MockQuestions

Correctional Officer Mock Interview

To help you prepare for your Correctional Officer interview, here are 40 interview questions and answer examples.

Correctional Officer was updated by on February 10th, 2022. Learn more here.

Question 1 of 40

Tell me about a time it was better to be agreeable in a situation rather than continue the argument.

The interviewer would like to know that you are okay with stepping down in a situation when it's required of you or the safest decision to make at the time. It isn't always necessary to be correct, and the interviewer is looking for your ability to let go when needed. Tell the interviewer about a time you did just that and how you feel it helped the situation in the long run.

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40 Correctional Officer Interview Questions & Answers

Below is a list of our Correctional Officer interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view six answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.

  • Behavioral

    1. Tell me about a time it was better to be agreeable in a situation rather than continue the argument.

  • Behavioral

    2. Tell me about a time you showed your superior officer that you are trustworthy and responsible.

  • Behavioral

    3. Have you ever faced a company policy you disagreed with but had to enforce anyway?

  • Behavioral

    4. Have you ever worked in a stressful environment? How did you handle it?

  • Behavioral

    5. Tell me about an experience where you successfully used de-escalation techniques to prevent a physical altercation.

  • Behavioral

    6. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond your job duties.

  • Direct

    7. Why did you leave your last job?

  • Direct

    8. How would you rate your performance in this interview so far?

  • Direct

    9. Are you willing to work long hours, on a variety of different shifts, with limited notice?

  • Direct

    10. You must be physically fit to be a corrections officer. What have you done to physically train yourself for this position?

  • Direct

    11. What do you like to do in your free time?

  • Direct

    12. Have you ever used illegal drugs or misused prescription pills?

  • Direct

    13. What are your salary expectations?

  • Direct

    14. We conduct early-stage criminal background checks, credit checks, and drug tests on all of our candidates. Is there anything you would like to disclose at this time?

  • Direct

    15. This concludes our interview. Do you have any questions for me?

  • Direct

    16. Besides vacation time, how many days did you miss work in the last year?

  • Direct

    17. Our facility performs random drug testing on all personnel twice a year. Do you have an issue with random drug testing?

  • Direct

    18. Whether you were caught or not, have you ever committed a crime?

  • Discovery

    19. Competition is stiff for this position. Why should we hire you?

  • Discovery

    20. What three qualities would your previous supervisor use to describe you?

  • Discovery

    21. Where do you see yourself in five years?

  • Discovery

    22. What do you like least about working as a correction officer?

  • Discovery

    23. What do you like the most about working as a correction officer?

  • Discovery

    24. Why do you want a position as a correction officer?

  • Discovery

    25. Tell me about yourself.

  • Discovery

    26. What makes you angry?

  • Discovery

    27. Do you have a problem with authority?

  • Discovery

    28. Do you have a role model or mentor?

  • Discovery

    29. What role do you believe a correction officer plays in preventing contraband in the prison?

  • Discovery

    30. Why are you the best suited person for this job?

  • Education

    31. Tell me about your post-secondary education and how it relates to your career as a corrections officer.

  • Leadership

    32. Describe a situation in which you supervised a large group of individuals. What specific steps did you take to ensure that all individuals in your group completed scheduled activities?

  • Operational

    33. How do you get along with other correction officers?

  • Operational

    34. Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.

  • Operational

    35. Corrections is ever-changing. We seek to hire individuals with a keen interest in this industry. How do you stay up to date on law enforcement related current events?

  • Operational

    36. What do you fear will be your potential weaknesses as a correction officer inside our prison?

  • Scenario

    37. If you saw another correctional officer doing something inappropriate, how would you handle the situation?

  • Scenario

    38. How would you handle an inmate who constantly yelled at you and said extremely derogatory things to you?

  • Scenario

    39. How would you address the issue of a subordinate who is consistently late for their shift?

  • Scenario

    40. What would you do if an officer next to you was engaged in a physical fight with an inmate?