Need some help on Oral Interviews

[Arkine]

Hey,
I could use some suggestions on oral board interviews. I know the types of questions that they'll ask, I've been through...3 of them now. I kind of feel that its my nerves that are getting to me, and I know that's part of the process of elimination as well. Does anyone have any suggestions to calm ones self down before walking in???

I excell in everything else it's just these darn oral boards that seem to trip me up.

Suggestions...superstitions, all take anything at this point! :)

[Bucknut]

I dont have any tips for you, but if you could post some of the questions they asked you that would be a great help. also how you answered would help to.

[kmt]

First impressions are most important. Firm hand shake, direct eye contact, speak clearly when greeting the board members.

Wear a dark suit (subconscious sees what you would look like in the uniform). Sit up straight, hands on thighs, or on table in front of you. Don't fidget, rock, etc. in chair.

Answer questions directly. Respond first to the person who asked the question, but don't ignore the others in the room. Limit your responses to 15 to 30 seconds. Elaborate as necessary, but don't go where you have not been asked to go.

Be honest, humble, but confident. You must believe you are the one for the job, otherwise, you would not have applied.

I sit on boards and see people fail all the time. Usually what sinks their boat is being dishonest. Also, if you give the impression that you are not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

There is so much to say, but this should get you started.

kmt

[Arkine]

Hey thanks some good suggestions, a couple of people said that lighter colored clothes were better because they are more "open" psychologically speaking. That maybe part of my problem that I've experianced lately. I really don't like light colors that much. I do have a couple of concerns still. The departments that I've applied too lately are really into having you explain your answers.

I must have answered one question about 5 times, it was a scenerio question dealing with doing a search and seeing your partner take $.50 from the top of a dresser and stick it in their pocket. By the time I was finished answering that question the amount of money had gone from $.50 to $500.00 and back again.

They also asked me a question that I wasn't expecting, what makes me angry and would make me respond by yelling or with physical force. I answered the question honestly, I don't like being backed into a corner, then again who does? That's kind of a natural self protection instinct.

This particular question has really bothered me, see I'm re-applying for that same department and since they already know the answers that I'm going to give them, they may go back over my answers and ask me to explain them, or they may come up with new questions. I'm not so concerned about them asking new questions as I am about them asking me about those two types of questions. I've been thinking it over and I don't think that was the answer they were looking for to the question about anger. It's a very openended question, but I think next time I'm going to respond with child abusers. However, unless the abuse was going on right when I got there I don't think it would make me respond physically, might yell though. I know that I can still treat those people with the same professionalism as I would with people that have commited a lesser crime. I suppose a lot of it would depend on the condition of the child when I got there.

I'm not sure if this is much more of an answer to that question or not. I have been finding it very difficult when you have a passion for something to let it surface, without dragging a bunch of emotions out with it. It's hard for me to express how much I really do want the job, without them thinking I'm some kind of nut. :) Or should I try more of a "cold shoulder" approach and try not to let them know how badly I want the job?

I've interviewed for a lot of jobs and never had a problem like I have with these, it's frustrating to say the least.

[kmt]

Relax and be yourself. Being eager is okay...being excited beyond the norm will have them looking for the straight jacket.

Money/integrity questions are easy. Cops don't steal. Cops dont tolerate cops who steal. Officers are expected to come forward and report misconduct. Don't worry about the "rat" label. You're the one who has to sleep at night.

Regarding the use of force, officers are expected to use only the force that is reasonable and necessary to resolve a problem. Can someone get under your skin? Absolutely, but officers are expected to rise above it and not do something that is going to jeopardize his/her career.

Other interview tips. Remember you're human. Know your strengths, be honest about your weaknesses. What do you like best about yourself, where do you need improvement? Recognize you have made mistakes in your life, highlight what you have learned from them.

Have an idea where you want your career to go, but don't have the next 20 years planned out. I don't know if you have been to a police academy yet or not. If you have, you are expected to know certain things and be able to respond to questions. If you have not been to an academy, a certain amount of ignorance is expected.

Keep us informed on how you do!

kmt

[Arkine]

I don't think I need a strait jacket just yet. ;)

I have been through an academy already so I know they are expecting me to know things...especially since they trained me. As for the stealing, I answered that I would confront the partner about it and also notify the supervisor...I've thought about that and I'm wondering if they were thinking "Well, what if you ARE the supervisor, then what?"

Common sense would tell me that this person doesn't need to be a cop, and there are a whole lot of other questions that it would raise as well.
Have they done this before?
Did they just start doing it and if so, why?
Something else to keep in mind is 'how well do you know this person?' if confronted with something like this are they likely to turn violent? After all, they have a very accessible gun.

I've decided that I need to go back through my books just to keep things fresh in my own mind. I know they don't want a text book answer, but I can create my own scenarios for a situation like what they asked me. There were a couple of other questions that I feel need some consideration as well, I wasn't as sure of some of my answers as I probably should have been.

Anyhow, testing should start in the next week or so, I'll let you know.

Thanks for the input, its helped.