Dear future Probation Officer,

I will keep this page short and to the point. Here’s what I have for you today:

Probation Officer Interview Guide eBook cover

* Latest update of the eBook: January 2024.

In the eBook, you will find multiple great answers to each of the following questions:

  • Why do you want to work as a probation (parole) officer?
  • What do you want to accomplish on this position?
  • What do you consider the toughest aspect of this job?
  • How do you want to build relationships of trust with the offenders?
  • What do you consider your greatest weakness as a probation officer?
  • How would you say whether a person (offender, their family member) is telling truth to you?
  • Describe a typical probationer.
  • Many criminal offenders have emotional and psychological problems. Do you think you can handle to work with them?
  • How would you react if a client was acting in a hostile manner against you?
  • What do you expect from your supervisors and other colleagues at work?
  • How do you plan to deal with responsibility you’ll have in this job?
  • … and fifteen other tough questions you may face in your interview.

Check the sample to see how this eBook can help you:

 

Sample from the eBook


Question: What do you consider the toughest aspect of this job?

Hint: The key is to show them that you do not expect an easy ride, that you see the job realistically.

In my opinion, probably the most difficult thing is motivating people to change. Law offenders are not children anymore. They have their formulas of thinking; they have their past behind them—often a difficult one.

Changing the first one is extremely tough, and the past we cannot change. What is more, former inmates return to environments that strongly trigger their relapse to drug use…

Seeing someone you’ve worked with for two years (and had a good feeling about) eventually ending up in prison, or even overdosing and dying, is pretty hard.  Ensure the interviewers that you are ready to experience setbacks and disappointment.

You can also talk about other things, such as a possibility of encountering life-threatening situations in work, communication problems, struggle to keep at least some emotional distance from people you work with, etc.

In any case, you should show the interviewers that you do not expect an easy job, but are ready for the challenges it presents.

 

Sample answers

For me personally, the most difficult thing is distancing from the setbacks that invariably belong to this job. I want to try my best, and I honestly care for the clients. But I am also well aware of the statistics, and know that many clients will relapse. For me as a woman it is not easy to handle it. However, I believe that with a support from my colleagues, and with focusing on the successes we have, rather than dwelling on setbacks, I can get over my disappointment in a very short time, and it won’t impact me negatively in work.

Effective communication with the clients is definitely the toughest aspect of this job, at least in my opinion. It’s not easy to gain their trust, and many will not like my position or even me personally, just because they do not understand our job, and the fact that we primarily try to help them to stay out of prison. But it’s okay for me, and I will try to gain their trust, being honest and friendly, being a good listener and doing my best to help them.

 

Question: What do you expect from your supervisors and other colleagues at work?

Hint: In my opinion, the very best probation officers have expectations only on one person—on themselves. And this is true for any other employee…

Say that you try to focus on your own role in the process with the probationers—your tasks, meetings, your interactions with both colleagues and clients.

Another good answer is saying that you expect a clear communication and an honest feedback on your work, so you known what you could, or should do better.

One way or another, you should not talk about any excessive expectations on your colleagues. That’s not a good attitude and it could cost you your chances in this interview.

 

Sample answers

To be honest, I do not have any expectations on them. They certainly know what they should do, they are more experienced, and it’s not my business to monitor their performance in work. I want to focus on my job, and I have high expectations on myself, since I want to try my best in every single meeting, every hour I spend in work. Hopefully I can meet my own expectations.

I expect an open and honest communication between us. I expect them to give feedback on my work, to tell me how I can improve in my job. I expect them to give me a chance to prove my abilities as a probation officer. And of course I hope to have good relationship with them, and enjoy the time we spend together in work.

End of the sample


 

These are just two questions. You will find 25 in the eBook, including difficult behavioral questions. Questions from real interviews for probation (parole) officer jobs.

What is more, to ensure you will get the job, I included in the book six principles you need to understand before you can ace the meeting with the employer.

Without talking too much about them, let me show you another sample from the book:

 

Sample no. 2


One: Focus on attitudes

Whether you answer a simple question, or a seemingly difficult one, whether you shake hands with your interviewers or choose a chair to sit on, whether you write your answers online, on a piece of paper, or say them out loud, people who consider hiring you (and want to do so at the end) consciously observe only two things: your attitudes, and opinions.

They look mostly for the following attitudes in a good candidate for a job of a probation officer:

Confidence. They want you to be confident about your ability to handle the job, to work with probationers, to take care of your working duties, to handle difficult and stressful situations. Unless you are confident that you can do it, nobody else will be. Remember it in your interview.

Compassion. Nobody is born a criminal. Many times the life circumstances (difficult upbringing, broken family, bad role models, poverty, etc) are to blame for the crimes. People who commit petty theft and use (sell) illegal substances often do it from sheer despair, or because everyone around them does the same thing.

Good probation officers understand it. They have compassion and empathy for criminal offenders, and it allows them to get over their prejudice and work effectively with their clients. Anytime possible, show compassion and empathy in your interview.

It doesn’t mean that we should tolerate criminal acts, or liberate people from prisons. It simply means to respect offenders as human beings, and to see the bigger picture.

Respect and discipline. There are rules for everything within the law enforcement system, and a strong line of hierarchy rules the system. They want to see that you like such establishment, that you prefer to have rules and obey them, that you see your place and are ready to respect your superiors and all bureaucratic requirements. Playing Mr. Important or Mrs. “I know everything” won’t take you far in this interview…

Let them lead the meeting with you. Calmly listen, and answer each question. Do not interrupt. Show respect to their position and the way they lead the interview. Remember that you have to be a good listener first and just then you can become a good probation (parole) officer.

Motivation. I tell you something: Most people apply for this job because it pays better than most occupations for people with bachelor degree, they get many benefits, and it is generally a much respected role in human society—and they enjoy recognition and respect from their peers. That’s the typical motivation, and maybe also yours?

One way or another, you should try to show different attitude in an interview. There should be some enthusiasm in your voice anytime you speak about working with the offenders, and eventually helping them to get back on track, to resume “normal” ways of life.

They do not want to hire another guy who’s in only for dollars, and will leave after few difficult shifts or nerve-racking situations. Convince them that you are different, that your see the meaningful purpose in your job, and won’t lose your motivation easily.

Equanimity. Try to stay calm, regardless of what happens in your interview. They may try to put you under pressure with some questions, but that’s just the part of the game.

Stay calm, even if you do not know the answer to their question. Admit that you do not know the answer, or the right action you’d take. You’ll learn everything in your training.

Once they see your peace of mind and a calm way………………

End of the sample


Matthew Chulaw
Matthew Chulaw, author of the eBook

So that’s it. I do not want to waste your time with lengthy sales pages, and imaginary discounts or fake reviews, like other people do on their websites while trying to sell something.

You have read the samples, you know what the eBook is about, and surely you can tell whether it will help you.

I sincerely believe it will help you. And you can read it easily in two to three hours, it’s 12,000 words. Only things that truly matter, no secondary content. A holistic approach to your interview…

Plus, of course, like with everything else we sell here on InterviewPenguin.com, you have a risk free sixty days money back guarantee. If you don’t like this eBook for any reason, or no reason at all, just let me know (email me at matthew[at]interviewpenguin[dot]com) within 60 days and we will give you a full refund.

Quick Summary

Probation Officer Interview Guide eBook cover

  • Brilliant answers to twenty five difficult questions you may get in your interview for a probation (parole) officer job, covering all important areas. Updated in 2024.
  • More answers to each question, so you can choose one that reflects your values and experience.
  • Six principles of acing the interview, things you simply need to know in order to make the right impression on your interviewers.
  • Instant download, .PDF format (you can read it on any device (mobile, kindle, PC), and you can easily print it).
  • Secure and simple checkout with PayPal, you can pay with your credit/debit card, or with your PayPal account.
  • Price: $13, one time payment, no hidden fees or upsell, no crappy bonuses. 60 days risk free money back guarantee .
  • Click the checkout button below to proceed to the payment.

(After the payment you will be directed back to our website, to a protected page, to download your eBook. You will also receive a download link and instructions to your email, just to ensure that you will get the book without waiting, even if the redirect fails.)


That’s it. Your interview does not have to be stressful, or difficult. You can interview with confidence, and give brilliant answers to all tough questions. Download the guide today, and ace your probation officer interview.

Sincerely,

Matthew Chulaw, Your personal job interview coach

P.S. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions. I try my best to answer all messages within twelve hours (matthew[at]interviewpenguin[dot]com).

Matthew Chulaw
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