Correctional Officer Mock Interview

Practice 40 Correctional Officer interview questions covering security protocols, conflict de-escalation, and ethical judgment.

Question 13 of 40

Do you have a problem with authority?

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Experienced
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Community Answers

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

As a correction officer, you need to be able to report to a variety of levels comfortably, following the chain of command. Using a real-life example is always the best route to take when asked a behavioral question. If you can, discuss your relationship with your most recent employer. The interviewer wants to hear that you do not have a problem with authority or the ranking system.

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"I do not have a problem answering to authority. While working in prison, you must answer to your authority figures with the utmost respect, as the inmates are always watching. My previous supervisor and I had a great working relationship, and she is happy to give a strong reference as well."

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"I fully understand that there needs to be a level of authority in the workplace, especially in the prison system. I will have no issue with authority. It's necessary, and I embrace it."

Rachelle Enns

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.

"No, I do not have a problem with authority. I have had many personalities supervising me in my career, and I have also been a leader in a wide range of diverse groups. Clear-cut authority is a must in the corrections system, and I respect this, to the fullest degree."

Krista Wenz

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.

You want the interviewer to understand that you recognize the ranking system as a correction officer and do not have a problem reporting to your superior. Focus your answer on a positive relationship you have had with a manager or supervisor.

Krista Wenz

Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.

If you want to be considered for the position, you should avoid saying that you have a problem with authority figures. As a correction officer, you will be at the low end of the totem pole and need to respect your superiors. If you have a problem with authority, the interviewer will determine that you would be a challenging employee and pass you over for another candidate.

Interview Coach

Jaymie

A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.

Typically responds within 24 hours.

0 - Character Count

Anonymous Answer

Of course not, we need to have authority in all situations in life. If we didn't have authority, we would have a lot more problems in the world.

Kevin's Feedback

Solid response; however, I have reworded it just to soften the delivery a touch. Additionally, offer something tangible to back up your claims of supporting your superiors

"I have no issues with those in positions of authority. They have different priorities and additional responsibilities, all centered on keeping their eye on the big picture. That picture often ends up being broken into pieces, like that of a puzzle, and each piece gets delegated to the rest of the team. Sometimes we have to trust in what that assembled puzzle looks like, and trust our superior's vision on how to assemble all the pieces. So, I get it, their jobs are tough, and it's my job to make their tough job easier, as much as I am able."

Anonymous Answer

No I do not, I always report to my superiors in the upmost respect, because I expect the same respect back and know that it's necessary to have oversight and chain of command.

Rachelle's Feedback

Very well said. Great work :)

Anonymous Answer

No, I do not. I always comply with the person who has a higher rank than me in the workplace. They are in their uniforms and have their badge for a reason. They here to protect and provide service to the public, maintain order and peace.

Do you have a problem with authority?

40Correctional Officer Interview Questions & Answers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10.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?

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

12.Do you have a role model or mentor?

13.Do you have a problem with authority?

14.What makes you angry?

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

16.Tell me about yourself.

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

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

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

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

21.What are your salary expectations?

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

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

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

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

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

27.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?

28.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?

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

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

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

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

33.Where do you see yourself in five years?

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

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

36.Why did you leave your last job?

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

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

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

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