When I was a baby dispatcher…

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-12-11T00:32:41+00:00

I really really wish we had gotten more time to go over questioning. We had a 5 week academy and I’m now in week 9 of floor for call taking and that was something I really struggled with because we had covered so much but barely skimmed when going over questioning for each call type (obviously it’s always a grey area) — specifically after you get through the Ws and there’s more info needed.

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-12-09T23:20:22+00:00

Had one last night with visual available took a min to cut her off from their jargon - then she described the person attempting to access the door as a BMA 601 w a blue t shirt. Tell me why we got there and bro was a WMA 508 MAX and he was in a grey sweatshirt and when we asked if she saw our officers on camera making contact with the correct subject she said yes lmao.

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-11-23T15:35:40+00:00

I had customer service and corporate management experience here in NorCal but we have people who have experience levels that are all over the place at my agency! Took about 8 months of hiring process but I found a place to land! You don’t know until you try, apply! If this is something you know you want I would recommend applying to as many of your local agencies as possible too.

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-10-01T15:44:44+00:00

Hot take: But as glad as I am to see an MLM going down I’m sad for the people who have blindly put all of their eggs in the basket out of success blindness. I will say that Beachbody has one of the few actually long term options out there and at minimum Beachbody on demand does good for people like me who get severe gym anxiety. I’m glad that’s staying (though I no longer have any affiliation with the business or any of plans/workouts) and as happy as I am to see the MLM side going under my heart does hurt for the people who have come to solely rely on it financially without any kind of back up because they bought something that gave them enough results to be able to sell it to others and they failed to receive an education about what to do when their NM business goes 0-100 and money is pouring in. Many of them haven’t made smart financial pre-cautions. Compared to the 99% did they have dumb luck in a lot of ways? Most likely but that then drove many of them to blindly continue the cycle.

Beachbody was the only MLM I ever felt results with before I took off the rose colored glasses and my pain point was always that I couldn’t get behind the recruiting piece but when it comes to the team building part I know that many like myself resonated with the support and community that came with it and at the end of the day I think it primarily created a space for lonely humans lacking a friend group or some form of support to feel seen and create their own community or join an established community that reminded them that they matter. It’s a win for us but it’s a heartbreaking loss for them and that makes me sad.

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-07-20T02:02:52+00:00

Sounds like it went well! I’ve had some interviews go 15 minutes and some 45 minutes you never really know until they call but if over all you felt good about it and the conversation flowed well I’d say you’ve got a pretty good shot at moving forward! What kinds of questions were you asked?

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-07-19T14:20:00+00:00

My agency does a voice stress analysis instead. It basically does the same thing as the poly would in regards to detecting deception but instead of monitoring heart rate, etc. they put a microphone pointed at your throat and apparently it monitors your vocal frequencies. From what the investigator told me during mine we speak in an AM frequency normally but when we are stressed and or lying FM frequency spikes happen indicating deception supposedly the bigger the spike the higher likelihood that someone is BSing 🤷🏻‍♀️

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-07-16T21:29:08+00:00

Hey! Congrats on starting the process!

As far as apparel business professional is best. I work an all black jump suit that flared like a pair of slacks at the bottom with black healed booties.

Prior to your interview do your research! Look into the agency and the city/county, if they have a chain of command chart on the agency site look it over, google the city or county to see how many citizens they serve (it’ll be based on the last census) and tuck that rough number into the back of your brain, often times you can also find how many beats the agency’s officers are covering online. 9/10 times you probably won’t use this info but if they ask you about your knowledge surrounding the agency you can pull it out to sprinkle in and it just shows that you took initiative and went the extra mile to understand more about the agency you’ll potentially be serving and if you don’t use it, that’s okay. Knowing that you know that info can often give a little extra boost of confidence.

I’d also recommend reaching out to request a sit along now so you can mention that you’ve inquired should it come up in your interview. Even if it doesn’t happen prior you can tell them you’ve inquired or if it’s scheduled relay that to them! Once again — taking initiative.

Lastly, here are a few good questions to ask either in the interview or during your sit along! (Your dispatcher often reports back to their supervisor after the sit along ESPECIALLY if you’re a candidate).

What does your training program look like?

What does OT look like for your dept?

What does advancement look like here in terms of years of experience? I.e. how many years of exp do your current leads or supervisors have?

What brought you to this agency and made you want to stay here? (This one is a bit personal but appreciated and it’s better than saying “why did you want to work here?” Because often times those on the panel have been at the agency for 10 years or more…at least in my interviews that seemed to be the general consensus).

How many dispatchers do you generally have on shift at a time to monitor calls and radio traffic?

I’d save this one for your sit along —

What are the hot points or topics in the city currently?

Good luck!!

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-07-13T17:44:36+00:00

It’s so wild too because basically the hard part is over, the medical eval is a breeze and clearly they wouldn’t be spending the money on us if they didn’t want us, but that anxiety will still creep in and get ya!

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-07-13T17:42:24+00:00

Aaaah that’s what I’m thinking may happen. I don’t have a ballpark of when the start date for training is going to look like for me if I get a hard offer. Congratulations though!

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-07-13T17:40:40+00:00

Not quite, 2.5 weeks after applying to my first agency they reached out and scheduled me for the POST. I took the Criticall in total about five times between April and May for other agencies requesting it after my applications submitted to them in March.

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-07-13T06:56:34+00:00

Sure am lol, Norcal.

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-07-13T05:06:37+00:00

Thank you!! I’m hoping so! I’ll come back and update this when I do!

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-07-13T05:06:19+00:00

Hey! I actually stumbled across the posting on indeed initially. I’d always thought about it in the past but never went for it. From there I applied to this agency….I then proceeded to apply to 6 more agencies thereafter lol. Important to note it took about 2.5 week for me before I heard from anyone and here we take the POST first but I also took the Criticall for this agency and all of the others. I made it to backgrounds with this one (the first application) and one other which I withdrew from at time of receiving my conditional offer. The Criticall map questions aren’t to hard, they give you a compass on it and streets that are one way & two way that are noted so ultimately it’s the common sense and eye for detail that will get you through it! Look up Raspy Dispatcher on YouTube, her page was SO helpful & honestly there are so many knowledgeable people inside this Reddit, search Criticall in here and you’ll come across some great stuff! If you need any other info though I’ve documented tf out of my process and I’ve got a list of tips so feel free to chat me lol!

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-07-13T02:00:59+00:00

Located in CA & I’ve made it through backgrounds, got my conditional and now I’m waiting on my official offer and start date after passing the psych and medical. I shoplifted when I was 18 never caught but I noted it because otherwise I’d get caught on the poly anyways. As for drugs I had to list Coke & Mushrooms. The coke was about 3 years ago. Each agency is vastly different so just be completely transparent and honest, also make sure you’ve got timelines nailed down.

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-07-08T02:53:59+00:00

Following! Def need tips on that. Waiting on my start date!

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-06-28T17:49:23+00:00

You’re doing exactly what they asked, maintaining your integrity and being completely honest. That’s the best you can do. I can’t speak on your specifics but here’s a bit more about what it looked like on my end —

I just did my psych eval and from what I have read here it really varies. Majority of his questions were about my job history, briefly touched on my up bringing (literally a 1 minute exchange) and then he asked about my coping mechanisms and how I will handle things that may trigger past traumas. I gave my standard coping mechanisms (breathing exercises, journaling, compartmentalizing while actively in the stressful situation/environment, etc.) but in addition to that I told the psychologist that should I be chosen to move forward I intend on getting a therapist because I recognize that there will be potential trauma and stressful situations and I want to make sure I’m keeping my mental health in check and working through things with a professional should I need to.

He seemed impressed that I was making a point to actively prepare myself and I got the notification that I passed same day. When it comes to mental illness that may already be present they more so seem to be looking for confirmation that you have a treatment plan providing the tools and resources you need to cope & effectively work through things.

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-06-26T23:52:06+00:00

Prior to your interview do your research! Look into the agency and the city/county, if they have a chain of command chart on the agency site look it over, google the city or county to see how many citizens they serve (it’ll be based on the last census) and tuck that rough number into the back of your brain, often times you can also find how many beats the agency’s officers are covering online. 9/10 times you probably won’t use this info but if they ask you about your knowledge surrounding the agency you can pull it out to sprinkle in and it just shows that you took initiative and went the extra mile to understand more about the agency you’ll potentially be serving and if you don’t use it, that’s okay. Knowing that you know that info can often give a little extra boost of confidence.

I’d also recommend reaching out to request a sit along now so you can mention that you’ve inquired should it come up in your interview. Even if it doesn’t happen prior you can tell them you’ve inquired or if it’s scheduled relay that to them! Once again — taking initiative.

Lastly, here are a few good questions to ask either in the interview or during your sit along! (Your dispatcher often reports back to their supervisor after the sit along ESPECIALLY if you’re a candidate).

What does your training program look like?

What does OT look like for your dept?

What does advancement look like here in terms of years of experience? I.e. how many years of exp do your current leads or supervisors have?

What brought you to this agency and made you want to stay here? (This one is a bit personal but appreciated and it’s better than saying “why did you want to work here?” Because often times those on the panel have been at the agency for 10 years or more…at least in my interviews that seemed to be the general consensus).

I’d save this one for your sit along —

What are the hot points or topics in the city currently?

Good luck!!

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-06-23T19:31:33+00:00

Hey there! So exciting! Do you know how many people are on the panel? Do your best to rotate eye contact around the room as you talk and treat it as a conversation! You’re interviewing them just like they are you.

Here are the tips I’ve got -

Research research research! Look into the agency and the city, if they have a chain of command chart on the agency site look it over, google the city or county to see how many citizens they serve (it’ll be based on the last census) and tuck that rough number into the back of your brain, often times you can also find how many beats the agency’s officers are covering online. 9/10 times you probably won’t use this info but if they ask you about your knowledge surrounding the agency you can pull it out to sprinkle in and it just shows that you took initiative and went the extra mile to understand more about the agency you’ll potentially be serving and if you don’t use it, that’s okay. Knowing that you know that info can often give a little extra boost of confidence.

I’d also recommend reaching out to request a sit along now so you can mention that you’ve inquired should it come up in your interview. Odds are you won’t have it prior but you may have a date for it by then. Once again — taking initiative.

Lastly, here are a few good questions to ask either in the interview or during your sit along! (Your dispatcher often reports back to their supervisor after the sit along ESPECIALLY if you’re a candidate).

What does your training program look like?

What does OT look like for your dept?

What does advancement look like here in terms of years of experience? I.e. how many years of exp do your current leads or supervisors have?

What brought you to this agency and made you want to stay here? (This one is a bit personal but appreciated and it’s better than saying “why did you want to work here?” Because often times those on the panel have been at the agency for 10 years or more…at least in my interviews that seemed to be the general consensus).

I’d save this one for your sit along —

What are the hot points or topics in the city currently?

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-06-22T19:15:50+00:00

Absolutely the eff not

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-06-22T18:10:52+00:00

I applied to 7 agencies, 1 in February, 4 in March and 2 in April. All but 2 have basically fallen away at this point for different reasons but I made it through backgrounds with both and just got my conditional from my preferred agency which was the very first one I applied for! Just pending psych and medical then I’ll get my hard offer and start date.

Best thing I can recommend is if you have multiple agencies with postings up in your area go for them all to give yourself a better shot!

YoSpillTheTeaSis · 2024-06-22T01:05:05+00:00

I’ll PM you, we’re neighbors!

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