Surviving the Oral Interview: Boot Camp for the Mind

By Zimmie Williams

If you're stuck in a rut, the contents of this book can change your life, just like the United States Navy and Los Angeles Police Department did for me.
- Not comfortable in the oral interview, buy this book!
- Not sufficiently motivated to jump start your life, buy this book!
- Battling a weight problem, buy this book!
This book will wake you up and get you moving in the right direction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781543974492

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Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN 978-1-54397-448-5 (print)

ISBN 978-1-54397-449-2 (eBook)

Contents

PREFACE

A SPECIAL THANKS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

UNDER NEW COMMAND

LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

WAR

A STEPFATHER’S INFLUENCE

BOOT CAMP

FIRE WATCH

RANK

CONFORMITY

FOLLOWING ORDERS

PENALTIES FOR DISOBEDENCE

GENERAL ORDERS

U.S. NAVY S.E.A.L.s

GRADUATION FROM BOOT CAMP

SEA DUTY

MY HELICOPTER SQUADRON

DETACHMENT 5

WARSHIP

GOING ABOARD SHIP

FLYING ABOARD SHIP

TOUCH-DOWN

SEA SICKNESS

SLEEPING

ACCLIMATION

END OF ENLISTMENT

CIVILIAN LIFE

AN ALTERED STATE

SOLUTION

POLICE ACADEMY TRAINING

CLASSING-UP

FALL-OUT FOR P/T (PHYSICAL TRAINING)

THE P/T INSTRUCTORS

DAILY P/T

RUNNING

ACADEMICS

STUDY

UNIFORM AND WEAPON INSPECTION

ACADEMIC TESTING

SQUAD LEADER

SURVIVAL

PROGRESSION OF CAREER

PROMOTIONS

METROPOLITAN DIVISION AND S.W.A.T.

STUDYING FOR THE SERGEANT’S EXAM

SERGEANT’S EXAM TEST DAY

SERGEANT

TENURED

NEW SKILL

INTERVIEWS

MORE TO OFFER

HELPING OTHERS

POOR – LIKE ME

NEW MISSION

THE PURPOSE OF THE ORAL INTERVIEW

EMPLOYMENT

THE INTERVIEW

EXAMPLE OF PROBLEM CORRECTION OF STUDENT IN TRAINING

INSTRUCTORS AND EDUCATORS READING THIS BOOK

BULLYING

VICTIMS OF BULLYING

INTELLIGENCE

THE QUESTIONS

ACTUAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

THE PERSONNEL SELECTION PROCESS

RESULT

CRIMINALS IN POLICE UNIFORMS

MOVING-ON

A NEW SELECTION PROCESS FOR ITS POLICE OFFICERS

COURAGE

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW

NO TIME TO TRAIN (OR PREPARE)

UNSUCCESSFUL PEOPLE

LIFE EXPERIENCE CHECK LIST

CHILDHOOD

SCHOOL

SPORTS

RELATIONSHIPS

COLLEGE

MILITARY

LOVE

FRIENDSHIPS

SUCCESS

FAILURE

HARDSHIP

RELIGION

PRIOR EMPLOYMENT

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE ORAL INTERVIEW ROOM

INTERVIEW-TIME-LINE

RECORDING OF INTERVIEWS

ANSWERING INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS

RATING OF ANSWERS GIVEN BY INTERVIEW CANDIDATES

MY PERSONAL TOUCH

REPETITON OF RESPONSES

PARENTS

ORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT

PREPARED RESPONSE TO THIS QUESTION

SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ORAL INTERVIEW

RECOMMENDED RESPONSE(S) TO THIS QUESTION

OVERVIEW

HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER and STATE TROOPER ORAL INTERVIEW

RECOMMENDED RESPONSE

POSSIBLE RESPONSE

PAROLE AND PROBATION DEPARTMENTS ORAL INTERVIEW

DETENTION OFFICER ORAL INTERVIEW

FIRE DEPARTMENT ORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

ORAL INTERVIEW QUESTION FOR TEACHERS

POSSIBLE RESPONSES

ORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS (F.B.I.) ORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

MY JOB

UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

EMPLOYMENT REQUIRMENTS

THE TOP 5 ORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ASKED IN CORPORATE AMERICA (THE PRIVATE SECTOR)

PREPARATION FOR THIS TYPE OF QUESTION

DATING ORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE WHILE DATING

CLUES OF FINACIAL IRRESPONSIBLITY AND OR CARELESSNESS

THE RELATIONSHIP BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT

DATING CANDIDATE CATERGORIES (TIERS)

AFFAIRS – CHEATING

SOCIOPATHS AND PSYCHOPATHS

A LITTLE DATING ADVICE

PHYSICAL INTIMACY

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE AREA OF DATING

DATING EXIT

WOMEN DATING

PERSONAL INFORMATION IN THE DATING GAME

REVELATION OF TRUE CHARACTER

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX (INTERVIEW TACTICS)

THE WILD CARD QUESTION

WILD CARD QUESTION VARIATIONS

INTEVIEW ATTIRE

TIMELINESS

VOLUNTERISM

CREDITWORTHINESS

OUTSTANDING DEBT (BAD CREDIT)

BURYING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND

BAD CREDIT (LEARN FROM THIS)

DRUG TESTIING

HEALTH AND FITNESS

SELF-MOTIVATION

SELF ASSESSMENT

EXERCISE

LIFTING-WEIGHTS

WEIGHTS

WALKING AT SCHOOL OR AT WORK

SWIMMING

RUNNING

CYCLING

MISSION - CYCLING TO THE GROCERY OR CONVIENCE STORE

MARTIAL ARTS

ARMOURED-UP

MOTIVATION

SERGEANT WILLIAMS’ WEIGHT LOSS FORMULA

DIET

BIRDS OF FEATHER

DISCIPLINE AND SACRIFICE

NO MEALS AFTER 6:00 P.M.

WATER

VEGETABLES

EATING EVERY THREE (3) HOURS

MUSCULARITY

MOVEMENT

PERSPECTIVE

PREPARATIONS

SELF-ESTEEM

HIGH SELF-ESTEEM

LOW SELF-ESTEEM

LOW SELF-ESTEEM IN THE ORAL INTERVIEW SETTING

HOW TO OVER-COME LOW SELF-ESTEEM

THE WILL TO WIN

OBLITERATED, DESTROYED, ANNIALATED

EPILOGUE

PREFACE

Before we get into the reason you purchased this book (Oral Interview Preparation), I decided to share elements of my own life with the reader in the first 27-or-so pages. I did this in an effort to let the student who is struggling with grades while in high school or college, or came from a difficult background (like I did) know that it is okay to struggle. That it is not a crime to be poor, to come from a broken-home (missing a parent); that by making a decision about your life (sometimes early in life, sometimes later), that you can take-command of your destiny, and that by sheer will-power and refusal to give-up, you can carve-out your future; sometimes out of nothing.

I hope that by reading about my time in the United States Navy and the Los Angeles Police Academy, as both a young Sailor, and as a young recruit police officer, that when you are faced with hardship, struggle, resistance, and difficulty, that you will develop a burning desire to endure, to persevere, to excel.

NOTE: Some will find the beginning pages of this book shocking, because it exposes the painful truth regarding what it sometimes takes to lift yourself out of the norm, out of complacency, out of mediocrity. If you are a young person who wants a spark to help you change your life, to help you get off of the sofa, and start moving in a new direction, then this book is for you!

A SPECIAL THANKS

I would like to take a moment to offer a special thanks to the person who worked sometimes two or three jobs, staying up all night long, making minimum wage, so that my brothers and I could have a roof over our heads, food to eat, and clothing to wear to school. I would like to thank my mother, Mrs. Eddie Mae Williams.

I would also like to thank my stepfather, Sergeant Clarence Williams, United States Army Tanker Corps, Korean War. He took me into his home, and gave me what every male child needs: A father. Sir, I will always be grateful!

May you both rest in peace.

QUOTE OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY S.E.A.L.’s:

A winner never quits! And a quitter never wins! It pays to be a winner!

I became aware of this philosophy while in training in San Diego, California, in 1977, while going through Navy boot camp. When times have become hard in my own life, I often reflect back on it. Maybe you too can use it, when you feel like giving-up. When the job you hoped to get doesn’t come through. When the college course you’re taking is a bit more than you expected. When the love of your life leaves you at that critical moment - when you really need them.

Sometimes in life, the only person that you can truly count on, is yourself.

Thank you for purchasing my book. Let’s train!

QUESTION: Why do people fail Oral Interviews?

ANSWER: Because they don’t know them themselves, or the private companies, sheriff’s department, police departments, or corrections departments they seek to apply to.

This failure to know one’s self is the first step to failing an Oral Interview. Failing the oral is a guaranteed trip to the not wanted file in the Organization’s Human Resources Department for your job application.

The purpose of this book is to introduce you to who you really are. To help you to understand the process of interviewing for a job / career that will provide a rich and satisfying future for yourself, your family, and all those you love and care about, over the course of your life.

QUESTION: Who would buy a book like this?

ANSWER: A high school student preparing for his or her first job. A mid-way college student who is looking for employment, as they navigate their way through school. A military veteran separating from service. A housewife going through a divorce, who is looking for a fresh start. An unemployed person who has experienced difficulty in the Oral Interview area of the hiring process.

QUESTION: Why this book?

I will go out on a limb and admit that I am not a polished author. I am a retired policeman. Actually, a retired police sergeant and former member of the United States Navy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Like many Americans, I come from humble beginnings. I was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1959, at Cook County Hospital, to a single mother.

UNDER NEW COMMAND

At the tender age of two-years-old, I was taken into the home of my stepfa ther, a battle-hardened combat veteran of the Korean War.

My stepfather, Sergeant Clarence Williams, was a tanker. Well actually, he was a tank-commander. In battle, my stepfather was a fearless warrior. Due to some of his heroics, he was awarded a number of medals and citations during the course of the war effort. One of his awards (if it can be called that) was a bullet handed to him by a nurse, after he awoke from surgery in an Army Field Hospital. The bullet wound injury was the result of a direct action mission he and his men had engaged in when the crew dismounted from the protection of their multi-ton tank to engage the enemy on foot. During the dismount, he had been shot with a rifle, by a Korean Soldier.

Another memento of the war is a burn-mark on his scalp left by a super-heated anti-tank shell that scraped by his head during combat operations against the Korean Army.

NOTE: If the anti-tank round had moved to the right just one-half of an inch, it would have killed him.

My stepfather was a hard man, he was a tough man. After each of his battlefield sustained injuries, he returned to command his tank; to lead his men in battle.

After leaving the Armed Forces at the end of the war, he settled in the City of Gary, Indiana, where he met my mother, Ms. Eddie Mae Harley. The two married, and I began the journey that would lead to my enrolling in Navy R.O.T.C. (Navy Reserve Officers Training Corp) at Lakewood High School, located in the City of Lakewood, California, more than a decade later, in 1975.

LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

I was very fortunate to have enrolled into both this school, and into the R.O.T.C. program at age 15. Fortunate because of the men I now view as my heroes. Commander Johnson, and Chief Diaz, were both retired veterans of the United States Navy. These men, both instructors at the school, took an interest in me. A poor kid, from a broken home, who (because of my parent’s divorce at the age of 10) was reduced to using lunch tickets (free lunch) in the cafeteria of the school located in a very prosperous city.

One day, while at school, in the middle of my third year at Lakewood, I was summoned into the office of the commander; both he and Chief Diaz then closed the door. As a 17-year-old student, I couldn’t help but think silently to myself, What have I done now?

The two military men gently began to probe. The commander asked, What do you plan to do after high school son? Taking a moment to process the question, I responded, I really don’t know sir. Having been brought-up in a blue collar home, the prospect of going to college had never occurred to me. As the eldest son in my small, four-person family, I had hoped to get a job working at a local hamburger stand after graduating high school. They asked me if I had ever thought of joining the Navy. These men were proposing something that I had never given a second’s thought to.

WAR

While growing up under the command of my stepfather, we spent hours watching popular 1960’s TV shows like Combat, starring Vic Morrow, and the F.B.I. TV series, starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr. War movies starring various actors, like Audie Murphy, and of course, the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was the first televised war, due to improvements in both television and journalism.

The Vietnam War brought home the stark reality of war. The gritty truth about it. That it was not just a heroic endeavor engaged in by empires, but a brutal machine that chewed-up and spit-out the damaged, broken, and sometimes dead-bodies of the men who fought them. I wanted nothing to do with war.

The Navy, what Commander Johnson was offering, was a ticket to war, a First Class ticket.

However, my prospects were admittedly limited….in fact, extremely limited. After leaving school that day, I thought about it. I thought about it a lot.

A STEPFATHER’S INFLUENCE

I thought about what I had learned about being a man while under the stewardship and direction of my stepfather. I thought about what he had done, and had endured in service to our