As a criminal investigator, clear documentation and reporting are critical. How are your written communication skills?

"I describe my written communication skills as informative and easy to digest. I like to use bullet points to make the important reading points obvious to the recipient. As a seasoned investigator, I have developed strong written communication skills over the years. I spend a lot of time working on various investigative teams and have to be able to communicate clearly through the written word for the times I may not be present to explain my reasoning or findings."

"I have above average written communication skills compared to my classmates. I base my response on feedback I received throughout my post-secondary career, primarily from professors. For this reason, I describe my written communication skills as clear, concise, and thorough."

Instead of describing your written communication skills in one word, such as excellent, focus on providing two or three descriptive words. When you offer several words to describe your communication skills, the interviewer will better understand how you communicate in written form.

The hiring authority wants a criminal investigator who is detailed and precise in their written reports. If you say that you have poor written communication skills, the interviewer may be concerned about hiring you for the position. Instead, make a plan to work on improving these skills. You can then tell the interviewer that while your written communication skills are strong, you are taking action to improve your skills since there is always room for improvement in any profession.