Interview PO Flashcards
Why do you want to become a Probation Officer?
Prior to applying to become a Probation Officer, I studied the role in detail to make sure it
was a job I would enjoy, and also one whereby I already had the necessary skills,
qualities and attributes to succeed. I am naturally someone who works to high standards, I
have critical analysis capabilities and my communication skills, both written and verbal,
are strong. Over the years I have built up lots of experience dealing with difficult and
challenging situations where there is a need for a calm and focused decision-making
process. Although I have no doubt there comes a huge amount of responsibility with the
role of a Probation Officer, I am confident I have the necessary competence levels, the
desire to continually improve and also the ability to follow rules, procedures and protocol.
What do you expect to be doing on a daily basis as a Probation Officer?
Probation Officers manage offenders to help protect the public and reduce re-offending. I
will have many responsibilities, including managing high-risk offenders, writing reports for courts, working with other agencies that make up the
Criminal Justice System. Also assisting and motivating offenders to change their pattern of behavior. There will, of
course, be many other duties that go to make up the role of a Probation Officer; however,
those are the ones that I will be mainly responsible for.
Q3. In your opinion, what are the most important skills and qualities needed to be a Probation Officer?
There are many skills and qualities that a probation officer must have.
1) One of the most important skills is that of COMMUNICATION. This is in reference to how you communicate with others, your body language, your written report writing skills, and also how you build long-term professional relationship
2) You also need sound CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS, as you are required to analyze information, facts, and evidence before MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS and WRITING REPORTS.
3) You need to REMAIN CALM at all times, otherwise you will not be able to make effective decisions, and you also need a level of EMOTIONAL STABILITY, too. Other important skills include ORGANIZATIONAL and PLANNING CAPABILITIES, and an ability to MEET STRICT DEADLINES.
Tell me a time when you had to work at a pace and how you approached it?
SITUATION: In a previous job, I often had to meet strict deadlines and I built up an effective system for doing so. One particular time comes to mind when a colleague of mine was off sick, and I agreed to take on their work during a busy 7-day period. TASK: In addition to having to prepare my own written report for my manager, I also had to finish off one they had started, too.
ACTION: I started off assessing HOW MUCH TIME I had available to complete both reports. I then ASSESSED THE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES I had for that week and FORMULATED A PLAN for getting everything finished on time. I then APPLIED MYSELF IN AN ORGANIZED AND DISCIPLINED MANNER and made sure there were no distractions. RESULT: By following a set process for completing my work thoroughly, I was able to get both reports finished and submitted to my manager on time and to the necessary standards.
Give me an example of a challenging situation you had to deal with at work?
SITUATION: Recently, at work, I had to deal with a customer who was understandably dissatisfied with the service they had received from our company. A colleague of mine, who had since left, had failed to provide a satisfactory level of service and the customer wanted to make a complaint.
TASK: It was my responsibility to listen to their complaint, resolve it satisfactorily and then try to prevent it from happening again in the future.
ACTION: I started out by listening to the customer. They were clearly upset and angry. I used effective communication and listening techniques to show empathy and understanding for their situation. When the time was right during the conversation, I apologized unreservedly, made no excuses before starting to offer a resolution to their complaint that they were happy with.
Throughout my dealings with them, I remained calm, I listened, and I gathered facts and information which enabled me to make a sound decision in the best interests of the customer and the organization.
RESULT: Once I had resolved the compliant and put things right, I made an assessment of the circumstances that led to the complaint. I created a short written report for my manager detailing what steps could be taken to prevent the same situation from happening again.
Probation Officers have to work to high standards. Tell me a time when you demonstrated integrity and professionalism at work?
In my previous job, I was working as part of a successful team who had a track record of achieving strong results for our employer. During a team meeting with an external client, a representative of the client asked me to cut corners whilst carrying out my particular element of a project, with a view to saving money and reducing costs. It was my job to elain o he clien eeenaie ha b cing cone e old effeciely be making the project not fit for purpose, and also potentially unsafe. I started off by explaining in a professional manner that I could understand why it is important to keep costs to an absolute minimum whilst running a business, but that in my professional opinion, by doing so we would be putting the project at risk of being unsafe and ultimately not fit for its intended purpose. After I had put forward my argument in a logical, concise and professional manner that was back up with evidence, the clien eeenaie agreed with me that it was not feasible or safe to cut corners to reduce costs.
What skills and qualities do you have that are a match for the Probation Officer role?
I have several key strengths, all of which make me an ideal candidate for this role. Firstly, I am a fantastic communicator and negotiator. I have developed this skill over a long period of time, and have extensive experience of negotiating and communicating with many different types of people. I understand that this job requires excellent communication with a number of parties, in particular offenders who might not necessarily be inclined to agree with all of my decisions. Secondly, I have tremendous risk assessment skills. Throughout my previous jobs, I have demonstrated this on a number of occasions. I know that risk assessment is a vital part of the role, as Probation Officers need to be able to carefully balance out all of the pros and cons before making key decisions. Decision making is one of my strongest qualities, and I have no problem making difficl and nola deciion if necea. Thidl, Im an eemel adaable person. I have shown an ability to adapt to difficult and challenging circumstances not just in my professional life, but throughout my personal life too. I have no doubt that I would be able to put this to good use whilst working as a Probation Officer. Finally, I have excellent teamwork abilities. I have worked in a variety of different teams over the years, and I know that this experience will be extremely useful whilst working as a Probation Officer. I understand that Probation Officers need to work as part of a wider team of professionals; with the likes of the police, prison officers, voluntary agencies and even legal specialists, to ensure a good service to both the public and to the offenders under their priority.
How well do you think you would cope with the challenges that a Probation Officer has to face on a day-to-day basis?
I believe that I am someone who copes extremely well in challenging situations, and I take pride in my ability to think logically whilst under large amounts of pressure. I understand that this is a role where I will be mentally and emotionally tested on an hourly basis, and I am more than prepared to deal with this. I believe that my previous work experience will greatly aid me in this endeavour. I have overcome multiple challenges in both my professional and personal life, many of which required tremendous emotional fortitude. I believe the challenges I have had to overcome will provide a fantastic platform for me to succeed in this role.
What are you hoping to gain from the job of a Probation Officer?
I believe that this position satisfies everything that I am looking for in a job role. After completing my training in a previous role, I now feel ready to take the next steps into employment as a fully qualified Probation Officer. I am someone who is looking for a job that can challenge me, with an emphasis upon helping the community. As a Probation Officer, my first duty would be to serve and safeguard the interests of the general public, and I can think of no better way to do this than by supervising and managing offenders. Motivationally, I believe that this position is perfect for me. There is nothing that motivates me more than serving the best interests of the public, and the feeling of reward and satisfaction that I gained from my previous work was absolutely invaluable. Working as a Probation Officer would satisfy my need to help and improve the lives of others, and I am highly motivated to have the chance to do so.
Give me a situation when you collaborated as part of a team to complete a difficult task?
was working as part of a 4-person team on a difficult project that needed to be completed within 21 days. My manager was required to give the company shareholders a presentation on a set date, once the project was complete, and it was our job to get the project completed on time. I was required to work as part of the team to not only carry out my role diligently and professionally, but to also support the other team members whilst carrying out their own tasks. I am a very fast worker, which meant I finished my part of the team task with 4 days to spare. As soon as I finished my part of the task, I asked the other 3 members of the team if any of them required assistance, and one particular colleague needed help collecting data for his part of the team task to be completed on time. I quickly took a brief from him and then went away and collected the data as soon as possible. The end result was, the team task and project were fully completed to the correct standard and specification with just 24-hours to spare. We then presented the project to our manager who then successfully delivered his presentation to the shareholders the very next day.
The Probation Service is constantly changing and evolving. Describe a time when you responded positively to change to within an organization?
One day, my manager called an urgent team briefing to explain that the organization needed to change quickly in response to financial climate at that particular time and that we would all need to take on more responsibility at work. I saw it as my obligation and responsibility to help the organization during this intense period of change, and so I agreed to take on as much extra duties as possible and offered my full support to my manager. Immediately following the meeting, I went in to see my manager and informed her I had the scope to take on some additional duties. She started off by giving me a new project to work on that would help the company bring in extra revenue. I then went away and started working on the new project with some other members of the team. Six months after taking on the additional work, the organization was in a much better place financially, and the financial climate was in a much stronger position. I am very open to change an I see it as my job to embrace it whenever it is required within an organization.
Probation Officers have to communicate effectively. Can you give me an example of when you have used your communicational ability to solve an issue?
Probation Officers have to communicate effectively. Can you give me an example of when you have used your communicational ability to solve an issue?
What would you do to prepare your self for court? How to deal with a upset parent? How do you prioritize your time management skills?
Make sure I have prepared all the necessary documents for the court case and know how to reference all of them. I would explain to the parent that the probation program is very successful and that it is the best thing for their child and will help them. I prioritize projects that have the nearest deadlines.
Best way to defuse an upset probationer?
low the probationer to express what is upsetting them then come to an agreement of how to work through the issue.
Tell me about yourself?
“Thank you for this opportunity. I’m Martha Cruz. I graduated with Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and I have worked for Anthem the past 2 years initiating and managing referrals. I want to work as a Probation Officer for your department because I want to focus on encouraging offenders to rise above obstacles and accept life’s changes. I want to teach them how to transition and become productive citizens. I look forward to working with you.”
how would you face a juvenile when an arguments starts escalating.
step out of the office and calm myself down before it escalating to something bigger and regretting lowering myself f to their standards. Remember you are their to help them and provide positive outcome for their future
how would you face a juvenile when an arguments starts escalating.
step out of the office and calm myself down before it escalating to something bigger and regretting lowering myself f to their standards. Remember you are their to help them and provide positive outcome for their future
how would you handle a situation where you are clocking in you work and see the officer you are about to relieve in an argument with a juvenile in front of other juveniles what would you do?
First you would want to say you would approach the officer and juvenile and tell the juvenile to step back. Call in another officer that could watch over the mod and take out the officer so they could get a breather and help them from doing a mistake with calming them down.
how would you handle a situation where you are clocking in you work and see the officer you are about to relieve in an argument with a juvenile in front of other juveniles what would you do?
First you would want to say you would approach the officer and juvenile and tell the juvenile to step back. Call in another officer that could watch over the mod and take out the officer so they could get a breather and help them from doing a mistake with calming them down.
What are 4 reasons of where a probation officer could put their hands on a juvenile?
- When they are a harm to themselves
- When they are a harm to others
- When they are runways/self defense
What are 4 reasons of where a probation officer could put their hands on a juvenile?
- When they are a harm to themselves
- When they are a harm to others
- When they are runways/self defense
Describe “What Works” is
Knowledge, training, and expertise.
what would you do when you arrived at a house and you saw a gun and Marijuana on the table
I would
If one of your co-workers was falling behind on deal lines for completing necessary paperwork, is it your obligation to assist.
Yes it is because we are team players who help one another when one is falling behind
If one of your co-workers was falling behind on deal lines for completing necessary paperwork, is it your obligation to assist.
Yes it is because we are team players who help one another when one is falling behind
How would I handle a abused child and parent?
The best way to handle an abused child or parent is to get them any required emergency medical treatment, seek protective custody for the abused child if necessary and provide all available resources for the parent to seek help; the final steps would include notification to law enforcement, accurate reporting to the probation department and providing recommendations to the courts on behalf of the minor child if necessary
How would I handle a abused child and parent?
The best way to handle an abused child or parent is to get them any required emergency medical treatment, seek protective custody for the abused child if necessary and provide all available resources for the parent to seek help; the final steps would include notification to law enforcement, accurate reporting to the probation department and providing recommendations to the courts on behalf of the minor child if necessary
What is your knowledge of the Juvenile Bureau
PEDING ANSWER #29
A co-worker is committing a crime or act against policy, what do you do
Notify supervisor
what are my long term goals?
I would see myself growing in my career as I would get promoted within the department
what are my long term goals?
I would see myself growing in my career as I would get promoted within the department
I would see myself growing in my career as I would get promoted within the department Les
I have 2 years of experiences handling/initiating cases and I have experience working with kids. I know how challenging it can be, especially when they rebellious.
I would see myself growing in my career as I would get promoted within the department Les
I have 2 years of experiences handling/initiating cases and I have experience working with kids. I know how challenging it can be, especially when they rebellious.
