Personal Questions Flashcards
Why do you want to be a Cyber Warfare Officer (Bold Q)
- I have a passion for technology and problem solving which is why I studied Computer Science at uni
- This role offers me the best of both worlds - in that - I get to be a soldier in the ADF as well as do work that I have passion for.
- I always thought working with technology and Cyber security in the defence would be much more fascinating than in the civilian world.
- I always loved delegating tasks and overall management during uni group projects
- I look forward to work with cutting edge technology national security threats and do work that has direct impact on Australia’s security.
How will you cope living away from home?
I believe I will miss my family from time to time, but I believe I can cope by contacting them whenever I can and doing my best in wherever I am placed.
I am always aware of the certainty that some day I have to be an independent man and the ADF helps me do this at an earlier stage in life.
I keep a positive attitude about this as I believe the work and lifestyle I will get to live outweighs me being away from home.
How do you respond to criticism?
Initial criticism never feels good. However, when I take a step back and reflect on the criticism I always find something to improve or at least a take away from it.
E.g., When I first started training BJJ, during sparring I would go a 100% trying my best effort to beat the other person and thought I would improve through that. But I received some criticism from a training partner who was more experienced than me that, such mindset is just a gateway for injuries and taking a step back and training at an intensity that allows you to think and use techniques will help you improve. I took his advice and incorporated it and saw very good results from it.
What do you do after you have failed something?
- I try reflect on the things that went wrong. I try to approach with humility and be honest with myself as that’s the only way I will improve and be better next time
- I try to correct my failing points and work toward the goal in a way or brainstorm different approaches to be taken
E.g., Before my senior years of high school I was a D student, not getting good grades and failed lots of tests. When I decided I can’t be living like this, which the initial spark was in hopes of getting into ADFA, I looked at ways to improve my studying and experimented with many hours and hours spent on the desk.
How do you feel about going to war?
I believe to have peace we must be prepared for war.
I think going to war is scary but if it’s for the interest of my country and my duty I am willing to fight.
Do you see yourself as a good leader? Why? (Bold Q)
- I lead by example and try to conduct my self with excellence and integrity
- I communicate well to other people and am able to create positive environments where people work well
- I have an attitude of service where I put the objectives and my team before my self
- I have demonstrated this through tutoring, youth leading and uni projects
How long have you wanted to be a Cyber Warfare Officer and what started your ambition?
- I wanted to join the military in some form since year 7.
- The initial spark was when I was inspired by the qualities of a soldier that was portrayed in a film I watched. Courage, sacrifice and being strong
- This spark was solidified and turned into ambition when I started lifting weights and training in the gym, I realised I love becoming stronger, overcoming struggles and growing mentally and physically. I believed the military would be a perfect fit for the lifestyle I desire and the challenges and growth it provides.
- I also admired patriots and all who served their country and wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father and grandfather.
- I decided I wanted to be a CWO during uni when I found it combines the best of both interests of mine. Because I wanted to work in tech but also in defence.
Will you want to remain in the service if you fail your role type training course?
I would still want to serve in defence in some form or another. I strongly believe it is the best fit
How do you handle discipline?
- discipline is essential for maintaining high standards and operational effectiveness
- setting clear expectations, leading by example, and addressing issues fairly and consistently.
- Corrective action taken professionally
- I try to listen carefully and approach it with humility, though it’s uncomfortable sometimes
- I reflect upon and extract all the things I can improve on and learn from
- I try to resolve the issue with the discipliner, appreciate the lesson and have an attitude of I won’t fail twice.
How do you cope with pressure situations? (Ensure you have a real world example, for example. Don’t just say, I’m good at handling pressure. Prove it)
I try to maintain composed and think properly and not feel rushed because I know I could make more mistakes then.
I try to think cautiously and seek other’s help.
For example, when I was tutoring and a student asked a question I didn’t know the answer to, I tried not to panic and I said I’ll get back to them because I don’t want to tell them the wrong thing. Then, I’d get back to them after consulting others or finding the right answer.
What are your greatest achievements to date?
- High school academic comeback. from failing to receiving top 5 rank in every subject and awards
- Being able to teach other uni students in my subject of expertise as a casual academic at UNSW
- Beating people who used to man-handle me in my first month of bjj.
Describe your own personality
- I am the type of person to question the why’s in life. Once I figure out the meaning and the why’s in what I do, I go straight for it without giving up and put all my effort into it. Whatever it may be.
- I prefer having deep conversations (talks about a common interest, life, vision) with a few people rather than small talk with many people
- I like hanging out with people to do outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking
- I am open to new ideas and feedback, learning.
- I tend to focus on a few things and go all out on them. Rather than trying many different things with little commitment.
How do you perform working with a team?
I believe I do well working in a team, I naturally tend to be the overseer and manage progress unconsciously.
I tend to check up on others a lot and remind them of things that need to be done, but I also have a strong sense of duty to my own work.
I try to have full responsibility and ownership of my tasks so that if things go wrong I take the blame.
E.g., During soccer games, I would always check up on my teammates around me and ask if they need a rest or if they want me to cover them up. If I made a mistake, I would run extra hard to cover it up and say sorry for the bad pass then try to get everyone to focus for the rest of the game.
What do you do after you have failed something?
Mentally, I take a step back and first try to establish the mindset of “it’s okay. I will make it next time. Don’t give up”.
I try to analyse the steps I took and potential holes in them.
I seek feedback from the assessor or peers
I look up to people that have succeeded in it and ask for help.
Ultimately, I try again.
What can you tell me to prove you have the motivation that is required to pass your role type training?
- I have figured out the “why’s” of why I want to join defence. I can see meaningful and lasting work done by me through working in defence.
- I have complete desire to serve and believe its my calling in life. The rest is easy.
- I’ve never wanted anything more passionately.
Why do you want to become an Officer? (Ensure you understand what an Officer. You are applying to be an ADF Officer, not just you’re job role) (Bold Q)
- I want to serve in the highest capacity as a leader. I like to lead, I like to motivate people to become better and achieve big things.
- I like to manage and oversee progress toward results.
- I find joy in growing with people and seeing teams collaborate to achieve great things.
- The greater the responsibility the greater the sense of achievement.
- love the idea of constant development and learning. Ultimately, I believe it will be extremely fulfilling.
Why should the ADF hire you over the other applicants that are being interviewed today?
- I believe my potential leadership from youth leading, tutoring and team sports make me competitive for the spot.
- I believe my commitment and willingness to serve in defence makes me a strong candidate. I’m prepared to provide unrestricted service and do my work with gratitude and joy.
- I believe I can learn quickly and have grit and resilience.
What was your study routine like in year 12? How could you have improved it?
After school I’d arrive around 4pm, then I’d either exercise (do some weights) or just rest until 5pm, then from then I’d study in 1 hour intervals with 10-15min breaks until around 9pm. (With dinner in between somewhere).
Otherwise I would go to the library to study for 4-6 hours at once.
I could improve it by removing distracting apps such as instagram and youtube so that it helps my self control and focus deeply on studying. I also wish I did more exercise (weightlifting and gym) in year 12. I think it helps tremendously in the mental and physical aspect and I really enjoy it but I compromised it for studying.
Where do you see yourself in 15 years? (Bold Q)
I see myself as a more mature man of God that loves and fears him more
I expect to have a family with kids
I expect to have travelled a lot and served alongside other men and women in defence for many many years by then
I see myself as a stronger and better man that aligns with the values of defence - SCRIE
I see myself as a brown-black belt in BJJ - an important part of my life.
What makes a good leader? (Bold Q)
- Leads by example: demonstrates excellence, discipline, resilience. Holds themselves to a high standard that they expect from others
- Strong decision making under pressure
- effective communication
- Accountability and Integrity
- Inspiring and developing others: motivating the team to achieve, support growth through mentorship and feedback
- Team oriented: put the mission and team first before oneself.
What are some examples of your leadership qualities? (Bold Q)
I am someone who sticks to my values which align with defence values of SCRIE.
I am an effective communicator that can encourage and motivate peers to do their best and lead by example. What I expect of someone, I strive to be that person of a higher standard.
I strive for professional competency, in CWO I am going to study to the best of my abilities to obtain that.
I initiate positive culture and promote teamwork and mate-ship.
I seek self-improvement and accept responsibility.
I am good at analysing and giving feedback for improvement.
As an Officer you will be expected to be an example to your sub-ordinates. What examples do you think are important to set?
Leading by example is fundamental for a leader.
Examples to set:
- Moral courage: pointing our wrong and promoting the right
- discipline to do things correctly. No matter how trivial or complex
- effective communication
- care for each team member
- sacrifice and service. Attitude and action to do things for a greater cause than myself.
What could you do to improve your leadership skills? (Understand your weaknesses and how you plan to address them, being self aware is looked upon very favourably) (Bold Q)
One thing I find I could improve based on my current role as a youth leader is setting expectations early. I found that I took a quite casual approach which led my students to feel too comfortable at times.
In leadership exercises, such as the one you did here yesterday, what would you do if you thought a leader was doing something wrong?
If I believed the decision could lead to a failure of the task, put the team at risk, or contradict instructions, I would raise my concern respectfully and clearly. For example, I might say, ‘Hey, can I quickly offer an alternative idea — I think this route might be safer and still achieve our objective.’
I would put my team first and speak up respectfully to the leader. I believe this is professionalism and what the ADF needs.
