Dispatcher Interview Preparation Guide

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Being terminated does not have to be an embarrassing or shameful thing. Be open and honest with the interviewer regarding your dismissal. Be sure to let the interviewer know that you can provide positive references despite a previous termination.

It's always a great idea to have questions ready for the interviewer. Review the company website and other online resources to ensure the questions you are asking are not mundane, or redundant. The last thing an interviewer wants to hear is a list of questions you could have found the answers to from simply watching a video on their company site!

No previous experience is required. However, good communications skills, computer skills and multitasking skills are essential to the job.

This may be a somewhat challenging question, and if you had to answer that you have no weaknesses you would probably be viewed as been dishonest. When answering be realistic and perhaps mention a work-related flaw that is minor. Other ways to answer this question in a positive way would be to mention a weakness and then go onto say what you have done to improve on or overcome this weakness.

An ideal candidate for this position will have the right mix of experience, personal traits and education. Your answer should be short, but convey what sets you apart from the crowd. For example, “I’m dedicated to handling crisis situations with a high degree of composure and professionalism. I studied emergency management at ABC University and I spent four years working as an EMT. I feel I have the necessary traits and skills to be extremely effective in emergency situations.”

Yes, there are three levels of dispatcher. Dispatcher 1 is the entry level, Dispatcher 2 is the basic level after completion of one year as a Dispatcher 1. Dispatcher 3 is the shift supervisor (Senior) and Level 4 is the Communication Chief that oversees the communication centers operations. When a Level 3 job opens, any Level 2 dispatcher that meets the minimum qualifications may apply. The same applies to Level 4 with the exception that only a Level 3 dispatcher may apply.

This is a standard type of interview question to decide what you is in search of for your next career opportunity as well as if you would be an appropriate candidate for the available position. One of the better ways to answer this question would be discuss areas on how you would be able to use the experience and skills you have in an effective way if you were hired for this position. You may also want to mention how challenges motivate you and how you have the skills to meet up with challenges.

There is no denying that a dispatcher’s job is a stressful one. Not only will you be responsible for ensuring that the correct agencies—police, fire, ambulance, first responders and others—are contacted and directed to the right address, but you will also be responsible for keeping the caller calm and providing instructions as necessary. You should be sure to provide an answer that details your methods for handling stress. “During my downtime, I meditate and do yoga to relieve stress. This way, I arrive for work feeling refreshed and ready to handle any situation that comes my way” is a great answer, as is “I practice deep breathing between calls to clear my head and prepare for the next call.”

Your answer to this inquiry will tell the interviewer a lot about how you would fit in the established working environment. From your response to these types of dispatcher interview questions and answers, the hiring manager will gauge how well you can work with and lead others. Your reply should indicate that you are capable of being efficient in a team or when working alone. Additionally, you should show that you can lead others as well as follow depending on the demands of the situation.

When you are asked about your qualifications, you should be sure to answer with a mix of your experience, education and personal qualities. As an example, saying something like “I am dedicated to helping individuals who are experiencing crises, so I studied emergency management at XYZ College for two years. I am certified in CPR and AED, and I worked as an EMT while I was attending college so I could become familiar with the requirements of the job. I feel that I would be an asset to the department because I have the ability to stay focused during extremely stressful situations” keeps your answer short, but it also shows your employer that you are well informed and ready to handle the job requirements.

Although this question may seem simple to answer, it tells your interviewer a lot about your ability to lead or work with others. It may be tempting to provide an answer that would lead your potential employer to believe that you are a natural leader and a team player, but the correct answer is “I am comfortable working within groups as well as on my own. Although I am well-versed when it comes to leading a team, I am just as capable of following any instructions that are provided to me.” This ensures your interviewer that you can work well in a wide variety of environments, but it also provides information about your preferences.

Demonstrates the candidate’s ability to prioritize work.

☛ 1. Tell me about yourself.
☛ 2. Do you consider yourself an organized person?
☛ 3. What kind of experience do you have in handling multiple phone lines?
☛ 4. Are you able to be friendly and accommodating on the phone for long periods of time?
☛ 5. Are you capable of reading and understanding maps, weather reports, and traffic reports?
☛ 6. In the past, have you ever had to deal with a difficult person over the phone? How did you handle the situation?
☛ 7. How do you deal with everyday stress?
☛ 8. What do you feel is the most important quality in a dispatcher?
☛ 9. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
☛ 10. What skills are you the most interested in improving upon or learning?

☛ When would you like to have this position filled?
☛ How long has this role been vacant?
☛ Is this a replacement search or a newly created role?
☛ What is your favorite part about working here?
☛ What is the company's primary goal for this position in the next 12 months?
☛ Is there anything from my background and experience that I can clarify for you?
☛ What do you see as the biggest change in this industry over the past 3 years?
☛ Is there any reason why you would not hire me?

Highlights the candidate’s ability to work with little supervision.

Tests the candidate’s organizational skills.

Yes. The age requirement is 18 years.

If you happen to answer this question with a no, the interviewer will probe deeper in order to arrive at a conflict. The important part of this interview question is how you reacted behaviorally to this conflict and what actions you followed in order to resolve the problem. The best advice when answering the question is to focus on the “behavioral” process to resolve such conflicts.

It would be in your favor if you are applying for a position that you already have a lot of experience in. If this is the case it is best to mention all of this experience. However, if you happen to looking to try out a new career path, you may not have experience to speak of. This is when a bit of honest creativity is needed so that you can match up with the experience needed with the one you already possess. For example you can highlight that you have people skills or that your customer service-skills can be applied within the offered position.

On a scale of 1-10, how skilled are you in communication? Why did you choose that particular rating for yourself?

Highlights the candidate’s knowledge of dispatch equipment.

As a dispatcher, you will be responsible for contacting the appropriate agencies in emergency situations. At a moment’s notice, you must communicate with the police, fire department, hospital, EMTs and other first responders. Also, you must keep the caller calm and provide instructions when appropriate. To answer this question, you can mention what you do to relax in your free time or how you relieve stress on the clock.

Reveals the candidate’s interpersonal skills.

Georgia State Patrol Communications is a 24/7-365 days per year job. As with most law enforcement dispatch, we are open nights, weekends and holidays. Schedules are made at the Communications Center level and staffing levels are set to meet the needs of the department on any given shift. Everyone is usually required to work different shifts.

When you go for any interview it is advisable to always follow these research steps:

☛ Go onto the company’s website and read up on the “careers” and “about us” sections
☛ Visit the LinkedIn page for the company and look up information on the company
☛ Or Google a keyword phrase such as “press releases” that is followed up with the companies name