By TopSpot Training
This article is provided by www.topspottraining.com and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Police1.
Preparing for a promotional interview can be one of the most stressful times in your law enforcement career, largely because of the oral board interview. While there is no way to know which specific questions you’ll be asked, there are only so many types of questions that will be asked. Knowing what types of questions you can expect in your promotional interview can go a long way to helping you prepare, so here they are:
1) Opening Statements
Just about every interview starts with this type of question, so be sure to anticipate it. Opening statement questions are your biggest opportunity to show to the panel your competence, commitment, and credibility.
2) Bragging Points
These types of questions allow you expand on your strengths and achievements. Toot your own horn, because no one else will do it for you!
3) Supervisory and Leadership Concepts
This is the most common type of promotional interview question, and is really the core focus of the entire interview. These questions are your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of what it means to be a supervisor and how leaders function in your work environment.
4) Policy and Procedure
The best supervisors have a good understanding of their department’s policy issues. This can be a tedious topic to study, but demonstrating a strong working knowledge of policy and procedure will give you a leg up on the competition.
5) Tactical or Emergency Operations
These questions are designed to examine your thought process. It is important that you understand incident command systems and the management of complex and critical incidents. Be prepared to logically lists the steps you would take as a supervisor of a tactical or emergency operation.
6) Personnel Issues
During your tenure as a supervisor, you are sure to be faced with any number of personnel issues, such as a subordinate’s poor performance or a challenge to your authority. Be ready to answer each personnel issue question as though you are already a supervisor. Be inquisitive about what is causing the problem, and be decisive about how to deal with it.
7) Tough Choices
These interview questions present you with a moral or ethical dilemma, often presented in the form of a scenario that will force you to make a touch choice. There is not always a right answer to these questions. Instead, they are designed to test your reasoning ability. Discuss your options and the reasoning behind your choice.
8) Hot Topics
There is no shortage of current affairs that you should keep yourself apprised of, especially in regards to law enforcement. Hot Topic questions give you an opportunity to express your opinion on one of these issues. Be constructive, and remember that as a law enforcement officer, you serve the public.
9) Closing Comments
Do you have anything you’d like to add before the interview is concluded? You should. Have a strong, well-prepared answer to this type of question. Recap key points from your introduction, bring up bragging points that you did not otherwise get to highlight, and remind the panelists what you sets you apart from your competition.
About TopSpot Training
Nothing is more important to TopSpot Training than your success in the promotional process. TopSpot Training offers hundreds of training videos-- featuring real law enforcement officers answering difficult oral board questions-- and a comprehensive, easy-to-use training curriculum. For more information on the promotional interview process and how to increase your chances of success, visit topspottraining.com.