A ton of questions about recruitment

[michzaber]

I am currently 18 years old and in my last semester of high school. While I have applied to university I am still torn about joining the forces to take a break from schooling or as a backup plan in case I don't get accepted to university. I did initially consider applying for the ROTP and i actually went down to the recruiting office to get the form but in the end I realized I didn't have what they were looking for to be an officer. I lacked activities outside of school and leadership.

What are they looking for if I apply as a NCM?( Most important question)
How much weight does the aptitude test have on selection?
Do they look at highschool marks?
Is too late to apply or become much harder after the spring/beginning of summer? Basically when do i have to make the choice that i should stop waiting for university acceptance and start the application process.'

I took mostly university level courses in highschool, would this give me an advantage when applying since many jobs only require Grade 10?

I would consider applying to the following jobs; Mobile Support Equipment Operator, Combat Engineer, Ammunition Technician, Weapons Technician - Land since that's what there looking for and I don't think many more jobs will open anytime soon.  How hard is it to get into these jobs? If they are posed as hiring for a while doe it mean it could be easier to get into one of those potions?

In general are support positions easier to get into than combat ones?

While i don't have any doubts that I can pass the physical fitness test I am pretty scrawny and I did score in the underweight category on the chart being 5'11 and weighing 125 pounds( I have tried and tried but i cant gain weight, Im just small) while this seriously hurt my chances?

 

[michzaber]

Oh forgot one , I'm bilingual how much will that affect my application?

 

[Nichfour]

It seems that most to all of your questions can be answered by using the search bar function.
If you still find that you have questions pertaining to recruitment I suggest calling your local RC.
Staying in good contact with your RC goes leaps and bounds during your recruitment process, take it from somebody who has been at the application stage for two years they do their jobs very well. (just be polite and don't call every day)

My suggestion is that if your heart is not 100% into joining the CF and it is your second choice then don't apply. Wait until you have explored other avenues such as your university education, perhaps the answer will be more clear in time. I just feel a job setting like the forces deserves your full attention. I cant speak for members of the CF as I am awaiting my offer but I feel they would agree.

As for your body weight question from what I know from personal experience in the job market, as well as from friends in the CF its not so much based on your size or your look but rather whether you pull your weight and contribute to your team. I know plenty of small men than can outwork a horse.

Regards

 

[q_1966]

It seems that most to all of your questions can be answered by using the search bar function.
If you still find that you have questions pertaining to recruitment I suggest calling your local RC.
Staying in good contact with your RC goes leaps and bounds during your recruitment process, take it from somebody who has been at the application stage for two years they do their jobs very well. (just be polite and don't call every day)

My suggestion is that if your heart is not 100% into joining the CF and it is your second choice then don't apply. Wait until you have explored other avenues such as your university education, perhaps the answer will be more clear in time. I just feel a job setting like the forces deserves your full attention. I cant speak for members of the CF as I am awaiting my offer but I feel they would agree.

As for your body weight question from what I know from personal experience in the job market, as well as from friends in the CF its not so much based on your size or your look but rather whether you pull your weight and contribute to your team. I know plenty of small men than can outwork a horse.

Regards

Well Said.

I lacked activities outside of school and leadership.

Still admirable, just means you need to be involved in the community. Volunteer for something your passionate about.

While i don't have any doubts that I can pass the physical fitness test I am pretty scrawny and I did score in the underweight category on the chart being 5'11 and weighing 125 pounds( I have tried and tried but i cant gain weight, Im just small) while this seriously hurt my chances?

If you think you can pass the express test, push yourself (fitness wise for the exempt standards). If you cannot gain weight after following advice of body builders, maybe you are the running type...

 

[PMedMoe]

I would consider applying to the following jobs; Mobile Support Equipment Operator, Combat Engineer, Ammunition Technician, Weapons Technician - Land since that's what there looking for and I don't think many more jobs will open anytime soon.

Don't just apply for trades that are "open".  Apply for something you want to do.

 

[Pusser]

While I have applied to university I am still torn about joining the forces to take a break from schooling or as a backup plan in case I don't get accepted to university.

That is the wrong reason to join the CF.  You need to be fully committed to this.

 

[jeffb]

That is the wrong reason to join the CF.  You need to be fully committed to this.

Pusser is right. There reason you need to be fully committed is that this job isn't easy and if you aren't fully committed to the lifestyle, you will not be successful. 

If you need a backup plan for university, consider college. I did not get into a university after high school. I did get into college, did a 3 year diploma which inspired me to go to university. After graduating from university, I joined the CF. Now I am working on Masters.

 

[Mushroom]

take a break from schooling or as a backup plan in case I don't get accepted to university.

It wouldn't be a break, it would be a 4 year commitment, so its important that you take it seriously and think about the impact it will have on your life.

What are they looking for if I apply as a NCM?( Most important question)
How much weight does the aptitude test have on selection?
Do they look at highschool marks?
Is too late to apply or become much harder after the spring/beginning of summer? Basically when do i have to make the choice that i should stop waiting for university acceptance and start the application process.'

The aptitude will produce a list of jobs the CF deems you eligible, so its fair to say it holds allot of weight. If you don't qualify for a job you want, you can retake it.
Yes they will look at your marks, or at least they looked at mine.
It depends. Your trade could be still be open in the spring/summer and thus it wouldn't be to late, but with the backlog from last year it may 1) Not open 2) Not stay open long enough for you to get processed.

I would consider applying to the following jobs; Mobile Support Equipment Operator, Combat Engineer, Ammunition Technician, Weapons Technician - Land since that's what there looking for and I don't think many more jobs will open anytime soon.  How hard is it to get into these jobs? If they are posed as hiring for a while doe it mean it could be easier to get into one of those potions?

You can only apply to 3.  Many other trades will open in April,  the ones you see on the website are ones that are just being pre-processed. Do NOT pick a trade because you think it will be easy to get into, This is a VERY bad idea. Research the trades and make sure its something you think you will really enjoy and consider yourself capable of doing because you WILL be doing it for the duration of your contract. I suspect these trade will be hard to get into because there are going to be allot of people applying to them which really gives the CF an opportunity to pick and choose.

While i don't have any doubts that I can pass the physical fitness test I am pretty scrawny and I did score in the underweight category on the chart being 5'11 and weighing 125 pounds( I have tried and tried but i cant gain weight, I'm just small) while this seriously hurt my chances?

If you consider yourself "scrawny" or feel you are not very strong you should rethink a postion that is very physically demanding until you feel you are capable.  Just because you can pass the minimum on the express test doesn't mean your strong enough to be successful in all trades, especially if your considering applying as a Combat engineer.

Goodluck

 

[aesop081]

If you don't qualify for a job you want, you can retake it.

Only under certain conditions.

 

[Jarnhamar]

While i don't have any doubts that I can pass the physical fitness test I am pretty scrawny and I did score in the underweight category on the chart being 5'11 and weighing 125 pounds( I have tried and tried but i cant gain weight, Im just small) while this seriously hurt my chances?

Most people who fail the fitness tests didn't have any doubts that they could pass successfully either.  I think my cousin is in better shape than I am yet he failed the the PT test.

 

[TN2IC]

If you consider yourself "scrawny" or feel you are not very strong you should rethink a postion that is very physically demanding until you feel you are capable.  Just because you can pass the minimum on the express test doesn't mean your strong enough to be successful in all trades, especially if your considering applying as a Combat engineer.

Goodluck

I would say the same for MSE Op, too.

 

[aesop081]

If you consider yourself "scrawny" or feel you are not very strong you should rethink a postion that is very physically demanding until you feel you are capable.  Just because you can pass the minimum on the express test doesn't mean your strong enough to be successful in all trades, especially if your considering applying as a Combat engineer.

I joined as a combat engineer ( was field engineer back then) and i was "scawny". I did just fine.

You handed in your application earlier this month. Are you really qualified to tell someone what they should/shouldn't apply for ?

 

[Maxadia]

I joined as a combat engineer ( was field engineer back then) and i was "scawny". I did just fine.

I was 5' 10" when I went in for my one very inexperienced summer in 1989.  I was a 125lb scrawny kid.....6 weeks later, I was a 135lb scrawny kid.

However, I spent high school working at a produce farm every weekend, and fulltime in the summers.  I could move stuff that guys 40-80lb more than me couldn't.  And I certainly could move faster.

Depends on your physical conditioning and most of all, mental determination.  Scrawny might not have a lot to do with it.

 

[Bart905]

Like they say its mind over matter. If your so worried about being scrawny sign up for the gym. I dont know what you guys consider scrawny but I'm a small guy myself and only way I gained weight was by working out. If your a smoker slowing down or quieting will help you out. Soon as my files are transferred to my local RC its game time . I'm going to quit smoking / start working out. Make sure you eat breakfast in the mornings, it gets your metabolism going and snack as much as you can. As far as protein shakes and all that  ******* just eat 2 tuna sandwiches. I use to make 2 tuna sandwiches with one can tuna, lettuce , mayonnaise, tomatoes for source of protein. Eat 3 big meals a day snack in between give it 2-3 months and I promise you if you follow it religiously and workout at the same time you will gain weight.     

 

[Zombie]

Soon as my files are transferred to my local RC its game time . I'm going to quit smoking / start working out.     

Why are you waiting?

 

[kenmnuggas]

Why are you waiting?

This. It's game time right now, regardless of what excuses you make for yourself.

 

[q_1966]

Why are you waiting?

Procrastinators unite...Tomorrow! ;D

 

[Bart905]

I barely have spare time at the moment. I'm attending adult school to receive my highschool diploma from 9 am -1:30 pm and then from 2 pm - 7 pm I volunteer at a salvation army store. On the weekends I spent time with my girlfriend. I'm in the process of completing my gr 12 English which I'm aiming for at least a 85 percent therefore after I'm done volunteering I put extra effort towards school . Now your thinking okay I get it you dont have time to workout how about quitting smoking ... well I hate the withdrawal and the anger that comes with it and need a motivation to quit rite there and then . Once English is done then I'll sign up for the gym throw on a nicotine patch and start lifting some weight. Any suggestions to where I can volunteer that would look good on my resume for the CF.

 

[dangles]

I barely have spare time at the moment. I'm attending adult school to receive my highschool diploma from 9 am -1:30 pm and then from 2 pm - 7 pm I volunteer at a salvation army store. On the weekends I spent time with my girlfriend. I'm in the process of completing my gr 12 English which I'm aiming for at least a 85 percent therefore after I'm done volunteering I put extra effort towards school . Now your thinking okay I get it you dont have time to workout how about quitting smoking ... well I hate the withdrawal and the anger that comes with it and need a motivation to quit rite there and then . Once English is done then I'll sign up for the gym throw on a nicotine patch and start lifting some weight. Any suggestions to where I can volunteer that would look good on my resume for the CF.

This September I started my reservist basic training, which would happen roughly 2-3 weekends per month for 4 months. Now I am doing my BMQ Land which is another 2-3 weekends a month for 4 months. I am in my third year of full time University...yet I can still find the time to workout in between studying and all the responsibilities accompanied with living on my own. It really isn't hard to find 30 minutes - 1 hour of your day to set aside and work on push-ups, chin-ups, etc.

If you cannot motivate yourself to set aside an hour of your day to improve your physical fitness, than I strongly doubt you would have the drive to succeed in the military.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

I barely have spare time at the moment. I'm attending adult school to receive my highschool diploma from 9 am -1:30 pm and then from 2 pm - 7 pm I volunteer at a salvation army store. On the weekends I spent time with my girlfriend. I'm in the process of completing my gr 12 English which I'm aiming for at least a 85 percent therefore after I'm done volunteering I put extra effort towards school . Now your thinking okay I get it you dont have time to workout how about quitting smoking ... well I hate the withdrawal and the anger that comes with it and need a motivation to quit rite there and then . Once English is done then I'll sign up for the gym throw on a nicotine patch and start lifting some weight. Any suggestions to where I can volunteer that would look good on my resume for the CF.

If you think that is a hard day, boy is BMQ ever going to be a system shock if/when you get there. 

If you are already volunteering 5 hours a day at the Salvation Army, doesn't that cover off your last sentence (which I assumed was actually a question)?