Tweet
Let me start off by introducing myself. I've been a member of officer.com since October of 2005. Throughout my time here, I've gained valuable advice and friendships that I never thought possible. The reason I decided to compile this guide is this: I went through numerous hiring and selection processes. While seeking employment, I mailed out more than 30 applications and resumes. I had more than 20 interviews, physical agility tests, and written tests. I'm providing this guide for the applicants that make their way to this forum looking to improve themselves in each step. So here's to your future career, officer!
One other note: If anyone has any tips, suggestions, or finds any grammatical errors, please let me know so that I can make the necessary additions/corrections. Proper credit will be given.
First off: Are you a convicted felon? Under federal law and most state laws, convicted felons cannot possess a firearm. Additionally, under federal law, any person convicted of domestic violence (ex: spousal abuse) is ineligible to possess a firearm. Should you find yourself falling into one or both of these categories you will not be eligible to be a police officer.
APPLYING TO THE DEPARTMENT
The initial application is your first step, and your entrance into the hiring process. Once you’ve obtained the application packet, look it over. Before you write anything down, make photocopies! If you screw up, you’ll want to start fresh. It makes it cleaner, more professional looking, and shows the department that you’ve put a great deal of consideration into filling it out neatly. If it’s sloppy or illegible it will get set aside. You don’t want that.
Applications cover a very wide range of topics. You can expect to fill out general information about yourself (name, date of birth, current residence, etc.), residency history, employment history, education, military background and discharges, and any past contact you have had with law enforcement. When filling out your application you will want to be AS THOROUGH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN! Take your time in filling the application out, spend a couple days gathering the required information and make sure you have everything you need. Two of the main areas of concern are your employment history and your history with law enforcement. A quick check with the social security offices can reveal any past employment you’ve had, however; I’ve been told you only get the place of the employment and what years you were employed there. Even if you can’t remember when you were employed at a certain location, LIST IT!
When it comes to asking about any past citations or arrests you’ve had, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU LIST EVERY DETAIL! During the background investigation they’ll dig up all the juicy information on you. If they’ve found you have omitted a speeding citation you received when you were 16, it will be considered seriously. They won’t know if you’ve genuinely forgot about it or if you’re trying to hide it from them. Chances are, they’ll go with the latter. LIST EVERYTHING! Go to your local DMV and request a copy of your driving record. Check with your local law enforcement agencies (city, county, and state) and request copies of anything with your name in it.
Again, be ACCURATE and be TRUTHFUL. Honesty is the best policy. Once you’ve completed the application, make a photocopy to keep for yourself. I’ll get to why later.
THE WRITTEN TEST
After the application you’ll encounter the written test. The written test is generally a measure of basic capabilities, such as math, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. You won’t have to worry about geometry or *gasp* calculus or the other “high end†type mathematics. You’ll get into that if you ever want to go into accident investigation. But, the keyword is “basic.†You may also be required to write a mock report. Just remember to include the “who, what, when, where, and why.†You don’t need to worry though; the written test isn’t very difficult.
I will provide some words of advice. If you’re scratchy on long division (yeah, those calculators are a godsend, aren’t they?) you may want to review it. Calculators generally aren’t allowed during the written test, as they test you on material that shouldn’t require one. I went in to my first test and completely forgot how to divide on paper. Needless to say, I went over long-division and did well on that section for the subsequent testing I went through.
Also, remember that there are 52 weeks in a year. I forgot that once, too. I should have been able to easily figure it out by division, but coincidentally, it was on the the same test that I forgot how to divide! That brings me to another useful piece of advice: after the test, write down whatever you can remember for future reference.
LEARN from any tests you take. Most of them are incredibly similar. Remember what material was on them. If there’s something you can’t remember how to do, look it up for next time. It pays off, and gets you one step closer to your final offer of employment.
THE PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST (PAT)
These vary GREATLY. They vary so much, that in all the PAT’s I’ve done, I’ve never done the same one twice. I did 20+ PAT’s. Each department can have their own standards or, on the off chance, every department in your state may run the same tests.
Here are some of the items I’ve been tested on:
As for the obstacle course, here’s how the courses I’ve done went:
Now, I recalled this from memory, but it’s pretty darn close to the instructions I received prior to the testing.
The 6-foot barrier is definitely the toughest of the obstacles to clear. I’ve seen both fit and unfit people clear it, and I’ve seen fit and unfit people NOT clear it. If you’re unsure, I recommend finding something that matches the description of what’s in the test and test yourself. If you can’t do it, work on it until you’re successful. Then, do it again, and again, and again. Do it as many times as you need until you’re confident enough to do it successfully when it counts.
The other tests will have minimums that you’re required to meet. Some may have time limits along with them (i.e. 30 pushups in 60 seconds). Some might just be “how many can you do?†type tests where you go until you can’t go anymore. The 1.5 mile run generally has a time limit somewhere in the ball park of 12.5 minutes.
ASSESSMENT CENTERS
Assessment centers are becoming more prevalent in the law enforcement hiring process. What are they? Well, that depends on the agency. They can range from a single scenario, where you might take a theft report or a reckless driving complaint. They could be mini-interviews with several people. They could even be group exercises to bring out your teamwork or leadership abilities. You might even have to give a 3-5 minute impromptu speech in front of a group of other candidates. I've had to do all of them.
The key to success in assessment centers is to take charge. If it's a group exercise, take the role of the "leader." If it's mini-interviews, do as you would in other interviews. If it's scenarios, revert back to your training (if you've had any). If you don't have any prior training in LE, think about what information you will NEED to complete the scenario. For example: if you're taking the reckless driving complaint, you'll want to obtain the color/make/model of the vehicle, last known direction of travel, license plate information, and the complainants name/address/phone number/date of birth. You'll also want the time it occurred, the location, and any damage to the complainants vehicle noted as well.
Assessment centers show the department which applicants are NOT SCARED to be in unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations. Show them that the AC is just another thing you can do.
THE INTERVIEWS
Oh my gosh! The sweaty palms, sweaty pits! What do I wear?! How do I sit?! Etc. etc. I’ll try to answer this for you, after all, that’s what a guide is for, is it not? This will by far be the longest portion of this guide, so bear with me.
I’ll get right to the nitty gritty of the interview topic: the questions. The questions vary greatly, so I won’t be giving examples of any questions simply because it’s a royal pain in the butt (but if you read the guide there may, or may not, be a nice and tasty treat for you). It would make it unnecessarily long and take forever. Along the same lines, I won’t be providing you with answers to questions. The answers should be thought out by YOU and YOU alone. Interviewers know a textbook answer when they hear one, even the “rookie interviewers.†If you search the forums, you’ll find a variety of example questions and answers, but I will stress that you should come up with your own answers to the questions in the forums. Besides, there’s nothing like a good confidence boost when you see the look on the interviewer’s face when you give the best answer they’ve heard all day! If you think out your own answers, it’ll happen.
What to wear:
Men: Wear a suit! I reiterate, WEAR A SUIT! If you don’t have one, buy one. Trust me; a suit isn’t a one-time investment. There are numerous occasions in which they’ll come in handy. You won’t want a crazy Zoot suit, just a simple plain or thinly striped jacket and pants. Try to stick with conservative colors and don’t be “flashy.†Most folks you’ll see will have a black/blue suit with a white shirt and matching tie. I say it’s boring… but you’re mileage may vary. What did I wear? I had a black, thinly striped jacket and pants. I had a blue shirt and a pink, striped tie. PINK?! UGH! Guy’s shouldn’t wear pink. I say “phooey!†It wasn’t “flashy†but it definitely wasn’t “conformist.†One interviewer asked me why I wore a pink tie. I told him that I felt it was a good looking tie AND that its underlying meaning was to support breast cancer research… something affecting several people I know. For me, and possibly for the interview board, it was a different color. It might have helped them remember me more, standing out just a little bit from the other applicants. The “underlying reason†was true, but who knows if it scored me a couple extra points.
Now, I’m not saying go out and get a pink tie. The message I’m trying to convey is to wear something that depicts YOU as a person. Conservative dress is good, but I recommend against the “normal†and “standard†color schemes. But please, PLEASE, don’t wear “crazy†ties. Keep them plain. Stripes are good, but nothing with cartoon characters or the 3 Stooges. If it has more than a color and/or pattern, you’ve gone too far. Find another tie.
Women: This is tough for a guy to answer, especially one that’s not involved in hiring new officers. So here’s what I’ll say. Wear business attire. If you wear a skirt, make sure it’s at, or greater than, knee length. The same rules apply to women as they do men. Sorry ladies, but you’ll have to read the “men†section too. Don’t wear anything that will show off your chest. That’s not how you want them to view you, is it? Keep jewelry to a minimum. One pair of small earrings, a small necklace, and maybe a small bracelet is fine. If you’re married or engaged, feel free to wear your ring, otherwise one ring maximum. Don’t wear 6-inch heels, either. Actually, I’d stay away from heels altogether (but I’m also a guy, that’s to be expected…
), people do funny things when they’re nervous (read: trip). Flat-bottom dress shoes are what I’ll recommend.
Hygiene:
Men: keep your hair neat. Don’t walk in with “bed-head.†Comb it, brush it, gel it… whatever it is that you do to keep your hair under control and decent. If you don’t have hair… lucky you! That’s one less thing you have to deal with. If you’ve got any type of piercings, I recommend taking them out. Clip your fingernails and don’t have dirt underneath them. Yeah, they look at this stuff. Be clean, smell good. Don’t overdo it on the cologne though, and don’t use something that will fill the room the instant you walk in.
Women: Wear your hair above your collar. That’s my best recommendation. Use a conservative amount of perfume, if any, as well. Perfume can stink up a room just as badly as cologne. If you wish to paint your nails, use a neutral color. Jewelry was touched on in the previous section, so I won’t bore you again.
Walking In:
When you enter the room, be expected to be greeted by several officers and/or administrative staff. Introduce yourself to each one. If they’re sitting down at a table, and there’s a table 10 feet away for you to sit at, your first instinct is to wait by the table until they invite you to sit down. Right? Well, it shouldn’t be. Walk up to their table, introduce yourself and shake each person’s hand. Look them in the eye when shaking their hand, and shake their hand firmly, but not too hard. This same thing applies to women. A firm handshake is good, not that wussy handshake a lot of women have. Personally, I’m impressed by a woman with a firm handshake. I’m actually quite uncomfortable shaking hands with a woman who just holds their hand out and doesn’t return the shake. Walking in and introducing yourself is your first “I’m comfortable and confident†signal. DO NOT let it escape you. I guarantee you that you’ll be one of few people who don’t “just sit down and say ‘hi’.â€
Posture:
When you’re done introducing yourself and meeting the panel members you’ll be sitting in a chair in no time. Sometimes you’re at the same table as the panel members, sometimes you’re at a smaller table several feet away from their table, and sometimes you’re sitting in a chair… in the middle of the room… with no table. Sit straight, but don’t be “rigid.†Keep your hands above the table… you convey more messages through non-verbal communication that you do through verbal communication. That said, don’t be afraid to use your hands when answering questions, but don’t overdo it. When you’re not using your hands, keep them on the table. I’ve always had my fingers interlocked, but use whatever is comfortable with you as long as they remain on/above the table.
Don’t shake your foot or your leg, either. This conveys nervousness, and even if you’re at a table they’ll be able to notice. If it’s something you do, focus on NOT doing it, but don’t let that focus detract from your answers. This is ESPECIALLY important if you’re in a chair and don’t have a table. They can plainly see you shaking. Dealing with your hands is a tougher trick in this situation, as you don’t have a table to place them on. What I did was keep them in my lap when I wasn’t using them. Don’t sit there with your hands on the armrest, if one is present. You’ll look rigid and uncomfortable with the interview.
Speech:
Slow and steady wins the race. But don’t speak slooooowly. Think for a moment about your answer then begin giving it. Talk with confidence. Talk with clarity. One of the minimum requirements listed in Wisconsin is “clear and concise speech.†If you can’t do this in an interview, how will you do on the field?
If there’s one mistake everyone makes, it’s sounding like your questioning your own answer. TELL them your answer. Avoid phrases like:
These phrases reflect a lack of confidence. Remember, TELL them your answer. For example, a lot of people say “I guess I would do…†WRONG! Tell them! “I would…†sounds more confident than “I guess…†Right?
Pay attention to the questions you’re asked. One of the gems of law enforcement is that you remember “little†things, such as details in an arrest or things that you saw. However; if it’s a lengthy two or three part question and you forgot the last part, don’t be afraid to ask to have it repeated. It’s better to ask and give a thought out answer rather than to guess and give a dumb answer. They’ll understand that it’s an interview and will most likely repeat the part of the question IF YOU ASK. Just don’t, for the love of all things, ignore part of a question. They have the questions on paper and can simply write “did not answer.â€
That brings me to my next point. The interviewers will be taking notes while you speak. More than likely, they’ll inform you of this prior to beginning the interview. Don’t sit there and wonder about what they’re writing and don’t focus on their writing. Though, I will mention that I was able to get a glimpse of some of my scores because the interviewer didn’t do a very good job of hiding their paper. More often than not, you’re interviewers will be out of range to see what they’re writing, but if they’re within range don’t distract yourself. Not to mention, you could be caught by the other interviewers. I don’t know what that will do to your score, if anything, but don’t take the chance. You don’t want something so minuscule to put you behind another applicant.
THINGS TO PLAY WITH:
I’ve been in interview boards that had objects placed on the table next to where the applicant sits; things such as pens or a pitcher of water and a glass. The interviewers are looking to see if you “play†with these items during the interview. Simply put, ignore the items. That pitcher of water is put there in case you need a drink to clear your throat, but you know what? You should have already done that before entering the room. If there’s a water fountain near-by, hydrate yourself before walking in. Don’t touch that pen and don’t take a drink of that water!
Continued...
One other note: If anyone has any tips, suggestions, or finds any grammatical errors, please let me know so that I can make the necessary additions/corrections. Proper credit will be given.
- The Application
- The Written Test
- The Physical Agility Test (PAT)
- Assessment Centers
- The Interviews
- Proper Interview Behavior and Attire
- The Oral Board
- The Police and Fire Commission
- The Chief’s Interview
- The Personal History Statement/Questionnaire (PHS/PHQ)
- The Background Investigation
- The Medical Exam
- The Psychological Exam
- Other Things to Consider
- Drug Usage
- Facebook/MySpace/Social Networking
- Elimination+Selection+Hire=Cop (Courtesy of M-11)
- Managing Your Personal Records (Courtesy of Kieth M.)
First off: Are you a convicted felon? Under federal law and most state laws, convicted felons cannot possess a firearm. Additionally, under federal law, any person convicted of domestic violence (ex: spousal abuse) is ineligible to possess a firearm. Should you find yourself falling into one or both of these categories you will not be eligible to be a police officer.
APPLYING TO THE DEPARTMENT
The initial application is your first step, and your entrance into the hiring process. Once you’ve obtained the application packet, look it over. Before you write anything down, make photocopies! If you screw up, you’ll want to start fresh. It makes it cleaner, more professional looking, and shows the department that you’ve put a great deal of consideration into filling it out neatly. If it’s sloppy or illegible it will get set aside. You don’t want that.
Applications cover a very wide range of topics. You can expect to fill out general information about yourself (name, date of birth, current residence, etc.), residency history, employment history, education, military background and discharges, and any past contact you have had with law enforcement. When filling out your application you will want to be AS THOROUGH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN! Take your time in filling the application out, spend a couple days gathering the required information and make sure you have everything you need. Two of the main areas of concern are your employment history and your history with law enforcement. A quick check with the social security offices can reveal any past employment you’ve had, however; I’ve been told you only get the place of the employment and what years you were employed there. Even if you can’t remember when you were employed at a certain location, LIST IT!
When it comes to asking about any past citations or arrests you’ve had, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU LIST EVERY DETAIL! During the background investigation they’ll dig up all the juicy information on you. If they’ve found you have omitted a speeding citation you received when you were 16, it will be considered seriously. They won’t know if you’ve genuinely forgot about it or if you’re trying to hide it from them. Chances are, they’ll go with the latter. LIST EVERYTHING! Go to your local DMV and request a copy of your driving record. Check with your local law enforcement agencies (city, county, and state) and request copies of anything with your name in it.
Again, be ACCURATE and be TRUTHFUL. Honesty is the best policy. Once you’ve completed the application, make a photocopy to keep for yourself. I’ll get to why later.
THE WRITTEN TEST
After the application you’ll encounter the written test. The written test is generally a measure of basic capabilities, such as math, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. You won’t have to worry about geometry or *gasp* calculus or the other “high end†type mathematics. You’ll get into that if you ever want to go into accident investigation. But, the keyword is “basic.†You may also be required to write a mock report. Just remember to include the “who, what, when, where, and why.†You don’t need to worry though; the written test isn’t very difficult.
I will provide some words of advice. If you’re scratchy on long division (yeah, those calculators are a godsend, aren’t they?) you may want to review it. Calculators generally aren’t allowed during the written test, as they test you on material that shouldn’t require one. I went in to my first test and completely forgot how to divide on paper. Needless to say, I went over long-division and did well on that section for the subsequent testing I went through.
Also, remember that there are 52 weeks in a year. I forgot that once, too. I should have been able to easily figure it out by division, but coincidentally, it was on the the same test that I forgot how to divide! That brings me to another useful piece of advice: after the test, write down whatever you can remember for future reference.
LEARN from any tests you take. Most of them are incredibly similar. Remember what material was on them. If there’s something you can’t remember how to do, look it up for next time. It pays off, and gets you one step closer to your final offer of employment.
THE PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST (PAT)
These vary GREATLY. They vary so much, that in all the PAT’s I’ve done, I’ve never done the same one twice. I did 20+ PAT’s. Each department can have their own standards or, on the off chance, every department in your state may run the same tests.
Here are some of the items I’ve been tested on:
- 1.5 mile run
- 400 meter run
- Push-ups
- Sit-ups
- Dummy drag/rescue simulation
- Arrest resistor
- Obstacle course (I’ll go into further detail on this later.)
- Weapon manipulation (both weak hand and strong hand)
As for the obstacle course, here’s how the courses I’ve done went:
Applicant starts seated in a patrol car with the door shut and the seatbelt fastened. Both hands will be on the steering wheel. The applicant will be given a description of a suspect. On the word “GO!†the applicant will exit the vehicle and run through a 4.5-foot culvert, then jump through a 5-foot high simulated window. The applicant will then traverse a full flight of stairs. The applicant MUST touch each stair (though I’ve seen tests that allow any method to get to the top). The applicant will then descend the stairs and navigate a serpentine course. At the end of the serpentine course, the applicant will yell out which suspect displayed matches the description they were given. The applicant will run 30 feet, change direction, and jump over a 6-foot wall. They will reverse and jump over a 3-foot barrier. The applicant will then drag a 150-220 pound dummy for a length of 30 feet. Time will stop when both of the dummy’s feet cross the finish line.
The 6-foot barrier is definitely the toughest of the obstacles to clear. I’ve seen both fit and unfit people clear it, and I’ve seen fit and unfit people NOT clear it. If you’re unsure, I recommend finding something that matches the description of what’s in the test and test yourself. If you can’t do it, work on it until you’re successful. Then, do it again, and again, and again. Do it as many times as you need until you’re confident enough to do it successfully when it counts.
The other tests will have minimums that you’re required to meet. Some may have time limits along with them (i.e. 30 pushups in 60 seconds). Some might just be “how many can you do?†type tests where you go until you can’t go anymore. The 1.5 mile run generally has a time limit somewhere in the ball park of 12.5 minutes.
ASSESSMENT CENTERS
Assessment centers are becoming more prevalent in the law enforcement hiring process. What are they? Well, that depends on the agency. They can range from a single scenario, where you might take a theft report or a reckless driving complaint. They could be mini-interviews with several people. They could even be group exercises to bring out your teamwork or leadership abilities. You might even have to give a 3-5 minute impromptu speech in front of a group of other candidates. I've had to do all of them.
The key to success in assessment centers is to take charge. If it's a group exercise, take the role of the "leader." If it's mini-interviews, do as you would in other interviews. If it's scenarios, revert back to your training (if you've had any). If you don't have any prior training in LE, think about what information you will NEED to complete the scenario. For example: if you're taking the reckless driving complaint, you'll want to obtain the color/make/model of the vehicle, last known direction of travel, license plate information, and the complainants name/address/phone number/date of birth. You'll also want the time it occurred, the location, and any damage to the complainants vehicle noted as well.
Assessment centers show the department which applicants are NOT SCARED to be in unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations. Show them that the AC is just another thing you can do.
THE INTERVIEWS
Oh my gosh! The sweaty palms, sweaty pits! What do I wear?! How do I sit?! Etc. etc. I’ll try to answer this for you, after all, that’s what a guide is for, is it not? This will by far be the longest portion of this guide, so bear with me.
I’ll get right to the nitty gritty of the interview topic: the questions. The questions vary greatly, so I won’t be giving examples of any questions simply because it’s a royal pain in the butt (but if you read the guide there may, or may not, be a nice and tasty treat for you). It would make it unnecessarily long and take forever. Along the same lines, I won’t be providing you with answers to questions. The answers should be thought out by YOU and YOU alone. Interviewers know a textbook answer when they hear one, even the “rookie interviewers.†If you search the forums, you’ll find a variety of example questions and answers, but I will stress that you should come up with your own answers to the questions in the forums. Besides, there’s nothing like a good confidence boost when you see the look on the interviewer’s face when you give the best answer they’ve heard all day! If you think out your own answers, it’ll happen.
What to wear:
Men: Wear a suit! I reiterate, WEAR A SUIT! If you don’t have one, buy one. Trust me; a suit isn’t a one-time investment. There are numerous occasions in which they’ll come in handy. You won’t want a crazy Zoot suit, just a simple plain or thinly striped jacket and pants. Try to stick with conservative colors and don’t be “flashy.†Most folks you’ll see will have a black/blue suit with a white shirt and matching tie. I say it’s boring… but you’re mileage may vary. What did I wear? I had a black, thinly striped jacket and pants. I had a blue shirt and a pink, striped tie. PINK?! UGH! Guy’s shouldn’t wear pink. I say “phooey!†It wasn’t “flashy†but it definitely wasn’t “conformist.†One interviewer asked me why I wore a pink tie. I told him that I felt it was a good looking tie AND that its underlying meaning was to support breast cancer research… something affecting several people I know. For me, and possibly for the interview board, it was a different color. It might have helped them remember me more, standing out just a little bit from the other applicants. The “underlying reason†was true, but who knows if it scored me a couple extra points.
Now, I’m not saying go out and get a pink tie. The message I’m trying to convey is to wear something that depicts YOU as a person. Conservative dress is good, but I recommend against the “normal†and “standard†color schemes. But please, PLEASE, don’t wear “crazy†ties. Keep them plain. Stripes are good, but nothing with cartoon characters or the 3 Stooges. If it has more than a color and/or pattern, you’ve gone too far. Find another tie.
Women: This is tough for a guy to answer, especially one that’s not involved in hiring new officers. So here’s what I’ll say. Wear business attire. If you wear a skirt, make sure it’s at, or greater than, knee length. The same rules apply to women as they do men. Sorry ladies, but you’ll have to read the “men†section too. Don’t wear anything that will show off your chest. That’s not how you want them to view you, is it? Keep jewelry to a minimum. One pair of small earrings, a small necklace, and maybe a small bracelet is fine. If you’re married or engaged, feel free to wear your ring, otherwise one ring maximum. Don’t wear 6-inch heels, either. Actually, I’d stay away from heels altogether (but I’m also a guy, that’s to be expected…
), people do funny things when they’re nervous (read: trip). Flat-bottom dress shoes are what I’ll recommend.Hygiene:
Men: keep your hair neat. Don’t walk in with “bed-head.†Comb it, brush it, gel it… whatever it is that you do to keep your hair under control and decent. If you don’t have hair… lucky you! That’s one less thing you have to deal with. If you’ve got any type of piercings, I recommend taking them out. Clip your fingernails and don’t have dirt underneath them. Yeah, they look at this stuff. Be clean, smell good. Don’t overdo it on the cologne though, and don’t use something that will fill the room the instant you walk in.
Women: Wear your hair above your collar. That’s my best recommendation. Use a conservative amount of perfume, if any, as well. Perfume can stink up a room just as badly as cologne. If you wish to paint your nails, use a neutral color. Jewelry was touched on in the previous section, so I won’t bore you again.
Walking In:
When you enter the room, be expected to be greeted by several officers and/or administrative staff. Introduce yourself to each one. If they’re sitting down at a table, and there’s a table 10 feet away for you to sit at, your first instinct is to wait by the table until they invite you to sit down. Right? Well, it shouldn’t be. Walk up to their table, introduce yourself and shake each person’s hand. Look them in the eye when shaking their hand, and shake their hand firmly, but not too hard. This same thing applies to women. A firm handshake is good, not that wussy handshake a lot of women have. Personally, I’m impressed by a woman with a firm handshake. I’m actually quite uncomfortable shaking hands with a woman who just holds their hand out and doesn’t return the shake. Walking in and introducing yourself is your first “I’m comfortable and confident†signal. DO NOT let it escape you. I guarantee you that you’ll be one of few people who don’t “just sit down and say ‘hi’.â€
Posture:
When you’re done introducing yourself and meeting the panel members you’ll be sitting in a chair in no time. Sometimes you’re at the same table as the panel members, sometimes you’re at a smaller table several feet away from their table, and sometimes you’re sitting in a chair… in the middle of the room… with no table. Sit straight, but don’t be “rigid.†Keep your hands above the table… you convey more messages through non-verbal communication that you do through verbal communication. That said, don’t be afraid to use your hands when answering questions, but don’t overdo it. When you’re not using your hands, keep them on the table. I’ve always had my fingers interlocked, but use whatever is comfortable with you as long as they remain on/above the table.
Don’t shake your foot or your leg, either. This conveys nervousness, and even if you’re at a table they’ll be able to notice. If it’s something you do, focus on NOT doing it, but don’t let that focus detract from your answers. This is ESPECIALLY important if you’re in a chair and don’t have a table. They can plainly see you shaking. Dealing with your hands is a tougher trick in this situation, as you don’t have a table to place them on. What I did was keep them in my lap when I wasn’t using them. Don’t sit there with your hands on the armrest, if one is present. You’ll look rigid and uncomfortable with the interview.
Speech:
Slow and steady wins the race. But don’t speak slooooowly. Think for a moment about your answer then begin giving it. Talk with confidence. Talk with clarity. One of the minimum requirements listed in Wisconsin is “clear and concise speech.†If you can’t do this in an interview, how will you do on the field?
If there’s one mistake everyone makes, it’s sounding like your questioning your own answer. TELL them your answer. Avoid phrases like:
- â€I believe…â€
- â€I think…â€
- â€I guess…â€
- Etc.
These phrases reflect a lack of confidence. Remember, TELL them your answer. For example, a lot of people say “I guess I would do…†WRONG! Tell them! “I would…†sounds more confident than “I guess…†Right?
Pay attention to the questions you’re asked. One of the gems of law enforcement is that you remember “little†things, such as details in an arrest or things that you saw. However; if it’s a lengthy two or three part question and you forgot the last part, don’t be afraid to ask to have it repeated. It’s better to ask and give a thought out answer rather than to guess and give a dumb answer. They’ll understand that it’s an interview and will most likely repeat the part of the question IF YOU ASK. Just don’t, for the love of all things, ignore part of a question. They have the questions on paper and can simply write “did not answer.â€
That brings me to my next point. The interviewers will be taking notes while you speak. More than likely, they’ll inform you of this prior to beginning the interview. Don’t sit there and wonder about what they’re writing and don’t focus on their writing. Though, I will mention that I was able to get a glimpse of some of my scores because the interviewer didn’t do a very good job of hiding their paper. More often than not, you’re interviewers will be out of range to see what they’re writing, but if they’re within range don’t distract yourself. Not to mention, you could be caught by the other interviewers. I don’t know what that will do to your score, if anything, but don’t take the chance. You don’t want something so minuscule to put you behind another applicant.
THINGS TO PLAY WITH:
I’ve been in interview boards that had objects placed on the table next to where the applicant sits; things such as pens or a pitcher of water and a glass. The interviewers are looking to see if you “play†with these items during the interview. Simply put, ignore the items. That pitcher of water is put there in case you need a drink to clear your throat, but you know what? You should have already done that before entering the room. If there’s a water fountain near-by, hydrate yourself before walking in. Don’t touch that pen and don’t take a drink of that water!
Continued...
Comment