Good news?

[emnerv]

So I posted an earlier thread about wanting to enter security work..

I passed my IAHSS exam and scored 90%. So I began re-applying, strangley enough, the local "warm body companies" and Allied Barton haven't even considered my resumes or applications, but today I got a call from a local hospital who has "in house security" which pays much better then the contract firms, despite my lack of security experience they called me and asked me to be ready for a "telephone" interview next week.

Has anyone done telephone interviews for a security company? what are the likely to ask if you have?

Again, i'm 20 years old, no actual security experience, but I have most coursework for a two year degree done and IAHSS certification as well as 1 year of retail experience, does anyone have any advice on how best I can sell myself here? this is one of the nicer hospitals in Seattle, I'd really like to work there...

[Nauticus]

Your best bet is to practice on articulating how awesome you are.

You may be able to state that you have good leadership or conflict resolution skills, but I may ask you to provide specific examples of times where you've shown those attributes. This would apply to most claims you make on a resume. It's okay, and encouraged, to include them, just be sure to have specific examples to provide should your interviewer ask.

One pet peeve of mine is a person who says that they have an "extensive" management background. I inquire as to what their management style is, what their preferred style is, and what their least favorite style is, and they stare at me blankly. It's important to know what you're talking about, when you claim to be experienced in those sectors.

[Squid]

What achievement are you most proud of? (failing to get into a decent University??? lol)

Name ONE thing a S.O. might do his shift?('trick' is to name ONLY one thing, to show you can listen....typical correct answer would be "check for unlocked doors")

What would you do if someone.....???? (IIRC, calling for backup/dispatch always #1)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? (working for you, of course, and kissing your ass!!!)

Why do you want to be S.O.? (tricky)


If you are being confronted with a man with a knife and you injure him and in court you are asked "why didn't you run away instead of attacking?" what would you say? <<<actual question I was asked in interview....I said "I'm not a fast runner so if I turned by back I'd be at great disadvantage"....they said that was very good answer and offered me the job





Here is standard accounting/management question:

We are playing a game flipping an honest coin;

Heads I pay you $2, tails you pay me $1.

What is it worth per flip to play that game?

Answer: $0.50.....after two typical flips you will be $1 ahead, so $1/2flips = "less than .50 per flip so for positive expectancy, or .50 per flip to break even"

(lots of people say $1per flip......other wrong answers are "I don't want to play so it isn't worth anything, so zero")


For 'phone interview' practice talking into 'tape recorder' and play back.






HOW much did that test cost and where you take and and how long you study and what was hardest questions?

[Condo Guard]

Have an adequate answer ready for "Where do you see yourself five years from now?" (Don't know if they still use that one, but I never seemed to give an answer that I liked or potential employers liked.)

Never say, "Hopefully I'll have your job," even joking. I was an interviewer once when the supervisor was out and I did not find it amusing. He was hired, but never worked my site, per my request.

[emnerv]

Have an adequate answer ready for "Where do you see yourself five years from now?" (Don't know if they still use that one, but I never seemed to give an answer that I liked or potential employers liked.)

Never say, "Hopefully I'll have your job," even joking. I was an interviewer once when the supervisor was out and I did not find it amusing. He was hired, but never worked my site, per my request.

well since this is decent paying gig with the potential for full-time and benefits and not just a warm body position, if I were still with that hospital in 5 years I would expect to be a supervisor or lead officer. this is what I planned to go with, is that a good answer?

The only other answer I could give is in 5 years I would like to work as a campus police officer for University of WA or some form of LEO.

But truthfully, I don't know if I want to do that, my dad wanted to be a cop, but after working in hospital security he never applied again because the hospital he worked at when he started hospital security (the same one I'm applying to) had consistent hours, good pay, and cadillac benefits. so I am actually entertaining the idea of being career healthcare security (most hospitals in my area pay pretty decently, one can live comfortably where I am on the offered wages.

[jtwestern]

Whatever you do, DON'T take any advice or follow any advice given by Squid.

[msovfin]

So I posted an earlier thread about wanting to enter security work..

I passed my IAHSS exam and scored 90%. So I began re-applying, strangley enough, the local "warm body companies" and Allied Barton haven't even considered my resumes or applications, but today I got a call from a local hospital who has "in house security" which pays much better then the contract firms, despite my lack of security experience they called me and asked me to be ready for a "telephone" interview next week.

Has anyone done telephone interviews for a security company? what are the likely to ask if you have?

Again, i'm 20 years old, no actual security experience, but I have most coursework for a two year degree done and IAHSS certification as well as 1 year of retail experience, does anyone have any advice on how best I can sell myself here? this is one of the nicer hospitals in Seattle, I'd really like to work there...

Generally, ABSS is very difficult to get into. Usually, you need one of two 'qualifications' to be considered. 1. A specific skill needed for the job opening, e.g. certification to carry a firearm as a guard along with security experience. 2. Know a contact with ABSS or an employee with one of ABSS' clients. If you have the opportunity to network with ABSS people, do it! ABSS gets a lot of internal and client based referrals for new employees.

Experience is huge right now in this poor job market. You might want to consider applying to some 'mom & pop' operations for experience. Another route for you to consider, if you are an active college student, is an internship. Some police departments and security firms have internship opportunities for students studying fields in or related to security or criminal justice. This will give you some experience to stand out from other candidates.

Best of luck to you! Let us know how the interview goes!!!

[Lawson]

Is this hospital Harborview?

[emnerv]

Is this hospital Harborview?

No, and due to confidential family reasons even thinking of applying there is not an option.

Ill let you know which one after interview