The most significant part of your criminal justice job search is the interview. An interview gives you the chance to tell a hiring manager why you are the only candidate he should consider. Interviews are not just beneficial for a company. They also benefit the job candidate. The position may look great on paper, but you need to make sure that this is the right place for you. An interview is your one opportunity to actually step inside the organization and get a feel for the work you will be performing and the people you will be interacting with.
Many companies and government agencies conduct the initial interview over the telephone. Phone interviews are somewhat easier on the job candidate. You are able to sit in the comfort of your own home and answer their questions. You may decide to make a few notes to reference during the call. Organizations like these interviews because they help weed out candidates that are truly not qualified for the position.
If you impress during the phone interview, you will be asked to come in for a personal interview. Private sector companies and the government will conduct personal interviews with candidates. A candidate may go through a series of these interviews with various managers and department heads. Organizations want to make sure they have the right person for the job, so many different people will have input into the hiring decision. These interviews will ask you in-depth questions about your qualifications, education, and training. Common questions include asking why you are the best candidate, what your strengths and weaknesses are, or how you respond to stressful situations.
Government agencies may also conduct oral interviews with candidates. These interviews are designed to test your reaction to certain scenarios. Often, three agents will ask questions that gauge your decision making process, interpersonal relationship skills, judgment, emotional stability, and sensitivity to certain issues.
If you are successful in an interview, you are one step closer to being offered the job. Many job candidates are nervous before the big interview. After all, this is the job they have been dreaming about since college. Use these tips to help reduce your anxiety and succeed in an interview.