28 replies to this topic

[Ad4m]

Has anyone ever sat an assessment with Hampshire for PCSO roles?
Just looking for general advice on written paper and the '5 minute prepared talk on the role of pcso'
I'm hoping as its something you have to prepare for yourself you will be allowed to read it off paper and not by heart?
Cheers.

[Cupcake]

Hi Adam, I had my PCSO assessment day with Hamshire 5 months ago. I read my presentation from my piece of paper and they were absolutely fine with that When is your assessment day?

[Ad4m]

Thanks for your reply!
It's Tuesday 29th. Can I ask what the writing paper consists of?

Thanks again!

[splang]

Hope it went well...

[Cupcake]

How did you get on?

[Ad4m]

I think the writing was okay, general memo/report writing as you'd find in other assessments. However, the interview was quite a tricky one! I find out next week. Did you pass your assessment?

[Cupcake]

I found the interview tricky too and drove away from the assessment centre thinking of other things I could've added to my answers. But I obviously did something right as I got through! I'm in the final stages of recruitment now, I'm through vetting, have my fitness test tomorrow and then it's just the medical to go after that. Training is due to start at the end of July so can't wait for that. Which area of Hampshire are you hoping to be stationed in if you get through? Fingers crossed for you

[Ad4m]

Somehow I managed to pass. I've been given a conditional offer (as long as I pass vetting/fitness) and will be contacted when the next vacancy arises. No idea how I managed that!
I'm not too fussed about where I'm stationed, I'm from very far away so to be honest I don't know the area that well, I'll be happy wherever. - what about you? Well done by the way

[Lucas North]

Barking dog?

[Cupcake]

Somehow I managed to pass. I've been given a conditional offer (as long as I pass vetting/fitness) and will be contacted when the next vacancy arises. No idea how I managed that!
I'm not too fussed about where I'm stationed, I'm from very far away so to be honest I don't know the area that well, I'll be happy wherever. - what about you? Well done by the way

That's excellent news, well done because you're not too fussed you might find you get a vacancy coming up pretty quickly. I saw on the Hampshire Constabulary website a couple of weeks back that they were taking applications for future vacancies that they're expecting in the north of the county. I really wanted south as I'm in Southampton but am going up to the Basingstoke area as that was the only vacancy so I jumped at the chance!

Barking dog?

I'll never forget that barking dog!

[dlaws123]

Hi guys,

I went through the process on the 30th and got through with the same conditional offer. The wait is already killing me and its only been a few days! I thought the interview was tough and like everybody else I thought I'd failed. Has anybody spoken to recruitment about timescales or anything?

As for the barking dog, he was my choice, and I think the right one.

[Ad4m]

Oh I went opposite to the barking dog!

Those types of questions go both ways and I'm sure it's just to test your resilience and if you stand by decisions and can defend them etc... Not to compromise any assessment, a barking dog (I said yes can be a sign of danger) but not likely to cause further offences, unlike the other option...

[Cupcake]

I went for the other option too and then got really grilled over the dog. I think like you say it definitely goes both ways but if you can back up your answer then that's the main thing

[dlaws123]

I went for the other option too and then got really grilled over the dog. I think like you say it definitely goes both ways but if you can back up your answer then that's the main thing

Yeh, I dont think there was a right or wrong answer to the question. I think its more about giving valid reasons for your decision and then having the backbone to stick by it and justify your decision. Either one was an acceptable answer in my opinion. Must have been as we all got through!

Edited by dlaws123, 14 June 2012 - 12:48 PM.

[Lucas North]

I was adamant I was going to deal with the teens because a barking dog is a council issue... until the interviewing PC asked "Why do dogs bark?"

And then it dawned on me... s***.


I changed my answer and still passed, so no idea what happened there

Edited by Lucas North, 14 June 2012 - 12:54 PM.

[dlaws123]

I was adamant I was going to deal with the teens because a barking dog is a council issue... until the interviewing PC asked "Why do dogs bark?"

And then it dawned on me... s***.


I changed my answer and still passed, so no idea what happened there

Haha, its definitely a toughie.

Guessing you got the same response we did in that you are on hold until a position becomes available?

[Lucas North]

Yup, usual "We'll let you know and give you a fitness date." I've had a good look over the website to see how many local officers there are and it looks like they could do with a few more. However, they'll probably wait until there are a good few vacancies until they take anymore on, due to training. Would be a bit weird having 2 people on a training course

[Cupcake]

I was given a training date and told it was dependant on how many vacancies come up as to whether or not it would be worth while them doing it. Not quite sure what the minimum number is though Which area have you asked for Lucas?

[dlaws123]

Yup, usual "We'll let you know and give you a fitness date." I've had a good look over the website to see how many local officers there are and it looks like they could do with a few more. However, they'll probably wait until there are a good few vacancies until they take anymore on, due to training. Would be a bit weird having 2 people on a training course

Thats true, would definitely be a waste of resources training people separately. I have spoken to HR briefly and have been told that there is no set timescale but it can depend on where you want to be posted and how flexible you are. Dont know anybody who has gone through the process so dont really have much of an idea as to how long it normally takes. But I would guess we are in for the long haul...

[Cupcake]

Thats true, would definitely be a waste of resources training people separately. I have spoken to HR briefly and have been told that there is no set timescale but it can depend on where you want to be posted and how flexible you are. Dont know anybody who has gone through the process so dont really have much of an idea as to how long it normally takes. But I would guess we are in for the long haul...

If it helps I'm currently in the process. I had my assessment centre at the end of January and heard at the beginning of Feb that I was through subject to the fitness test, etc. In March I enquired what the time scale would be and was told if I was flexibile with my posting then something should come up sooner and then it did. I was meant to be on the May training but couldn't due to holiday commitments so am now down for the July training. Have you been quite flexible with where you want to go?

[dlaws123]

If it helps I'm currently in the process. I had my assessment centre at the end of January and heard at the beginning of Feb that I was through subject to the fitness test, etc. In March I enquired what the time scale would be and was told if I was flexibile with my posting then something should come up sooner and then it did. I was meant to be on the May training but couldn't due to holiday commitments so am now down for the July training. Have you been quite flexible with where you want to go?

So your wait wasn't too bad? Where are you being posted if you don't mind me asking?

I am very flexible as to where I am posted but on my initial application form I was asked to put a preferred area so chose where I currently live, Gosport. I did mention that I was flexible so hopefully they took that on board. I might be worth leaving it a while and if nothing has arisen then just calling and reminding them I'm flexible...

[Cupcake]

It wasn't too bad really but feels like it's been so much longer. I'm going up to the Basingstoke rural area. It's going to be about a 70mile round trip each day but definitely think it's worth it.

Maybe drop them a line to make sure they definitely have you down for being flexible?

[dlaws123]

That's quite a way but I know I too would jump at the chance to travel that distance if it means getting a position sooner. Thanks for the help. I think ill drop them an email and just explain that I am fully flexible.

[Lucas North]

I was given a training date and told it was dependant on how many vacancies come up as to whether or not it would be worth while them doing it. Not quite sure what the minimum number is though Which area have you asked for Lucas?

In my training class (Kent) there were 12 of us in a class and 4 classes... but that was back before the recession, when there was a big recruitment drive. I doubt very much if they would take less than 8 at a time, but who knows?

Oh and Farnborough / Aldershot for me.

[Ad4m]

Well I'm pretty flexible... Seen as I live 300 miles away and will be moving to the job. Top brownie points for me... Or top fail points I dunno!