The Academy Endeavors Interview Guide

Interviews are crucial. Academy Endeavors offers guidance on how to ace your interviews and stand out from the other applicants.

The 11 Keys to Interview Success

1. Win the interview before the interview. Every interaction beforehand (email, phone call, etc) with your Congressional staffer, ALO, BGO, and Field Force rep should be professional and enthusiastic.
2. It’s all about first impressions. People make snap judgements in the first 7 seconds. Win the first impression by doing the following:
   • Professional appearance. Suit/tie, short hair (men), business casual (women)
   • Enthusiastic greeting. “Good afternoon Sir” with a smile. Use your Sir’s and Ma’am’s consistently, and be confident. Keep the “hey” or “yeah” for your friends.
3. Your WHY answer is the most important. The “Why you want to attend a Service Academy” answer should be personal, specific, and passionate.
4. Be passionate. The reason they do interviews is because they want to hear your tone – so let them feel your passion!
5. Know your STAR Stories. This is the biggest aspect of your preparation. Choose your 7 best stories in the space below, and then organize them using the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
6. “Yes Sir/Ma’am.” The best filler word is “Yes Sir.” Avoid filler words like “um” “right” “sure”.
7. Stay in character. If you have an informal interviewer, stay in character. Keep your Sirs/Ma’am’s. He/she is trying to get your true self to come out, and you want to demonstrate that your true self is sharp.
8. Know the lingo. Use the appropriate terms for the Academy you’re interviewing for. It proves, in a subtle but powerful way, that you have done your homework, and gives them the “feeling” that you are ready.
9. Ask thoughtful questions. Every interview ends with “do you have any questions for me?” The answer is “yes, I do!” Have 2-3 thoughtful questions to ask. Show sincere interest in learning from them.
10. Follow up. Follow up with a professional “thank you” email.
11. What to do when stumped. Interviewers like to ask surprise questions to see how you think on your feet. If you get a question that completely stumps you, you have two options. Both of them buy you more time in a respectful way. We suggest you memorize these two questions. “Sir/Ma’am, can you please repeat the question?” and “Sir/Ma’am, may I please have a second to consider my answer?” After thinking about it for a few seconds, give your most sincere response in line with the core values.

Interview Criteria

Criteria	What does ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐interview look like?
1. Professionalism	– Avid use of “Sir/Ma’am” – Dressed professional (business formal, service dress if military) – Hair is appropriate – Conduct becoming of an officer candidate throughout – Demonstrated military bearing
2. Intrinsic Motivation to Serve & Credible Enthusiasm	– Personal and passionate response to why they want to attend the Academy – Highlighted examples that prove interest in serving is legitimate – Impressive examples include visiting the Academy, attending Summer Seminar, interviewing former graduates or current students, visiting an operational base.
3. Character & Self Awareness	– Shared example(s) that revealed candidate had a track record of living by the core values. – Revealed self-awareness by describing a weakness and/or a time he/she “failed” and how he/she learned from it. – Shared example(s) that revealed resilience in the face of adversity – Shared example(s) that revealed empathy and ability to work with/motivate others of different backgrounds – Shared example(s) that showed the candidate is willing to live with integrity even when it’s inconvenient. – Bonus: Asked the interviewer questions about him/herself at the end, which showed the desire to learn
4. Leadership	– Shared example(s) that revealed candidate had a track record of leadership and desire for more leadership. – Communicated meaningful and/or interesting stories that showed candidate is effective in influencing others toward a common goal – Interacts with others on a team in a “servant leadership” manner.
5. Planning	– Clear answer on desired career paths after graduation and intended major. Answer reveals that candidate understands what he/she is getting themselves into, has career vision, and performed research and/or visited. – If candidate is interested in a narrow career path (ie. doctor), then candidate thought through more likely career paths as a backup in case the lesser traveled path doesn’t work out. – Showed thoughtfulness by communicating backup plans in case he/she doesn’t get accepted to a Service Academy. Backup plans encompass alternative ways to still become an officer and serve.
6. Communication & Confidence	– Connected with the interviewer on a human level; not robotic. – Sincere and professional tone. – Clearly described the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of each story. – STAR stories posed a significant challenge/problem to be solved. – Compilation of STAR Stories gives the reader/interviewer a 360 view of the candidate. – Action section includes concrete examples. – Strong ending, which includes insightful lesson learned or deeply impactful achievement.

Professionalism. Uses Sir/Ma’am, military bearing, dress and appearance.	1	2	3	4	5
Intrinsic Motivation To Serve/Credible Enthusiasm. Demonstrates motivation in word and deed.	1	2	3	4	5
Character & Self-Awareness. Embodies the core values and warrior ethos.	1	2	3	4	5
Leadership. Demonstrates ability to influence others toward a goal.	1	2	3	4	5
Planning. Demonstrates thoughtfulness and maturity about their future	1	2	3	4	5
Communication & Confidence. Communicates in a clear and organized manner.	1	2	3	4	5

1. Leadership – ability to lead a team, set the example, and influence others in a positive manner.
2. Character/High Ethical Standard – ability to make the most moral/ethical decision under pressure. (Integrity. Honor. Commitment.)
3. Love of Country – gratitude for our country, desire to make it better.
4. Selflessness – service before self. Teamwork. works effectively with others.
5. Resilience – ability to withstand adversity, adjust to demanding schedule, maintain composure, and still perform at high level. (Courage)
6. Intrinsic motivation to serve – demonstrated desire to serve in military. (Duty.)
7. Communication – ability to communicate effectively, written and oral
8. Analytical Thinking – reach sound, logical conclusions based on analysis of fact
9. Achiever Mindset – seeks challenge beyond required amount, sets high standards for own performance. (Excellence.)
10. Self-Awareness – takes responsibility for one’s actions, reflective on past decisions, and learns from it
11. Empathy – shows interest and concern for the welfare of others
12. Diversity & Inclusion – demonstrated ability to work with & lead different types of people

Academy Lingo

First Day	Inprocessing – USAFA R-Day (Reception Day) – USMA I-Day (Induction Day) – USNA Day One – USCGA I-Day (Indoctrination Day) – USMMA
Basic Training	BCT – USAFA CBT – USMA Plebe Summer – USNA Swab Summer – USCGA Indoc – USMMA
Freshman name	4 degree/Doolie – USAFA Plebe – USMA & USNA Swab – USCGA
Freshman year ending.	Recognition – USAFA, 3-day hazing after which you are accepted into cadet wing Sea Trials – USNA
Alumni	Long Blue Line – USAFA Long Gray Line – USMA
Student	Cadet – USAFA/USMA/USCGA Midshipman – USNA/USMMA
Unit	Squadron – USAFA Company – USMA/USNA
Student Body	Wing – USAFA The Corps – USMA The Brigade – USNA
USMA cadet jargon	https://www.westpoint.edu/leadership-center/mcdonald-leadership-conference/cadet-jargon

	Congressional	Liaison Officer	ROTC
Length	Usually 15-45 minutes	Might be longer interview; could be up to 60-90 min	Same as liaison officer
Tone	Formal	Might be more causal	Same as liaison officer
Topic	Service Academy	Specific to branch	Same as liaison officer
Motivation	Why serve in military	Why serve in branch “Why do you want to go to West Point / be an Army officer?	Same as liaison officer
Career Goal	Military career goal	Branch-specific career goal “What do you want to do in the Army?”	Same as liaison officer
Backup Options	ROTC/Prep School/OCS	ROTC/Prep School/OCS	Same as liaison officer
Intended Major	N/A	N/A	Important. Scholarship is tied to major. With exception of Army, choosing a technical major significantly helps your chances.
Expectations			Understand differences between ROTC and normal college. Communicate intrinsic motivation to serve. Tour ROTC detachment to get a feel for a typical detachment ops tempo.