Respect is difficult to qualify. We know when we respect a person, and we are usually aware of those who are not respectful of us. It is difficult to offer a list of do's and don'ts to people who are about to undergo an interview, but there is certain behavior that is obviously unacceptable in these situations.

The first general rule should be blatantly apparent: the interviewer invariably has home-field advantage. First interviews in law enforcement are routinely conducted at the office or facility where the interviewer works. This is home turf for them, and they are asking the questions, which puts them in a position of power. Challenging that authority will not win you any favor, so it is best to demonstrate your respect for the interviewer by remaining humble, addressing each question squarely, and being mindful that that person has a checklist of information that must be obtained from the interview. You can dazzle them with your brilliance and the vastness and depth of your life experience after all of their compulsory blanks have been filled. Respecting the time constraints of the interviewer is a way of showing respect.

Any humility that is displayed must be genuine. Insincerity is easy to spot, and nothing will eliminate your chances for employment faster. Much of the work in law enforcement hinges upon understanding the situation of other people. Empathizing with victims, comprehending the needs of taxpayers, and getting inside the mind of the felon all require that officers look at things from another person's point of view. You don't necessarily need to agree with that viewpoint, but making an honest effort to observe things from a different perspective is among the keys to sincerity. Showing these characteristics from the beginning of the interview process will go a long way toward keeping the candidate in the running for eventual employment.