Finding Your Strongest Voice
When it comes to finding your most commanding voice at an interview, you must remember that your goal is to create a voice that commands attention, denotes self-confidence, and presents an air of professionalism.
Possessing the ability to speak clearly and distinctly are desired qualities. Law enforcement agents need to be able to efficiently express themselves orally in difficult and stressful situations. An extensive or expanded grasp of the English language is helpful, but diction and syntax even with a limited vocabulary is important for officers when dealing with life-threatening situations. Choosing the right words, delivering them with strength, and controlling the circumstances is part of the job whether agents are arresting felons, pleading a case in court, trying to disperse an angry crowd, or simply attempting to control pedestrian traffic at a school crossing.
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One way to speak more clearly is to practice. Pronouncing letters clearly and distinctly out loud can help improve diction. For instance, the letter W is often pronounced, “dub-ya,” instead of “double-u,” as it should be. This lazy form of speaking can suggest that a candidate is less competent than they are.
It's a good idea for applicants to practice speaking in front of a mirror before they are subjected to the law enforcement interview. They don't need to practice specific things to say, but it is helpful for candidates to get a good look at themselves while they are talking in order to see the body language that they display and the facial expressions that accompany their words. Reciting a familiar poem or the Pledge of Allegiance, words that are well known and come easily, are best. The purpose of the exercise is to become comfortable with the way you look when you speak, and to understand the image that you project when you're talking.
It can be tough to get an accurate look at yourself, even with a mirror, because some people are intimidated by seeing their own reflection. We alter our expressions slightly as we look at ourselves, trying to conform to our concept of what we should look like. It's a kind of form of self-concealment that is difficult to overcome, but that doesn't mean the exercise is without value. Learning what you look like when you speak can help get you through some of the pitfalls of an interview.
The key to presenting a strong and confident reply to a question is to thoroughly understand the question. This requires the use of one of a law enforcement officer's most critical skills: listening. If you don't understand what is being asked, don't be afraid to ask for clarification.
An initial law enforcement interview is not unlike any other preliminary employment interview. The purpose is for the interviewer to get a sense of the person across the desk from them. Personal questions about family and past employment are commonplace, but the critical question, why you want to be a law enforcement officer, is the most difficult to answer. Among the most common replies to this question is, “I want to help people.” Avoiding this cliché will go a long way toward endearing the candidate to the interviewer.
