Advice

[Anthony M]

Hello,

[Anthony M]

grr, sorry for the first post.. i was having keyboard problems but anyways....

It has been a while since I last posted on this board, since then I had an oral board with a city and I did not seem to fit what they were looking for, they said i need to answer their question more complete. I was a bit nervious and excited at the same time so I can understand why it did not go to well.

but now i have another oral review board coming up with another city, which is actually right next to the one which i recently did not pass the oral board. is it a bad thing for them to know that the other city does not want me because i did not do great on their oral board? Will they just want to drop me if they find out? I also want to know if my age could be a problem as well, I am almost 21 which is still pretty young for a LEO position even though it meets requirments... I have been working in the computer tech field since I graduated and recently got laid off a year ago... and have really thought about a LEO career and really am passionate about it. Any help you could give me on improving myself for my second board and any opinions you might have for my situation would be great! thanks for your time

-Anthony

[JimCMR]

Anthony;

Usually an Oral Board does not want to waste time with someone they are not interested in, since you have been called for an interview, there must be some interest in you.

Your job is to make the Board VERY interested in having you on their list.

Stress your qualifications, such as your computer tech experience, this could be used in the department. Learn to give good, informative answers to questions, not just a "Yea" type of answer.

Dress well, be well groomed, say "yes sir" or "no mam" depending on the situation, of course be on tme.

Very few people get hired by the first department they interview with, so don't worry that the city next door didn't hire you, especially at your young age. The more times you interview, the better you will become at it.

Your age could work for you as well as against you, it is up to you to point out the up side to your youth, such as, few bad habits, ability to be molded into what they are looking for, a short time out of school, so you will be able to take advantageof all the academy has to offer in the way of education. etc.

Goodluck. JimCMR

[Arkine]

(Something I observed at my Oral Review)
No one talked! I mean at all, I was trying to lighten the mood by making a few soft spoken jokes while we were all waiting and I only got 2 people that even smiled! Now I don't know how your city is doing their hiring...this was a mass testing situation that I was in and they don't do it that way here anymore, but...be friendly. They want someone that can think on they're feet, diffuse a situation, be polite and courtious, watchful of the people they are talking too, but also pays attention to details that they hear/read/observe. Take a few seconds to think about their questions then answer with the best that you can come up with, but don't hesitate more than 20 sec if you can help it. They get antsy it seems waiting for an answer, and irritated because they also have a dozen or so more people that they have to interview and don't want to be kept waiting. I know it's hard not to be nervous, but eat a good meal take some B-100 Complex, trust me it helps. ~S~ Think that's all the advice I can give you. Good Luck!

[Charlie]

Anthony--It is a possibility that the agency you're about to do you oral board with may know a little bit about what you've done at the other agency. I don't think this is a big deal unless there is some significant information about you that really stands out and gets their attention. BUT, if your only downfall is that you were only nervous and did not answer the questions well, then I would not worry abut it at all. I would personally view this for myself as some valuable experience! Now you have a better idea of what the oral boards are all about AND, now you'll be better prepared for the next one!

Being 21 is a very young age. I would say that only a small percentage of people are hired the first time they apply at this age. Usually, agencies like to hire someone slightly older, approximately 25-yoa give or take a year or two.

Aside from the insightful advice of Jim CMR, I wuld suggest you work on some of the most obvious or most likely questions you'll be asked. After all, first impressions are VERY important! What kind of questions?

* Tell us about yourself.
* Why do you want to work for ----------police department? Sheriff Department? State Police?
* What are your strengths and weaknesses?
* Why should we hire you?

The questions may not be exact but I would sit and ponder these questions and perhaps rehearse a good answer to these questions. To me, one never really prepares for these questions and often try and get in the mindset of trying to prepare to answer all those hypothetical situations. When the obvious questions are asked, one often sees this funny look on their face! ;D So, think about these questions and maybe how you'd answer them.

Finally, don't get in the mindset that you have to answer the questions correctly or that you must provide the board the answer they want!!! When asked a question, take a moment to think about the question and answer ti to the best of your ability.

Good luck!

Charlie

[Anthony M]

Thanks for all the advice, ill be sure to go over allt his stuff again the night before my interview. If anyone has anymore good tips please post thanks!

[wisconsin]

I agree with the advice everyone is giving. I have gone in for some interviews very nervous and did ok. Others I went in with total confidence and could effectively sense the result before I walked out the door.

Not every department is looking for the same thing in their candidates. I have been dropped right after the first interview by some departments. I went on the next day and said and did the same things for another department and ranked high on their list.

My advice is be yourself. It makes it so much easier to get through and ofcourse make it to the hiring list. If and when you make it the list be patient and continue to try with other departments. (nothing is final until you receive the offer)It will takes a long time to get the offer, (Most departments are in no hurry to grant the offer, regardless of where you rank on their list),but it will eventually come if it is of true importance to you.

If it lives within your heart and professionalism is your priority then you are meant to do it. If this holds true stay with it no matter how tough the challenge. Have faith it will come through.

Good luck,

Professionally yours,

Brian

[Anthony M]

Welp I failed another oral board, but it's only my second one... any advice on what to do now? i am still waiting to see if i passed a test for the Sheriff dept to do the oral board, i know a detective their... said if i pass the test he will put in a good word for the oral board, hopefully i did good on that test I am still planning to go to the Police academy myself, as a unaffiliated cadet, do police forces go to academies and recruit people their? anymore advice for this ignorant youth thanks!

[Drakor]

Just because you fail the oral doesn't mean you can't reapply. Most departments have a waiting period. Reapply...... Another good way is to write down all the questions or go to a website that has a list of questions used on orals and practice with your parents or ask you detective friend for some help with the interview. He can mock up a close interview and help you like this.
Most boards are looking for confidence, patients, the abilty to think on your feet. They don't want someone like John Wayne ready to shoot first and ask questions later. Having a professional appearance and altitude goes a long way. Good Luck K.U.P.

[Cpl mike]

Anthony- YOU NEED TO PRACTICE YOUR TECHNIQUES!!!
Not trying to be hard, but pull some buddies (that can be serious), explain what you are doing, and have them set you up for a "mock" oral! This worked for me back in 1989 and it may work for you.Great info. can be found at your local library(municipal or county) and interview skills books,the Arco Police exams book,gives you situational questions and reasonble examples of answers.most interview boards expect simply "common sense" responses and if you really are a "young"(teen) looking 21yoa,then expect some skepticism from the board(especially if Sgts,Senior officers,Dets). DON'T let that hamper you,though if law enforcement is what you want.What have done to prepare yourself?Ride alongs?(hey,you can ask the officer/deputy to give you a mock oral,if time permits).The bath room mirror is also a trick you can use to view and judge your mannerisms.simply write a short essay or a resume and try to "deliver" it as if you were in front of an interviewer(helps practice direct speaking).Interviewing is not some type of houdini magic, it is simply YOUR chance to "sell" yourself within 15-45 mins to a potential employer.Image is almost as importance as performance in law enforcement(trust me, the public will walk up to a neat ,professional rookie to ask a question before they will approach a gruff,grungy senior officer!!!!).Make your image strong and you'll be on your way.....

[Anthony M]

Hey everyone... just wanted to fill you in. I did not pass the oral board for the one city i was asking for advice for, but since then I have taken an oral board and test for a sheriff department and have been selected to go forward for a background check... I guess there is no real advice for the rest of the steps IE psych test, background and polygraph except to be Honest.. or is there? hope to hear from you guys soon