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!

Id be so interested to hear more about this as it's a job I've thought about!
I take calls for a housing association, routine maintenance stuff, but every now and then we get a real biggie- have to gain emergency access for welfare, or police incident at property, or just an elderly lady crying down the phone to me cause her ceiling has fell in. And i find i handle these calls really well, whether i could cope with it all shift day in day out is another matter.

How did you get on OP?

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!

What I’ve found helpful with these type of questions is to think ahead of time to a few situations that were tricky for whatever reason. Think them through using the STAR method mentioned upthread and, if it helps your memory, write out your reflections (not to take with you but to get them in your head). Think of situations that meant working under pressure, having to stand your ground or advocate for someone else and one where you had to give tricky feedback - but think about them as fully as you can. I usually find I can them use the examples for most types of question eg standing my ground usually is also a good example of a situation where I learned a lesson, or where something went wrong, or of collaborative working.

If you know just two or three good situations you can draw all sorts of stuff from them without having to draw on X number of years experience while feeling put on the spot.

My friend has done this job for years, it’s not for everyone
Many don’t last due to the shifts and the pressure etc, you don’t get quiet time!
My friends taken multiple horrific calls and she handles it well but many don’t. She would leave but the moneys good

I did it for the ambulance service for a decade and you definitely have to be a strong person. A lot burn out around 7 years in I think a study found

Is anyone able to explain what the following means for me please?

The county of Essex comprises 75 percent agricultural land, but with a number of significant and spread out major urban conurbations, including Basildon, Thurrock and Southend

@LostForWords2021 so a cornubation is an urban area that includes several different towns/cities so basically they've spread out and connected
So 75% agricultural but with large urban areas

[quote QueenPaw]@LostForWords2021 so a cornubation is an urban area that includes several different towns/cities so basically they've spread out and connected
So 75% agricultural but with large urban areas [/quote]
Ah, that makes sense, thank you! I was concentrating on Chelmsford being a City instead of the agricultural connection to towns, including not inclusive.

Bit late to the party here but FWIW...

Assessment for us was a typing speed test, short term memory, listening and role play scenarios.

Training was a couple weeks in the classroom then in the control room with a full time mentor.

Actually read up on the job, what the shift pattern is and whether it's for 999 exclusively. Our force has a dual role which means 999 handlers are also required to train as radio dispatchers (much more stressful and much faster paced) Others are 999/101 with dispatch as a separate job role.

If you are struggling with the 999 assessment, would you consider becoming a 101 call handler initially (assuming the roles are distinct)? Calls are generally slower and the assessment therefore has a slightly lower pass criteria. You could then look to move roles once you are competent.

Feel free to PM me if I can help in any other way

999/101 v 999/dispatcher is a really good question which isn’t revealed in the JD so I’ll add that in for later today - thank you!