Can you handle yourself physically when called upon to do so?Â
"Yes. I have a black belt in Tai Quan Dao and jiu-jitsu and was a military officer in the USMC. I can handle myself physically in many situations, and am capable of de-escalating a wide variety of situations with minimal effort and little to no physical harm to anyone."
Restraining and subduing a violent inmate, without causing harm is sometimes part of a job for an employee of the Department of Corrections. The interviewer wants to know how well versed you are in self-defense, and to ensure you'd be capable of handling such a situation without proving a liability.
Deliver your answer with confidence in your abilities, and answer honestly. With a confident demeanor, describe the level of your physical fitness and strength, and outline your level of experience in defensive combat and diffusing conflict.
According to interviews and studies with former employees of the Department of Corrections, depending on the position, they have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses out of all occupations. Injuries directly correlated with altercations with inmates were also relatively high.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Yes, I have been training and pushing myself at the gym to get into great shape. I still have room for improvement, however, I've made a lot of progress and will continue to do so.
Marcie's Feedback
Excellent! Beyond working out and keeping yourself physically fit, are there other techniques you plan to use to control situations and command a presence? This will be important to the interviewer since you'll be working with inmates.
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