Need help with a promotional interview

code7rpd · 03-25-2005, 10:01 PM

I am a police officer and will have an interview with the Chief of Police next week for promotion to Sergeant. Anyone have any general ideas on how I should prepare myself for questions like:

Tell me why I should promote you over someone else?
What have you done that deserves recognition?

My problem is that I am pretty junior in seniority so I can't talk about what I have done in the last 15 years (average time it takes to promote) and need to focus less on accomplishments and more on my personal attributes (hard worker, dedicated etc). Any ideas on some good lines or ways to sell myself?

M.D. Holloway · 03-25-2005, 10:13 PM

there are two schools of thought here:
1) Sell your self on your performance
2) Benchmark yourself against the competition

I am sure that you will get varied opinions but really what is needed is to be able to understand the following:
1) What is the selection criteria? Is it experience? Attitude? Coommedations? all of them? If so, are they wieghted towrds any one angle.
2) Who is doing the promoting? Is it one guy or commitee?
3) Whare the skills that they are looking for have a fit with what you bring to the table or is a stretch?

Are you sure you want this? What are the reasons?

code7rpd · 03-26-2005, 01:19 AM

The biggest problem is that the selection criteria is not explained. In order to qualify for a promotion you must pass a written test and an assessment center. Years ago people were placed on a ranked list based on their scores and if you were number one with no disqualifiers (discipline) you got promoted on the same for number two, three, etc. It changed about fifteen years ago and now once you pass the test you are placed on a flat list and are promoted by the chief based upon his/her subjective criteria (which is never stated) - seems ridiculous but it allows the chief to choose who he/she wants whether they are really qualified or not. The chief's oral is really the only chance one has in selling oneself but past pattern and practice seems that is he wasn't considering you in the first place it makes no difference but if you are on the fence it can help.

LakeCleElum · 03-26-2005, 05:08 AM

I did a lot of these interviews over the years and recently retired at the rank of Commander. You need to stand on your record. Hopefully, you began preparing for this day when your career started. You need to make the chief aware of your accomplishments in a concise, firm, but humble way. You need to emphasize your "people skills". You need to let him you how you will deal with your suborniates. Let him/her know that you will "take care" of them; you will provide those under you with training, mentoring, feedback and honest communication.
You need to stand on your record of a great work ethic, training and technical skills. Hopefully you excel in areas others don't. Don't badmouth your competition, just let him/her know you have knowledge, skills, traits they don't.........Best of luck......You in Redding? I'll be there in a few weeks on a m/c trip........Bob S>

code7rpd · 03-26-2005, 02:58 PM

Thanks Bob I appreciate the tips. I work in Richmond which is in between Oakland and Vallejo. I think Redding is about two hours north of me. Where did you retire from? - Manjit

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Aquire pictures of the chief in a compromising position.

lendaddy · 03-26-2005, 06:28 PM

Not to put a damper on here, but odds are he's already made his decision. How many in the hunt? How well does he already know you guys?

code7rpd · 03-26-2005, 06:31 PM

There are 28 people on the list and five openings. The Chief has been there for about 30 years and knows everyone pretty well. He also favors seniority. Surprisingly though he was not going to interview and he changed his mind last minute so I think that he may not be sure of who he wants in at least one of the positions.

M.D. Holloway · 03-26-2005, 06:38 PM

You may not get it this time around due to lack of time on the job compared to the other guys - that s not a bad thing. He may be giving you the interview to round out the field and to see how you seal with not getting it. I know I pay more attention to how my guys deal with failure than with success. Keep on keepin on. If it doesn't happen this go-round it prepares you for the next.

lendaddy · 06:46 PM

95% chance that he's already decided. Either he is going to go outside his seniority guidelines(not likely) or legal told him he must atleast "go though the motions" of an interview process to avoid suits(most likely). You never know though, he's still just one person and you can never say for sure what's in one mans head. Best of luck!

LakeCleElum · 03-26-2005, 07:17 PM

PM'ed U....

Evans, Marv · 03-26-2005, 09:04 PM

If you are reasonably close with some of the older & more senior officers, you might try to get some pointers from them. I'd do it in a low key, neutral way showing respect all the while for those more senior. Try to find out those most expected to be considered and try to find out if you have any training/education, etc. to offer that they don't necessarily have. Offer these in a factual and neutral way during the interview and try to link it with how it will help you do the job. Have you been in any training positions/situations that might help? That was good advice on stressing your people skills and expressing concern and the importance of supporting those working with & under you. You might point out the fact that you are qualified and experienced more or less on a level with everyone else, even though you are younger. Also, hiring you would enable the department to benefit from the experience you have and will be able acquire and employ over a longer period of time since you will expect to spend more time in grade. Just a couple of thoughts. Best of luck.

code7rpd · 03-26-2005, 10:14 PM

Thanks for the help guys. Marv, I asked around and got some goot tips and I am one of the few on this list that has a degree. Even though I have only been there 8 years I have worked specialty assignments like street narcs, Intel (gang and gun investigations) and for the last two years I have been a homicide detective. I have had the chance to become well rounded. I think that there are some people on the list that are stellar and will do a better job than me but there are also quite a few that have problems. My department has alot of internal politics which usually translates to some questionable promotions. I am hoping that if the Chief is on the fence about me or is going to pass me over due to tenure, at least I can try my darndest during the interview to change his mind. And like Mike H. said at least I'll be more prepared for next time. I'll keep you guys posted on the results.

M.D. Holloway · 03-27-2005, 11:27 AM

Hay Code7rpd, how realistic is NYPD Blue, the Law & Order shows and the CSI shows? I bet you which you could wrap up a case in 48 mins! But really, are they way out or do they ring some truth? Enquiring minds want to know?

code7rpd · 03-27-2005, 06:13 PM

Most if them are way out there and not anywhere close to reality. Most shows don't give you any idea of the paper work involved. There was a show on HBO a while back called the Wire and I think it was pretty realistic in terms of showing the street level drug trade. I actually watch Law and Order as well as CSI but they are a big stretch from reality.

Evans, Marv · 03-27-2005, 07:55 PM

Hey, sounds like you have a lot going for you. The important thing is to determine the specifics of the job and focus on how your experiences will match the requirements and make it possible to bring an enhanced level of performance to it. Sounds like you might have a decent chance. Go for it!

code7rpd · 03-27-2005, 10:49 PM

Thanks Marv!

M.D. Holloway · 03-28-2005, 08:40 AM

The Wire was good - it was pretty gritty. I always thought Oz was a good show as well but that is as close to a jail cell as I hope to ever get. I bet with the popularity of Cops, the CSI's and L&O, you will see a bunch more kids getting involved with forensics and the Admin. of Justice in college. I think Monster Garage and West Coast Chopper help the vocational schools with getting more kids into being mechanics.