Thank you both so much for your quick replies! I am a fan of Cameron-Brooks on facebook and have been reading the C-B blog since I received the link via email about a month ago. Facebook has been a great way for me to stay plugged into C-B events. I feel I have greater situational awareness for upcoming events as the June conference approaches. Like my peers who have been on facebook since it’s inception, I check it religiously: you can’t help it. It’s how my age group, especially military officers, stay in touch. When you update the blog it shows up on my wall. It’s less invasive than if you were to send me an email every time you update it. Kind of along the lines of what Chris Brogan was talking about in his “Pirate Moves” post that I found via one of Tracy’s links. Also, I think it would be beneficial if you moved the archived discussion posts from the C-B website over to Facebook. Maybe you could organize them and new posts along the lines of candidate’s progression in the program: 2 years out, 1 year, 6 months, Conference Prep, Follow-up interviewing, Alumni, etc.
Also, I wonder if there’s a way to create sub-groups for C-B fans. for example, one for Army or Infantry Officers, or for candidates who are seeking sales to management positions, etc. This would easily allow a candidate the ability to send a message, or friend someone who has specific relatable backgrounds and/or career goals. Networking with all C-B alum would be great, but narrowing similarities in candidates and alum would help. I actually just sent an email to Erin Ottmers regarding alumni and fellow candidate communication so I can start working out some the uncertainty regarding the conference. Alumni and peer networking through facebook would be much easier. I think it would be an easy ice breaker leading to phone calls to discuss more detailed questions.
You guys are great and have been very helpful. I will reply any other feedback (via facebook) as it comes to mind.

Thank you,

Jeremy Mitchell

P.S. Joel – Do you have any advice for flashcard question responses? I know the interviews will be free-flowing and situational, but do you have any advice for how long a typed response would be in a standard 12pt font Word document. Or, how many speaking bullets in PowerPoint slides? Or, minutes to spend speaking on Questions 1-15 or 16-25? Thanks again.

You said in your previous comment, that Facebook is a good way for Cameron-Brooks to communicate with candidates. Can you provide me with specifics on why that is, what you like about it and any changes or additions you would like to see?

I agree with Tracy’s advice. Prepare diligently for your preparation as you must be if you are looking for information on how to do well. I also like her comment on asking good questions. Good questions show a strong interest in the opportunity, demonstrate intellect and can help you connect your military experience to the opportunity.

Feel free to ask your questions about being successful on our blog at http://cameronbrooks.wordpress.com/

Joel Junker
Cameron-Brooks Recruiter

Thanks so much for your post. Yes, as you’ve already figured out, our company assists Cameron-Brooks with their marketing efforts. In other words, we write and design brochures, their web site, etc. In doing so, though, we’ve conducted quite a bit of research on the company and the market. We’ve gotten to know what JMO’s top concerns are as well as what it is that makes Cameron-Brooks company tick.

So you’re right. We are pretty intimate with them. And I will reiterate, as I mentioned in my post, that they are probably more invested in their customers (in this case, JMO’s) than any other client that we’ve ever worked for. Honestly, these folks eat, sleep and breath figuring out what is the best best interest of their customer and what they can do better to serve them. It’s really blown us away. And the coolest thing is how they really work to get to know each JMO’s individual situation and tailor the program, company interviews, etc. to meet the best needs of the JMO. Not themselves! I’ve never heard them say anything like, “Well, this would be better for us, so we’ll make this compromise…” Their motto is to do what is right. And they actually do just that. It’s not just a bunch of hot air like it is with some companies.

My best advise would be to make the most that you can out of DPP and work as closely as possible with them so that you can eek every bit of wisdom to prepare you for the transition. The folks that work at C-B understand SO much about military transition, Corporate America, what companies are looking for, etc. Ask all of your questions. There is no stupid question.

Trust me that they will make certain that you are well prepared for your interviews. And you will be blown away by the caliber of companies at the conference and how hard they will work to make your transition as smooth as possible.

My last advise, from the perspective of someone who has been interviewing people for many years…ask smart questions in your interviews. You can tell just about as much about someone, if not more, by the questions they ask as you can by the way they answer questions. And make certain that you have some great work examples of how you’ve handled difficult or challenging situations to weave into your interview answers. But I’m sure C-B will cover that in your preparation!

Best of luck to you Jeremy. I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully!

Oh, and just FYI, Cameron-Brooks does have a Facebook page that they actively keep posted with current news, blog posts, etc. You should definitely become a fan!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cameron-Brooks-Junior-Military-Officer-Recruiting-to-Corporate-America/46847108365?ref=ts

Take care,

Tracy Marlowe

Just did some further digging into your blog postings. Ha ha. You help promote CB? Any advice still applies though. It seems that you must be pretty intimate with them.

Thanks again,

Jeremy Mitchell

P.S. Facebook is a much better way for Cameron-Brooks to communicate with me and my peers that are thinking about leaving the military.

I was glad to read your post about Cameron-Brooks. I am currently working with them: I am knee deep in their development and preparation program and headed to Austin, TX in June for their career conference. I am excited and nervous all at the same time for for my transition to a corporate career. Do you have any advice from your side of the table regarding my preparation? What are your biggest pet-peeves when conducting an interview? What do fellow recruiters tell you are their biggest pet-peeves? Out of the people you’ve said “yes” to, what are a few examples of actions/behaviors that made you feel they were right for your company? Thanks for any advice up front.

Jeremy Mitchell