Psychological Interview

[B-Cuz]

Can anyone recall their psych interview? Just had mine last Friday and frankly it felt more along the lines of an interrogation instead of an interview. At first thought I was thinking question were going to be as such: "How do you feel about your home life/school life/military life...etc." Instead I get the:

Psych: "How many semesters have you been in college?"

Me" "I'm not sure ma'am, I have 85 units completed."

Psych: "I didn't ask how many units you had, I asked for how many semesters you've been in college!"

Or even better:

Psych: "What activities were you involved with at your high school?"

Me: "I was in Key Club for a semester my sophmore year."

Psych: "Did you continue with Key Club throughout high school."

Me: "No ma'am, just one semester."

Psych: "So you didn't do any activities in high school, why are you lying to me?"

I was completely taken back at this point, lost my composure for a quick moment when I realized that this was not going to be some touchy feely conversation.:mad


Any insight is most appreciated.

[Rel]

It's a test. They are looking to see how you react. Will you remain calm, blow your top, etc, etc, etc.....

Don't worry about it. If you get DQ'd, find out why, and fight for the job.

[nicholonious]

That's pretty tough man. Mine was simple Q and A's and were all straight forward questions. They just wanted to make sure I wasn't 5149/5150...which I wasn't. If you were honest, calm, courteous, then you'll likely be alright.

[T-1 Thunder]

Bingo. You should reply calm and say "I would not lie to you. This was an acitvity that took place during highschool and I felt it was an accurate answer."

Play the game, kiddo. That's what they want to see. Play the game, answer the damn question - and MOST OF ALL - show that you could hold yourself together on the witness stand when a defense lawyer cross examines your ass.

[Ian01]

It's a test. They are looking to see how you react. Will you remain calm, blow your top, etc, etc, etc.....

Don't worry about it. If you get DQ'd, find out why, and fight for the job.


+1

The point of the test is to see what type of personality you have and how you will deal with different situations. Always remain calm and collected- just play the game. If you get frustrated or say something sarcastic- you probably won't like the direction your interview goes.

I have friends that have failed pysch tests with one agency and then got hired by another. The funny thing was- it was the same pyschologist conducting the interview.
Just go with the flow and do your best. Good Luck.

[ateamer]

A psych test is not to diagnose. It is to see if you fit the desired personality profile for that agency.

[B-Cuz]

Thanks for the info all, glad to know that everyone that is going through the process is experiencing the same thing. For a minute I thought I had come in when the psych was having a bad day.

[Rel]

After my psych test, I expected a DQ letter.... you never know what they are looking for..... just wait and see.

Thanks for the info all, glad to know that everyone that is going through the process is experiencing the same thing. For a minute I thought I had come in when the psych was having a bad day.

[}Dragon{]

After my psych test, I expected a DQ letter.... you never know what they are looking for..... just wait and see.


They were a little concerned that you filled out with crayons but the answers still looked good. :laughing

[Rel]

As a civil servant I just had to be within the lines.... they didnt say what I had to fill it out with. On a side note, using my crayons put me on the fast track to promote.

They were a little concerned that you filled out with crayons but the answers still looked good. :laughing

[929rider]

I'll be having this next month. Wish me luck. :)

[motorman4life]

If we DON'T wish you luck.. how does that make you feel about your mother? Your father? Yourself?

Hmmmmm, very interesting...

[Rel]

:rofl :rofl :rofl

If we DON'T wish you luck.. how does that make you feel about your mother? Your father? Yourself?

Hmmmmm, very interesting...

[Redlined600]

This HAS to be for Oakland. Lady psychologist... didn't offer her hand at the beginning or end of interview?

[B-Cuz]

This HAS to be for Oakland. Lady psychologist... didn't offer her hand at the beginning or end of interview?

Correct. I presume you know this from first hand account?

[mrc]

"Why aren't you helping the tortoise, Leon?"

[Redlined600]

Correct. I presume you know this from first hand account?

Yup, apparently she's quite (in)famous for that routine amongst recruits and Officers. I got scheduled for the polygraph about 5 hours after I thought I blew it in the meeting with her, so don't worry too much until you get the official word.

[JPM]

"Why aren't you helping the tortoise, Leon?"

Ha, classic. One of my favorite movies. :thumbup

[929rider]

That was not even necessary. And here i thought moderators were supposed to make example for the rest of us.





If we DON'T wish you luck.. how does that make you feel about your mother? Your father? Yourself?

Hmmmmm, very interesting...

[Rel]

Are you serious? This is exactly the kind of thing they are going to ask. If this bothered you, then you're in for a rude awakening.

That was not even necessary. And here i thought moderators were supposed to make example for the rest of us.

[motorman4life]

That was not even necessary. And here i thought moderators were supposed to make example for the rest of us.
First off, if you are so thin-skinned that this upset you to the point that you felt compelled to call me on it (particularly in such a whiney tone).. you will have a very difficult time in law enforcement.

Second, (as I have mentioned in the past) the fact that one uses a lower case "i" for themselves, could be seen as a significant indicator of severe underlying self-esteem issues. In many (clinical) circles, it is considered a cry for help. Please don't think this will get past a competent psych evaluator.

Third, please show me where, as a mod, I have less of a right to post within the TOS, than any other BARF user.

Fourth (and last), it was not a personal attack, nor was it a violation of the TOS and it was a fucking joke. Get a grip. :twofinger

[Outta Control]

Truth hurts. Ouch! :laughing

[B-Cuz]

Ha, classic. One of my favorite movies. :thumbup

That was not even necessary. And here i thought moderators were supposed to make example for the rest of us.

Are you serious? This is exactly the kind of thing they are going to ask. If this bothered you, then you're in for a rude awakening.

First off, if you are so thin-skinned that this upset you to the point that you felt compelled to call me on it (particularly in such a whiney tone).. you will have a very difficult time in law enforcement.

Second, (as I have mentioned in the past) the fact that one uses a lower case "i" for themselves, could be seen as a significant indicator of severe underlying self-esteem issues. In many (clinical) circles, it is considered a cry for help. Please don't think this will get past a competent psych evaluator.

Third, please show me where, as a mod, I have less of a right to post within the TOS, than any other BARF user.

Fourth (and last), it was not a personal attack, nor was it a violation of the TOS and it was a fucking joke. Get a grip. :twofinger

Thread steal!!!!!! I do believe this is listed under Rule 69 of my PERSONAL TOS. Rule 69:Though shalt not make thyself a douchebag on Chaotic8's thread.

:twofinger:rofl:thumbup

PS Thanks again for the advice, polygraph tonight.

[mrc]

Sorry for the thread hijack - I didn't even get my Blade Runner quote right. :cry

Best of luck w/ your evals.

[929rider]

First off, if you are so thin-skinned that this upset you to the point that you felt compelled to call me on it (particularly in such a whiney tone).. you will have a very difficult time in law enforcement."

oh my bad, i didn't know that you need a be a total douchebag in order to get into law enforcement. But hey, what do i know. i am not a man with the gun and a badge, YET.


"Second, (as I have mentioned in the past) the fact that one uses a lower case "i" for themselves, could be seen as a significant indicator of severe underlying self-esteem issues. In many (clinical) circles, it is considered a cry for help. Please don't think this will get past a competent psych evaluator."

or it might just be that i am too lazy to press the shift key.

"Third, please show me where, as a mod, I have less of a right to post within the TOS, than any other BARF user."

Very true, i can't argue with this.

"Fourth (and last), it was not a personal attack, nor was it a violation of the TOS and it was a fucking joke. Get a grip. :twofinger"

i guess i didn't see the humor in it so i got a little bit offended. Thank you all for pointing it out that this is the kind of things the psych interviewer is looking for. Greatly appreciated.

[Rel]

Honestly, no bullshit.....

If you were offended by that, then Law Enforcement is not for you. When you have people that you've arrested insulting you, your family, your race, your kids, and everything else under the sun, on a daily basis, you get a thick(er) skin.

If you don't have one now, you won't survive the academy, FTO, or break in.....

"

i guess i didn't see the humor in it so i got a little bit offended. Thank you all for pointing it out that this is the kind of things the psych interviewer is looking for. Greatly appreciated.

[PhaTeLeSS]

I think it's good that they applied some pressure to fuck with you a little bit. You don't want a bunch of hotheads running around with badges and guns, do you?

[Outta Control]

Is the mental harassment similar to a military basic training induction?

[motorman4life]

"i guess i didn't see the humor in it so i got a little bit offended. Thank you all for pointing it out that this is the kind of things the psych interviewer is looking for. Greatly appreciated.
I am not here to tear anyone down. I am here to help.. and it does not hurt that we can get a few laughs here and there.

I was not making fun of you in the slightest. I was making fun of the system, the questions the evaluators ask and how it seems (to them) that everything (and I do mean everything) leads back to relationship and/or self-esteem issues.

That said, I would suggest that you consider making an effort to capitalize your "I" when speaking of yourself. Whether it is conscious or subconscious, it does speak volumes and is obviously open to whatever interpretation another decides to apply. You may not care how others perceive you, but right or wrong, I have no doubt it will eventually hold you back in your pursuit of your goals (if it has not done so already) and it is also technically incorrect.

If you are doing it intentionally, then you likely have issues that you are fully aware of. If you are doing it unintentionally; call it laziness, call it lack of caring.. whatever the case, it will be seen and interpreted by many as a strong indication of a low self-esteem and/or a cry for help.

If you need help, get it.
Best of luck in your pursuits.

[}Dragon{]

"

i guess i didn't see the humor in it so i got a little bit offended. Thank you all for pointing it out that this is the kind of things the psych interviewer is looking for. Greatly appreciated.

Some of the questions you will have this look on your face before you choose: :wtf

Would you rather be a librarian or a race car driver?

[bb sue]

And why do you value Race Car Drivers so little?

My favorite from one of ours, we used it for years. I loved this one.

"You have 5 seconds to formulate a plan of action and describe it succinctly when I say "GO" at the end. Are you ready?"

Candidate says... "Sure"...

"Here's the scenario - You are the only unit patrolling a 30 mile area between 2 bridges. You get a call of an overturned vehicle blocking 2 lanes of traffic with injuries and at least one ejection and as you're responding you come across a fresh accident where a Mercedes ran into a motorcycle, the female biker is down and bleeding from extremities, At the same time you overhear a general call that a tanker truck filled with Molten Sulfur just impacted the toll plaza at the OTHER bridge than the one you're on, spraying the toll collectors with this molten sulfur, of which you are the closest unit by 15 minutes. The question is What do you do and why. GO. "

If you don't answer (or at least start to) in 5 seconds (timed), you are told "Next question."

It's a reaction test. How well you deal with compound crisis without becoming a statistic. Also, it's to see how you react if you miss the 5 second window.

Amazingly, we even got some really good answers to that one. And yes, it was drawn on actual events. But it was to see how you dealt with pressure in life and death situations. Also if you can think on your feet. Lots of people can't.

[ateamer]

Help the downed rider. That's the crash that I am at right now. There is more chance I can save her, than I can save someone who has been ejected. There is nothing I can do for people sprayed with molten sulfur - that is for the fire department and medics.

[enki]

Yeah the psych test really sorted that Peterson guy in Chicago that snuffed 3 wives.

[motorman4life]

Yeah the psych test really sorted that Peterson guy in Chicago that snuffed 3 wives.
I'll bet he didn't use lowecase "i" to describe himself!!! :laughing

Besides, any cop can tell you, some wives need it. He just had the bad luck of picking 3 in a row! :rofl

[}Dragon{]

"Here's the scenario - You are the only unit patrolling a 30 mile area between 2 bridges. You get a call of an overturned vehicle blocking 2 lanes of traffic with injuries and at least one ejection and as you're responding you come across a fresh accident where a Mercedes ran into a motorcycle, the female biker is down and bleeding from extremities, At the same time you overhear a general call that a tanker truck filled with Molten Sulfur just impacted the toll plaza at the OTHER bridge than the one you're on, spraying the toll collectors with this molten sulfur, of which you are the closest unit by 15 minutes. The question is What do you do and why. GO. "


Call for more Fire units... and you would have to stop at and deal with the MC TC first.

[Rel]

:wow

True, but..... :wow YOU said it out loud!!

You're going to get in SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much trouble! :laughing

Besides, any cop can tell you, some wives need it. He just had the bad luck of picking 3 in a row! :rofl

[B-Cuz]

Psychological test in the books, gentleman said I did fine. For anyone familiar with him his name is Ted Todd (yea I thought it was a bit humorous the he had two first names, similar to Ricky Bobby) up in Benicia. Hell of a guy who talks you through the whole process to put your mind at ease about the process. Next up is Interview with Background Investigator on Friday.

[GhostriderBS]

How's it going Devil Dawg? I had mine back in November, I thought I did bad on my psych interview because they were asking me questions based on my psych written test, which was like a freakin 6 hour long test for me. Anyways, yeah the person interviewing me seemed like a total bitch to me, like her tone of voice and manner to me. But after talking to her and I myself asked her questions that I had like, those close to me have let me down, and I asked, "didn't you have close friends or friends that borrowed money from you and never paid you back?" stuff like that.

PM if you have any questions, I actually thought I did poorly and failed my psych interview, but now I'm half way done with the academy. Semper Fi! :thumbup