The interview

Well today was the day; the day I have been eagerly anticipating for the past 11 months: Interview Day. It was one of the most relaxed and casual interviews I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of.

Luckily I had joined an air traffic control message board a while ago, and some kind people had remembered and wrote down what questions are on the interview, so I had a bit of inside knowledge as to what to expect. Questions follow:

1) Tell me about yourself.

2) How did you prepare for this interview.

3) Remember a time at work or school where you were working as a team with a group of people and you were under a stressful situation that your team handled well. How did the outcome of this situation affect you personally and how did it affect the group What did you do to come to a positive outcome, and what did you contribute personally.

4) Same question but where you didn't succeed.

5) Same question but a time where you personally where only involved in the stressful situation and not with a group and you succeeded.

6) Same question but where you personally didn't succeed.

7) Do you have any ATC experience outside of CTI school. (actual controller experience)

8) Why do you want to be an ATC.

9) What qualities do you have that would make you a good ATC.

10) Where do you see your career going in ATC.

11) How did you become interested in ATC.

12) How do you feel about shift work.

13) Is there anything else you'd like us to know.

14) Do you have any coping mechanisms.

Most of them are your standard interview questions, and 95% of these I was asked in pretty much the same exact wording as seen above.

After the interview I took a tour of ZAU (Aurora Center), and everybody I met, talked to, and shook hands with was extremely friendly and happy to answer any questions and explain what they were doing at the moment. I even got to "plug in" and listen to an ATC talk to some planes up above. Luckily ZAU is the exact type of facility ZHU (Houston Center) is, so what I saw here today is what I can expect when I get down to my facility in Houston, ZHU.

At the end I was told I "passed" the interview portion, as it's a bit of a pass/fail or yes/no type of interview. You either go on to the next step or you get a "thanks for your time, but this isn't for you." So on to the next step for me, which is a physical, drug test, and a psychological exam. Provided all those go well, I will receive a Tentative Offer Letter (TOL). After that, some more forms, and sercurity clearances and background checks to go through. Provided those go well, I receive my Final Offer Letter (FOL). Then off to Oklahoma City for 3 months of training, and shortly upon completion, off to ZHU.

Unfortunately there is no cold hard date as to when I go to OKC. Anywhere from 3-8 months it seems. Thus, more waiting...