The most often asked question we receive at Public Safety Media Group concerns what not to do when applying to public safety agencies. To kick off our Career Resources Section we decided to lay out some of the most common mistakes.

 

Lying will cost you in some way, eventually. Integrity is #1 with law enforcement and all other public trust positions. Don't expect to land a job and keep it after telling a lie. We have seen people lie over dumb things and subsequently get rejected for dishonesty.

 

Don't use drugs or drink excessively. DO NOT EVER DRIVE DRUNK or commit a crime. Any of these factors is immediate grounds for exclusion. If you are dumb enough to do drugs or drive drunk -- look for another job, law enforcement and public safety is not for you.

 

Its good to be objective here. Are you an out of shape Ultimate Fighting Fan who works out by watching the Ultimate Fighter workouts on TV (I am – see now that is how to be objective!)? If the most exercise you get is yelling at the TV during sports games, you are not ready to apply for a public safety job. Look up the fitness testing standards for the agencies you are interested in and develop a fitness program to exceed their standards. If you are interested in a firefighter position, be darn sure you show up in shape! Show up to any fitness test looking like a potato and you will not earn the job.

 

Take this chance to show off your accomplishments. You’ve worked hard and it’s OK to brag, but do so respectfully. Explain what you did without exaggerating. Be self assured, not cocky. PLEASE do not brag about your accomplishments with weapons, Saving Private Ryan or Kung Fu! If you feel the need to do so, please find another job – public safety is not for you Action Man!

 

Pick a format and stick to it. No one wants to read a resume or listen to you explain yourself when its all over the place structurally. Try practicing your description of yourself. Write an outline and stick to it. You may know yourself best, but how many times do you actually tell someone why you are unique? Practice.

 

Spell check, spell check, spell check. Have a friend read your resume for grammar. Make sure you haven’t written “there” when you mean “their.” Be sure you spell the name of the agency you are applying for correctly and that you have changed the TO: to address the person who the letter is intended. Sometimes merging or using past letters causes errors! If you can't write well, sign up for a professional writing course or take more English at school. Every public safety career will be demanding that you write well.

 

Clearly define your “Career Objective”. Do not say how all your life you wanted to serve humanity. If that is the case, get a job at the Peace Corps or beam yourself up to the Spaceship. Public Safety careers serve communities not humanity. It is a rough job. Idealism is good, patriotism necessary, blind stupidity not needed.

 

Know what to include and what not to include. Tailor your message to meet the needs of the agency. If you are applying to a small agency, don't say you want to become a HELO pilot. If applying to a large agency, don't tell them you are going to run the place in a week. Understand what each agency offers and define yourself to those needs.

 

The way you dress, wear your hair and the appearance of your resume is important. Remember this is PUBLIC SAFETY. Look like a dirt bag and you will be treated as such. Wear a skirt that is too short and you send the wrong impression. So remember, CUT YOUR HAIR, TAKE OUT THE EARRING, WEAR A SUIT AND SHAVE if you are a man!! PULL YOUR HAIR BACK, WEAR APPROPRIATE MAKE-UP, REMOVE JEWLERY AND PUT ON BUSINESS CLOTHES if you are a woman. In sum, GROW UP!

Hope this helps. Comments? Suggestions? Email us at info@PublicSafetyJobs.com