Advice on interview as PCSO
Discussion
So, in some bizarre twist of fate (probably not enough applicants), I seem to have made my way past Hampshire Police's recruitment internets. I've been invited for interview.
Has anyone got any tips/information that I may find useful? I want to do the job for the right reasons- making a difference, progressing in a decent career, looking out for people, etc. I'm guessing this will help. So far I've had quite a lot of the usual sound advice- be yourself, be pleasant, understanding, reasonable and so on. The English test I have no worries about, and from what I've deduced the interview seems to be the application form put into verbal form..? I also have to complete a briefing on the role of a PCSO (which I've pegged as adding visibility to the police force within a community, being an approachable & friendly beacon and generally keeping an eye local goings-on).
Any help is appreciated!
Has anyone got any tips/information that I may find useful? I want to do the job for the right reasons- making a difference, progressing in a decent career, looking out for people, etc. I'm guessing this will help. So far I've had quite a lot of the usual sound advice- be yourself, be pleasant, understanding, reasonable and so on. The English test I have no worries about, and from what I've deduced the interview seems to be the application form put into verbal form..? I also have to complete a briefing on the role of a PCSO (which I've pegged as adding visibility to the police force within a community, being an approachable & friendly beacon and generally keeping an eye local goings-on).
Any help is appreciated!
Having recently interviewed some PCSO candidates for my own force, here's a few tips:
1) Read in detail all the guidance given to you prior to interview.
2) Answer the question you're asked.
3) Be specific in your answers. All your answers will be example based, and the interview panel will want to know what YOU specifically DID and what the OUTCOME was. I was amazed how many people's answers to the questions about teamwork were nothing more than "well I am a good team player but also work well alone" but without giving any specific information about anything they have done.
4) There is no negative marking. For each answer, the more SPECIFIC evidence you can give about what you DID in the situation you are talking about, the higher the mark you will score. If you don't give the information, you won't score marks. If you do, you will.
5) For each competency, make sure you have a couple or even three examples that you can talk about in depth but remember the interviewers are looking for evidence of what YOU DID, not cliches about teamwork, going the extra mile, or detailed descriptions of the processes in your current job.
6) Make sure you know a bit about what PCSOs do. I was amazed at a few candidates who when asked if there was anything they wanted to ask us before they left said "What is it I would actually do if I got the job?" Facepalm.
1) Read in detail all the guidance given to you prior to interview.
2) Answer the question you're asked.
3) Be specific in your answers. All your answers will be example based, and the interview panel will want to know what YOU specifically DID and what the OUTCOME was. I was amazed how many people's answers to the questions about teamwork were nothing more than "well I am a good team player but also work well alone" but without giving any specific information about anything they have done.
4) There is no negative marking. For each answer, the more SPECIFIC evidence you can give about what you DID in the situation you are talking about, the higher the mark you will score. If you don't give the information, you won't score marks. If you do, you will.
5) For each competency, make sure you have a couple or even three examples that you can talk about in depth but remember the interviewers are looking for evidence of what YOU DID, not cliches about teamwork, going the extra mile, or detailed descriptions of the processes in your current job.
6) Make sure you know a bit about what PCSOs do. I was amazed at a few candidates who when asked if there was anything they wanted to ask us before they left said "What is it I would actually do if I got the job?" Facepalm.
A thorough answer from Sparta. I'll reinforce his point of being specific and explain how you achieved what is being asked. Spell it out.
I looked over a couple of application forms for two of our PCSOs who are looking to join as PCs. It's very easy to fall into the trap of answering a questions such as, "describe a situation when you communicated effectively" by answering it using the same words as the question i.e. "I made sure the Children understood what was being asked by communicating efficiently." Avoid this.
Don't be afraid to take a couple of seconds to form an answer. You don't need to answer the instant the interviewer has closed their mouth.
And be confident. Feel you deserve the job. I know the first paragraph of your post was in jest, but never feel you don't deserve to be at the stage you're at.
I wish you all the best with it.
I looked over a couple of application forms for two of our PCSOs who are looking to join as PCs. It's very easy to fall into the trap of answering a questions such as, "describe a situation when you communicated effectively" by answering it using the same words as the question i.e. "I made sure the Children understood what was being asked by communicating efficiently." Avoid this.
Don't be afraid to take a couple of seconds to form an answer. You don't need to answer the instant the interviewer has closed their mouth.
And be confident. Feel you deserve the job. I know the first paragraph of your post was in jest, but never feel you don't deserve to be at the stage you're at.
I wish you all the best with it.
One major 'tick in the box' these days is 'diversity' (not the dance group)
If they ask you to define it, use something along the lines of 'treating every person as an individual according to their needs' and then go on to give a concise example.
It was the key question in my wife's PCSO interview - I am a serving PC, so had 'prepped' her for the interview. When she gave the above answer, she was told it answered it perfectly, and the interviewer asked if I had helped her, as it was the answer a cop would give.
Don't go making any career aspirations too well known ie if you want to be a PC in future, say its something down the line you may consider, but want to get stuck into the community role right now, that way they arent employing another one on the stepping stone to PC - not everyone wants it, but most are only in the role until their PC application goes through, or use it as a 'back door' entry to PC.
If they ask you to define it, use something along the lines of 'treating every person as an individual according to their needs' and then go on to give a concise example.
It was the key question in my wife's PCSO interview - I am a serving PC, so had 'prepped' her for the interview. When she gave the above answer, she was told it answered it perfectly, and the interviewer asked if I had helped her, as it was the answer a cop would give.
Don't go making any career aspirations too well known ie if you want to be a PC in future, say its something down the line you may consider, but want to get stuck into the community role right now, that way they arent employing another one on the stepping stone to PC - not everyone wants it, but most are only in the role until their PC application goes through, or use it as a 'back door' entry to PC.
Don't forget to mention that you like to finish early on Fridays, that you don't do Mondays and that Wednesday evenings need to be clear for your EDL hoorahs.
Ask about the handshakes requirements and entry pack for the masons and who to ask if you want someone fitting up.
Show your willingness to take part in the Tuesday-beat-a-prisoner events and ask how long the lie on oath course takes and whether there's a certificate at the end.
Ask about the handshakes requirements and entry pack for the masons and who to ask if you want someone fitting up.
Show your willingness to take part in the Tuesday-beat-a-prisoner events and ask how long the lie on oath course takes and whether there's a certificate at the end.
Not specific to the interview for a PCSO but you can't go wrong if you remember Situation, Role, Outcome when you're answering questions.
Descrive the situation you were in, what your role in the situation was and what the outcome was as a result of your involvement. Oh yeah and try to go for examples that had a positive outcome!
Best of luck
Descrive the situation you were in, what your role in the situation was and what the outcome was as a result of your involvement. Oh yeah and try to go for examples that had a positive outcome!
Best of luck
Sparta's advice is pretty much spot on. Only thing I'd add is that as well as giving examples of what you did in a situation, be prepared to explain WHY you did what you did in a particular situation, what alternatives did you consider, do you still think what you did was right or would you do something different if in the same situation again.
Good luck
Cat
Good luck
Cat
10 Pence Short said:
Don't forget to mention that you like to finish early on Fridays, that you don't do Mondays and that Wednesday evenings need to be clear for your EDL hoorahs.
Ask about the handshakes requirements and entry pack for the masons and who to ask if you want someone fitting up.
Show your willingness to take part in the Tuesday-beat-a-prisoner events and ask how long the lie on oath course takes and whether there's a certificate at the end.
I do quite enjoy beating up people of ethnicity, should I bring that up..? Ask about the handshakes requirements and entry pack for the masons and who to ask if you want someone fitting up.
Show your willingness to take part in the Tuesday-beat-a-prisoner events and ask how long the lie on oath course takes and whether there's a certificate at the end.
All joking aside, thank you all- I've not managed to fail the interview side of things for a job yet. Suit is on the back burner (metaphorically speaking), shoes are shined, hair has just been cut, and I'm as fresh as a daisy regarding tattoos/piercings. The worst part is thinking of the situations where I've dissipated feelings of angst/tension, or stood up for someone- they're not things I tend to remember! In the words of Potter from Happy Gilmore... "Harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness. Energy. Block. Bad. It's like a carousel. You put the quarter in, you get on the horse, it goes up and down, and around. Circular, circle. Feel it. Go with the flow."
Either way, I'll dredge up some 'orrible events from my past that I've erstwhile removed from my memory. Any further advice/tips/gun requests/tongue in cheek requirements appreciated!
hippy82 said:
Without giving too much away, if they ask you a question make sure you stick with your convictions and the answer you gave.Its an instant fail if you change your mind. You'll understand when you get there
Is that the bit about riding a back to front three wheel moped? (or is it just the Met who have them?)First bit down. I think it went well, but I won't count my chickens until I get a letter back saying I've been invited back for fitness...
Thanks to everyone who gave advice. The interviewer and I shared similarly loudly-coloured ties, so that was a good starting point. The rest just fell into place from there. When I answered questions, I occasionally got asked to advance a little further on what I'd said, but for the most part got 'we're happy with that', and moved on to the next question.
Fingers crossed!
Thanks to everyone who gave advice. The interviewer and I shared similarly loudly-coloured ties, so that was a good starting point. The rest just fell into place from there. When I answered questions, I occasionally got asked to advance a little further on what I'd said, but for the most part got 'we're happy with that', and moved on to the next question.
Fingers crossed!
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