Remember, as a police officer you will be doing this type of work on a daily basis, it is called paperwork! Your duties require you to be truthful and detailed. This is the start point.
You have completed all portions of the initial application and supplied any attachments that have been requested. You should include a resume with the initial application as this will give you an opportunity to make a dynamic first impression. If you are straight out of college and do not have much work experience, still include a resume with your accomplishments. There are many styles and methods for creating a resume and I will let you research that area as each person will have different styles.
TIP: If you are not sure of something, ASK!! At this point you need to make sure that you follow directions and when it may be confusing or you have a question, call and ask for clarification.
TIP: Review your application then have a friend or relative review it as well. This is a proofread. Your spelling and handwriting must be correct and legible. Remember this is your first impression you are giving to you potential future employer, it would not be looked upon favorably to have misspelled words, incomplete areas, or omitted documents on this application.
Now that you have the application completed you must send it in or drop it off in person. Again, follow the instructions that are given for the application process. It has been my experience that most initial applications are mailed to an address provided on the job notification. I keep the application and supporting documents in a large envelope and so not send folded in a standard size envelope. This may seem like a trivial detail, but it keeps the application and accompanying documents flat and will be easier to handle by the recipient. Sometimes it may be the little things that may get noticed and may give you the slight edge needed. The application process for a law enforcement position is extremely competitive and you need to take every step to get noticed.
Ensure your application will arrive at the required destination prior to the closing date. Late applications will usually not be accepted. Send the application and wait for a reply. The waiting is the hardest part and the most part of what you will be doing. It is a good idea to send the application in a manner that will allow for some type confirmation of receipt. Remember that when you send a letter through any type of delivery medium, there is the risk of losing the letter. Make sure you are comfortable with your choice. Remember to KEEP COPIES of all your paperwork!
Now that your application is delivered there is a process that will be followed. There are at least two possibilities now.
1. You already have the invite for further testing including dates, times, and information on the entire process. Thus you can follow the instructions provided.
2. You will receive an invitation to continue in the process.
Remember that each department will have different hiring processes so pay attention to the details.
Next time I will touch on the written test, physical agility, and oral boards.
Friday, April 17, 2009
1. PARTICIPATION IN THE BLOG
Please feel free to respond with comments or questions as you read through each section.
The sections are numbered and it is suggested that you start out on 1 and work your way up.
The sections are numbered and it is suggested that you start out on 1 and work your way up.
This process if for the benefit of the applicant or possible applicant of the law enforcement profession. No question asked is stupid. Responses will be professional and to the point. It will not be possible to answer specific questions such as : "Can I be hired if ......." but advice is given in the blog on this subject.
Pass this on to your friends and have them visit.
4. Found One? What to do now?
I found a job opening, what do I do now?
Let’s say you find an opening on the community’s web page. There will normally be a job announcement with a description including the functions and duties that are expected of position. Salary and benefits are normally included as well. Qualifications are listed and are important to read and understand. If you do not meet the qualifications then you may not be able to be hired for the position. For example, if the qualifications call for a BS degree and you have no college degree, you would not qualify. If you were to continue through the process you would not get the position. This would be time and effort wasted. Be sure to read and understand the entire job announcement, job description and qualifications. When you have questions, call the hiring authority and ask your questions to an authorized person such as a recruiter of staff member. The only certain answer that will be correct is the one provided to you by the representative of that agency. You can go on the Internet or ask friends all you want, the correct and final say comes from the agency.
The job announcement will have instruction on how to apply or it will refer you to a person of contact to start the application process. The announcement should also have a closing date. This is a deadline for all applications to be in. Do not wait until the last day to get the application in. I would suggest sending in the initial packet as soon as you are able.
The announcement may also state when the testing date(s) are scheduled as well as where the testing will take place. This is important. Be sure to have a system of planning you future closing dates and testing dates. If you are applying for multiple agencies, you will need to keep track of your schedule in a very efficient manner.
As you progress in different departments you will need to make sure your calendar is clear for testing, interviews and appointments. You may have two of more departments testing at the same time. You will need to weigh the odds for which one you will attend.
When you decide to apply, fill out the requested paperwork in your handwriting. Fill out what they ask for and ensure that it is complete, neat, and legible. The excuse that your dog ate the application will not get you further in the process.
Initially, the application may consist of a simple, generic style application so the employer can get a snapshot of who you are. These applications usually include your name and contact information, recent employers information, education, military service, and sometimes a release for information. That is for a background to be completed in the future.
Fill out the application and include a resume and cover letter. It is my suggestion to include the resume and cover letter as it will show initiative and give a further example of your maturity. It can also give a neat and clean snapshot of your career or schooling. If the instructions state to not include a resume or cover letter, then follow the instructions.
Let’s say you find an opening on the community’s web page. There will normally be a job announcement with a description including the functions and duties that are expected of position. Salary and benefits are normally included as well. Qualifications are listed and are important to read and understand. If you do not meet the qualifications then you may not be able to be hired for the position. For example, if the qualifications call for a BS degree and you have no college degree, you would not qualify. If you were to continue through the process you would not get the position. This would be time and effort wasted. Be sure to read and understand the entire job announcement, job description and qualifications. When you have questions, call the hiring authority and ask your questions to an authorized person such as a recruiter of staff member. The only certain answer that will be correct is the one provided to you by the representative of that agency. You can go on the Internet or ask friends all you want, the correct and final say comes from the agency.
The job announcement will have instruction on how to apply or it will refer you to a person of contact to start the application process. The announcement should also have a closing date. This is a deadline for all applications to be in. Do not wait until the last day to get the application in. I would suggest sending in the initial packet as soon as you are able.
The announcement may also state when the testing date(s) are scheduled as well as where the testing will take place. This is important. Be sure to have a system of planning you future closing dates and testing dates. If you are applying for multiple agencies, you will need to keep track of your schedule in a very efficient manner.
As you progress in different departments you will need to make sure your calendar is clear for testing, interviews and appointments. You may have two of more departments testing at the same time. You will need to weigh the odds for which one you will attend.
When you decide to apply, fill out the requested paperwork in your handwriting. Fill out what they ask for and ensure that it is complete, neat, and legible. The excuse that your dog ate the application will not get you further in the process.
Initially, the application may consist of a simple, generic style application so the employer can get a snapshot of who you are. These applications usually include your name and contact information, recent employers information, education, military service, and sometimes a release for information. That is for a background to be completed in the future.
Fill out the application and include a resume and cover letter. It is my suggestion to include the resume and cover letter as it will show initiative and give a further example of your maturity. It can also give a neat and clean snapshot of your career or schooling. If the instructions state to not include a resume or cover letter, then follow the instructions.
Remember, your application is the first contact you will have with a prospective employer. Spelling, grammar and neatness will set the tone for the rest of the process. It may give you that slight edge over another applicant when there are so many applying for the position. Don't crash on the first impression. I can say from expereince that those appliations that are unreadable will be placed further down the list. ALWAYS put your best effort forward!
I will continue on soon, so be sure to check back.
3. Initial steps for police employment
As mentioned prior the information provided here will give you a perspective from the inside and outside of the hiring process. This information comes from over 15 years of law enforcement experience ranging from being an applicant for my first police officer job to leading police departments as the chief of police and being a part of the hiring process. You will find more information on credentials further on in this blog.
In order to be hired on a law enforcement agency one must first decide they wish to enter the profession. There is no easy way to explain this, but you will know if you have an interest. You may have friends or relatives that are in the profession and have given you a taste of the job and what it entails. At one point you may have had contact with a law enforcement official and been exposed to the professionalism and lure of the business. In any case you will know if it is what you want to do.
If you are not sure, contact your local police agency and inquire about civilian ride-along programs, a citizen academy or an explorer program. These are tools that law enforcement agencies uses to educate the public regarding the profession and its duties. Once you express an interest, I would venture to say that the agency will try to help you in your inquiries. Most agencies are glad to assist the public in these community oriented endeavors as they are always seeking qualified candidates for future job openings.
If you are reading this blog then you must have some interest in the law enforcement profession. This is a good start as you are seeking out information to prepare yourself for the future hiring process. So let’s get going with the process.
How do I find a law enforcement job?
There are many sources to locate law enforcement jobs. They range from the newspaper classifieds, state job banking sites, the large well known job sites on the Internet, and many law enforcement specific periodicals in print and on the Internet. Most communities have web sites and an employment section is usually somewhere on the pages where current openings are posted. I cannot recommend one specific method to locate open jobs, but I can say that the Internet has a vast quantity of information and you should be able to find several openings in short time.
Recent economic turns have set some limits on the hiring of new personnel. You will have to be organized and diligent in your search for a police officer job. My suggestion is to create a simple database or list on a program. this should include information including dates of contact, who you contacted, phone numbers, and dates of application submission and testing.
You may choose one or two local departments that you wish to be hired on. This will limit your success to a degree as there are many applicants and few jobs available. The up turn to this method is that you know the area, have lived there and will have that as a positive on your application.
Another way of seeking a job will to be picking several areas that you may want to relocate to in order to get a law enforcement job. This may mean taking trips to the area in order to complete testing so be sure to plan this out in advance. Traveling can mean a few dollars spent so if you are going to travel to test if would be wise to test at several agencies while on this trip. You want to maximize your exposure for the money you spend to travel.
Included in the process may be an application, written testing, physical agility testing, oral board, background investigation, polygraph or computerized voice stress analysis, psychological evaluation medical exam and other testing as required. A few trips may be required so be prepared. This may seem like a lot to go through and may appear to be confusing to someone who has no knowledge of the process. It was for me my first few attempts. Not to worry, I will explain the process in simple terms.
In order to be hired on a law enforcement agency one must first decide they wish to enter the profession. There is no easy way to explain this, but you will know if you have an interest. You may have friends or relatives that are in the profession and have given you a taste of the job and what it entails. At one point you may have had contact with a law enforcement official and been exposed to the professionalism and lure of the business. In any case you will know if it is what you want to do.
If you are not sure, contact your local police agency and inquire about civilian ride-along programs, a citizen academy or an explorer program. These are tools that law enforcement agencies uses to educate the public regarding the profession and its duties. Once you express an interest, I would venture to say that the agency will try to help you in your inquiries. Most agencies are glad to assist the public in these community oriented endeavors as they are always seeking qualified candidates for future job openings.
If you are reading this blog then you must have some interest in the law enforcement profession. This is a good start as you are seeking out information to prepare yourself for the future hiring process. So let’s get going with the process.
How do I find a law enforcement job?
There are many sources to locate law enforcement jobs. They range from the newspaper classifieds, state job banking sites, the large well known job sites on the Internet, and many law enforcement specific periodicals in print and on the Internet. Most communities have web sites and an employment section is usually somewhere on the pages where current openings are posted. I cannot recommend one specific method to locate open jobs, but I can say that the Internet has a vast quantity of information and you should be able to find several openings in short time.
Recent economic turns have set some limits on the hiring of new personnel. You will have to be organized and diligent in your search for a police officer job. My suggestion is to create a simple database or list on a program. this should include information including dates of contact, who you contacted, phone numbers, and dates of application submission and testing.
You may choose one or two local departments that you wish to be hired on. This will limit your success to a degree as there are many applicants and few jobs available. The up turn to this method is that you know the area, have lived there and will have that as a positive on your application.
Another way of seeking a job will to be picking several areas that you may want to relocate to in order to get a law enforcement job. This may mean taking trips to the area in order to complete testing so be sure to plan this out in advance. Traveling can mean a few dollars spent so if you are going to travel to test if would be wise to test at several agencies while on this trip. You want to maximize your exposure for the money you spend to travel.
Included in the process may be an application, written testing, physical agility testing, oral board, background investigation, polygraph or computerized voice stress analysis, psychological evaluation medical exam and other testing as required. A few trips may be required so be prepared. This may seem like a lot to go through and may appear to be confusing to someone who has no knowledge of the process. It was for me my first few attempts. Not to worry, I will explain the process in simple terms.
2. So You Want a Job As A Police Officer?
.jpg)
So you are thinking about a job as a police officer, deputy sheriff, or any job in the law enforcement field. There are many people that have an interest in the law enforcement profession. In these tough economic times the law enforcement profession affords a stable job with good benefits and a steady income. After all, police officers are always in need.
You have taken one of the first steps to beginning your police career just by opening this blog and reading. This blog will contain a lot of information, some will pertain to your situation and some may not. You may already know some of the information presented and may gain a different perspective from another’s experiences.
Obtaining a job in law enforcement is not a quick and easy task. There is a process that each agency must follow, some are longer than others, but all have a process to be followed. This is why it takes time to complete the process. Patience in the employment endeavor is a must.
You have taken one of the first steps to beginning your police career just by opening this blog and reading. This blog will contain a lot of information, some will pertain to your situation and some may not. You may already know some of the information presented and may gain a different perspective from another’s experiences.
Obtaining a job in law enforcement is not a quick and easy task. There is a process that each agency must follow, some are longer than others, but all have a process to be followed. This is why it takes time to complete the process. Patience in the employment endeavor is a must.
The intention for creating this blog is to provide a person who has an interest in entering the law enforcement profession with guidance in how to prepare, approach, and to be successful in his or her journey. This will be done through examples from both sides of the hiring process. The information provided will be for graduating high school students, college students, those looking to switch careers and anyone interested in a law enforcement position. There are no guarantees of employment or any one method that will assure a job offer and this blog is written to illustrate suggestions and advice that may assist you.
In order to explain the process of obtaining a position with a law enforcement agency one needs to understand the basic concept of the hiring process. I will explain the process I am familiar with in regards to local municipalities. There are different agencies with differing jurisdictions. Sheriff’s departments, municipal police agencies, town marshals, state parks, state police, state highway patrol and other agencies exist. Most all have their unique hiring process. The federal system and some state hiring systems will differ. Most of the information provided though will be sufficient to give you with the basic knowledge to be prepared for your hiring process.
So be prepared to obtain information that may help you gain an edge in the law enforcement employment process.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)