Oral Interviews Coming Up Soon

[Zach1730]

I have recently passed the written and agility tests and have oral interviews coming up soon. I was just wondering if there are any good studying techniques/questions and answers I can look at to better prepare me for my interview? I am already looking at the various departments and what the name of the chief is, size of the department and problems facing it. I am just looking for that little extra that will put me ahead of other candidates.

[Kimble]

Study questions? No. Besides, they want to see how YOU think, not whether you can regurgitate the "right" answer.

Best advice I was given for panel interviews when asked how I'd handle a situation is using the S.T.A.R. (situation/task, action, results) method. That is to say, you give an example from your past experience of how you handled a similar situation, what you did to solve the problem or accomplish the task, and what resulted from your action. Agencies want someone who can think based on what they know and how the have been trained, so speak from whatever education and job experiences you've had.

[Zach1730]

Okay, thanks. Yeah, I figured there were no study questions for something like this. I guess it will be helpful that I have worked as a student worker/dispatcher at the Police Station where I went to school,

[bulldog1790]

I am already looking at the various departments and what the name of the chief is, size of the department and problems facing it.

Are these things that the interviewing agency will expect the applicant to know? I appreciate the assistance and didn't mean to jump in, but I'm also looking to my future for when I retire from the US Coast Guard. Thanks for the help and stay safe.

[rnlindne]

Before my first Oral Board I spent months just talking aloud to myself whenever I had the chance. Car rides and showers were always good times. I never sought out specific questions, just answered questions I figured could come up; why I want to be a police officer, my strengths/weaknesses, all kinds of scenarios I could come up with, stuff like that. The only way to get more comfortable talking out loud is to practice. It worked for me, I walked in confident, and I passed.