Applied for 999 call handler position

[friendlymum67]

Is there anyone already in this job that could offer advice on what l can expect in the assessment? I would like to be as prepared as possible. Thanks!

Bump

I have no idea whatsoever but I am just replying to keep you bumped and wish you the absolute best of luck! It's not a job I could do as I have a tendency to fall apart under pressure but it is such a valuable job and I think those who can do it are amazing!

@smallandimperfectlyformed Thank you, that’s very kind and much appreciated. I did find a post from years ago but am hoping that there is someone with recent knowledge.
It’s kind of my dream job and at 53, my last chance realistically to try for something like this, but am useless at assessments, hence trying to find out as much as l can.
Thank you again 🙂

Possibly best to outline the position specifically to get the correct replies .
I was an operator for BT handling 999 calls ...
there were obviously handlers at the services Ambulance, Police. Fire , Coastguard , these roles were more involved than mine .

Anyway good luck ... keeping a clear head and being alert , methodical , calm and non emotional are key .

NHS tend to use competency based questions in interview so look this up, brainstorm some competencies and some scenarios/stories of you demonstrating the competency.

Emphasise that you are looking for a control room career, many younger staff use control as a foot in the door for getting out on the road as an EMT/paramedic, you really want to be there which goes in your favour.

@babbi Thank you. That’s a good point, tho not sure if/how l can amend the title of my post (it’s for the Police).

We had a typing assessment, spelling, listening (from a tape with a lot of background noise) and then in the interview we had a dummy call with the interviewing Sgt. my advice would be to just be yourself. I’d been a SAHP for the previous 9 years and I managed to bag myself a job. What I would say though, is I’d be honest with yourself about shifts and if you’ll manage with nights etc. Good luck!

@Whatsyouremergency Thank you, that very helpful. I can cope with those sort of tests (l think!) but it’s the competency based scenarios that l hate. You did really well to get the job!

Interview will be STAR method, give yourself a good read of how to answe the questions in that format

So...

Situation - what happened
Task - what was the problem/situation
Action - what action did you take/not take
Response - what was the outcome

A friend of mine works for the 101 line for Police Scotland. She lined up an interview for another friend who failed - she could't listen, ask questions and type on the keyboard at the same time!

I used the STAR method at my last interview.

But add another 'R' for reflection.

Not necessarily for all questions but good to show that you may have learnt from it/improved or could have done it differently.

Just wondering how you got on OP? I have a prep call on Wednesday ready for the assessment stage next week so I’m trying to study as much as possible.

@LostForWords2021 Unfortunately l failed the assessment so l didn’t get to the interview stage, but coincidentally l have just reapplied and been shortlisted again.
I am now panicking as l know where I went wrong on the assessment and it’s my weakest area and something l am really struggling with.

Oh no, what area are you struggling with, we could help each other out?

Oooh I've done the assessment and got the job a few moons ago.
So you need to be an accurate and fast typist.
See how fast you can type out addresses that your do reads out to you at random.
Are you at spot the difference? Numbers and locations are double checked so you need to spot errors very quickly.

You have to follow instructions to the absolute letter, no deviation.

You need so be a good active listener and he's things that you aren't being told.
Ie if a lady calls and says 'yes I would like a double pepporini pizza to 155 bond street's and hangs up, what could she be telling you?

If you hear dogs barking in the background, what should you ask the caller to do?

Swat up on what three words, modern slavery, drugs and their street names.

Think of a time where you've been creative to solve a complex problem?

Name a time when you've had an obstacle that you have gotten over against all odds?

Let me know if I can help any further

Haha sorry for all the typos! New phone is autocorrect mad

@Lollyneenah

Oooh I've done the assessment and got the job a few moons ago. So you need to be an accurate and fast typist. See how fast you can type out addresses that your do reads out to you at random. Are you at spot the difference? Numbers and locations are double checked so you need to spot errors very quickly.

You have to follow instructions to the absolute letter, no deviation.

You need so be a good active listener and he's things that you aren't being told.
Ie if a lady calls and says 'yes I would like a double pepporini pizza to 155 bond street's and hangs up, what could she be telling you?

If you hear dogs barking in the background, what should you ask the caller to do?

Swat up on what three words, modern slavery, drugs and their street names.

Think of a time where you've been creative to solve a complex problem?

Name a time when you've had an obstacle that you have gotten over against all odds?

Let me know if I can help any further

Very helpful, I’m confident about pizza queries and dogs barking I just struggle talking about myself and the “thinking about a time when....” questions always make me go blank!

Lots to look at between now and next week friendly I have my fingers crossed for both of us.

@Lollyneenah @LostForWords2021. Oh it’s so good to find others that are doing or have done the assessment!
I struggled with the section on Letter sequencing/patterns. Pass mark was 65% - l got 60 😕
Really don’t want to fail again so any tips much appreciated, tho obviously then l have the interview and training to get through!!

Can l ask which force you are with @Lolly and @LostForWords2021 what force are you applying to?

@Lollyneenah You need so be a good active listener and he's things that you aren't being told.
Ie if a lady calls and says 'yes I would like a double pepporini pizza to 155 bond street's and hangs up, what could she be telling you?
Erm am l being thick here?? What could she be telling you?

Swat up on what three words, modern slavery, drugs and their street names ??? 😳

I am now seriously thinking l am out of my depth!!

There was a call made by a DA victim who called 911 and pretended to order a pizza. The call handler quickly realised she was in danger and dispatched police to her address.

[quote friendlymum67]*****@Lollyneenah @LostForWords2021*. Oh it’s so good to find others that are doing or have done the assessment!
I struggled with the section on Letter sequencing/patterns. Pass mark was 65% - l got 60 😕
Really don’t want to fail again so any tips much appreciated, tho obviously then l have the interview and training to get through!!

Can l ask which force you are with @Lolly and @LostForWords2021 what force are you applying to?

@Lollyneenah You need so be a good active listener and he's things that you aren't being told.
Ie if a lady calls and says 'yes I would like a double pepporini pizza to 155 bond street's and hangs up, what could she be telling you?
Erm am l being thick here?? What could she be telling you?

Swat up on what three words, modern slavery, drugs and their street names ??? 😳

I am now seriously thinking l am out of my depth!![/quote]
I’ll PM you about which force if that’s ok? Although if we are both applying to the same one should we wear a MN scarf or meet by a water fountain if we ever manage to get to face to face interviews

@LostForWords2021 😂😂 Sounds like a good idea! Tho l’ll be lucky to get through the assessment at this rate!

@WhoAreYah Oh right, yes l have heard of that, thank you

[quote friendlymum67]@LostForWords2021 😂😂 Sounds like a good idea! Tho l’ll be lucky to get through the assessment at this rate![/quote]
I’ve sent you a PM.

I did this 2 years ago.
On the application I had to give 3 real life examples of different things I dealt with. I think it had to he in 750 words on a separate piece of paper.
1 was give an examples of a situation under pressure. They gave sub titles to go with it like expkain what the situation was explain your actions. Explain how your actions impacted the situation. What was the outcome. What did you do well. What do you think you can improve on etc.

There are 3 of these categories, that's just one.

It stipulated all 3 must be true real life examples and if you are found to be giving false details your application will be terminated.

At one if the panel interviews I got grilled on thus. It was a panel of 5 and the questions came fast and quick from all of them in fast succession. It's quite intense but I guess uts to see how you perform at speed under pressure.

That was the worst part of the interviews.

I also had to do a typing speed and accuracy test , a listening test and a speech test.

There was also some weird tests online that I think we're to check retaining info and reaction speed.

Thank you loopy did you get the job, are you still there now?