ADF YOU Session Questions: How to Answer Your Careers Coach Call
One of the most common things ADF applicants search before their YOU Session is "what questions will they ask." The answer is that the ADF does not publish a fixed script of YOU Session questions — but that doesn't mean you can't prepare effectively. This post covers what the Careers Coach call is actually for, what topics you should be ready to discuss, and how to structure your answers so you come across as organised and serious about joining the ADF.
What the YOU Session Careers Coach Call Is Actually About
The YOU Session Careers Coach call is a phone discussion about your interest in the ADF and the roles you're considering. That framing is important because it tells you what a strong answer looks like: it demonstrates genuine interest, clear thinking about your role options, and readiness to engage with the process.
This is not a formal job interview and it is not a test of military knowledge. It is a conversation designed to help the ADF understand where you're at in your thinking and to give you accurate information about the roles and pathways available to you.
What Topics to Prepare For
Rather than trying to guess specific questions, prepare to discuss these high-probability topics confidently:
Your motivation for joining the ADF — why you want to serve, and why now. Your role interests — which roles or role categories you're exploring and why they appeal to you. Your general availability and readiness to move through the process. Any constraints or questions you have about the recruitment pathway or specific role requirements.
You don't need scripted answers for every possible question. You need clarity about your own situation and genuine reasons behind your choices. A candidate who can speak clearly about why they want a specific role is far more compelling than one who has memorised generic answers.
How to Structure Your Answers
When you answer a question during your Careers Coach call, structure creates credibility. Use this four-part method for any question that asks you to explain your interest or background:
Brief background — one sentence about who you are now, focused only on what's relevant to the ADF conversation.
Clear interest — state the role or roles you're exploring and why they appeal to you specifically.
Evidence — give one concrete reason that supports your interest. This could be a work experience, a sporting background, a long-term interest in a specific trade or capability, or a personal connection to the ADF.
Next step — close your answer by either asking a specific question that moves you forward, or confirming your readiness to proceed with the next step in the process.
This structure keeps your answers concise, relevant, and professional — which is exactly how you want to present in a recruitment conversation.
What to Avoid on the YOU Session Call
Candidates who come across as underprepared or uncertain typically make one of these mistakes. Over-explaining — giving long, rambling answers that suggest you haven't thought clearly about your options. Contradicting details you've provided elsewhere in your application. Treating the call casually, as if it's just a quick chat rather than a formal step in the ADF recruitment process. And failing to follow up immediately afterward — completing your Candidate Hub tasks promptly after the call is part of finishing the YOU Session strongly.
After the Call: What to Do Next
Once your Careers Coach call is complete, log back into your ADF Candidate Hub and complete the Medical History Questionnaire. This is the immediate next step in the recruitment process and should be completed as soon as possible after your YOU Session.
