Failed first interview (phone), have some questions

[FrancoATC]

First time poster, and have only lurked for a short period but seems you all are pretty cool. Let me tell you a little bit about myself and what's happened, and maybe you'd be kind enough to give me some pointers.
I'm not as young as most applicants (I imagine, I'm 29) and really only thought of ATS as a career about 8 months ago or so. I applied soon after and while I live in Montreal, I applied to Toronto region (not completely fluent in French, certainly not enough to do such an important job). I passed the first application part which was pretty much a joke, and I surprisingly did well enough to pass the in-person written exam (I was on very little sleep and had just traveled from Montreal to Toronto). I did the phone interview earlier this week and just found out I was unsuccessful :/ . I think it may have been pretty bad too, I made some really dumb mistakes. Weird thing is that I wasn't particularly nervous, it was more like I was really excited and was not in the moment, and maybe too confident that I would get through the interview with no issues.
I have a pretty good job right now, and will have an opportunity next fall for the job I had wanted before I discovered ATS and Nav Canada, but I want this SO BAD now! Does anyone have any advice as to what I can do to improve next time? Any books I can read? Any simulators that might help give me a sense of what the job is really like, and therefore be able to answer the questions better? I have this sickening feeling that I could have done more and been able to pass. I'd rather know the job isn't for me, then wonder what if I had tried this or that.
Also, I'm worried that my age might begin to play a factor next time, and that having failed once will make it even harder to get through the next time. Are these fears warranted? Is there any way around the one year wait?
The job requires such a unique skill set that its impossible to compare it to anything else. I hated all the questions about past experiences that show this or that, especially not knowing what to highlight, cause I'm not really sure what they are looking for, and what's necessary for the job.
Sorry about the long post, just frustrated and wanna get as much info as possible so I can focus on what to change instead of beating myself up for screwing up. HELP! :p

[YYZJuice]

Applied at age 35. Checked out at age 37. Not a factor

[FrancoATC]

Thanks! At least that is comforting. Has anyone here ever been unsuccessful in their original application process but then later succeeded?

[TheJudge]

Thanks! At least that is comforting. Has anyone here ever been unsuccessful in their original application process but then later succeeded?

I am currently on course with a guy who got a red light after his phone interview, reapplied and was successful through the process (up to this point anyways, we still have a long ways to go).

[FrancoATC]

Good to hear and congrats on making it this far. When things get crazy hard, try thinking of me wishing desperately that I was you

[Tango5]

Keep at it! I went through the entire application process, got all the way to being placed as the "Standby" for a course and then ended up "timing out". I waited the year to reapply and now I'm in on-the-job training. If you're really passionate about it, stick it out! I first applied almost 4 years ago. It's worth it in the end! I promise!

[Dutchpilotguy]

Hey all! I noticed that this post sort of died out, but I'm one for giving motivation to someone/people who may need it.

I originally applied to Nav Canada in 2009 and was deferred mid way through the process. Once my year was up, I applied again and in 2011 I was on a course! I am now qualified at my tower, and I get a great deal of satisfaction out of my job. As someone who has been flying for 12 years, and was turned away from his dream job in the Canadian Forces, Nav Canada has been an absolute blessing to me and my wife, giving me the chance to really do something meaningful in aviation.

I won't lie: Training... for lack of a better term, sucks - only because you need to grow some thick skin, and you are constantly learning new things about yourself, in particular: that you may not be as amazing as you once thought you were; or perhaps you were very good at what you did prior to ATC, and now... you can't seem to do anything right. This is where confidence, perseverance and good old fashioned brute brain power meeting will power converge. Will is of course a combination of opportunity and motivation. With that in mind, remember that Nav Canada has no shortage of opportunity... Through this, you will find that in the long-run, it is a tremendously dynamic and fulfilling career... and the corner office view isn't too bad either

I wish anyone in the process, the best of luck and all of the success you bring to yourself, regardless of where you find yourself.

[FrancoATC]

Good to hear another success story after first receiving a red light. Can't wait to be able to try again. I will keep you all posted once I'm allowed to reapply. Hopefully it will help someone else through the application process as well. Two different people mentioned to me this week that my eyes light up when I talk about this opportunity. I genuinely believe I can do this, and there is no question as to how much I want it; just a matter of time!

[Driving Comet]

I got the red light after my online application the first time I applied. I reapplied and am now in OJT phase at a tower. As for age, that makes no difference.

Good luck!