Oral interview tomorrow with LASD

[phantomson9]

I have my oral interview tomorrow and don't know what to expect. I don't have any family in law enforcement to go to for advice so I was wondering if any of you guys might be able to help me out. Anything I should be prepared for?
I'm pretty well spoken and I was raised to always make eye contact so I'm sure those are important but any other advice would be much appreciated! Thanks guys.

[epilepticninja]

I've been thru oral boards from the two dept's I was hired at, as well as from Oakland PD and LAPD (which I was offered an academy slot, but Uncle Sam decided to send me overseas while I was trying for an early seperation.) All of the boards were different, and they each asked different questions.

Some questions were about my personnal history, community service, schooling, why I wanted to play cops and robbers, etc. I'd say know who the current head of the administration for that agency is, know which direction you are facing when you sit (I got asked that once), be prepared to explain any past favorable and/or unfavorable history, situational questions, etc. I guess the idea is to think about what you are going to say and ensure that you speak clearly using decent grammar. Hope that helps.

[phantomson9]

Thank you epilepticninja.... that does help.

[leman77]

Just be confident, well spoken, and not cocky or full of yourself (if they try to get in your face, remain cool and whatever you do, if you give an answer, stick to it and don't waiver). No one wants wish-washy people.

You have to make yourself standout amongst a pool of other candidates. Maybe share stories of how you help in your community and or church (if you go), how you get along well with people, can communicate well, if you know any other languages, how you did in school, how you are a hard worker, went to college, etc etc. They are looking for honest and trustworth people, who work hard and can be LEADERS. Dark suit, and conservative tie. Oh and don't forget to maintain eye contact with everyone, smile once in a while, and try not to act or talk like a robot. Also thank the panel for their time, and shake their hands (firm hand shake-not limp wristed) before you leave the room.

I'm not LASO, but it seemed to work for me at LAPD. Good luck!

[phantomson9]

Thank you lenman!!

[retired]

One more thing if I may; Take a moment to gather your thoughts before asking the question; you do not want to just blurt out the answer without appearing to digest the question. By that, I don't mean fake it by waiting a moment; actually think about the question and your answer.

Hopefully you have gone on some ride alongs at one of the stations because they will probably ask you if you have and why not if you haven't. That is part of your preparation for the job.

I retired from the Dept. Good luck with the interview. Please let us know, if you would, how you believe you did.

[phantomson9]

Thanks retired. I have been on ride alongs. And I am a dispatcher at scc right now, I have been in training for about 8 weeks applied for the job about a year ago because of the freeze and wanted to get into the dept any way I could to learn and to be as involved with law enforcement as I could while also supporting my family. That's great advice! Thank you.

[Foriegn power]

Be sure and be ready to answer: why do you want to go into law enforcement, how have you prepared, who is your mentor, how do you handle conflict (past, present, if you were a L.E.O) why do you specifically want to join the LASD, what do you know about the LASD, what are you doing currently I think there is more...

[BoJackUSMC]

Good luck tomorrow, I also have my interview with them tomorrow morning.

[phantomson9]

Good luck to you too bojack!!!

Thank you drider!!

[SoCalDep]

Excellent advice so far... Remember...They don't want robots... You are human and you are going to make human decisions. Just make sure you can support your answers based on ethics, morality, and the law.

Good luck...

[tyrist]

Have an answer to a diversity question.

Wear a clean suit and tie. Properly groom yourself.

[BoJackUSMC]

Oral interviews are never easy.... I still remember my oral board with Border Patrol last year. Some how I made it through ^^

[Ron-Solo]

One more thing if I may; Take a moment to gather your thoughts before asking the question; you do not want to just blurt out the answer without appearing to digest the question. By that, I don't mean fake it by waiting a moment; actually think about the question and your answer.

Hopefully you have gone on some ride alongs at one of the stations because they will probably ask you if you have and why not if you haven't. That is part of your preparation for the job.

I retired from the Dept. Good luck with the interview. Please let us know, if you would, how you believe you did.

I'm with Retired on this. I'm also retired LASD. Best of luck!

[emvampyre]

I'm with Retired on this. I'm also retired LASD. Best of luck!

I agree both Ron and Retired, I'm still with LASD. Let us know how it went guys(gals?).

Good luck to all who are in the process! Keep us in the loop with your progress...