Highway Patrolling

In order to show that you have a life plan that extends beyond your interview, you need to have an answer to this question that leaves no shadow of doubt as to your commitment to your new, hoped-for profession and the department that would give you your start as an officer.

Your answer needs to be succinct and address your anticipation of professional growth through your continued pursuit of escalated responsibilities and your successful achievements within those expanded duties. You foresee your future as a solid rise to more responsibility by accepting responsibilities and performing beyond expectations.

A question that can sink you unless you're careful. Obviously, "I work too hard" is not the answer.

I work 5 days a week, 8 hours per day.

This question is always a tricky one and a dangerous game to play in an interview. It is a common mistake to discuss salary before you have sold yourself and like in any negotiation, knowledge is power. Do your homework and make sure you have an idea of what this job is offering. You can try asking them about the salary range. If you want to avoid the question altogether, you could say that at the moment, you are looking to advance in your career and money isn't your main motivator. If you do have a specific figure in mind and you are confident you can get it, then it may be worth going for.

Your chance to toot your own horn - but make sure to do it artfully. Being able to do 20 pull-ups does not count as a strength.

First and foremost law enforcement is not for everybody. You must be dedicated, loyal, humble but tough at the same time and understand that you won't get rich at this if it is your chosen profession. I would not discourage anyone, but I would really let them know what they're getting into.

One of the easier questions to answer - but you'll still need to use it to highlight your job-relevant greatness.

This is not an easy one as you have no idea whom you would be working with. Even if you can immediately think of a long list of people who you don't like to work with, you could take some time to think and say that it's a difficult question as you have always gotten on fine with your colleagues.

It's important here to focus on the word "implemented." There's nothing wrong with having a thousand great ideas, but if the only place they live is on your notepad what's the point? Better still, you need a good ending. If your previous company took your advice and ended up going bankrupt, that's not such a great example either. Be prepared with a story about an idea of yours that was taken from idea to implementation, and considered successful.

It's not a very fair question is it? We'd all love to get paid a Trump-like salary doing a job we love but that's rare indeed. It's fine to say money is important, but remember that NOTHING is more important to you than the job. Otherwise, you're just someone looking for a bigger paycheck.

As I'm sure you know, "because I'm great" or "I really need a job" are not good answers here. This is a time to give the employer a laundry list of your greatest talents that just so happen to match the job description. It's also good to avoid taking potshots at other potential candidates here. Focus on yourself and your talents, not other people's flaws.

Beware of this type of question! Under no circumstances is it necessary to break company policy to achieve something. Resist the temptation to answer and give examples, as what the interviewer is looking for is to determine how ethical you are and if you will remain true to company policy.

Once again, there are a few ways to answer this but they should all be positive. You may work well under pressure, you may thrive under pressure, and you may actually prefer working under pressure. If you say you crumble like aged blue cheese, this is not going to help you get your foot in the door.

The money question. "Why" indeed. This is where you need to spend a ton of time thinking about the role, the competencies, and how you're the perfect fit.

A 40 caliber, but my department mandates a 9 millimeter.

I have been asked this a lot, in various incarnations. The first time I just drew a blank and said, "I don't know." That went over badly, but it was right at the start of my career when I had little to no experience. Since then I've realized that my genuine answer is "Neither, I'd rather be respected." You don't want to be feared because fear is no way to motivate a team. You may got the job done but at what cost? Similarly, if you're everyone's best friend you'll find it difficult to make tough decisions or hit deadlines. But when you're respected, you don't have to be a complete bastard or a lame duck to get the job done.

Here the emphasis is on the implemented. You may have had many brilliant ideas, but what the interviewer is looking for is something that has actually materialized. Be prepared to briefly describe how it went from an idea to implementation stage.

Your questions here can either leave a strong, lasting impression on the interviewer, or make you come across as clueless. Here are some good questions to think about.