A 911 Dispatcher must know the region in which they operate. How strong is your geographic knowledge?

"I have a strong ability to recall information that I set out to learn. I am also adept in directions, having grown up in the country on a farm. I believe this background will be a significant bonus when training as a 911 Dispatcher."

The interviewer wants assurance that you are confident in your knowledge of the surrounding areas. As a 911 Dispatcher, you must have strong geographical knowledge and excellent recall skills. Talk about the time that you have spent becoming familiar with the region. The hiring authority may also have geographic testing available, so it's great to offer your participation in any trial they may want to conduct.

"I have lived here for the past 13 years and have dispatched in this region for the past five years. My geographical knowledge is advanced. If you would like, I am happy to take any geographic tests you may need."

"I am always motivated through the tough days, knowing that I have helped someone in their time of need. Distress can be one of the loneliest states someone can be in, and I am honored to be able to offer people a life-line during that time."

Do you consider yourself a persuasive person?

"As a university student, persuasion was in everything that I did. For instance, I needed to gain buy-in from my fellow students when it came to pitching the angle of a group project. I spent much of my days making statements of persuasion while writing term papers, as well."

Part of being an excellent communicator is also having the power of persuasion when necessary. There is a difference between persuasion and debating - or even convincing. Persuasion is used when you want to influence someone rather than tell them that they are wrong, and you are right. The power of persuasion is essential when working in an emotionally driven environment, such as being a 911 Dispatcher. It is also a valuable skill when you want to gain momentum with your coworkers.It is not a negative thing to be persuasive. Talk to the interviewer about whether or not you consider yourself to be a persuasive individual, and why.

"Persuasion is a key skill of an effective leader and communicator, in my opinion. Have you ever read the book, 'Pre-Suasion' by Robert Cialdini? He speaks of the science in persuasion and that there are significant moves to be made before ever asking someone to do something on your behalf. This book has greatly influenced how I use persuasion when taking high-stakes dispatch calls."

Talk about one weakness, as it relates to your work as a 911 Dispatcher. How will you work to improve this weakness?

"My biggest weakness at this point is my lack of dispatch experience, which may translate to hesitation at first. I am an attentive person, and I like to jump into a situation, but only when I feel competent. I have already begun studying topics such as criminal law and have brushed up on my T-CPR knowledge, another skill I will need to know by heart when working in dispatch. I suspect that this hesitation will dissipate quickly, with further training and exposure to the job."

Everyone has weaknesses! The better you answer this question, the more self-aware you appear. Your self-awareness will show the interviewer that you will come to the job, ready and willing to learn. Choose a weakness that is not a core skill for your success as a 911 Dispatcher. For instance, a 911 Dispatcher should not say that they struggle with active listening. You can be candid in your answer, recognizing that you aren't great at something and acknowledging your need to improve. Be sure to have an action plan in place for improving on this weakness.

"One weakness, as it relates to my work as a 911 Dispatcher, is my tendency to speed up my speech when I want to move faster towards a resolution for the caller. My current supervisor presented this feedback to me a few months ago, and I have been consciously working to improve on this by slowing my speech and being more methodical with my questions while on a call. I appreciate receiving this type of feedback as it allows me to grow in my career and better help others."

As a 911 Dispatcher, you will be on the phone for the majority of your shift. How do you feel about this?

"I am accustomed to sitting for long periods, from my time in university to the dispatcher training that I just completed. I believe that the fast pace of the job, along with the fact that no day is the same, will keep me excited and motivated."

A 911 Dispatcher can take multiple calls in an hour, and work 12 hour + shifts, depending on their region. The hiring authority wants to know that you are up for the challenge of being on the phone for the majority of your day. If you already have exposure to this type of environment, assure the interviewer that you understand the constraints present in the role. If you are new to your career as a 911 Dispatcher, discuss what you have done and will do to ensure resilience.

"I have worked in incredibly fast-paced dispatch environments when walking away from the phone is not an option, often for hours at a time. I come prepared with a full understanding of the jobs' expectations as well as physical requirements."

If there were a domestic dispute phone call and a potential suicide call at the same time, but only one available officer, where would you send the officer?

"This is a challenging question to answer definitively, but first, I would check to see which resources were available to me, such as other first-responders such as EMS or the fire department. My initial reaction would be to respond to the domestic call, especially if the situation were violent or involving a weapon."

The way you approach this question will depend on the level of emergency response training you have received. When working in dispatch, there are levels of emergencies. You may learn priority dispatch codes, which consist of hundreds of categories and sub-categories ranging from non-emergency to health conditions, to violent crimes, and more. Every call is different, with each day bringing a range of decisions that need to be made, often in the blink of an eye.

"My response will change depending on the smaller details of each situation. For instance, if the domestic involves a weapon, or if the suicidal person has already taken self-harm action. As a 911 Dispatcher, I have yet to come across a situation where only one officer is available; however, I can see how this would happen in a smaller town or rural area. One decision would be to dispatch the officer to the domestic while dispatching the fire department or ambulance to the potential suicide where the responders are cross-trained to handle situations such as self-harm."

Our 911 Dispatchers are very busy. What kind of work volume are you capable of handling?

"I am a fast learner; I work quickly and like daily challenges. Although I am new to my career in dispatch, I am confident that I will enjoy working in an environment with a high volume of work and critical responsibilities."

In the United States, the 911 system receives around 240 million calls per year. Now, that's a LOT of work volume. Not every call will be the same. Some calls are misdialed, some will be true emergencies, and some calls will be non-emergency calls from people who need guidance on who to turn to for their situation. The schedule and requirements of a 911 Dispatcher are not easy, so you must come prepared to speak to the interviewer about your ability to manage a significant volume of work for hours at a time.

"Currently, I handle anywhere from three to thirty calls per hour, on a twelve-hour shift. This volume means that I can take upwards of 350 calls per shift as a 911 Dispatcher. I love working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment not only because I enjoy the challenge but also because the days go by so fast. Rest assured, I am ready to meet the needs and volume of your department."

Do you have current certification in CPR and First Aid? Are you comfortable giving CPR instructions on a call?

"I recently obtained a traditional CPR and First Aid certification. Recently, I learned about the T-CPR certification, which I want to have before beginning as a 911 Dispatcher. Do you offer this training, or is this coursework that I should enroll in independently?"

As a 911 Dispatcher, you may be trained and certified in T-CPR, which is Telephone Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. As a dispatcher, you will often be the first communicator on cardiac arrest, choking, or other calls requiring firm knowledge and fast recall of CPR techniques. T-CPR training will train you to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest over the phone. Discuss your related training. If you do not have this type of training, be sure to express your desire and willingness to earn these credentials.

"I have taken six courses on CPR, T-CPR, and First Aid. I am fully certified and brought my certifications for you today. You're welcome to make a copy of these certifications for my candidate file. CPR training saves many lives every year. I recently read some staggering numbers, including the fact that an estimated 350,000 sudden cardiac arrest events occur in the United States outside of a hospital environment. This statistic means that many of these calls are coming to a dispatch environment. As a first-responder, I cannot afford to be out of touch when it comes to life-saving techniques and information."

Talk about your clerical skills, and how they will help you succeed as a 911 Dispatcher.

"I have a diploma in office administration and plan to use the skills that I learned in my new role as a 911 Dispatcher. I am confident in tasks such as typing, documenting, and communicating over email or team messaging apps."

As a 911 Dispatcher, much of your work will be surrounding clerical tasks. These tasks could include typing, documenting, answering phones, sending emails, reading and writing memos, creating and communicating schedules, and more. Assure the hiring authority that you can keep up with the demand and expectations associated with the role.

"Before becoming a 911 Dispatcher, I worked as an administrator in a hospital's emergency department. There, I learned many valuable transferable skills such as accurate documentation, rapid typing, note-taking, and clear communication by email and memo. I can confidently say that my clerical skills are top-notch."

Are you willing to learn the rules of the FCC in regards to frequency use?

"I am familiar with the FCC and fully understand why we must have regulations and policies surrounding first-responder communication and radio use. I have already started to dive into some of the information provided on the FCC website and will continue to keep myself educated."

Depending on the region where you work, you may be required to comply with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) when it comes to the frequency on which police radios operate. The interviewer wants to see a willingness to learn, and comply with, the rules surrounding radio use. Of course, you want to sound agreeable and eager in your response. If you are familiar with policy around the FCC, be sure to express this.

"I have worked in 911 dispatch for eight years and am very familiar with FCC requirements and compliance. I am more than willing to continue abiding by these regulations and will commit to staying up to date on FCC changes."

Tell me something fun about yourself.

"At University near Akron Ohio, I recently won a stock market challenge against 500 students! The really unique thing about the challenge was the reward; I won a trip on the Goodyear Blimp."

The interviewer would like to get to know you apart from what is written on your resume. You are certainly not obligated to discuss personal matters such as your kids, or relationship status, for instance. Stick with a couple of fun facts to show the interviewer that you are a real person, too. Your answer should be unique so that you are a memorable candidate! Focus on special non-work related skills or hobbies. For example, you might share that you enjoy beat-boxing or making origami swans. Be prepared for the interviewer to stop you and ask you to perform your skill on the spot when it's possible! (This will make you unforgettable!)

"I am an avid marathon runner and have traveled to 10 countries in the last 8 years to compete in a variety of races. I am a competitive individual and enjoy keeping fit."

"In addition to my career in 911 dispatch, I am a certified yoga instructor. I spent six weeks in Asia and another 6 weeks in Latin America, becoming certified, and it was a fantastic experience that helped me to grow as a person."

What advice would you give to a fellow dispatcher who was stressed out?

"I would tell my colleague that talking it out can help a lot. I think that if something is bothering you, you should talk to a manager or supervisor as soon as possible. Stress can become elevated when a situation is allowed to brew and grow."

Being able to handle stress is a fantastic skill, but being able to talk your colleagues off the ledge during their peak times of stress is an entirely different skill. Discuss with the interviewer what you would say or do to help a coworker cope with the stress of dispatch work. Be sure to show smarts, empathy, and a transparent methodology for stress-management.

"I track my stressors and then visit them regularly. I will write them down on a note in my phone and then at the end of the day, or the week; I will try to track the regular offenders. Once I can pinpoint the stressors that occur too regularly, I make a plan to eliminate or at least alleviate them. If I had a colleague who was stressed out, I would share that method with them and help them to implement it if they were interested."

Can you stand above pressure and make calm, rational decisions, in the wake of an emergency?

"I can rise above intense pressure in the wake of stress or an emergency, and continue to make rational decisions. I have always been a level headed person, and I recently started to practice stoicism, an ancient philosophy based on facing hardship without altering behavior. While a full-time student, I also worked part-time and spent time volunteering. My workload was intense; however, I never allow myself to feel overwhelmed to the point of impacting others or the outcome of my goals."

As a 911 Dispatcher, many of the calls you take will be non-emergency situations, simply helping people in confusing but not life-threatening situations. When you do receive an emergency call, you must be ready to take action and dispatch the appropriate police teams quickly and without hesitation. The hiring authority needs to know that you can stand up to the pressure, and make rational decisions for others when they are unable to do so for themselves. If you have an example of a time when you stood up to this type of pressure, be sure to tell the story.

"As a 911 Dispatcher for the past eleven years, I have come across a significant variety of situations and people who handle stress differently. I have never lost my cool on a call and always remain the one in control. The more controlled I am, the more impact I can have on getting people through challenging situations as quickly as possible. I have complete confidence in my ability to make calm, rational decisions at all times."

"Throughout my entire career I have proven myself as a level headed individual, able to remain calm even in the greatest of emergencies. I look forward to bringing this level of professionalism to your department."

How would you handle a call from a panicked person who was speaking unintelligibly?

"If I had a call from a panicked person who was speaking unintelligibly, I would calmly ask them to slow down. Then, I would guide the conversation by asking pointed questions such as 'What is your name?' and 'Are you hurt?' or 'Is this an emergency?' By getting yes and no answers, it will help the caller to catch their breath and provide me with the foundational responses that I need to dispatch assistance correctly."

911 Dispatchers are often in communication with people who are having a very stressful time. This stress can cause people to panic and not think or speak clearly. Some examples could include the caller speaking a language you do not know, or a caller suddenly unable to remember important details such as their location. Walk the interviewer through the steps that you would take if you were on a call with someone speaking in a way that you could not understand.

"I recently had a caller who was speaking very quickly in another language that I could not decipher. After asking them a couple of questions in English, it was clear that they were upset and found it easier to speak in their native tongue while in duress. I asked, 'what language?' a straightforward question that was simple for the caller to answer. Once I was able to distinguish the language they were speaking, I was able to transfer to the call to a dispatcher who spoke their language. When a caller is panicked, it is entirely up to me to break down the barriers of communication and get them the assistance they need."

"For the majority of my career, I have worked in a cross-functional environment with a plethora of response teams and emergency professionals. It's a fantastic way to work because we can meet a goal or objective more efficiently while teaching each other new skills."

How familiar are you with criminal law in our region?

"As a recent graduate from the Criminology program, I have a strong overview of criminal law. With that said, I have room to grow when it comes to the law in our specific region. Do you have any recommendations regarding training? I want to join in this role with the utmost knowledge."

Depending on the region where you apply, you may be required to have a background in criminal justice and law. Speak openly with the hiring authority regarding your level of knowledge when it comes to the law. Be honest and show a willingness to learn in your role as a 911 Dispatcher.

"I have received a great amount of training during my dispatch career; however, there is always more to learn since criminal law is always changing. Most important to me, while growing my dispatch skills, is my ability to handle a range of situations with utmost care and poise. I am eager to take any training you offer and recommend."

"Earlier in my career I found it more difficult to keep my cool during challenging calls, more so than I do now. Taking an upsetting call is always difficult; however, I have learned over the years that is it not about me, or how I feel. As a dispatcher, my only goal is to ensure that the person is safe and cared for."

Describe a job where you've had to provide service to a wide variety of people from diverse racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.

"Before I attended University, I worked as a part-time volunteer with our local homeless shelter. In that role, I encountered a diverse range of individuals. I embrace diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds."

In the United States, the 911 system receives about 240 million calls per year. As a 911 Dispatcher, you must be able to collaborate with a significant number of people in a day. Call volumes are high, and everyone on the other end of the call has their own unique story. Be sure to give specific examples and talk about your overall dispatch experience. Let the hiring manager know that you, in no way, discriminate on the job.

"I have worked as a 911 Dispatcher for many years, facing a huge range of situations. Every call is different, and I am well accustomed to adapting to each situation. The level of help or service that I offer has never wavered depending on race, culture, or social standing. The diverse range of people that I come across every day certainly keeps me sharp, and aware of the varying needs of others."

"I have provided service to individuals of all racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds during my 6 years in 911 dispatch. The diverse range I come across every day certainly keeps me sharp, and aware of the varying needs of others."

What has been your greatest accomplishment as a 911 dispatcher, so far?

"The greatest accomplishment I have had so far is graduating University as an honors student while still working part-time as a volunteer dispatcher. This accomplishment showed me that I could dedicate myself to my career and reach the educational goals that I set for myself. It felt great to accomplish so much and earn recognition for my educational dedication."

Accomplishing something, big or small, is a motivating subject. Talk to the interviewer about what your proudest career accomplishment has been so far, and why. Be sure to show excitement and enthusiasm for what you have accomplished so far. If you are new to your dispatch career, discuss an accomplishment you have earned along the way, whether that be from school or a rewarding volunteer opportunity.

"As a seasoned 911 Dispatcher, I have many accomplishments that make me beam with pride. Overall, I would say that my greatest work accomplishment is the positive reputation that I have in this industry. I could also sum up my accomplishments by how proud I feel, knowing I have helped may children along the way. I have a deep level of compassion for children who are in scary situations, so every time I can assist, I feel a deep sense of accomplishment."

"I have many accomplishments that I am very proud of. Overall, I would say that my greatest work accomplishment is the positive reputation that I have in this industry."

When have you shown great integrity at work?

"I show integrity every day by being my true self. The 'me' that you see in this interview is the same version that my family and friends get. I am an honest and genuine person, and I am eager to take this integrity to work as a 911 Dispatcher."

The interviewer would like to know about a time when you have shown high levels of integrity on the job. We display integrity through honesty and consistent moral values. Talk to the interviewer about the ways that you show your integrity in the workplace.

"In my last position, I was responsible for the cash deposit daily. There was never a discrepancy, in the four years that I worked there. I best show my integrity by being a consistently reliable employee. In my current role as a 911 Dispatcher, I am sure always to do the right thing, giving my best to every call that I take."

"In my entire career, I have never been questioned on my integrity or performance. I best show my integrity by being a consistently reliable employee and doing my best every day."

Have you spoken with other 911 Dispatchers regarding what this career is like?

"During one of my internships, I met someone who worked as a dispatcher in this department. He mentioned that even though the stress levels are high, the feeling of camaraderie is even greater. It made me feel very confident in the culture here, which is why I applied for the 911 Dispatcher position."

Researching the opportunity, the career overall, and the department you will be joining is a critical first step before going to an interview. Tell the hiring manager the extent of your research, how you feel about the opportunity to work as a 911 Dispatcher, and why you would like to work in this position.

"I have spoken with one of your other dispatchers about this position, and she had so many wonderful things to say about working here. After researching online and speaking with her, I am even more excited about the opportunity. I would love to have this job and am eager to compete for the role."

After each call, how do you evaluate your performance?

"I believe that feedback from more experienced dispatchers is the key to ensuring strong performance every time. After each day for my first 30 days, I will request feedback. I want to learn all that I can to become the best 911 Dispatcher that I can be."

As a 911 Dispatcher, being able to look critically at your performance is a critical skill to have. How do you keep yourself in check for strong performance? Perhaps you are open to self-development and improvement, or maybe you ask for feedback from your leader regularly.

"I evaluate myself after every emergency call, especially after handling unique situations or high-stress calls. After hanging up, I will check with myself on how I feel about my performance. If there is a situation where I felt rusty or unsure, I will write it down and revisit it at the end of the day. Even after 12 years in this industry, I am open to feedback and will often ask other dispatchers how they would have handled a call differently. In unusual or high-stress calls, it is incredibly important to debrief very soon after the call. This debriefing helps keep me in check and absorb any methods for improvement."

"Even after 12 years in this industry, I am really open to feedback and will often ask other dispatchers how they would have handled a call differently. In unusual or high-stress calls, it is incredibly important to debrief very soon after the call. This helps keep me in check and absorb any information that I need to hear in order to better myself."

A 911 Dispatcher must pay exceptional attention to the small details. How would your co-workers describe your attention to detail?

"I can't speak for my colleagues as I am new to my career; however, my professors would say that I have above average attention to detail. I make mistakes, but I usually catch them before passing my work on to the intended recipient. I fully understand the importance of 100% accuracy in a 911 Dispatch career and am prepared to meet those expectations."

Delivering strong attention to detail is incredibly important as a 911 Dispatcher. Especially when you are operating under potentially high-stress scenarios. It is always best to support your reply with a real-life example. Talk to the interviewer about your level of attentiveness when it comes to details on the job. If you are new to your career, you can lean on your experiences in school, in competitive sports, or during your volunteer work.

"My co-workers would describe my attention to detail as very strong. I can very easily point out spelling discrepancies in communication and will notice the small things. I think big-picture as well but have always had a knack for details."

"My attention to detail is a point that I have been working on a lot this past year. I am meticulous but, in the past, have pushed my documentation back a little bit. It's something I am conscious of and continually working on as my career progresses."

What do you believe to be the most essential quality of a 911 Dispatcher?

"I feel that the most important skill of a 911 Dispatcher is to be able to remain calm through a stressful situation. Remaining calm and level headed are of utmost necessity when someone has called in an emergency. I have a strong track record of being able to do this during practice calls, and have often been recognized by my trainers and peers for being very collected under pressure."

There are many essential qualities in a skilled 911 Dispatcher; however, the interviewer would like to know what qualities you value the most. Be sure to support your response by including information as to why you feel your listed quality is the most essential. Lastly, be sure to express to the interviewer that you possess, or are working on building up that particular quality. Some critical skills include: - Strong level of integrity - Computer savvy - Ability to follow instructions and process - A remarkable memory - Exceptional listening skills - Steady typing skills/speed - Ability to filter through multiple sound sources - Clear verbal communicator/easy to understand - Emotional control - Trustworthy judgment - High level of compassion - Ability to multi-task

"My years of experience as a 911 Dispatcher has revealed to me that the most important skill a dispatcher should possess is the ability to decipher multiple sounds and events at one time. It's cognitive multi-tasking, in a sense. This skill is one that I have worked on building up over the past four years, and has helped me to be much better in my work every day."

"My years of experience of a 911 dispatcher has revealed to me that the most important skill a dispatcher should possess is the ability to decipher multiple sounds and events at one time. It's cognitive multi-tasking, in a sense."

Why are you the best 911 dispatcher for us?

"I feel that I am the best 911 Dispatcher for you because, in addition to my recent background as a former EMT, I also have a diploma in Criminal Justice. I have many transferable skills to bring to this role and, as a former first responder, will bring a full and unique perspective to the job."

Speaking highly about yourself in an interview can be tough to do, but this is your time to shine! Which characteristics and career accomplishments have made you a stand-out 911 Dispatcher? Perhaps you have received some merit awards or have been received specialized training in your most recent position. There is nobody like you, and now you need to express that to the interviewer.

"I am the best candidate for your 911 Dispatcher role because I have the right background, education, and experience. I know that I can jump right in and get going with very little training time. I have received accolades for my quick-thinking and also bring recent Diversity and Inclusion training, ensuring that my approach compliments your departments' most recent diversity efforts."

"I am the best candidate for this 911 dispatch position because I have the right background, education, and experience. I know that I can jump right in and get going with very little training time."

A 911 Dispatcher must react appropriately under pressure. Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.

"As a university student, split-second decisions happen often! I make split-second decisions when resolving matters during group projects, when project deadlines are changed, or when I need to make strategic moves related to my course load. I believe I have become a much stronger problem solver because of these situations and look forward to applying these skills to my role as a 911 Dispatcher."

Being able to make quick decisions and think fast on your feet using sound logic sets top-notch dispatchers out from the crowd. We all make a lot of choices every day, so start by telling the interviewer that you make a lot of quick decisions each day. Next, be prepared with a solid example that will be sure to impress. Be sure to outline the situation, the task, the actions that you took, and then speak about the result.

"Last month, my senior dispatcher quit on the spot leaving all responsibility on me during the middle of a busy shift. It was uncomfortable, but I knew I had to get my head in the game. I took charge of the floor, reassuring the other fifteen dispatchers that things would go on as usual. I delegated tasks as needed. We finished our shift under a lot of pressure, but everyone willingly did what they needed to reach the finish line until the next shift of dispatchers arrived. Shortly after this incident, I took a promotion as a senior dispatcher."

"If I were hired, I feel that I would compliment your department in a few significant ways. First - I am a fast learner and I already bring 6 years' experience in 911 dispatch. The time to train me will be reduced. Also, I bring experience in training new hires and would be happy to jump in when it comes to on-boarding individuals new to their dispatch career."

How would you describe your written communication skills?

"I have strong written communication skills which have been well-honed through my time in University. I spend a lot of time working on team projects and have to be able to communicate clearly with all parties."

As a 911 Dispatcher, it isn't just your verbal communication skills that need to be strong. Being a clear communicator, in written form, is also a very important skill to master. Are you confident in your written communication skills? Perhaps you have taken courses in communication and writing. Talk to the interviewer about your written communication abilities and support your answer with a brief example or story.

"I would describe my written communication skills as very strong and would rate myself as a 9/10. I have always had a penchant for writing and have taken university courses related to communication, writing, and journalism."

"My written communication skills are very strong. I often utilize written communications as a follow up to verbal communications. These written follow ups provide a great resource for my team to go back to, and reference. Also, they might answer any questions that come up along the way."

Describe your communication style. Why will your approach to communication be helpful as a 911 Dispatcher?

"I have strong written and verbal communication skills which have been well-honed through my time in University. I spend a lot of time working on team projects and have to be able to communicate clearly with all parties. I would describe my communication style as consistent, which is of vast importance while working in a 911 Dispatch role."

As a 911 Dispatcher, it isn't just your verbal communication skills that need to be reliable. Being a clear communicator, in written form, is also an essential skill to master. Are you confident in your communication style, overall? Perhaps you have taken courses in communication for first-responders. Talk to the interviewer about your communication abilities and support your answer with a brief example or story.

"My written communication style is strong. I am clear in my goals and often utilize written communication as a follow up to verbal communications. These written follow-ups provide a great resource for my fellow dispatchers to go back to and reference when I am not on shift. Over the years, I have attended a variety of training sessions for communicating as a first-responder. I am eager to continue to apply my knowledge as a 911 Dispatcher for your department."

Proper filing of reports is critical. Talk about your documentation skills and how you keep your records organized.

"I learned a lot about the importance of organization, proper note-taking, and clear documentation while obtaining my degree. I must be able to easily track my work but also ensure that others can do the same. If hired as your next 911Dispatcher, you have the assurance that I would follow all documentation protocols."

Depending on where you will be working, you may have a variety of systems and programs to learn, allowing for proper documentation, processing, and filing. When working as a 911 Dispatcher, you must remain organized and accurate in the information that you are sharing. Walk the hiring authority through your process when it comes to keeping your records organized. If you are new to your career, you can discuss the fact that you are careful and organized in general.

"As an experienced 911 Dispatcher, I fully understand the repercussions of being disorganized or filing paperwork improperly. I am careful with my documentation, I use accurate wording, and ensure that the job can go on long after my shift is over. In every administrative action that I take, I make sure that my coworkers understand what occurred and what needs doing."

Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with.

"There will nearly always be a coworker who is difficult to deal with. I believe it's part of what keeps things interesting. I choose to find common ground with those people to create a positive basis of understanding."

Keep your answer simple and avoid overdramatizing any event. Speaking negatively about others will always look unfavorable towards you. Telling the interviewer that you get along with everyone is not an appropriate or believable response, either. Focus on a time when your work style was different than another person, but perhaps you still had to complete a project together successfully. Discuss, in a positive tone, how you made it work!

"In a previous position, I had a team member who was constantly late for their shift and my team meetings. They were a critical part of my team, so I approached them privately to understand what was going on that was preventing them from working well with the team. As her manager, I need to offer her the support she needed to become a reliable team member again. We created an action plan which she stuck to quite well after our initial conversation."

When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

"Setbacks can be trying, but I find that you have to learn how to lose before you learn how to win. While I never enjoy a setback, I use them as a stepping-off point to something even better."

Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with delays in the workplace.

"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing, and can be a bit disheartening, but I understand that it happens from time to time. If I experience a major setback, I will take a few moments to debrief with my manager and discuss what I could have done differently. Then, I move on!"

"Setbacks happen for a reason and they do not affect me emotionally in the least. At this point in my career, I fully expect to see setbacks on a daily basis. I am a very pragmatic thinker and stay focused despite the challenges that come my way."

Would you work holidays and weekends?

"Being new to my career in dispatch, I fully expect that I will be taking the majority of holiday shifts. I am willing to put in my time before being offered premium shifts."

Working in the emergency services and dispatch industry, you must be flexible and open when it comes to your schedule. Of course, you do not want to agree with a schedule that you cannot keep. Be sure to mention any restrictions on your availability.

"I am happy to do my part by being available for my share of holidays and weekends. I do have children to care for, so I should have some notice if possible."

"I have taken many weekend and holiday shifts in my years of work in 911 dispatch. I am happy to take the required shifts in order to help this team to run seamlessly."

"Yes, I would. I love the job, and I am free from housework, so I am willing to work holidays and weekends. I can even work overtime."

While on shift, how often do you create alternative scenarios to help you adjust to changing situations?

"I feel that it is essential to create alternative scenarios in all situations. One cannot guess what will happen in the end, so it is great to be prepared for all possible outcomes."

Being able to problem solve and think outside the box when it comes to changing situations is a precious skill set. Talk to the interviewer about your ability to create a variety of potential scenarios.

"As a 911 Dispatcher, I am ready to adapt at all times. This adaptation is a necessary skill in our line of work. Alternate scenarios are great, but I prefer to stay focused on the scenario at hand, and be ready to pivot when the demand comes."

"It's important in emergency situations to have premeditated contingency plans. It takes out the uncertainty in the moment and better prepares everyone to adapt if a problem should arise."

911 Dispatcher Interview Questions

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1. A 911 Dispatcher must know the region in which they operate. How strong is your geographic knowledge?
2. Do you consider yourself a persuasive person?
3. Talk about one weakness, as it relates to your work as a 911 Dispatcher. How will you work to improve this weakness?
4. As a 911 Dispatcher, you will be on the phone for the majority of your shift. How do you feel about this?
5. If there were a domestic dispute phone call and a potential suicide call at the same time, but only one available officer, where would you send the officer?
6. Our 911 Dispatchers are very busy. What kind of work volume are you capable of handling?
7. Do you have current certification in CPR and First Aid? Are you comfortable giving CPR instructions on a call?
8. Talk about your clerical skills, and how they will help you succeed as a 911 Dispatcher.
9. Are you willing to learn the rules of the FCC in regards to frequency use?
10. Tell me something fun about yourself.
11. What advice would you give to a fellow dispatcher who was stressed out?
12. Can you stand above pressure and make calm, rational decisions, in the wake of an emergency?
13. How would you handle a call from a panicked person who was speaking unintelligibly?
14. How familiar are you with criminal law in our region?
15. Describe a job where you've had to provide service to a wide variety of people from diverse racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
16. What has been your greatest accomplishment as a 911 dispatcher, so far?
17. When have you shown great integrity at work?
18. Have you spoken with other 911 Dispatchers regarding what this career is like?
19. After each call, how do you evaluate your performance?
20. A 911 Dispatcher must pay exceptional attention to the small details. How would your co-workers describe your attention to detail?
21. What do you believe to be the most essential quality of a 911 Dispatcher?
22. Why are you the best 911 dispatcher for us?
23. A 911 Dispatcher must react appropriately under pressure. Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.
24. How would you describe your written communication skills?
25. Describe your communication style. Why will your approach to communication be helpful as a 911 Dispatcher?
26. Proper filing of reports is critical. Talk about your documentation skills and how you keep your records organized.
27. Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with.
28. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
29. Would you work holidays and weekends?
30. While on shift, how often do you create alternative scenarios to help you adjust to changing situations?

911 Dispatcher Interview Questions

1. A 911 Dispatcher must know the region in which they operate. How strong is your geographic knowledge?

2. Do you consider yourself a persuasive person?

3. Talk about one weakness, as it relates to your work as a 911 Dispatcher. How will you work to improve this weakness?

4. As a 911 Dispatcher, you will be on the phone for the majority of your shift. How do you feel about this?

5. If there were a domestic dispute phone call and a potential suicide call at the same time, but only one available officer, where would you send the officer?

6. Our 911 Dispatchers are very busy. What kind of work volume are you capable of handling?

7. Do you have current certification in CPR and First Aid? Are you comfortable giving CPR instructions on a call?

8. Talk about your clerical skills, and how they will help you succeed as a 911 Dispatcher.

9. Are you willing to learn the rules of the FCC in regards to frequency use?

10. Tell me something fun about yourself.

11. What advice would you give to a fellow dispatcher who was stressed out?

12. Can you stand above pressure and make calm, rational decisions, in the wake of an emergency?

13. How would you handle a call from a panicked person who was speaking unintelligibly?

14. How familiar are you with criminal law in our region?

15. Describe a job where you've had to provide service to a wide variety of people from diverse racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.

16. What has been your greatest accomplishment as a 911 dispatcher, so far?

17. When have you shown great integrity at work?

18. Have you spoken with other 911 Dispatchers regarding what this career is like?

19. After each call, how do you evaluate your performance?

20. A 911 Dispatcher must pay exceptional attention to the small details. How would your co-workers describe your attention to detail?

21. What do you believe to be the most essential quality of a 911 Dispatcher?

22. Why are you the best 911 dispatcher for us?

23. A 911 Dispatcher must react appropriately under pressure. Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.

24. How would you describe your written communication skills?

25. Describe your communication style. Why will your approach to communication be helpful as a 911 Dispatcher?

26. Proper filing of reports is critical. Talk about your documentation skills and how you keep your records organized.

27. Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with.

28. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

29. Would you work holidays and weekends?

30. While on shift, how often do you create alternative scenarios to help you adjust to changing situations?