Atc Interview Alcohol Question
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Join Date: Aug 2004
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Atc Interview Alcohol Question
Hi,
Just heard that I was unsuccessful with NATS at the second stage this time - oh well, you know what they say, if at first you don't suceed!
Unfortunate thing is, they will not give any feedback whatsoever - nice huh!
Trying to figure out where I went wrong really! Can anyone thats been for the intervies and got through help with these questions, and the answers they gave!
**What would you do if your training controller came in reeking of alcohol on your first solo shift? Would you let him plug in?
**What are of ATC do you want to work in, approach, area etc? Is there any correct answer to this or is this a genuine which are are you interested in question?
**Have you applied for anything else aviation related - thought this one may be trying to catch me out, was asked if I had applied to become a pilot...... was wondering if it was correct to put all your eggs in one basket with NATS!
and one in the HR interview:
** Would you consider yourself to be a plane-spotter? What sort of a question is that!
It's not easy, but any advice would be very helpful - it was afterall my first ever interview - having just come out of uni, and not had a proper job before, I found the interview quite grueling!
Thanks again to anyone that is willing to help!
Just heard that I was unsuccessful with NATS at the second stage this time - oh well, you know what they say, if at first you don't suceed!
Unfortunate thing is, they will not give any feedback whatsoever - nice huh!
Trying to figure out where I went wrong really! Can anyone thats been for the intervies and got through help with these questions, and the answers they gave!
**What would you do if your training controller came in reeking of alcohol on your first solo shift? Would you let him plug in?
**What are of ATC do you want to work in, approach, area etc? Is there any correct answer to this or is this a genuine which are are you interested in question?
**Have you applied for anything else aviation related - thought this one may be trying to catch me out, was asked if I had applied to become a pilot...... was wondering if it was correct to put all your eggs in one basket with NATS!
and one in the HR interview:
** Would you consider yourself to be a plane-spotter? What sort of a question is that!
It's not easy, but any advice would be very helpful - it was afterall my first ever interview - having just come out of uni, and not had a proper job before, I found the interview quite grueling!
Thanks again to anyone that is willing to help!
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Hi there, bad luck on not getting in. Nice to see you being positive and trying to prepare for next time though.
With the alcohol question, I think you probably should say something along the lines of no you would not plug in with them, report to a supervisor and be polite with the controller but don't let them persaude/bully you that they are OK when in your judgement they are unfit. They would be breaking the law to control aircraft if they were over the limit, and safety is always paramount, however awkward and embarrassed you may feel. You would feel worse if an incident occured because they were not in a fit state and you kept your mouth shut!
When they ask what area of ATC you want to work in, they are perhaps partly checking that you know about the job itself. How about saying that you would enjoy approach because of such and such a reason, but also area because bla bla bla and by doing so show that you have knowledge of the subject and have thought about it, but are also open to going where you are put. Don't really know about your 3rd question, just make it clear how much you really want to do ATC. As for the 4th question if you are, then say so, but say that this is not your sole motivation for ATC, and say what is, if you're not, then say so, but say you are interested in learning more about planes before you train (if this is true of course!)
Hope you can make sense of all that. Another tip, mainly for the HR interview is to have thought up lots of examples of situations in your life they may ask about, because it's impossible to think of anything sensible at the time!
Good luck next time round.
With the alcohol question, I think you probably should say something along the lines of no you would not plug in with them, report to a supervisor and be polite with the controller but don't let them persaude/bully you that they are OK when in your judgement they are unfit. They would be breaking the law to control aircraft if they were over the limit, and safety is always paramount, however awkward and embarrassed you may feel. You would feel worse if an incident occured because they were not in a fit state and you kept your mouth shut!
When they ask what area of ATC you want to work in, they are perhaps partly checking that you know about the job itself. How about saying that you would enjoy approach because of such and such a reason, but also area because bla bla bla and by doing so show that you have knowledge of the subject and have thought about it, but are also open to going where you are put. Don't really know about your 3rd question, just make it clear how much you really want to do ATC. As for the 4th question if you are, then say so, but say that this is not your sole motivation for ATC, and say what is, if you're not, then say so, but say you are interested in learning more about planes before you train (if this is true of course!)
Hope you can make sense of all that. Another tip, mainly for the HR interview is to have thought up lots of examples of situations in your life they may ask about, because it's impossible to think of anything sensible at the time!
Good luck next time round.
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I'd definitely agree with Sla,
They asked me the same question in my interview about the drunken controller!, I said that I would have to inform someone as safety is most important. I was then questioned on this, what if this wouyld lead to him losing his licence? and things along those lines. I stuck with my original decision.
Dave
They asked me the same question in my interview about the drunken controller!, I said that I would have to inform someone as safety is most important. I was then questioned on this, what if this wouyld lead to him losing his licence? and things along those lines. I stuck with my original decision.
Dave
Bertie, don't know too much about atc, but I guess they are testing the balance between being able to work as a team player, and, at the same time, being able to challenge uncomfortable decisions. (Like having a drunk colleague).
I guess that the ideal trait for an atc person is a conforming non-conformist !!
As regards the drunk colleague, one would hope that the common sense answer would prevail. (You have to work that out for yourself I'm afraid). Be interesting to know what would happen in "real life" though.
I guess that the ideal trait for an atc person is a conforming non-conformist !!
As regards the drunk colleague, one would hope that the common sense answer would prevail. (You have to work that out for yourself I'm afraid). Be interesting to know what would happen in "real life" though.
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**What would you do if your training controller came in reeking of alcohol on your first solo shift? Would you let him plug in?
Do not plug in but report the matter to the Supervisor/Watch Manager
**What are of ATC do you want to work in, approach, area etc? Is there any correct answer to this or is this a genuine which are are you interested in question?
No correct answer... but I'd expect you to develop the answer to give a reason for your preference. If you have no prefernce say so!
**Have you applied for anything else aviation related - thought this one may be trying to catch me out, was asked if I had applied to become a pilot...... was wondering if it was correct to put all your eggs in one basket with NATS!
They simply want to judge your true interest I guess.
and one in the HR interview:
** Would you consider yourself to be a plane-spotter? What sort of a question is that!
A very GOOD question because an interest in a particular aspect of aviation is very useful. You'd be amazed at how many ATCOs are spotters - me included.
Do not plug in but report the matter to the Supervisor/Watch Manager
**What are of ATC do you want to work in, approach, area etc? Is there any correct answer to this or is this a genuine which are are you interested in question?
No correct answer... but I'd expect you to develop the answer to give a reason for your preference. If you have no prefernce say so!
**Have you applied for anything else aviation related - thought this one may be trying to catch me out, was asked if I had applied to become a pilot...... was wondering if it was correct to put all your eggs in one basket with NATS!
They simply want to judge your true interest I guess.
and one in the HR interview:
** Would you consider yourself to be a plane-spotter? What sort of a question is that!
A very GOOD question because an interest in a particular aspect of aviation is very useful. You'd be amazed at how many ATCOs are spotters - me included.
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Bertie.
Unlucky with the interview, but like you said you have not had much experiance with interviews. What I would do now if I was you, was to apply for loads of different jobs in the paper, or at the job centre, not to get the jobs but for the experiance. I have not had many interviews but they will all follow the same line in certain aspects, especially the personel one. It will give you more confidence and some companies might give you feedback. Hope you can take the criticism, but some of the question you struggled with, does show you as being a little naive especially the booze one. At least you have more chances, and you know what to expect next time.
Unlucky with the interview, but like you said you have not had much experiance with interviews. What I would do now if I was you, was to apply for loads of different jobs in the paper, or at the job centre, not to get the jobs but for the experiance. I have not had many interviews but they will all follow the same line in certain aspects, especially the personel one. It will give you more confidence and some companies might give you feedback. Hope you can take the criticism, but some of the question you struggled with, does show you as being a little naive especially the booze one. At least you have more chances, and you know what to expect next time.
