can over a video or phone call. How they carry themselves, how they treat others when ordering their coffee, did they iron their pants, ect.. Details matter in our line of work and we all know that. This does not mean a candidate who got all 10's over the phone is any better/worse than an someone who got all 10's with an in person interview, but the in person carries more weight, period.


Show up in person, shave your face (men), wear a suite, don’t be weird, and most importantly ask questions!

Sure- of course you can tell better.

But I am not going to make someone drive 2-5+ hours for it. Especially during a pandemic. If they are local and didn't want to do an in person I would probably ask why. Everyone got jobs and families and other responsibilities and I def wouldnt want someone taking off of work and missing stuff for an interview when it could just as easily be done via zoom.

Maybe I am in the minority.

In my current job I interviewed via phone, then via zoom, then started with the company and have worked from home ever since. Never even met my boss or team.