Probation Officer & Correctional Treatment Specialist Interview Questions & Answers

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in the rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Decision-making skills
• Emotional stability
• Communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Critical-thinking skills

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for probation officers and correctional treatment specialist positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Communication skills

Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists must be able to effectively interact with probationers, probationers’ family members, lawyers, judges, treatment providers, and law enforcement.

Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!

Critical-thinking skills

Why interviewers are interested in your critical-thinking skills:

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists must be able to assess the needs of individual probationers before determining the best resources for helping them.

Related: What Does a Jailer Do?

Decision-making skills

Why interviewers are interested in your decision-making skills:

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists must consider the best rehabilitation plan for offenders.

Related: Parole Officer vs. Probation Officer – What’s The Difference?

Emotional stability

Why interviewers are interested in your emotional stability:

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists cope with hostile individuals or otherwise upsetting circumstances on the job.

Organizational skills

Why interviewers are interested in your organizational skills:

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists manage multiple cases at the same time.

Related: Detention Officer vs. Correctional Officer – What’s The Difference?

(source: bls.gov)

Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. What are the main responsibilities of a probation officer (or correctional treatment specialist)?
2. Tell me more about the techniques you use to assess the psychological and social progress of a probationer.
3. What skills do you think are essential for a probation officer (or correctional treatment specialist) to be successful in their work?
4. Do you think teamwork is essential when you’re working as a probation officer (or correctional treatment specialist)? Why?
5. Give me a few examples of your work experience and credentials that make you the best possible candidate for this probation officer (or correctional treatment specialist) position.
6. As a probation officer (or correctional treatment specialist), how would you go about helping clients to keep them from reoffending and guiding them to a better path in life?
7. Tell me about a time you had to deal with an angry or frustrated client? (Or tell me how you would approach a situation in which you would have to deal with an angry or frustrated client?)
8. Walk me through how you make sure that you keep track of all your clients.
9. What training and development courses could help you become better as a professional?
10. What is your experience with writing reports and maintaining case files of offenders?
11. Give me an example of how you manage multiple cases at a time and how you organize, plan, and prioritize your workday.
12. Walk me through the process of deciding what the best rehabilitation plan for an offender.
13. How do you make sure that you effectively interact with probationers, probationers’ family members, lawyers, judges, treatment providers, and law enforcement, etc.?
14. Walk me through a successful teamwork experience. What made it a success?
15. What do you consider the most challenging part of being a probation officer (or correctional treatment specialist)?
16. How would you ensure that your clients used the educational opportunities available to them upon their release?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.