18 Mistakes That Will Sabotage Your Interview for Police Chief

A resume is important.  In fact, without a good one, you will never make it into the interview process.

In my experience, top quality candidates have similar resumes.  There are usually many applicants that have the required knowledge, skills, ability and experience to lead the organization in any given search.

What sets each applicant apart is their interview.

This is also true if you are participating in some type of promotional process inside your agency.  You will likely have to participate in an interview.

Your interview can be the difference between you moving on in the process and ultimately getting the job you seek or getting cut from the process.

Avoid these 18 mistakes in your next job interview.

1. Short Answers

If your response to any question is less than 30 seconds, you probably did not provide a thorough enough answer to the question.  Listen carefully to any instructions before the interview that relate to time.  I like to give some guidelines when I am conducting an interview.  I usually say if your answer is 30 seconds long you didn’t talk long enough and if your answer is 10 minutes you probably spoke too long.  The point is not to dictate how long the answer should be.  Instead, it is to provide the interviewee with some context about expectations.

2. Long Answers

Worse than a short answer has to be too long of an answer.  When your response drags on to a question, you effectively lose the attention of those interviewing you.  This disconnect can be permanent and affect their view of you on future questions answered appropriately.  Be aware of non-verbal communication between the interviewers.  If they quit taking notes or begin glancing at each other, you should probably conclude your response.  Remember, the point of your response is to provide a thorough, concise answer to the question and nothing more.

3. Using the Word Retire

Avoid using the word retire at all costs.  In fact, if you have retired from your previous agency or will retire if you get the job you are seeking, don’t use the word.  The last thing a City Manager or other hiring authority wants to hear is that a candidate views the opportunity as a retirement job.

4. Providing Generic Responses

Those conducting interviews want you to share your specific experience in response to the questions they are asking.  Refer to incidents in your past, particular experiences with citizens, programs, employees or others that will demonstrate that you have encountered a specific issue in the past and managed it successfully.  A simple generic response about what you might do in the future is not acceptable.  I can remember several candidates interviewing for police chief who never referred to any specific experience during their entire interview.  Big mistake!

5. Taking Too Long to Get Settled

When you walk into the room, you should be prepared for the job interview.  After shaking hands, have a seat and give the interview panel your full attention.  Don’t spend precious minutes unloading your briefcase or purse while the entire panel watches you.

6. Dressing Inappropriately

As a job applicant, you should dress professionally in a suit and tie if a male and professional attire if a female.  One important point to remember is you should not give anyone on the interview panel any reason to comment negatively on the way you are dressed.  Make sure your clothes are cleaned and pressed, and your shoes are shined.

7. Failing to Prepare

Nothing will hurt you more than not preparing thoroughly for your interview.  It is crucial that you sprinkle your knowledge of the department and essential issues throughout your responses.  Never forget that you may directly be asked about a particular subject, problem, report or finding involving the department. Be prepared to answer those specific questions if asked.

8. Not Asking Thoughtful Questions

In most interviews, you will be asked if you have any questions at the end of the interview.  It is lazy to ask the expected questions related to next steps in the process, or when a decision might be made and stop there.  Go further.  Ask a question that either demonstrates your knowledge of the department or interest in the job.  Here is one example.  In your opinion, what should be the #1 priority of the new police chief?

9. Arriving Late

Arriving late is a no-no.  There is absolutely no excuse for being late.  Leave early enough to give yourself plenty of time to navigate through any accidents, road hazards or other issues that might delay your drive.

10. Arriving Too Early

Although arriving too early is not as bad as arriving late, it can still be problematic.  If you arrive too soon, you may have accidental contact with another candidate.  You may also make it awkward for the hiring authority as well.  If you arrive early, use that time to mentally prepare for your interview.  Walk in about 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time.

11. Failing to Make a Good First Impression

You get one chance to make a good first impression.  When you are interviewing for a job, that first impression might be the difference between getting hired or getting passed over.  When you walk into the room for your interview, be sure and smile and make eye contact with everyone in the room.  Shake each person’s hand and be open and confident throughout the entire interview process.

You will likely meet other staff members before your interview and afterward.  Treat each person you meet with the same respect.  Be sure and smile and shake each person’s hand.  It is never ok to treat those you believe can help you better than those who have no power to help you at all.

See Post: The Unspoken Interview Killers

12. Talking Bad About Your Previous Employer

You may love your current job, and your boss or you may loathe both.  If you do have issues with your current employer, do not use your interview as an opportunity to vent.  Your potential employer may view your comments as a reflection on how you might talk about your new employer if hired.

13. Having Cellphone Visible

Do not lay your cell phone on the table.  If you can, leave it in your car.  But if you cannot do that, then leave it in your pocket, in a bag or anywhere else as long as it is out of sight.

14. Sharing Too Much Personal Information

Be cautious about sharing too much personal information.  If asked specific questions about your personal life, it is ok to answer.  However, don’t volunteer too many details about your hobbies, family life, or religious affiliations.  You never know the impact these revelations may have on the decision making process.

15. Lying

Don’t lie…about anything.

Period.

Don’t even fudge on any details.

Don’t exaggerate your accomplishments.  Besides lying being wrong, you will likely throw away your opportunity if you are found out.

16. Not Fully Selling Yourself

Inevitably, most interview panels will give applicants a chance to sell themselves.  You might be asked why you should be selected over the other candidates.  Or the question could be something more subtle like do you have anything else you would like to tell us.  Either way, this is your time to shine.

Selling yourself goes against most peoples nature.  It makes many of us uncomfortable.  Having interviewed many candidates for promotion, I have found this to be one area that many fail to deliver on.  The same holds true for applicants for police chief.

Do not hold back.  Of course, there is a fine line between selling yourself and being arrogant.  I think most people realize the difference.  Selling yourself for a particular job means providing information and facts that demonstrate how your experience is a perfect fit for a specific job opportunity.  You cross the line when you merely focus on how great you are so you, therefore, should be hired.

Speak about specific accomplishments, not generalities.

17. Talking Too Much About You

This point might seem to be a contradiction to not fully selling yourself, but it isn’t.  Leaders do not succeed in a vacuum.  We collectively work together with others to accomplish goals, start new initiatives and address critical issues in our communities.

You also want to focus on what about you can help the department or City achieve their goals and serve the community better.

18. Having Low Energy

Your energy level is critical.  The last thing someone wants to do is hire a police chief with low energy.  The job of police chief is one that requires long hours, lots of visibility in the community and a passion for the important work the department is doing.

Shuffling slowly into the room, responding in a monotone and leaning back in your chair will all contribute to a perception of low energy.  Lack of eye contact, slowness to respond to questions and a general lack of enthusiasm can also make a bad impression.

Don’t ever make the interview panelists wonder if you are excited to be there.  It should be evident by all that you say and all that you do.

See Related Post:  Common Processes Used to Hire a Police Chief

Conclusion

Do not underestimate the importance of your interview.  As I said previously, it can be the difference between you moving on in the process and getting the job of your dreams or heading back to the drawing board.

Spend time preparing for your interview.

This list is not exhaustive.  Other mistakes could be added to this list.  However, it will provide you with a good starting point as you prepare for your next interview.

By familiarizing yourself with this list, you can avoid making a costly mistake during your next interview.

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