Not Protectively Marked
Interview Guidance – Police Staff
Preparing for the Interview:
- Aim to get there approximately 5-10 minutes before the interview.
- Know the job you are going for – examine the job profile and person specification, and if possible, contact the department for an insight.
- Think of the things you have done, and how your experiences could help you in the role you are applying for.
- Think about what you did, how you did it, why it was successful, what you learnt, etc.
- The questions will be based on the requirements of the job and the person specification.
- If you have any questions at all about the process, speak to the Central Services Department beforehand, who will be happy to advise you. (101, option 2, extension 60042)
At the Interview:
- You will be asked a series of questions in a structured format, by a panel of at least two people.
- The interview will last approximately 30 minutes
- There may be a test or presentation, (if so, you will be given full details beforehand)
- Remember to answer the question – try not to go in with a pre-conceived idea of what you are going to say in every area.
- If you don’t know the answer – say so.
- Be in a position to give evidence for all the essential criteria listed.
- Ideally, have more than one example to demonstrate your competence in each area. Recent examples are better, but not essential. If possible, use evidence that has a connection with the role. It may be that you can look outside of work for skills that you have – for example leadership skills if you run a scout group.
- Remember you will need to focus your answers, give specific examples, stick to relevant information to demonstrate your competence, and don’t be tempted to waffle or go into too much detail.
- The panel will prompt you, as necessary, to clarify anything that you’ve said.
- If you go completely blank, ask to come back to that question later, you will be given an opportunity to try again at the end of the interview.
- You will be asked at the end of the interview if you wish to add anything or ask any questions, and you may use notes that you’ve brought with you at this point, but you will not be expected to use any notes during the interview itself.
- Have a contact number you can leave with the interview panel – they will need to let you know the outcome.
- The interview process is fair. It’s also a competition. If you are not successful it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t do the role, someone just happened to perform better than you on the day. The successful candidate will be the person who gets the highest score.
After the Interview:
- If you are unsuccessful, you will be informed by letter. Think about what went well and not so well, to prepare for your next interview.
- If you are successful, you will be contacted as soon as possible, by telephone. This offer will be confirmed in writing, and is subject to further clearances.
- You may then be asked to attend for a medical, and the Central Services Department will write to your referees, as applicable, with your permission.
- The Central Services Department will contact you again, on receipt of satisfactory references, security clearance, and medical clearance, to arrange a start date.
- Once your start date is agreed, you will receive your contract of employment for signature and return.
Not Protectively Marked