Dispatchers work in various industries, such as emergency services, home services, trades, and freight and logistics. Dispatchers are responsible for ensuring the timely dispatch and arrival of the required person who completed the service. They use computer systems to track, monitor, and send out personnel to required locations to perform services.
Dispatchers do not need any formal qualifications, but candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills, a keen eye for detail, and a strong knowledge of the services they are dispatching, particularly when working with emergency services. Dispatchers for emergency services will often undergo intensive in-house training.
Skill-based questions
It is good practice to ask various types of questions, including skill-based, role-specific, behavioral and situational questions, to identify strong candidates.
- How many professionals have you had experience with dispatching?
- Which software/system have you previously used for dispatching?
- Why is timely arrival important?
- How do you remain up to date with current road/weather conditions?
- What is the key thing you need to ensure between you as a dispatcher and the personnel you are dispatching?
- How do you keep calm under pressure?
Situational & Behavioural questions
- You have seven jobs awaiting dispatch, and all of the drivers are stuck in a traffic jam. What do you do?
- You have been monitoring an accident in the area and know the traffic is backing up. What's the first thing you do?
- You have an unprecedented volume of calls and a short staff in the field. How do you manage this?
- How do you deal with a field worker who is being unresponsive to your dispatch instructions?
- When is it ok to cancel all dispatches?
General Questions
- What are some things you would like to achieve in your dispatch work career within the next five years?
- What have you done in your career so far to learn and develop yourself professionally?
- Why did you decide to enter the dispatch industry?
- What are the top three skills you have that you think you can transfer to this role?
- Why have you applied for this role? How do you think you will benefit from working in the role?
Conclusion
The questions above will help you to identify quality candidates who are going through your recruitment process. Remember to look for candidates who demonstrate strong communication skills along with the ability to assess track and assess changing situations.
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