some criticizm on my oral interview please

[Tommytoons1979]

Tuesday I flew out to Nevada, wednsday I did the physical, written and oral interview for Nye County Sheriffs Dept. The physical part, actually the 1.5 mile run kicked my butt. Goin from sea level to 3k ft kicked my butt. They didnt release our grades on the written, all they would tell me was I did better than a 70. I think I did well.
The oral? I have no idea. I pretty much had an answer for all their questions. With the "Would I give my mother a ticket" question, they thought I was a little tough when I said I would. My response is if I dont the another officer will. They explained that they have a certain amount of discretion and most likely they would not. My response to that was perhaps after training and some experieriance I would have a better understanding of the discretion used in situations like that. When they asked why I wanted to be a cop my reply was " There are 3 lists of reasons, selfish, classic, and personal. Classic I wanted to do it since I was a kid, selfish, I am enticed by the excitement that the job brings. Personal, from what I see with my current job, I see all walks of life. In all those walks of life, the one thing they all need is police. That is the biggest reason, I want to be a part of that.
The toughest one they asked was why should I be hired over the other appicants. I kinda froze on that one at first. I am not use to placing myself on a pedestal, so my only answer was that despite the situation, I commit myself 100% and can without hesitation commit more.
Judging by their reactions on the other questions, I gave good answers. The ones I mentioned earlier are the only ones I felt shaky on.

[SlowDownThere]

Well, you sure didn't do horribly.

We don't give tickets to our mothers. I can't belive that actually asked you that. I mean, I believe you, but don't know why they would ask such a stock question. Kinda like the free cup of coffee question. Anyway, I think you recovered, saying that the amount of discretion is learned with experience and training. OK, Illl buy that.

Why you want to be a police officer? Well, that a personal reason and you should give your personal answer. It may be different for another, but if you make something up, it will come off as phoney.

I think you did OK, probably safe and not voted off Nye County Idol just yet. Good luck.

BTW, you want a critique, not a critisism.

[McPhenius]

I agree, what you said isn't too bad. I sit on interviews regularly and yes, we ask the ticket question. We also ask the "you stop the mayor and smell alcohol on his breath" question as well along with the free cup of coffee.

Keep in mind, most others who have no experience or close friends in law enforcement answer similarly. I've had candidates ready to arrest their parents for not signing the citation they are writing. Discretion is the key and that was a good point to bring up and yes, experience will show you that.

Why do you want the job? To protect and serve, right? Help others? Of course, but it does have to be from your heart, not from a prepared thought. Perhaps as a child you witnessed a police officer do something outstanding and you wanted to become one.

As far as the why you should be hired over anyone else? Well, it's hard to put into words, but you are not trying to downplay others, but sell yourself. Words like "dedicated and committed to goals" along with "hard worker, work well in a team setting and motivated" are good buzz words.