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Selection interview
I have my selection interview this Wednesday and I'm wondering how much about the RAF do I need to know already? Do I need to know about Rank Structure, UK & Overseas Stations, Aircraft, Training and life afterwards.
I'm not completely clueless, but I was wondering if I need an encyclopedic knowledge of the RAF?
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Adam Gallimore
I'm not completely clueless, but I was wondering if I need an encyclopedic knowledge of the RAF?
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Adam Gallimore
Scroll to see replies
Assume you mean your filter interview at AFCO, after which you will be recommended (hopefully) for progression to OASC? You'll need a bit of knowledge about the roles of the RAF, aircraft and some of the places where the RAF is based, both at home and overseas, but judging by mine, most of the focus is on you personally, why you want to join, and making sure you understand the structure of the selection and training process for everything you want to apply for. You probably wouldn't need much more service knowledge than they give you at the initial presentation. You should also have a bit of a think about current affairs - some ask for in-depth knowledge at filter interview stage; some (like the one who interviewed me) use the filter interview to check you're not a complete lunatic, but then use the rest of the time to give you advice on the next stage, rather than an overly harsh grilling. Hopefully your AFCO has given you some guidance on what yours will be like!
(Of course, if you're going for pilot, say, they might want to see a bit more knowledge about aircraft - what might you want to fly and why, for example! Not that you'll get a choice ...
)
Hope that's helpful. Of course, some people will have had a totally different interview to mine, so don't take anyone's word as more than guidance!
(Of course, if you're going for pilot, say, they might want to see a bit more knowledge about aircraft - what might you want to fly and why, for example! Not that you'll get a choice ...
)Hope that's helpful. Of course, some people will have had a totally different interview to mine, so don't take anyone's word as more than guidance!
Selection interview is the name for P3 candidates; ground trades, as opposed to P2 for officer/ NCA.
Know where the RAF is, what it's doing, it's commitment to NATO, who's in NATO (the last three members to join? three original members, et c.), recent NATO ops, aircraft, where they're based, how many squadrons are assigned to each aircraft at which bases, the squadron numbers would be handy too.
Know yourself inside out, upside down and back to front; it's what fails most people. School/ sport/ employment history- to the month. Your motication to join the RAF, as opposed to the Army or Navy, why you think you'd fit in, what you feel will be most challenging about your trg/ role, and how you feel you'd overcome this.
Don't worry so much about rank structure; there's not much to it. You should obviously be able to determine a Sgt from a Cpl or an SAC, a Lt from a Cpt etc. Know a couple of the big wigs though, Glen Torpy, Joe French etc.
Joint organisations will crop up at some point, JFH, JHC and the likes, so make sure you know a bit about them. No need to go overboard on that point though; it's not like the officer Filter interview in this regard.
The most important thing is to make sure you know yourself and everything you've done perfectly, it's your area to shine and show them what they'd be missing.
Best of luck.
Know where the RAF is, what it's doing, it's commitment to NATO, who's in NATO (the last three members to join? three original members, et c.), recent NATO ops, aircraft, where they're based, how many squadrons are assigned to each aircraft at which bases, the squadron numbers would be handy too.
Know yourself inside out, upside down and back to front; it's what fails most people. School/ sport/ employment history- to the month. Your motication to join the RAF, as opposed to the Army or Navy, why you think you'd fit in, what you feel will be most challenging about your trg/ role, and how you feel you'd overcome this.
Don't worry so much about rank structure; there's not much to it. You should obviously be able to determine a Sgt from a Cpl or an SAC, a Lt from a Cpt etc. Know a couple of the big wigs though, Glen Torpy, Joe French etc.
Joint organisations will crop up at some point, JFH, JHC and the likes, so make sure you know a bit about them. No need to go overboard on that point though; it's not like the officer Filter interview in this regard.
The most important thing is to make sure you know yourself and everything you've done perfectly, it's your area to shine and show them what they'd be missing.
Best of luck.
Reply 4
Honestly, I didn't even get any questions remotely related to NATO during mine, nothing about squadrons, bases or who's got what planes either. Some very basic current affairs about the middle east, but not much. The vast majority though, as mark says, is you and your life. I went back through all my time in school and college, as well as every club and activity I've ever been involved in very carefully, and it paid off at the interview.
Other than that, as much detail as you can get on Halton and wherever you'll be going afterwards for trade training, then where you could get posted after training and what you'll be doing.
Other than that, as much detail as you can get on Halton and wherever you'll be going afterwards for trade training, then where you could get posted after training and what you'll be doing.
CKinnerley
Honestly, I didn't even get any questions remotely related to NATO during mine, nothing about squadrons, bases or who's got what planes either. Some very basic current affairs about the middle east, but not much. The vast majority though, as mark says, is you and your life. I went back through all my time in school and college, as well as every club and activity I've ever been involved in very carefully, and it paid off at the interview.
Other than that, as much detail as you can get on Halton and wherever you'll be going afterwards for trade training, then where you could get posted after training and what you'll be doing.
Other than that, as much detail as you can get on Halton and wherever you'll be going afterwards for trade training, then where you could get posted after training and what you'll be doing.
Hmm, when I had my P3 it definately involved NATO, which aircraft were based where and he asked me about a couple of Sqn no's - though it was 1(F) [Harrier] and 27/ 18(AC) [Chinook] if memory serves, so they are kind of basic ones. Every AFCO varies though, I think it's very dependant.
Compared to my Filter invterview when I got asked how many Sqns, their numbers and which bases they belonged to for the Typhoon, Jag, Merlin and Nimrod. I think I got a harsh deal!
At my selection interview I wasn't asked any of that stuff either though. But just because two of us wern't asked it doesn't mean that you shouldn't bother looking into them. You are best off to be prepared for them just incase they do ask you and you don't sit there saying 'I don't know' to everything. I was asked about them at my Final interview, so I was glad that I put the effort in beforehand to research things like Nato, the UN, RAF Bases and Operations. As I said...learn them just incase, as Mark said, each AFCO varies.
Reply 7
Out of interest Drew, did they ever mention to you to learn that stuff about the UN/NATO/RAF Bases? Because thing about it, at my selection interview every question I got was answerable from either knowing my life or the information they gave me about the job itself, nothing about all the planes/weapons I looked up on the website; strangely assuming that an aspiring Weapons Technician should probably learn about a few of weapons I might be working on. The only part I can think of where they didn't specifically tell me to look in to it was a couple of quick bits on Iraq/Afghanistan, and even then they were just after my basic opinion.
End of the day of course, you're both totally right, always better to learn more and not use it than learn less and come up lacking.
End of the day of course, you're both totally right, always better to learn more and not use it than learn less and come up lacking.
CKinnerley
Out of interest Drew, did they ever mention to you to learn that stuff about the UN/NATO/RAF Bases? Because thing about it, at my selection interview every question I got was answerable from either knowing my life or the information they gave me about the job itself, nothing about all the planes/weapons I looked up on the website; strangely assuming that an aspiring Weapons Technician should probably learn about a few of weapons I might be working on. The only part I can think of where they didn't specifically tell me to look in to it was a couple of quick bits on Iraq/Afghanistan, and even then they were just after my basic opinion.
End of the day of course, you're both totally right, always better to learn more and not use it than learn less and come up lacking.
End of the day of course, you're both totally right, always better to learn more and not use it than learn less and come up lacking.
I was told by the Sergent before hand that I should know about NATO, but they never told me to look up on the UN or RAF Bases. I just did that due to people on here telling me to as they may ask me about them. I was asked about RAF Bases at my selection interview as well as my Final one so it was a good job I knew people in the RAF and the bases that they were at
Remember that any good interviewer will attempt to figure out the depth of your knowledge. Regardless of whether it's a P3 or P2 interview, they should be trying to find out what you do and don't know; so if you don't know very much, the interview won't probe massive depths. There's no point asking about NATO if you barely know what RAF stands for.
However, if you demonstrate excellent service knowledge early on, there's no point in stopping the interview early; they may as well press on and see what more you know. That way they get to tell the difference between a "pass" and an excellent candidate.
So the moral of the story is: stop comparing notes to this degree, and don't post claiming that because you weren't asked about subject X it's "not in the interview."
At the end of the day, it really depends on the job you are applying for in the RAF. If you are going for Pilot for instance it would be fair to assume that you would know all of the front line aircraft, including varients and performance data. Also a good understanding of the weapons carried.
However, for most P3 trades - i.e. Selection Interview, it is reasonable that you are aware of most front line aircraft and where they are operating from.
What is more important is that you know what your recruit training is all about (Broken down into the 3 phases), duration, content and location of your trade training and some of the bases that you may be posted to.
Top tip of the day....Sit down and list all the things you do in life and pick out all of the positive points so that you can portray yourself in the best possible light. You may find that you do more than you actually think! Good luck.
However, for most P3 trades - i.e. Selection Interview, it is reasonable that you are aware of most front line aircraft and where they are operating from.
What is more important is that you know what your recruit training is all about (Broken down into the 3 phases), duration, content and location of your trade training and some of the bases that you may be posted to.
Top tip of the day....Sit down and list all the things you do in life and pick out all of the positive points so that you can portray yourself in the best possible light. You may find that you do more than you actually think! Good luck.
Reply 11
i am doing my selction interview on tuesday at the liverpool AFCO just wondering if any of you have done your interview there and what they asked you? im going for avionics technician so will they go into great depth with that?
Reply 12
Jonathon, they will expect you to have a good understanding of your trade and RTS. Firstly RTS, you should know where it is held, for how long, the various phases and what's involved, i.e Ground Defence phase will incorporate Weapons handling, field craft, NBC, Respirator test facility and consolidated at the end of the phase by Exercise Blue Warrior. For your trade training you should know that it is held at RAF Cosford, the duration, what is the role of the trade? what do you expect to be taught? your first tour? follow-up training? transferable skills - modern apprenticeship? etc, etc, etc. Once you've completed your training you'll be involved with flight line maintenance then trade rectifications (radar, avionic systems, black box out - black box in!). Know about the RAF, it's roles and where we are and why we are there, i.e deployments, bases, operations, etc. How do we fit into NATO, what is NATO and why did it come about? How many member countries? What stations do we have at home and abroad, how many could you be posted to (flying stations obviously for you!) Finally your attitude to combat/conflict, your motivation and commitment to service/trade, are you physically prepared? The personal stuff is easy as only you know about you! so sell yourself, responsibilities within school, UYO's, STA's, employment, etc. If you need any further assistance remember I'm 'Here to help' and good luck!!!! Remember relax, be punctional, smart, sit up, don't fidget and maintain good eye contact! but most of all don't lie!
Reply 13
so.....
RTS is held at RAF Halton...? and for 9 weeks....?
Trade training is held at RAF Cosford...? and for 21 weeks...?
the role of my trade is ... to maintain all electrical, electronic, and sensor equipment on the aircraft....?
what do i expect to be taught....?
my first tour... is that refuelling aircraft, repairing minor damages, checking the equipment when the aircraft lands...?
How do we fit into NATO....?
How many countries are there ... 26?
how ma ny flying stations could i be posted to...8?
are they the correct answers to the example questions u gave me then ???
and thanks for your help!
RTS is held at RAF Halton...? and for 9 weeks....?
Trade training is held at RAF Cosford...? and for 21 weeks...?
the role of my trade is ... to maintain all electrical, electronic, and sensor equipment on the aircraft....?
what do i expect to be taught....?
my first tour... is that refuelling aircraft, repairing minor damages, checking the equipment when the aircraft lands...?
How do we fit into NATO....?
How many countries are there ... 26?
how ma ny flying stations could i be posted to...8?
are they the correct answers to the example questions u gave me then ???
and thanks for your help!
Reply 14
I believe the NATO countries count is now up to 27...
Reply 15
oh right who is the 27th ?
Reply 16
Don't know if i'm honest, i heard about it a while back in the news and it was brought up in my formal interview back in March where both officers believed it to be correct! Dont take my word for it but thats the figure i'll be using at OASC unless i hear further beforehand. Sorry I couldnt be more help.
The NATO site does state 26 so i guess this is correct, just strange both interviewing officers believed it to be 27..... anyone else have any ideas?
The NATO site does state 26 so i guess this is correct, just strange both interviewing officers believed it to be 27..... anyone else have any ideas?
Reply 17
Sometimes the issue is clouded by factors such as 'Partner countries' and 'EAPC countries'. However as far as full member countries go the (current) answer is most certainly 26.
http://www.nato.int/structur/countries.htm
http://www.nato.int/structur/countries.htm
Reply 18
Jonathon, the answers you supplied, taken from your TILs are along the right lines. As mentioned previously ensure you know the phases of RTS - you are correct that it is at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire and that it is for 9wks. Each phase is given a name and is broken down into weeks in the Halton Booklet so research it well. The trade training is at Cosford and for approx 6mths followed by up to 1.5yrs out in the 'real airforce' to learn some on the job experience then back to cosford for around 13mths to complete your modern apprentice and gain your technician status. The role of the trade is correct and your first tour will primarily be conducting flight line maintenance (servicings) on a front line squadron at one of the many UK flying stations. On interview I would expect you to name 26 countries within NATO, not 27!! and we could work along side our sister services or other NATO services as part of joint or UK operations (Jointery). Know about Ascention Islands, Falklands, Belize, Norway, Siere Lione, Afganistan, Balkans, Cyprus, Iraq/Iran, gibralter, etc, etc. You will be fine, and again good luck, if you need anything else remember, I'm 'Here to help'
Reply 19
thanks for that just one more thing...
what questions do i need to ask at the end of the interview ???
also RTS is Recruit Training S.....? haha i can't find the S anywere
what questions do i need to ask at the end of the interview ???
also RTS is Recruit Training S.....? haha i can't find the S anywere
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