i may be going into Corrections, i have a question (NC DOC)

[zmurphy]

Hello everybody! i am new to the forum, but i have been reading through it for a couple weeks now.

i applied for a CO position here in NC a couple of weeks ago. today i received my testing info and schedule for 7/22 (next Tuesday).

i am currently going through my 3rd layoff in 3 years! i am in the Telecom industry and have been for over 14 years. needless to say with the economy, Telecom and IT are slow right now. i am SO tired of getting layed off. i set up my own company to work on the side and weekends, with my company i do Telecom and Home Theater. i am hoping between my side business and the MUCH cheaper health insurance (w/ the state bene's) i can help supplement the difference in salaries.

i originally started at a local community college in criminal justice after high school but started working Telecom and liked the money and hours. i have thought about going back into CJ ever since. so now i am thinking about finishing my Associates degree, get a 4 or 5 years of CO experience and then possibly go into probation/parole.

what should i wear to my testing? suit, business casual, shirt and tie......?

sorry this is long, thanks!

[Tinkplink]

Originally Posted by zmurphy

Hello everybody! i am new to the forum, but i have been reading through it for a couple weeks now.

i applied for a CO position here in NC a couple of weeks ago. today i received my testing info and schedule for 7/22 (next Tuesday).

i am currently going through my 3rd layoff in 3 years! i am in the Telecom industry and have been for over 14 years. needless to say with the economy, Telecom and IT are slow right now. i am SO tired of getting layed off. i set up my own company to work on the side and weekends, with my company i do Telecom and Home Theater. i am hoping between my side business and the MUCH cheaper health insurance (w/ the state bene's) i can help supplement the difference in salaries.

i originally started at a local community college in criminal justice after high school but started working Telecom and liked the money and hours. i have thought about going back into CJ ever since. so now i am thinking about finishing my Associates degree, get a 4 or 5 years of CO experience and then possibly go into probation/parole.

what should i wear to my testing? suit, business casual, shirt and tie......?

sorry this is long, thanks!

Look sharp! A mild suit would be great but nothing flashy. Because of the heat, I don't think they would mind if you showed up with nice dress pants, dress shirt, and nice tie (tied of course). Go easy on the jewelry. Be polite. Good luck..

[lwinger]

Totally agree with tink. Dress professional and do not use slang language. Show your best side, first impressions are everything.

[7forlife]

I agree with the previous entries. Do your best!!!!

[OfficerPedde]

Welcome, go to your interview in a nice pair of pants, dress shirt and tie. Carry yourself well and be respectful and ask questions. Working for NCDOC is a great thing. If you get hired you won't have to worry about getting laid off. That's a fact because we are planning on building more prisons.

[Gooseneck]

Congrats on the new direction for you. I just did my panel interview a few weeks ago. I wore business casual w/ a tie and looked fine. There were guys in polos and jeans with shirts untucked and what not. You'll sit in front of 4 people and answer 10 pre-picked questions regarding character and situational scenarios. They wont get into much of your personal backround or anything, but be thorough in your answers without sounding rehearsed. Remember to shake their hands when you walk in and meet them as well as leaving. Good luck.

[zmurphy]

Originally Posted by Gooseneck

Congrats on the new direction for you. I just did my panel interview a few weeks ago. I wore business casual w/ a tie and looked fine. There were guys in polos and jeans with shirts untucked and what not. You'll sit in front of 4 people and answer 10 pre-picked questions regarding character and situational scenarios. They wont get into much of your personal backround or anything, but be thorough in your answers without sounding rehearsed. Remember to shake their hands when you walk in and meet them as well as leaving. Good luck.

do you remember any specific questions? how long was it after your testing that you did your panle interview? do you know how long the entire process takes?

thanks for the help guys! i am extremely excited. please keep the info coming!

[Gooseneck]

Well unfortunately is was close to two months after I tested that I got a call to interview. I dont know if that is typical or not, but once I interviewed I was called back within a week with a conditional offer of employment. About a week after that I went and did my psych eval and finger printing, etc. You'll get a physical before you do that too.

[zmurphy]

Originally Posted by Gooseneck

Well unfortunately is was close to two months after I tested that I got a call to interview. I dont know if that is typical or not, but once I interviewed I was called back within a week with a conditional offer of employment. About a week after that I went and did my psych eval and finger printing, etc. You'll get a physical before you do that too.

2 months? dang thats a long time.

did you interview at a prison or back at the testing facility? thats one thing i am curious about (i actually posted a enw thread about it). since there are continuos CO openings. do all the prisons in my region have openings or just 1? will i be able to have a choice where i work?

do you have a start date yet?

thanks for the info

[Kyle313]

Good luck in your endeavors.....one thing to keep in the back of your mind.....once you get on as an officer, you may be able to find an internal posting that fits your IT background better. Not all state positions are open to the public. I had a good friend that had a degree in electronic engineering, but in order for him to make good money in that he had either move or commute quite a ways. He chose to become a correctional officer and after 2 years found an internal posting for a maintenance position dealing with all the electronic fencing equipment and computers that goes along with it. He laterally transferred and is now using his chosen field for the state, works 8-4, and has weekends and holidays off.(on call of course).

But for now, concentrate on getting hired......but don't be suprised if they ask about your abilities at the interview.....some places may see this as a plus and "use" you for dual purposes.