Application Query

[starboard]

Cheers

I will prepare as best as I can.

Interviews are my achilles heel, no matter how much I prepare though. I get far too nervous.


Dan

I get really nervous at interviews as well but Junior's right, theyre not trying to trick you or catch you out. You know why you want to join and you know why the RFA should give you a job, you just need to explain that to the interviewers. There's loads of valuable information on these forums about the sort of questions asked and the information you should know. You'll be suprised at how much you'll relax once you're in there, I actually quite enjoyed my interviews once I got over the initial nerves.

[Junior]

You need to get through the nerves - they are not trying to trick you or catch you out. Do your research, know your stuff, know why you want to be in the RFA & the consequences it'll have for immediate family etc.
Try and be yourself, give full answers (yes, no, I wanna do it cuz it sounds good etc) are just not good enough. You have 45 minutes to shine - those 45 minutes alone will stand between no job and a place on the course. Everyone is fighting for the same number of places, you need to be towards the top of the pile to guarantee you a place.

[billwillis]

Cheers

I will prepare as best as I can.

Interviews are my achilles heel, no matter how much I prepare though. I get far too nervous.


Dan

[Junior]

Daniel - Well you have made it this far, get a bit of confidence inside you and i'm sure you'll do well at interview. Lots of stuff on this forum about interview prep.

Good Luck

[billwillis]

Thanks you two.

Passed the RT, and I've got my interview date.

I think I'm going to put all my eggs in the one basket in relation to my application and going away to peru.

I'm going to concentrate on my RFA application.

Before I applied, I was confident of getting the ECDL in time, I was confident of passing the RT.

I'm not too sure how I ended up getting an RT so soon after applying; when the chap in the AFCO said there was a three month minimum waiting period..This gutted me...the letter confirming the RT came the very next day ending the gutted feeling.

I wasn't too confident about making the sift; I'm glad I have.

Interviews. I am terrible at interviews.

[starboard]

I'd go by what Junior said, he's better equipped to answer

[Junior]

Daniel

Regarding your ECDL, speak to the recruitment tean on 02392 725923 - they may let you submit your application without it. For the september course, you will need to have comeplted your recruitment test before the closing date ( extemely unlikely if you have not sent it off yet).

What i'd do is hang fire, complete your ECDL, go away to Peru - enjoy the summer and then send your app in when you return in September.

If you push for this sep then you may find that Interviews are scheduled for April/May time, and then if you get offered a place there is a whole host of paperwork etc to get comepleted, which from Peru would be a nightmare.

Good luck....

[billwillis]

Thank you for your response. I did end up finding the answer to my question on the forum, but was unable to post that I had done so; attributed to a poor signal on my dongle. I completed the last two modules today (Can't actually believe how easy the E.C.D.L was), and was told that I must wait "a few weeks" for the certificate to arrive. I will send the application regardless noting that I’ve passed and I’m awaiting the certificate, and then send you a copy confirming it.

One further question,

I've been granted a place on a volunteering scheme in Peru which is due to commence 24th May to 2nd of August. My primary aim is to join the RFA as a Cr2; hence me opting to complete the ECDL. Is this time out of the country likely to affect the application process- assuming I reach that stage?

Regards,

Daniel

[starboard]

Closing date for applications for the next sift is 28th Feb 2010, if you've only got two modules left you might be able to get that done in time, especially if you have previous IT experience.

I would send in the application making note of the fact that you're currently working towards the ECDL and are close to finishing it as well as outlining your IT skills and experience, then work towards achieving the ECDL before the application deadline and send in a copy of your certificate (if you receive it in time) or a note saying that you have completed the course. This is only what I would do, if you're unsure - phone up

[billwillis]

I’m currently 2 modules away from completing my ECDL.

My question is: Should I wait until I have my ECDL certificate before I send my application form in (for CR2)?

My work experience is mostly accountancy based, so I have a good knowledge of IT. Also, at university, I did a multimedia based degree and a great deal of that was computer based.

I was told by the recruitment office that the ECDL was a given in the application process, but if I could show that I was competent with I.T it might be overlooked. I decided that I would complete the ECDL as it was being offered to me for free.

As mentioned, I’m applying for the communications ratings.

Thanks

Dan