Our Police 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 Police 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 Police 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."
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Anonymous Answer
I love being very busy the entire time that I am at work. In my previous jobs, there were very busy periods followed by lots of down time. Being able to handle an extreme work volume as well as slower periods where you need to keep yourself busy is very important. I have great time-management skills that I have developed because of this, so being able to handle busy/stressful situations will come with ease.
Cindy's Feedback
Good start! Do you have a concrete example of managing a heavy workload?
Anonymous Answer
In my previous job, the shift was always most enjoyable when there was a high call volume. When fewer calls came into our department, I would utilize that time to research specs on new equipment, service plan updates, and special offers. In either case, I learned to be ready to service our customers in their times of need.
Marcie's Feedback
Excellent! It sounds like you thrive in fast-paced work environments, which the interviewer will appreciate. It's also positive that you talk about successfully doing this in past roles. Don't forget to directly answer the question and indicate what kind of work volume you can handle (e.g., how many calls an hour). Nice job!
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