Test Preparation
Interview Tips
The following tips will assist you in adequately preparing for a job interview,
including the Police Officer Series Oral Board Interviews.
Understanding the Interview Process
Interviews assess your communication abilities. Your attitude (i.e., your approach
toward the job in question) can also be observed. These abstract attitudes and communication
abilities are not as effectively measured on a written test. Therefore, you will
be asked standard job-related questions.
You will probably see the interviewers taking notes as you speak. What they are
doing is recording their reaction to your responses, usually in accordance with
some established guidelines.
You may be rated on various abstract components, including appearance, maturity,
oral communication skills, judgment, understanding of the position, attitude, self-confidence,
reaction to stress, interpersonal skills, personal integrity, organizing and planning,
objectivity, and empathy.
Interview Ethics
- Interview only when sincerely interested in a position with the employer.
- Acknowledge invitations for on-site or remote interviews promptly, whether you accept or reject
them.
- Provide factual information on your qualifications and interests. Never
falsify data such as GPA, academic major, coursework completed or extracurricular
activities on a résumé or in an interview.
- Notify the Human Resources Department or the employer, well in advance or at least
24 hours in advance, if you cannot make or must postpone an interview or employer
presentation.
Preparation - Days Prior to the Interview
- Review and follow all instructions presented to you by Human Resources:
- Review your application and background statement.
- Be familiar with key aspects of your education, job history, and other relevant
job components such as licensures, training, and driving record.
- Be familiar with the job:
- Obtain and study the job announcement/job description to determine the employer's
expectations.
- Research the employer/department.
- Use the employer's/department's website or homepage to gather information
(annual reports, employee handbooks, policy statements, employee newsletters).
- Read current periodicals and trade journals to learn about the latest industry trends or occupational area trends.
- Review mission statements and company literature.
- Familiarize yourself with the employer's organizational structure, clients, competitors, etc.
- Talk to relevant others about their jobs so that you understand what
it entails, the time commitment involved, and what some of the expectations
are.
- Talk with others who completed the process. They can give you great insight and valuable information about the interview.
- If possible, demonstrate an interest in the position. For example: When applying
for police positions, "ride-alongs" and facility tours can be most informative.
Also, participation in volunteer programs, such as internships and auxiliary police
programs, may be beneficial.
- Your response to all questions should reflect organized thought. When appropriate,
introduce your answer, give your answer, and then conclude your answer.
- Anticipate difficult questions:
- Do not try to avoid these questions, explain the situation honestly and in a positive
manner.
- Try to turn a weakness into a strength, i.e., "Yes, my GPA is low, but it
is because I worked thirty hours a week to put myself through school."
- Practice 'selling yourself'.
- Be prepared to discuss your accomplishments, experiences, and skills.
- Before the interview, think of specific work or educational experiences in which
you demonstrated skills (technical and interpersonal) that would be important to
the position. Provide examples of how you have developed your skills.
- Think about your interests and values.
- Know your strengths and weaknesses, and be able to give examples to demonstrate
your strengths.
- Think about important decisions you have made, the thought process behind each one,
and the outcome.
- Identify accomplishments of which you are proud, and how you achieved them.
- Avoid being "overzealous" in your presentation.
- Explain why you are interested in this occupation and position - show your personality.
- Define your short-term and long-term career plans and goals.
- Prepare a few relevant questions to ask the interviewer(s). This conveys your genuine
interest and preparation.
- Anticipate and practice answering common/key interview questions with a friend, and/or use a video recorder
to record your answers. You can then critique your answers, or ask a friend to do
so. Strive to improve your method of delivery and the content of your answers.
- Memorize your résumé so you can quickly answer questions about it.
- Prepare questions for your interviewer:
- The end of the interview is usually reserved for your questions.
- Do not ask generic questions or questions that could easily be found in company
literature.
- Ask questions that will help you determine if you are a good match for the position
and organization and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
- Time your presentation and stay within any prescribed time frames.
- Practice your firm, confident handshake.
Preparation - Immediately Before Interview
On the day before the interview, you should prepare just as you would for any other important appointment.
- Review the interview "confirmation" to identify everything you need to bring with you to the interview.
- Prepare what you should take with you to the interview (i.e., résumé,
reference list, reference letters, official transcript, portfolio, driver's license
or picture ID, etc.).
- Know where you are going and explore your transportation/parking options.
- Reduce your anxiety. A few actions you can take to reduce anxiety include:
- Allow yourself plenty of time, especially to do things you need to do before the
interview and still get there a little early.
- Avoid speaking with others who express negativity.
- Exercise; it is believed to sharpen the mind and reduce stress.
- Get plenty of rest and a good nights sleep before the interview and allow
yourself enough time in the morning so you do not have to rush. Being rested
and having a clear head on the day of the interview may help as much as any last-minute review.
- Approach the interview with confidence:
- Use whatever strategies you can to personalize success: visualization, logic, talking
to yourself, practice, team work, journaling, etc.
- View the interview as an opportunity to show how much you know about the position.
- Be aware that you will NOT be allowed to bring any electronic devices such as cellular phones, headphones, or other similar communication devices to the interview.
Day of Interview
- Eat a good meal.
- Do not go to the interview with an empty stomach.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables are often recommended to reduce stress.
- Stressful foods can include: processed foods, artificial sweeteners, sugar, carbonated
soft drinks, chocolate, eggs, fried foods, junk foods, pork, red meat, white flour
products, chips and similar snack foods, foods containing preservatives or heavy
spices.
- Dress conservatively and professionally in appropriate business attire.
- Image is often as important as content.
- How you dress and speak are just as important as what you say.
- Studies have shown that 65 percent of the conveyed message is nonverbal; gestures,
physical appearance, and attire are highly influential during job interviews.
- Properly groom your hair (including beards and mustaches) and nails.
- Wear conservative-colored clothing (navy, black or grey in color), preferably a suit that is neatly pressed.
- Wear conservative (dark-colored) shoes that are clean and polished.
- Do not wear clothing, make-up or jewelry that is brightly-colored or 'flashy'.
- Minimize jewelry and cologne/perfume.
- Consider removing exposed body piercings and covering exposed tattoos.
- Do not chew gum or candy.
- Be punctual.
- Arrive at least 25-30 minutes early to ensure you will be there during your scheduled
time. This also prevents a rushed and stressful presentation. In addition, if you
miss your scheduled time, there may be no guarantee that it will be rescheduled.
- Use time wisely to review employer research information.
- Carry a pencil, pen, paper, extra résumés, references, etc. in an
organized portfolio.
- Be prepared to sit for a while as many interviews last 30 minutes to one hour.
- Use good manners and be conscious of your body language.
- Maintain a professional demeanor from the time you walk into the interview until you depart the site.
- Always remember that how you present yourself before the interviewer(s) (personal
hygiene, appearance, attire) will affect on your rating, score, or impression.
First impressions are lasting ones.
- Communicate clearly and use appropriate eye contact with your interviewer(s).
- Shake hands firmly and do not take a seat until asked.
- Do not slouch, and always maintain eye contact with the interviewer(s).
- If you are introduced, listen carefully to their names. Refer to the interviewers
by their names.
- Speak in a firm, confident voice and always present a positive attitude.
- Maintain a professional image before, during, and after the interview.
- Relax and be yourself, but do not forget that the person(s) sitting on the other
side of the desk/room could be your future employer.
- Understand that nervousness is normal, so prepare for it and maintain a calm appearance.
If you become nervous, make sure that you take slow, deep breaths.
- The interview should be a two-way communication - it is important to develop
a rapport with the interviewer(s).
- Allow the interviewer(s) to describe the position and its responsibilities early
in the interview. Then you can apply your accomplishments specifically to that position.
- Maintain eye contact with the interviewer(s) as you speak. Smile with your whole
face.
- Listen carefully and attentively to the interviewer's complete question before
responding. Do not interrupt. Think a moment before you respond. Make sure you answer
the question asked and that you answer all parts of the question.
- Be mindful of your grammar. Use simple but complete sentences when responding.
Only use words that you can pronounce and fully understand.
- Maintain an appropriate volume of speech, inflecting your voice when necessary.
- Do not be overly repetitious.
- Use appropriate hand gestures to emphasize important points. Do not fold your arms
in front of you.
- Be willing to have the interviewer(s) repeat or clarify questions if you do not
understand them.
- If you do not know the answer to a question, admit it.
- Share the information you feel is appropriate and relevant.
- Stay focused - keep the conversation on topic. Keep your answers as brief and concise
as possible.
- Do not dominate the interview - the interviewer leads the meeting and guides the
questions.
- Ask appropriate, relevant, and well-thought-out questions.
- Be assertive, but not aggressive; be confident, but not overzealous.
- Do not make jokes.
- Do not negatively comment on your present or former employers.
- Do not expect an offer on the spot. Let the interviewer bring up salary first.
- If there is more than one interviewer:
- Think of the group as one person and try not to be intimidated.
- Try to ignore note-taking by the interviewers, and do not worry - this type of interview
is difficult to control. Try to get interviewers' names before the interview
and use them during the conversation.
- Respond initially to the interviewer who asked the question, but try not to get
tunnel vision from anxiety. Do not interrupt the interviewer.
- As you proceed with your answer, acknowledge the other interviewers by maintaining
a comfortable level of eye contact.
- Scan from one pair of eyes to the next, pausing briefly on each. (In other words,
speak to the whole group.)
- As you finish your answer, focus back on the interviewer who asked the question,
and get ready to shift your attention to the next one who speaks.
- Always send a thank-you and
follow-up letter after the interview - an important final step in the job search
process.
