Preparing For Your Interview
The Panel Interview is one of the most difficult stages for applicants. To be successful in the Panel Interview, you must be well prepared. The interview is one hour long and this is your opportunity to sell yourself to other Police Officers. These officers will assess your answers in relation to the desired competencies as well as your suitability to fit within the organization.
The interview is a Behavioural Descriptive Interview (BDI), and focuses on the competencies required for policing. This style of interview assesses real actions from your past in an effort to predict future behaviours. You need to remember specific incidents in your life when you demonstrated the required competency. This may be an incident from work, education, volunteering or your personal life. Your examples should be as recent as possible but also your best examples. A stellar example from five years ago is better than a weak example from six months ago.
An interviewer will ask a question based on one of the desired competencies. You will have an opportunity to present your answer. You will be expected to respond in the STAR format. STAR is an acronym for Situation/Task, Actions, and Result. As a guideline for formulating your answer, the breakdown should be roughly Situation/Task 20%, Actions 70%, and Result10%. This indicates that Actions are the most important part of the answer but remember, we need to hear your actions. We recognize that you may work in a group or team but we want to know your contribution. Concentrate on the word "I" and not "WE".
Be Prepared!
- Once you have given your answer, the interviewers may ask follow-up questions to clarify details or assist you in properly answering the question. You will not know the specific question that will be asked. You will need to have more than one example for each competency so you are prepared for any question.
- It may be helpful to do some research into Behavioural Descriptive Interviews. You may also check under related topics including Behaviour Based Interview or Targeted Selection Interview.
The following techniques may be helpful in your preparation for the interview:
- Mock Interviews. It would be ideal if someone who is familiar with BDI can assist you. You may want to avoid close friends/family, as they are often not as objective as you need.
- Videotape yourself. Replay and assess yourself for body language and communication skills. Do you have any speech patterns or mannerisms that will detract from your interview?
- Alternate suggestions would be audio taping or watching yourself in a mirror.
There are several things you need to remember for your interview:
- Be punctual. It is better to be 10 minutes early than one minute late.
- Wear suitable business attire. This is a job interview - dress for success! First impressions create lasting images.
- Be yourself!
- Be prepared! Preparation includes dress, deportment, oral communication and listening skills, attitude, and knowledge of the position being sought.
Your interview will take place in the Recruiting Unit office, located on the 8th floor of Rocky Mountain Plaza, 615 Macleod TR South.
For more information, contact the Recruiting Unit at (403) 206-8483 or attend one of the Monthly Information Sessions held by the Recruiting Unit.
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