Calming the nerves

[rx8racr]

Anyone have any advice for calming the nerves during a panel interview or oral board. The oral board has been the part of the interviewing process that has gotten me everytime and im tired of it. I can help but becoming SO nervous before going in and that affects my speech and reasoning. I am usually ok talking in front of people but its something about those that just drive me crazy. I have one later this month with the LT's and chief and i just am going to die without some help. thanks

[Cat_Doc]

Getting the butterflies to fly in formation is not an easy task. The best advice I can give is to simply "project" your performance.

Try to visualize that that you are already a police officer...act and speak in that frame of mind. Realize that the board members cannot harm you and are simply your audience as you explain why you are the best candidate for the position.

Think and speak in a manner that indicates a calm confindence. You are not telling the board what you think they want to hear, but how you would handle the given scenario and most importantly, be able to articulate why you came to the decision you made.

[hitnrun]

Getting the butterflies to fly in formation is not an easy task. The best advice I can give is to simply "project" your performance.

Try to visualize that that you are already a police officer...act and speak in that frame of mind. Realize that the board members cannot harm you and are simply your audience as you explain why you are the best candidate for the position.

Think and speak in a manner that indicates a calm confindence. You are not telling the board what you think they want to hear, but how you would handle the given scenario and most importantly, be able to articulate why you came to the decision you made.

I don't think that's gonna help him. I got butterfly's just reading it!:p :D

It's like saying, no pressure kid, just remember, everything is riding on this, your family and friends are counting on you, this is the moment of truth, a life changing event, but, no pressure.


Good luck, bro! Sorry I couldn't be more positive.

[mxwelch]

Well, I've only taken one and here's how I did it. At first I had to try hard to keep from swallowing my tongue.:D After the first few minutes I just went into the mindset that it really didn't matter. With the pressure off somewhat I was able to think and express my answers. I passed so that avenue worked for me.

[DontBurnMyFlag]

just make sure your brain moves faster than your mouth. Think everything out before you say it. :cool:

Well...dont sit there for a few minutes and ponder every avenue of the answer. I mean just make sure your dont stumble over your words.

[deputywave]

If none of the above is working for you......................

try imaging the board sitting in their underoos.:D


Good Luck!

[LA5150]

During my interviews (promotional, etc) I am always nervous. I'm usually so nervous I can hear my own voice quavering, and I catch myself taking short breaths, which seems to make things worse.

What I do to combat that is to take some deep breaths to get my breathing in check. While they are asking you a question is a good time to focus on taking a deep breath or two. Before answering, pause to take another deep breath and give you a moment to think of a response. This usually has the effect of calming me down, so I can get on with the interview in a more relaxed state of mind. I'm never 100% at ease, but at least I'm no longer a quivering pile of jelly. ;)

Good luck.

[USAMP1980]

I though for sure I crashed and burned on mine. The mistake I made was trying to rehearse answers. I knew from a Police Officer EXAM guide, what they were going to ask. After screw it all up, half way through I started to just think and answer Ad lib.. worked way better. I still got invited to the other steps. I also thanked the Board for having me and made it very clear that I wanted the job as I was escorted back to the other room. Your composure is just one part of the scoring.. other categories often include: Loyalty, a sense of duty, why you want to be a police officer, etc. Even if you are really nervous, try and get points in the other categories (without lying). I talked a million miles an hours, cause I was really nervous. I was given like 25 minutes, I think I spat it all out in 5. Oh well.. it happens. Get someone that makes you nervous anyways.. like a Father, a Marine, something.. and practice what is in Police Entrance Guides. If you start to loose composure.. stop and take a less subtle deep breath then resume. You might get some points for your technique of keeping composure.