Correctional Officer Mock Interview

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

Question 14 of 40

What makes you angry?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
Entry Level
Experienced
Focus Your Answer On
What to Avoid
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.

The interviewer needs to make sure that you are not a loose cannon type of personality - especially in this line of work. Talk about things that trigger you, but avoid turning this into a time to complain about the people you work with or your job. You want to show that you are level-headed and mature.

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.

"The times when I feel anger in the workplace would mainly be when an inmate is purposefully being disrespectful or trying to start a fight. When a situation like this arises, I don't give in to the anger, but I do firmly put the inmate in place."

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 am not the type to become angry very often or easily. I become angry when innocent people are hurt or when a total lack of respect is present. With that said, I do not lose control in my anger."

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 am incredibly level-headed, as my references will attest. If I become angry, it is because someone has been unnecessarily hurt. There is no need for violence and threats, so I will not tolerate it if an inmate is presenting this type of behavior. Of course, I am sure to follow protocol, regardless of my level of anger in the situation."

Krista Wenz

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

It is best to focus on one or two things that make you angry in the workplace. If you have a list of reasons you become angry, the interviewer will feel that you are easily triggered and may not think you are the best candidate for the position.

Krista Wenz

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

Avoid saying certain coworkers or supervisors make you angry. You do not want the interviewer thinking that you are challenging to work with or are not a team player. It is okay to mention a specific trait or quality that makes you angry, such as disrespect, always being late, or poor work ethic.

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

I'm a very mellow person. I don't let the small stuff get to me. You have one life; if you're always angry and stressed out, you will not enjoy life much.

Rachelle's Feedback

Bravo! These characteristics are wonderful ones for a correction officer to have.

Anonymous Answer

What makes me angry is when someone doesn't show respect; it's something that was instilled in me as a child. This does not in any way stop me from being professional and following protocol at work.

Rachelle's Feedback

Perfect answer, adding in that this does not get in the way of your professionalism. Well done!

Anonymous Answer

I'm not a person who gets angry. It's best not to dwell on things that can ruin your day or outlook on situations.

Rachelle's Feedback

This response is a nice start! I recommend sticking with 'I' language rather than swapping from 'I' to 'You.' This approach will ensure that your answer remains personal and targeted. I have provided an example below.

"I am not a person who gets angry. Rather, I...(discuss your personality). I have been angry in the past (everyone has, so be sure to give a brief example here). With that said, the philosophy that I live by is to never dwell on situations that can ruin my day. I prefer to focus on solutions."

Anonymous Answer

I am a very easy going person with a high patience level that things like yelling or threats aimed towards me are easily dismissible. Abuse or unnecessary violence makes me upset. If I can deal with the problem, I can put my anger at bay and act calmly.

What makes you angry?

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?