Commander Exam Candidate Orientation 2025

2025 Commander Exam Candidate Orientation We will start shortly while we wait, enjoy the lounge music to help test your sound. Please note that this session will be recorded for those candidates unable to attend today s meeting.

2025 Police Commander Exam Candidate Orientation Janelle Tarasewicz | Principal Consultant

The Essentials Assessments and Scoring Training Topics Deconstructing the Exam Best Practices

The Essentials Assessments and Scoring Training Topics Deconstructing the Exam Best Practices

2025 Commander Promotional Exam Work Rating Assessment Center June 6, 2025 40% of final score Internal assessors Candidates do not attend June 17, 2025 60% of final score Outside assessors Class A uniforms Candidates report to 4th Floor Lobby

Each candidate submits: Resume highlighting experiences, training, and leadership abilities Candidates are required to submit a cover letter briefly describing how they have demonstrated the department's Core Values in their current roles of leadership. Cover letters should be no more than two (2) pages and are due by May 30, 2025, at 11:59 pm. Work Rating Submit documents to Janelle@apertureEQ.com Command Staff objectively evaluate candidate s prior work performance based on dimensions NOTE: Cover letter is not graded the information from the cover letters will be reviewed along with the last two years of evaluations.

Overview of Assessment Center Comprised of two exercises (each worth 30% of the total score): 1) Presentation 2) Oral Resume/Interview Assessment Center Each exercise scored on dimensions and/or model answers Performance is observed and rated by multiple trained outside assessors

What to Expect Meet for Candidate Briefing: Take photos and receive exam schedule Review and sign test confidentiality agreement Water provided Perform a variety of job simulations and exercises Meet 6 to 8 different assessors/role players (depends on exercise) Please note that watches and/or smartphones are not permitted during the examination process.

The Essentials Assessments and Scoring Training Topics Deconstructing the Exam Best Practices

Assessors + Role Players Two or more assessors score the same exercise Selected by the Police Department Senior people of the same rank or higher Trained for each assessment center What if you know one? Can you be treated fairly?

Feedback + Scoring Assessors will describe words & actions to support numerical scores Commendations & Recommendations: Subjective comments intended to help you improve May not be related to the scores Written feedback provided after eligibility list is established Final Rankings and Eligible Lists provided when scoring is complete

Assessors score each exercise and discuss any discrepancies in dimension rating Scoring Process All dimensions, for the same exercise, are added together and converted to a percentage score Score of one assessor may not significantly impact the overall score

Each dimension receives a score: 5.0 - Can perform at the next level 4.5 - Very strong and excellent 4.0 - More than adequate, core skills & polished 3.5 - Competent and adequate, minimum passing score 3.0 - Nearly competent and not ready for promotion 2.5 - Substantially below adequate Objective Scoring Dimensions When you begin, you are assumed to be at the 3.5 level. What you do and say will adjust the score accordingly.

Scoring Tips for Success 1) You are rated and scored only on what you say and do with the assessors. By design, they will know nothing about you. 2) Remember, for the purposes of the exam, you are working as a Commander. All of your responses and actions should be based on what that rank would do and/or have control over.

The Essentials Assessments and Scoring Training Topics Deconstructing the Exam Best Practices

Assessment Center Exercises Exam Structure: 1) Work Rating (40%) 2) Presentation (30%) 3) Oral Resume/Interview (30%) Presentation (30%) Work Rating (40%) What to expect Presentation (30%) Keys to success

Candidate Prep Time Prep time ranges from 5 to 20 minutes Use any tools provided (e.g., pad, pencil, questions, etc.) Read the instructions carefully Make notes, mark up the instructions, and have a plan Take all of the notes and materials into the exercise Assessors will collect your materials after each exam

Candidates present their topic to assessors Candidate may answer formal questions and/or follow-up questions after their presentation Presentation PowerPoint slide deck is required; candidates may provide other supplemental materials as they see fit

Presentation Topic

Presentation Topic, cont.

Presentation | Tips for Success Carefully review the project instructions Ensure that all required research/citations are included Manage your time (when nervous, do you tend to speak at a quicker or slower pace?) Practice your presentation ahead of time (out loud!) Stay focused on the intended audience for the presentation Utilize your notes, but don t remain dependent on them Be mindful of repetitive verbal statements ( um ) and non-verbal behaviors (e.g., eye contact with only one assessor)

Oral Resume - brief verbal summation of your qualifications (10 minutes!) Structured Interview and Oral Resume Candidates answers formal questions Some or all questions may be provided in advance Typically, these are the kinds of questions: Conceptual Specific issue Personal insight Behavioral

Interview | Tips for Success Provide objective examples ( Tell me about a time ) Be thoughtful and deliberate before you respond (a brief silence can be okay) Find that balance between thorough and concise For behavioral questions think about the situation, your role, and the outcome/response Show enthusiasm and speak highly of others Watch your time! In order to earn maximum points possible, it s important to answer all the questions.

Worksheet: The STAR Method

Worksheet: Difficult Questions

Worksheet: Tell Me About Yourself

The Essentials Assessments and Scoring Training Topics Deconstructing the Exam Best Practices

Preparing for the Exam Elicit feedback from others (especially current supervisor!) Know your professional resume ( Tell me about yourself ) Talk to senior managers about what are they looking for Know the agency s mission, vision, and values Know the direction and priorities of the City and department Study the budget and public safety priorities of the community Know and understand community and local government issues

Avoiding Common Pitfalls Don t assume the assessors know your experience! Read/follow the directions and ask questions to clarify Think and act like a supervisor (you re the Commander!) View the exercises as the real thing Summarize important points Communicate clearly; provide explanations and detail Follow sound employee counseling techniques Take advantage of anything to add opportunities Think out loud as you progress through the exam

Candidate will receive an email from Janelle Tarasewicz (Aperture EQ) with the handouts from today s orientation Next Steps A recording of this orientation, along with the associated handouts, will be on my website (link will be included with the email) Once schedule is finalized, I will send an email with your Assessment Center start time Please email Janelle at Janelle@apertureEQ.com with any questions: If there are questions that would be beneficial to all applicants, then I will provide the question and response to all candidates. Please be sure to check your emails regularly during this process as that is my main form of communication

QUESTIONS? Janelle Tarasewicz | Principal Consultant 626.488.8719 | janelle@apertureEQ.com | ApertureEQ.com