I failed my Oral interview, I think they didn't like me?

Question

I dress proffesionally, my hair was nice, everything was perfect, when I enter the interview room, at first they were smiling, but after seeing me, then frowned a bit, which made me really nervous, I was kind of shy a bit, but I don't think it was the reason, at the end of the interview, they wrote something in the paper, and mention that I could leave, I was about to shake their hands, but they were so busy writing, that I just left , Is it because I didn't shake their hands?

One more question, if I start the whole process again, and at the oral interview, would it be the same people?

Answer 1

There are many different types of oral interviews, and many types if interviewers. I had interviews where they just wanted to know about me and interviews that were all situational questions. One thing to remember is to be assertive and stick to your answer. They want people who can handle stressful situations and not be bullied or intimidated. They will try to get you to change your answer, even if they like your first one. Stick to what you think is right, that is what they want to see. Also, if you were shy (understandable) you may have come off as soft or timid. It can happen to anyone. I barely passed my first interview I ever took because they thought I would be too lenient and too timid and that can put you into dangerous situations. Believe me I am far from a timid officer, but I was so nervous the first time I took an interview I was just trying to please them instead of asserting who I am. I aced my next interview and now I am a team lead and training officer with my agency.

Next interview dress conservative, walk with confidence, extend your hand with confidence when you walk in, and speak with confidence. Assert yourself and stick to your guns, literally. Do not be afraid to give a tough answer, that is what they are actually looking for in some questions. You will do fine

Answer 2

Quite a few made the correct points on how to conduct yourself during an interview.

How you appear is only a part of the game. How you respond is the other part. Part of it is putting you in an intimidating situation and seeing how you react. It sounds like you became nervous by the less than warm reception and started to shut down more and more as the interview went along. Being "kind of shy" was a bigger reason than you think. You need to assert yourself and be confident in front of any Interview Board. Never answer a question with "Maybe, might or could do". "I will do" is the best response.

The interview process is the most subjective part of the hiring process. How you present yourself there is how you will present yourself to the Public under stress. It shows the board what a person is really like besides what is listed on paper. Answer the questions directly and completely. Make eye contact with each person when they ask a question and then make eye contact with each of them as you answer. A the end, if they ask you if you have any questions of them, ALWAYS say "Not at this time, thank you."

If you don't get this one take the lessons learned and apply them to the next one. Getting hired takes a while. Keep trying, you will get better. It's going to be frustrating, but you will make it. And don't be suprised if you get more than one offer at once. It usually happens that way.

Answer 3

Part of the interviewing process for every respectable law-enforcement agency, is something like this: put the candidate into an adverse situation and see how she/he reacts.

Just from your depiction of things, I would have dropped you like a hot potato as well.

You became intimidated by a few frowns!!!!!!

If you can become this intimidated by your prospective employers, just think how intimidated you would wind up being all alone on some highway with a group of rabel rousers?

One of the many reasons that many people think of all police officers as jerks, is that the very best of police officers do not become emotionally uncomfortable in adverse situations, and are capable of reacting properly to any threat, without appearing to be all that overly cautious.

You need either to do a LOT of emotional maturing, or you need to rethink your career intentions.

Answer 4

I had an awful interview and I only tried for a PCSO job . I thought my personality was important but they were not interested .I felt like I was interrogated rather then asked questions. As a member of the public surely they must understand that I am not a trained person to shoot commands and respond to them. Working with others and helping the community is for a calm understanding and empathic person rather than the one who would spread fear and throw commands. I would understand that as a Police officer you need to be firm and deal with crime but as a PCSO I expected a friendly and understanding attitude to relate to the public and liaise with the public in a friendly informative manner. Unfortunately after the unfriendly interrogation, I felt like a complete failure. I will just have to find a way to help community differently shame though.

Answer 5

They were VERY stiff with me at my oral interview. They didn't give me any indication if they liked me or not. I think this is pretty typical. I don't think that by your not shaking their hand you had failed. I definitely would give it another try. Chances are you will not get the same ppl doing the interview. I know at our agency they select various sergeants and lieutenants to conduct the interviews and they all get rotated at different times.

Answer 6

Who knows? Maybe they already have someone in mind for the job, and never intended to give you a fair shot?
Some times that happens.

Just pick yourself up and move forward. Also, for any future interviews just in case:

Don't wear perfume
Don't wear colorful nail polish
Dress conservatively, no bright colors, no short skirts, no jewelry, just a watch.
Also, always send a Thank you note

Answer 7

They didn't give you the opportunity! Most people, if open to a handshake, will stand up when you enter and offer, or make themselves available to see what you will do. Sounds like they may have been trying to intimidate you or something

Answer 8

well all i can tell you is try not to over-analyze it too much - you'll drive yourself crazy! it's over now and there's nothing you can do about it, btw, how do you know you failed? anyhow, no idea if it would be the same people if you tried again, but if you really want it, then you might as well try it again, maybe not right away, but in 6 months or so.

Answer 9

You may not have given the right answers. Also, you may not have used proper grammer (you question is full of mistakes).

Answer 10

I'd be flattered if an employer who rejects high IQs rejected me!
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