Just found out I failed Oral interview.

[HIM]

Greetings.
I am a huge fan of this site, and have been visiting for a few months.
I just joined and look forward to getting some good advice from the people here.

Ok.
My roomate called me and told me that I received a letter today from a department I have been testing for.
It is a smaller private department here in Los Angeles.
I asked her to open it up and read it to me and to my surprise she told me that the letter stated that I failed my oral exam.
Wow.
I was not expecting that.
The oral exam took place 2.5 hours after the physical test (which I passed)
I went home, showered and got dressed and made it back with plenty of time to look fresh and relaxed.
I have studied the oral exam process, and I was ready for the questions they were asking me.
I felt confident, but not cocky when I left the exam.
I made eye contact with the three people giving the oral interview, and saw them nodding and giving me approving looks after I answerd the various situational questions they presented to me.

I am going to appeal this decision.
Any word of advice here?
I really appreciate your time.

HIM

[mobrien316]

What exactly are you going to appeal?

[HIM]

What exactly are you going to appeal?

Thank you for responding.
I was going to appeal the decision, or at least contact the Liutenant at the department.
This is what the letter states.
Applicants may appeal a written examination only on the basis of a clerical or machine error, ambiguity, and/or factual error. Applicants may appeal other parts of the recruitment examination only on the basis of mechanical errors in rating or scoring, fraud, prejudice, and/or unfair or unreasonable conduct of the examination. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Management Services Director within five (5) working days after the notification (postmark date on the envelope for notification delivered by the United States Postal Service or date on the e-mail notification) and it must state the specific reason(s) for and the evidence supporting the appeal request. Any appeal that does not meet the requirements as described above will be denied. The appellant will be notified in writing of the decision regarding the appeal. For any additional questions regarding the appeals process, please contact Human Resources at xxx-xxx-xxxx

I feel this may be a mix-up.
When I was called into the room, and started answering questions about myself. The three panel members were looking at eachother with a confused look.
They called my name to come in, but were waiting for another candidate with a the same first name, and a similar last name.
I wonder if perhaps there was a mixup on thier end...
I can accept the "Fail" but I was expecting a point basis, not a pass/fail.
What do you think I should do?

[retdetsgt]

Good luck. There might be a mix up, who knows. Or you may not have fit the profile of the person they're looking for. I used to sit on these boards and sometimes the applicant just didn't give us the answers we wanted. I have to say though that we always knew who we were talking to. We would call the applicant by Mr or Ms. and their last name during the interview.

[Adrenolize]

I have been through 3 oral boards. My score is 2 passes and 1 fail. I would advise trying for another department. In my opinion, you don't want to start your career off at a place where you basically called some senior officers idiots for mixing up the names. I think that challenging the senior staff without a bunch of experience is just a recipe for disaster, and will leave a bad taste in their mouth no matter if it was true or not.

I would call and speak with a recruiter and ask very nicely what it was about the interview that you could improve. What turned them off of you? They are people too, and if I had a candidate call me with the intent to better themselves from the situation (instead of question my competence) I would be inclined to give them a bit of knowledge.

Having failed a board, I know it can be devastating as you were literally not picked for the team. It is also a powerful learning tool. Learn what you did wrong, then don't repeat. Apply elsewhere or that agency again in a year.

Good luck!

[USMC_HMX1]

I agree with Adrenolize.... You definately do not want to start with the wrong foot. I have only taken two oral boards. The first one failed by two points and my last one passed and got hired. Do not get discouraged, keep your head up and apply to every agency in LA, this will increase your chances of getting hired.

[HIM]

Thank you everyone. I really do appreciate your insightful input.
And I know you are correct in saying that it is unwise for to call and question the decision of the board.
But I am going to call and ask where I did wrong.
Ok, back to the drawing board.
nose to the grindstone!
Thank you everyone again!
HIM

[retdetsgt]

I doubt they made a mistake. I recall a young woman we failed on the oral because we didn't think she would be a good fit. I saw her a few years later working for a neighboring sheriff's office and doing fine. Don't take it personally. It's not a sign you're unfit to be a police officer, just maybe that department is looking for another type and you would be miserable there anyway.

[HIM]

I doubt they made a mistake. I recall a young woman we failed on the oral because we didn't think she would be a good fit. I saw her a few years later working for a neighboring sheriff's office and doing fine. Don't take it personally. It's not a sign you're unfit to be a police officer, just maybe that department is looking for another type and you would be miserable there anyway.

Yes Sir.
I understand.
I am now looking into other departments.
And I will try again there in a year.
Thank you again for the words of encouragement.