I received a pro-rec N. My recruiter says I have to wait 6 months to re-apply, unless something significant (like my job) changes. Any advice?
I was also pro N at my first board, before getting selected at this one. Our stats on paper look relatively similar in terms of GPA and OAR. Here's what I added between my first and second kits:
- Officer interview appraisals: these are not required for non-AD applicants but I think they helped me to stand out (I scored well on all of them). Senior officers, O-5 or higher, in your target community are your best bet. Since you have some recommendations from similar folks, see if they can help you make connections.
- LORs from outside of work/military: you list community service work in your profile, get some recs from there emphasizing your leadership and service.
- Motivational statement: I scrapped mine and started over. Using the public IDC 20-year strategic plan roadmap (google it), I sold how my work experience was a good fit for the specific goals of the community. Also ran it past a few IDC officers (my interviewers from above) for comments.
- Reconsideration memo: this is your chance to write about how you've improved yourself since your first kit, and there's no word count limit. Take on additional responsibility at work, volunteer for something new, keep working out, learn a new skill. In other words, use the time to make sure you have something to highlight in this document.
- Education: you already have a master's degree, so maybe not as relevant. I started an MS in data analytics during my gap. It's a 2-year program so now I won't finish it, but did give me something to talk about in my recon memo.
A lot of these suggestions are qualitative and subjective so it's impossible to say the degree to which any one might or might not help. Without specific feedback, all I have to go on is the sum total of changes. And maybe it was just the luck of the draw. Hopefully this gives you some direction, though.
One last bit of advice - if you are serious about reapplying, stay on top of your recruiter as the deadline gets closer! Unless yours is really proactive, plan to keep track of the 6 months yourself and to get the ball rolling again.
TL;DR: treat failure like a scientist; research backgrounds of those selected, identify your weakest areas, address them to the best of your ability, and make your next application even better.
