Interview with CPS tomorrow! I'm pumped!

[Phil]

Good afternoon all! I have my interview with CPS tomorrow, and I'm genuinely excited. This message board has really been very inspirational to me, even though an impressive majority of you are becoming RCMP officers and have to go through a different application process. Speaking of which, congrats to the recent RCMP grads.

At the end of the day, it's all policing and everyone has the same job to do, so I'm thankful for all the posts and words of encouragement everyone has for each other. I know after reading all the good stories here and taking in the positive energy this board seems to give off, I will do very well tomorrow and move on in the process.

BTW, if anyone has ANY questions about the interview process and would like some more info, feel free to ask. I meet this past week with a friend's dad, who is in internal affairs with CPS and is also one of the people who does panel interviews, and he was a great wealth of info for me. He didn't let me in on any big secrets because he doesn't want to make it any less competitive for me, but he did tell me some things that I was not aware of and from what he told me, alot of others are not aware of either. Let me just put it this way, you can pass you interview and move on in the process and make it all the way to the end.. but something you say in the interview can come back to sink you in the end when your application is being reviewed along with 100's of others.

I'll keep everyone posted on how things go. Later!

[DaveTO]

Good luck Phil! Everything I hear about CPS is great, and I hope that you make it on

P.S. Any tips you want to send me about interviewing are extremely appreciated...my email address is [e-mail]

[robepswannabe]

Good Luck Phil! I am hoping to have my first interview with EPS this month! Here in Edmonton we go through 2 interviews...the first being all about your background and pdf and normally lasts about 3 hrs (kind of like a pre-poly) A work colleague of mine had her interview last 4 or 5 hrs...so I guess it is gruelling...Let us all know how you do!

[robepswannabe]

Phil,

How did your interview go?

[Romano]

Phil, what exactly would get you DQued at the end of the process?

[Phil]

Sorry everybody, I really wanted to respond and let you all know how the interview went but my internet has been down since yesterday.

Anyways, it went good for the MOST part, but the final question sunk me in the end. Everything was going well, but my response for the judgment/problem solving wasn't very concise and was weak compared to all my other responses. I got a bit out of focus during the "Why should CPS consider hiring you" part of the interview, as my interview started half an hour late and my nerves got the best of me. I was told that everything was very strong until that point, so I guess I was doing something right.

Obviously, it resulted in an unsuccessful interview, and my file manager told me I would be deferred, but not for a very long period of time. I already have worked on some better examples for next time and reclarifying in my head what I need to say. I'm not going to let this get me down, but I will use it for the next time around. I know what I have to improve on and I can use the deferral time to make myself an even better candidate.

Romano, in response to your question. There are a number of things that can go wrong during the interview that can scuttle you in the end. I was told that a) They will put a pass/fail on the interview at that time, but EVERYTHING is reviewed at the end or at any point, and will be graded and compared to everyone else.
b) You can do everything and sound ideal in the interview, but put up against other people, your intentions may not look as good or sound as genuine.
c) You give an example from work or something involving a close friend, and your file manager calls the people involved to CONFIRM that this event has actually taken place, and it turns out it hasn't or that you didn't give them the whole story. This doesn't always happen, but I've been told it can take place if they have doubts about your sincerity.

Thats about all I know for now. I hope this answered some questions for you, Romano. As far as everyone else, I will get a list of some key points together and post it here so that everyone can see it. I'm going to get back to working on my competencies for the next go around so I don't have to go through this again.

[Rob]

Don't let it get you down Phil, sounds like you did great except for that one question, I am sure you will pass with flying colours next time...is this your first time applying to CPS? Here in Edmonton I have heard 85% of applicants are deferred on their first try....I am currently on my second try (with EPS and was also deferred with CPS in 2001)...and yes I was devestated and upset. While it is humbling, it is also character building and now you have insight into the interview for next time.....Anyways keep your chin up....

[Phil]

Damn rights, Rob! This is more motivating than anything, and I have to agree, a great learning experience. I hear that less than 40% of applicants make it through the interview on their first shot, so that doesn't bother me at all. At least I know I'm no exception.

BTW, how are things with EPS going for you, and why did CPS defer you?

[Rob]

Phil,

I am still waiting to be scheduled for the first interview...I passed the writtens and fitness test about 3 weeks ago...CPS deferred me because of items in my pdf, so I didn't even get to write the exams back then, which was part of the reason I was so upset. So I wrote the apcat in sept 2001 and scored 105/120 and wrote the wct on March 22nd of this year and passed. I did the fitness test 2 days later and the results are on the post titled 'Edmonton Police Fit Test Results' if you are interested. Take care.

[onedaysoon]

Rob

What type of thing would get you deferred and for how long?

[Romano]

Phil, tough break on the CPS interview, don't worry man you'll get another shot and I'm sure you'll nail it then.

[Phil]

Hey, Romano. Yah, it is a tough break, but at the same time I feel I let myself down more than anyone else. I'm only 22, and despite having had alot of things happen to me in my life, I guess the caliber of my examples wasn't quite up to what they expected. Funny thing is, I had some examples ready which I felt were waaaaaay better than the ones I used, but they were from my personal life and I didn't know how acceptable they would be. Ah well, hindsight is always 20-20.

My file manager did tell me that it would probably be a good idea for me to pursue finishing some sort of post-secondary education in the meantime, as the 5 people she was ready to put to selection ALL had post-secondary of some sort. I know it isn't required, but I figure if I can make myself an even more attractive applicant instead of sitting on my heels, I should. The big thing is volunteering, and I know I really need to expand that somewhat. I already do a fair amount through karate, but I should maybe get back on at the interpretive center or a district office.

Take care all!

[journey2cps-redux]

Phil,

Time for me to do some "recruiting"...

I volunteer at the Chinook Centre Store Front, and we are looking for some more people. Not sure what shifts, but if your flexible even better!! Call us (221-0540) or message me if your interested.

[Phil]

That sounds awesome! I'd like to get on in District 5 where I live, but Chinook is fine too. I work everyday from 7-4, so I'm not sure what they can provide me with. Give me a shout if you want to and we can discuss it more.. [e-mail].

Thanks!

[journey2cps-redux]

Cool. I sent you an email...

Jay

PS, If anyone else in the Calgary area is looking to volunteer, post it here or send me a message. ;D

J