Expert: Loren Stevens - 11/19/2005

Question
My future son-in-law graduates from UNC with two majors one in psychology and one in sociology and would someday like to be a crime investigator (too much late night law and order I think) He has been thru the first three rounds of the application process at a near by city to become an officer and has a Panel Interview in a week. Could you tell me what type questions he might be asked by the panel to help him prepare?


Answer
Hello Pamela,
There is no template, or standard oral examination that I am aware of.
Clearly, they are interested in cognitive reasoning to a given situation. Those kinds of questions he should be able to handle with his academic background.
They look at how he expresses himself, commingled with non verbal communications. Again, he should know this is comming.
ABSOLUTELY, he will be asked "why do you want this job?"
To this, he should have a cogent and well thoughtout response....yet not to sound too canned.
At either the front end, or probably at the end, he will have an opportunity to do some open field running so to speak. Generally, they'll ask" Is there anything else you want to convey to this board that is relevant?" or words and substance to that effect.
This too, he should spend time preparing for,,,w/o sounding canned.
Candidates tend to spend that time on why they want the job. However, it should be a blend of that, and why the agency should want to hire them. Play to the buyers if you get my drift.
They will look for leanings of bias, that would be a problem for the agency, re: folks of color, homosexuals, et al
They will probably pose a question about the use of deadly force. In other words, if an applicant's convictions would prohibit s/he from taking a life, it would be good to know that at the front end.
Tell him to search the net for the "use of force continuum" which kind of lays it all out.
Essentially, all else needs to be exhausted, and deadly force necessary etc.
If he hasn't been in the service, they may touch upon issues of taking orders, and being a team player.
Keep in mind, these interviews are generally TIME SPECIFIC. Ergo, he'll want to avoid rambling, or being perceived as too loquacious. Try to be "to the point" oriented, ie., succinct.
And, there is NOTHING wrong with uttering "I don't know the answere to that" rather than trying to slick his way through it. The board WILL know the answere, and they are very hip to those who are...er...ah...slickless, trying to hussle them.
If he needs to say he doesn't know on something, it's good to follow that up with: "But I'll find out prior to the end of the day" or something like that.
Be on time, dress appropriately, make eye contact, and LISTEN to the questions. If he does not understand a question, he should ask for clarity, so he can respond correctly.
The board is not there to stump you, they are simply trying to get a feel of who/what you are.
Relax, and think positively. What ever they throw at him, ain't exactly going to be quantum physics.
Hope this is a little helpful. I could go on and on, but I think this gives you an idea.
Good Luck,
loren