PEPC Interview Questions Here

[Lalexf]

It's Long but I hope helpful!

I received this in an email from a friend. These are the questions I prepared for and these were the questions they asked. They use some different wording but overall if you have answers for these and are confident and personable you should not have any problems. There are many people that have commented on the experience at the PEPCs and it is all valuable information! I was in LA on Wednesday and thought the process was great.


Here are a few questions that they are likely to ask:

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.

Over all time line of the day: (BTW you are escorted EVERYWHERE so don't worry about getting lost in the building or finding your way around)

7:45: Arrive at facility get checked out at security, receive badge and metal detector check. You will have to give them your SF85P at this time so they can start putting your info into the Computer for later. So have it handy.

8:00: Get your folder for the day that you will keep at the end of the day. This is to hold all the copies you will receive throughout the day. TOL, Drug test chain of custody, Applicant copy of Form 8500-8, Model for Controller training, MMPI 2 information sheet, FAA Benefits Fact Sheet as well as some other forms you will have the day to read and sign and turn in before you leave.

8:05ish Interview with 1 Air Traffic Manager. There was a big room of cubicals and 1 Interviewer for every candidate. They all seemed to be excited to be there and were smiling through out the day. It was way cool. They get handed your packet before your interview. They never look at it or refer to it.

9:50ish After the interview they hand the packet to someone else and then to HR and you get told CONGRATULATIONS, your Facility and pay!!!! Don't worry about having time to react to the news. You don't have any time! You are asked to sign the TOL then if you choose to and then given other things to read and fill out and then whisked away to another station.

10:05ish This is how my day went but keep in mind there is no order to how things go. They do an excellent job of keeping people moving during the day so you are not waiting to see the Doc or pee in a cup. I went to Security.....There were about 15 or so Computers set up. They give you your SF85P back and you have to re-enter the information. There are about 5 to 7 people at every station that are ready at any second to answer your questions so don't be afraid to ask. They are all pleasant.

10:45ish They keep offering you water and candies at every station. So naturally I had to go!!! They took the opportunity to do the Drug test so we went there and signed a couple things, peed in a cup initialed a couple vials then was escorted back up to finish SF85P.

11:00ish Finger Printed in Security room.

11:10ish Taken to another quiet room of computers to complete the MMPI 2. This is the shortened version and you will get a little speech form the Psychologist there. The test is 370 questions. True or False. Just be honest. Don't try to make it look good. The test is designed to be answered honestly. Yes there are some weirdo questions but there are also some weirdo people out there that I would not want controlling the plane I was in!!! Over all it's interesting and at times humorous.

12:00ish on to Medical. 1 person for Height, Weight and eyes. 1 person for Hearing in a room not at all conducive to a hearing test. Amazingly I could hear in that room and quite well apparently. I was shocked. I though I was deaf cause I couldn't hear very well through the hum of the Air conditioning and all the noise outside the room, but they seem to have taken all that in to account.

12:20ish onto the Medical exam. Topless only the hook you up to the EKG for about a minute, then the doc comes in and pushes on you in various places, listens to you breath, listens to your heart, listens to your throat while holding your breath (not really sure what that is about), looks up your nose, in your ears and in your eyes. Finally he tests your reflexes and if you are like me and had surgery recently comments on how well your scars are healing and the nurse and I started discussing how amazing maderma is for scars!!! It was totally chill!

12:45ish onto who I am guessing was the Medical Director. He signs off on all your medical charts and you give them to another woman who puts your name in the computer.

12:55ish The first time all day that I waited.

13:10ish We were all finishing up and had to see HR for all the final information. When to set a date at the Academy, when to expect the FOL and when to call if you don't receive your FOL by a certain date. More Congratulations and you are done!!!!

13:30ish out the door for the first opportunity to call family and friends to tell them the news!

17:30ish It hit me! I was going to be an Air Traffic Controller!!!! Now if I could just get my hands on that FOL. I should be starting Academy July 17th. only 4 weeks away and so much to do.

Good Luck to you all. I hope this helps. I found so much of the information from this web site helpful to ease my nerves about the day. The most important advise I have is to have examples ready for the questions. They love it when you look prepared and answer their questions without a lot of time to think of your answer. Also ask them questions. Congrats to all those that went through the process as well....See you in OKC!!!!!!

[Trident]

NICE POST! Thanks for the info...

[rainshine]

Awesome!!

[USMCbuckeye]

Thanks for the info! What would you suggest wearing to the PEPC? Shirt and tie? A suit? Thanks again.

[Lalexf]

Yes if your are a guy. I am a girl so I wore a suit without the tie!!! he he he

Most everyone was in a suit or slacks with nice shirt and tie. It was hot so those of us that were wearing jackets ended up carrying them for most of the day, but my opinion is that the first impression only happens once. If you present yourself professionally they will take you seriously. They all come wearing suits with jackets but may not wear them during the interview. But remember, they have the job already. You need to look like you meet their standards.

Girls, be classy and professional and wear shoes you don't mind walking and standing in. Decent jewelry and minimal. Subtle make up, if you wear it. I just went for light neutral eye shadow and mascara and a neutral lip stick. That's it.

You just want them to notice you and how professional you look!

[GyasiM]

Lalexf,

Best Post EVER!

[slayer]

Great info, very informative. Thanks!

[AFTOFAAATC]

I was in LA on Wed too. Just know that if you are a VRA, the interview is a formality. My interviewer told me that he HAD to ask me some questions and to say something for him to write them down. It is mostly questions about teamwork and stress and all that jazz. For you ex Air Force applicants, when the interview starts and the guy/lady asks you to tell them about yourself, this is where the 30 second commercial you learned in TAP comes in. Just talk about the facility, the airspace, your ratings and the complexity/volume of traffic you worked. You wouldn't believe the stuff I heard some of these people say. For instance, when the interviewer asked this guy to tell him about himself, the dude gave his whole life story. I bet that interviewer wanted to throw himself out of a window. The PEPC is definitely a beehive of activity though. Also VRA's if you were an E-5 or below you don't really take that much of a pay cut. Just think that is starting out. It took 4-6 years for most of us to make what we are now. So the rumors you hear about the $7.50 an hour doesn't really apply. Just thought you might want to know.

"Fit favorite quote here"

[nathanw]

Yeah, the lucky VRA applicants get paid AT-AG instead of FG1 at the academy.

[Sooner1ATC]

Great info and I'm printing this off to study for when I go to the NYC PEPC b/c everything helps... Thanks!!

[TennisPlayer]

What test results do you leave the PEPC WITHOUT having? Question 2: does anyone know of any wierd things that they test for? (Im used to college sports testing where I could not drink energy drinks without failing.)

[ATLTRACON]

Originally Posted by Lalexf

It's Long but I hope helpful!

I received this in an email from a friend. These are the questions I prepared for and these were the questions they asked. They use some different wording but overall if you have answers for these and are confident and personable you should not have any problems. There are many people that have commented on the experience at the PEPCs and it is all valuable information! I was in LA on Wednesday and thought the process was great.


Here are a few questions that they are likely to ask:

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.

Over all time line of the day: (BTW you are escorted EVERYWHERE so don't worry about getting lost in the building or finding your way around)

7:45: Arrive at facility get checked out at security, receive badge and metal detector check. You will have to give them your SF85P at this time so they can start putting your info into the Computer for later. So have it handy.

8:00: Get your folder for the day that you will keep at the end of the day. This is to hold all the copies you will receive throughout the day. TOL, Drug test chain of custody, Applicant copy of Form 8500-8, Model for Controller training, MMPI 2 information sheet, FAA Benefits Fact Sheet as well as some other forms you will have the day to read and sign and turn in before you leave.

8:05ish Interview with 1 Air Traffic Manager. There was a big room of cubicals and 1 Interviewer for every candidate. They all seemed to be excited to be there and were smiling through out the day. It was way cool. They get handed your packet before your interview. They never look at it or refer to it.

9:50ish After the interview they hand the packet to someone else and then to HR and you get told CONGRATULATIONS, your Facility and pay!!!! Don't worry about having time to react to the news. You don't have any time! You are asked to sign the TOL then if you choose to and then given other things to read and fill out and then whisked away to another station.

10:05ish This is how my day went but keep in mind there is no order to how things go. They do an excellent job of keeping people moving during the day so you are not waiting to see the Doc or pee in a cup. I went to Security.....There were about 15 or so Computers set up. They give you your SF85P back and you have to re-enter the information. There are about 5 to 7 people at every station that are ready at any second to answer your questions so don't be afraid to ask. They are all pleasant.

10:45ish They keep offering you water and candies at every station. So naturally I had to go!!! They took the opportunity to do the Drug test so we went there and signed a couple things, peed in a cup initialed a couple vials then was escorted back up to finish SF85P.

11:00ish Finger Printed in Security room.

11:10ish Taken to another quiet room of computers to complete the MMPI 2. This is the shortened version and you will get a little speech form the Psychologist there. The test is 370 questions. True or False. Just be honest. Don't try to make it look good. The test is designed to be answered honestly. Yes there are some weirdo questions but there are also some weirdo people out there that I would not want controlling the plane I was in!!! Over all it's interesting and at times humorous.

12:00ish on to Medical. 1 person for Height, Weight and eyes. 1 person for Hearing in a room not at all conducive to a hearing test. Amazingly I could hear in that room and quite well apparently. I was shocked. I though I was deaf cause I couldn't hear very well through the hum of the Air conditioning and all the noise outside the room, but they seem to have taken all that in to account.

12:20ish onto the Medical exam. Topless only the hook you up to the EKG for about a minute, then the doc comes in and pushes on you in various places, listens to you breath, listens to your heart, listens to your throat while holding your breath (not really sure what that is about), looks up your nose, in your ears and in your eyes. Finally he tests your reflexes and if you are like me and had surgery recently comments on how well your scars are healing and the nurse and I started discussing how amazing maderma is for scars!!! It was totally chill!

12:45ish onto who I am guessing was the Medical Director. He signs off on all your medical charts and you give them to another woman who puts your name in the computer.

12:55ish The first time all day that I waited.

13:10ish We were all finishing up and had to see HR for all the final information. When to set a date at the Academy, when to expect the FOL and when to call if you don't receive your FOL by a certain date. More Congratulations and you are done!!!!

13:30ish out the door for the first opportunity to call family and friends to tell them the news!

17:30ish It hit me! I was going to be an Air Traffic Controller!!!! Now if I could just get my hands on that FOL. I should be starting Academy July 17th. only 4 weeks away and so much to do.

Good Luck to you all. I hope this helps. I found so much of the information from this web site helpful to ease my nerves about the day. The most important advise I have is to have examples ready for the questions. They love it when you look prepared and answer their questions without a lot of time to think of your answer. Also ask them questions. Congrats to all those that went through the process as well....See you in OKC!!!!!!

I was asked if I like gladiator movies?

[AFTOFAAATC]

Originally Posted by TennisPlayer

What test results do you leave the PEPC WITHOUT having? Question 2: does anyone know of any wierd things that they test for? (Im used to college sports testing where I could not drink energy drinks without failing.)

The urinalysis tests for the most commonly used drugs. The carbon copy form I received says: tests to be performed, THC, COC, PCP, OPI, AMP. I think those are self explanatory. They don't have the results of that test immediately, but they do find out the sugar and protein content in your urine. You also won't know the results of your background investigation. I was told it takes a week or two for VRA applicants because most of us have at least a secret clearance. There are always those ones who fail the urinalysis, shame on them.

[mpv broker]

Ok so quick dumb question...
How is this different from the ATCS interview, i get the medical and the looks like some psych stuff? Is this the next step after you get your tenative offer letter? This looks very different from what I went thru a couple of months ago...

[Lalexf]

Originally Posted by mpv broker

Ok so quick dumb question...
How is this different from the ATCS interview, i get the medical and the looks like some psych stuff? Is this the next step after you get your tenative offer letter? This looks very different from what I went thru a couple of months ago...

This was the ATCS interview process for the PEPC locations. Everything happens in one day at the PEPC.

Interview

TOL

Evals......

Still Confused????

If you did not attend a PEPC then maybe your process was a little different. Either that or I do not understand what you are asking.....

[mpv broker]

Got it, didnt know there was a difference between locations...
That and my interview was nothing like posted so I didnt know if I was in for round 2!

[scongdon]

Originally Posted by AFTOFAAATC

The urinalysis tests for the most commonly used drugs. The carbon copy form I received says: tests to be performed, THC, COC, PCP, OPI, AMP. I think those are self explanatory. They don't have the results of that test immediately, but they do find out the sugar and protein content in your urine. You also won't know the results of your background investigation. I was told it takes a week or two for VRA applicants because most of us have at least a secret clearance. There are always those ones who fail the urinalysis, shame on them.

To that last part... I drug tested controllers for the FAA for a while, part of what led to my interest in the position. I've heard of guys who tested positive two years before retirement... rough!

I know it's off the subject, but a good incentive to "stay off the sauce."

[TennisPlayer]

Originally Posted by scongdon

To that last part... I drug tested controllers for the FAA for a while, part of what led to my interest in the position. I've heard of guys who tested positive two years before retirement... rough!

I know it's off the subject, but a good incentive to "stay off the sauce."

Wow! that is retarded. Do you know if they got fired for that after all of those years of service, or did they have to attend councling?

[ATLTRACON]

Originally Posted by TennisPlayer

Wow! that is retarded. Do you know if they got fired for that after all of those years of service, or did they have to attend councling?

I wouldn't give them any reason to look your way during your time at the dance.

On a side note, and believe me I know what I am talking about (this time anyway), do not use the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that the Agency touts as a helping hand. Like a Lawyer, Dr., or psych., it is SUPPOSED to be a place where you can talk to someone about getting help in certain circumstances, IE medical issues, drug/alcohol, issues, psych. issues (IE dreams of airplanes crashing), etc. They will not keep it confidential and will use against you we they come to remove you.

I know of too many people that have used this, supposed innocuous program, only to have it turned around and used against them in helping remove them from the supposed caring Agency (did that make sense???).

[will]

Originally Posted by ATLTRACON

I was asked if I like gladiator movies?

Do you ever hang around the mens lockeroom?

[Trident]

Originally Posted by will

Do you ever hang around the mens lockeroom?

What the hell does that mean?

[will]

Originally Posted by Trident

What the hell does that mean?

His comment about gladiatior movies is from the movie Airplane when the little kid goes into the cockpit to meet the pilot. Its just another quote from the movie or maybe the 2nd one Im not sure

[Reischel]

Sorry to change the subject.

I'm wondering, for anyone's who's made it to a PEPC, whether you have to give them transcripts during this process. My college grades were not the best, and if they're going to use them evaluatively, that's something I ought to know ahead of time... Does anyone know?

[nathanw]

Originally Posted by will

Do you ever hang around the mens lockeroom?

Have you ever been to a Turkish prison?

[AFTOFAAATC]

Originally Posted by nathanw

Have you ever been to a Turkish prison?

Have you ever seen a grown man naked?