Professionalism at Oral Board

[drewsy64]

Since most of the questions asked at the Oral Board are going to be unknown, meaning I really won't know what they're asking until they ask it. Is it considered unprofessional to sit there for a few moments and think out an answer? This may sound dumb, but I don't want to go in there thinking I need to fire out answers to all questions. I mean, if they ask me, what is your best/worst characteristic, and I sit there for a few seconds to prepare a thought-out answer, will they think negatively of that? I would think they would like to see that I was thinking out answers and not just firing away with the first thing that came to mind, but I may be wrong.

I'm hoping this question looks better to someone reading it than it does to the one asking it. Sorry if this looks as dumb as it sounds, and thanks for any replies you all may have.

Drewsy

[Roger Dat]

Its good to sit there and take a pause and think about your answers. HOWEVER dont just go in there without prepping at all. Think about what types of question they may ask and how you may want to answer them, some questions can be tough so be prepapred. Think of it from their point of view, what would u want to ask an applicant.


good luck

[shorty26]

When I have had an oral board I usually freeze up on the answers, mostly because I try to answer to quickly. Something that has helped me out is a magic 8 ball. I have it hidden underneath the table, and it hears the question, so all I have to do is turn it over and see the answer.

It really makes it look like I am thinking hard about the answer. For example I was asked what would I do if I rolled up to assist an officer in checking out an open door in a store, and when I got there I saw him quickly stuffing cash from the register in his pocket. When asked that, I looked down like I was concentrating, and then I said "Sir, indications say yes." The board asked "excuse me?", once again the magic 8 ball came to my rescue- "Try again."

I think they were really impressed because they stood up and said the review board was over. And that was after only one question!

Seriously though- and don't take my word for it because I have not been hired yet- I don't think they mind if you take a small amount of time, but I would imagine they are also trying to see how quickly you can come up with a solution. Just my 2 rubles.

[guardianSJ]

Since most of the questions asked at the Oral Board are going to be unknown, meaning I really won't know what they're asking until they ask it. Is it considered unprofessional to sit there for a few moments and think out an answer?

I'm hoping this question looks better to someone reading it than it does to the one asking it. Sorry if this looks as dumb as it sounds, and thanks for any replies you all may have.

I don't think it's dumb at all. As one who has choked on numerous board interviews, I thank you for bringing up the subject. ;)

MY big fear is the awkward silence that occurs after the question is asked, and the half dozen or so pairs of eyes focused on me.

Not that I'm an authority on this subject, but I think you can divide board questions 2 ways: The "standard" interview questions (best/worst qualities, tell us about yourself, what would your boss say about you, etc.) and the situational or scenario ones (your partner is beating the crap out of a handcuffed detainee...what do you do?).

The standard ones shouldn't require much pause or thought, IMHO. I think that if I spend too much time thinking those over it looks like I haven't really prepared for the interview. The scenario ones are different...I think it's understandable for someone to have to spend a little time thinking before speaking. If you blurt out just anything (as I have, in a few cases), you come across as nervous or impulsive.

Just my two cents.

[Aota]

If I were sitting on the board I think I'd be impressed by an applicant who took a little pause to think of his or her answer. It gives the impression that you do not take the questions or the situation lightly, and that you are an introspective person. When an answer is just blurted out it sounds like a memorized, cookie cutter response that you can find in any study guide. You want to appear like you are giving careful consideration to each question. Even if the right answer jumps immediately into your mind, it will come out much better if you take a few seconds to form an articulate sentence. This was the method I used on my oral board, and I was actually surprised by how well the board members said I did.

[tatersalad]

When I had an oral board they gave you the questions they were asking except for one which you would find out at the end. I was given a pencil and pad to write and time (5 minutes or so) to think about how I would answer the question. I liked that process since it gave you time gather yourself and make intelligent and thoughtful answers.

[hisownhero]

The best thing you can do to prepare for the oral board is to prepare for the personal questions (i.e. strengths, weaknesses, job/employment history). Some departments give you five mintues to tell them about your educations/work and skills training that would help you as a LEO. Others give you some time before hand with a sheet of paper with one to three questions on it and tell you to prepare a five minute speech about yourself that answers the questions. As far as the silence between questions, the board members are usually writing down notes and preparing for the next questions so don't worry if there are moments of silence in between. The situational questions although different from department to department usually evolve around the follow; Honesty, would you report so and so for this or that, if you saw this or that what would you do and usually a few would you use force in this or that situation and if so to what extent?
The situational questions usually are not hard questions to answer and they want your honest answers and reactions to the questions which is why they are hard to prepare for and you never know what your going to be asked... Hope that helps.

[Valor55]

I've sat on oral boards evaluating applicants. A few seconds is ok. If it takes you a minute or two you'll have problems.

[drewsy64]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Big day is on Wednesday, so wish me luck. I'll post here when I get done.

Stay Safe,

Drewsy

[Foo Man]

At my recent oral board, I was encouraged to take a minute to think about my answers before giving them. I never took more than a couple seconds though. I agree that 3 pairs of eyes looking at you can be intimidating, but I believe that is kind of the point of the interview. Be confident, use some common sense, and be able to explain your answers to the scenario-type questions. That's what got me by.

[guardianSJ]

The situational questions usually are not hard questions to answer and they want your honest answers and reactions to the questions which is why they are hard to prepare for and you never know what your going to be asked... Hope that helps.

Well...to me (someone without any LE experience to date), the situations like "Your partner is beating up on someone that you just handcuffed and is offering no resistance -- what will you do? Report him?" type of question is very hard to answer.

Yes, I'd say I'd report him, but then the follow-up question is "You're going to have to work with this guy in the future -- how are you going to handle being known as a snitch?" or something like that. And I feel like I'm digging myself in deeper...

[Roger Dat]

At my recent oral board, I was encouraged to take a minute to think about my answers before giving them. I never took more than a couple seconds though. I agree that 3 pairs of eyes looking at you can be intimidating, .

I had 8 pairs of eyes on me for my oral board :eek:

[hisownhero]

Yes, I'd say I'd report him, but then the follow-up question is "You're going to have to work with this guy in the future -- how are you going to handle being known as a snitch?" or something like that. And I feel like I'm digging myself in deeper...

Like I said they just want your honest answers. You have to be able to back up your answers which I would agree is the hard part especially with a question such as that. [Let's not discuss specific answers to oral board questions. -Valor55]

[IronFist74]

Not that I'm an authority on this subject, but I think you can divide board questions 2 ways: The "standard" interview questions (best/worst qualities, tell us about yourself, what would your boss say about you, etc.) and the situational or scenario ones (your partner is beating the crap out of a handcuffed detainee...what do you do?).

what is the correct answer for a situation like this?

[Valor55]

Not that I'm an authority on this subject, but I think you can divide board questions 2 ways: The "standard" interview questions (best/worst qualities, tell us about yourself, what would your boss say about you, etc.) and the situational or scenario ones (your partner is beating the crap out of a handcuffed detainee...what do you do?).

what is the correct answer for a situation like this?

The answer is what you honestly think it is.