View Full Version : Writing my Army-LEO resume. Tips?
josh7328
03-21-2013, 12:07
I am wiriting my resume to send in to my hometown's police department along with my application for a police officer position. I'm finishing up my 4 year enlistment in the Active Duty Army in a little over a month. I'm a commo guy (25U), so other than radio use and a secret clearance, that's not helping me much I guess. Any resume-writing tips that you guys have for me? I have taken a few classes that I think MAY help my resume out, such as Battlefield Forensics, and Unit Armorer. Thats the only relevent training that I have had in the army that I can think of off of the top of my head. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks.
I pray that when you get the job (fingers crossed for ya), that you will remember first and foremost to be a champion of the Constitution and the people who enjoy it's protection.
josh7328
03-21-2013, 12:16
You have no idea just how dedicated I am to my oath. I hope I can be the cop that actually does live by my oath to the CONSTITUTION, instead of the politically-motivated orders that may be given to me down the road. I have no interest in being a tyrant's pawn. I intend to do my best at keeping people safe, and criminals out of the citizen's hair as much as possible. No more.
josh- are you doing any kind of transition stuff? I remember I had to go to a 2-day transition class before I began clearing (this was at Ft. Drum) where we learned resume writing, interview tactics, and other useful stuff for getting out. They should at least offer that stuff to you.
Good luck!
josh7328
03-21-2013, 12:28
Yes, I will be going through ACAP Transition University next month, but I was hoping to get this application in for this position ASAP, before the spot is filled. It's a smaller town and openings don't come around too often.
josh- are you doing any kind of transition stuff? I remember I had to go to a 2-day transition class before I began clearing (this was at Ft. Drum) where we learned resume writing, interview tactics, and other useful stuff for getting out. They should at least offer that stuff to you.
Good luck!
Yes, I will be going through ACAP Transition University next month, but I was hoping to get this application in for this position ASAP, before the spot is filled. It's a smaller town and openings don't come around too often.
ACAP, thank you, couldn't remember what it was called- I went through it almost 3 years ago... The problem is, they help you along with that pesky "translation from Army lingo to civvie friendly wording." I found that to be the best help they provided with resume writing, among how to structure a resume and all that. But I'm not very good at writing resumes I guess- considering after getting out I was on UI for 9 months.
josh7328
03-21-2013, 12:39
UI??? Urinary Infection?
ACAP, thank you, couldn't remember what it was called- I went through it almost 3 years ago... The problem is, they help you along with that pesky "translation from Army lingo to civvie friendly wording." I found that to be the best help they provided with resume writing, among how to structure a resume and all that. But I'm not very good at writing resumes I guess- considering after getting out I was on UI for 9 months.
Do you have a college degree of any sorts. Volunteer work usually helps as well.
Out of curiosity, it doesnt sound like you are POST certified. Is this dept. hiring non POST candidates and sending them through an academy?
Good luck to ya. The hiring process is rough so don't get discouraged.
Thank you for your service, and I wish you luck in your transition!
You learned a great deal more than you think you have, including an entry-level bureacratese. Let's not forget:
Trained to function in high-stress situations
Educated in prioritizing and assessing threat levels
Understands and functions well within a chain of command
Entry-level management skills obtained through (list leadership schools here)
Trained in (list weapons/technology here)
Trained in (list computer skills and other specialized skills involving computers here)
Trained in (list your specialties here)
Achieved (insert rank, and list the equivalent skill sets for a civilian)
Earned (list unit citations, individual acheivements, ribbons and medals)
Any commendations, letters of recmmendations, until achievements or any awards you've been given should also be listed.
Do not make your resume more than a page. Keep us apprised- I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
josh7328
03-21-2013, 12:57
I don't have any degrees. I do have a considerable amount of volunteering time at my church, where they have me doing security/first aid kind of things. The departments that I am talking to will send recruits to the academy, and told me that they actually prefer new recruits over cops that are trying to switch departments.
Do you have a college degree of any sorts. Volunteer work usually helps as well.
Out of curiosity, it doesnt sound like you are POST certified. Is this dept. hiring non POST candidates and sending them through an academy?
Good luck to ya. The hiring process is rough so don't get discouraged.
josh7328
03-21-2013, 13:02
should I include my Expert marksmanship qualification or CHL? I don't want to seem like I am just into the gun/shooting side of it.
Tip(s): (I have no .mil experience beyond movies and video games though my Father did serve, so can't help you there. However, I can help you in other aspects...)
- Don't lie/over exaggerate qualifications, etc.
- Don't use college words, express everything in short concise sentences... pull out the college words in the interview
- Format, grammar usage, spell check religiously....
- Get rid of any stupid cover letters, "Objectives", etc and don't make your resume longer than three pages. They see that crap it goes into file 13 unread.
Hirer's used to be really big on the MLA format, and some preferred the Chicago style, but in todays more "user friendly" (read: dumbed down) world, they usually want to see a short concise summation. They'll get the rest of the info in the interview if they think you're worthy to look into.
Those are the biggies I can think of off the top of my head. Time to go teach...
should I include my Expert marksmanship qualification or CHL? I don't want to seem like I am just into the gun/shooting side of it.
Yes. Don't be shy/modest/etc.... but don't brag either. Just state the facts.
josh7328
03-21-2013, 13:10
so saying that I knocked out and apprehended Chuck Norris, while blindfolded isn't a good bullet point?
Yes. Don't be shy/modest/etc.... but don't brag either. Just state the facts.
so saying that I knocked out and apprehended Chuck Norris, while blindfolded isn't a good bullet point?
Ha. Probably not... unless you can rephrase it. Though, it would be a great story to bring up in the interview.
- Apprehended and knocked out Chuck Norris while blindfolded. (Interview me, great story) HAHA
should I include my Expert marksmanship qualification or CHL? I don't want to seem like I am just into the gun/shooting side of it.
Include all of your qualifications. You need to blow your horn loud enough to stand out from the rest of the crowd, but not loud enough to gain the "obnoxious" tag before they've even interviewed you. You're not just into the gun/shooting side of things, and the rest of your resume will show that. But you also want them to understand that you are skilled with guns, not just familiar with them.
Not mil or LE here, but once you have the contents of your resume squared away, make sure the same goes for the formatting, grammar, and spelling. That goes without saying for any position, but I suppose for an LE position, you'll want to come across as a person who can be accurate with reporting and such.
Use your DD214; it'll remind you of classes you've taken and skills and awards you've accomplished.
Uberjager
03-21-2013, 13:38
You should upload your resume here, or through like dropbox.com and I'll take a look at it. Change your personal info for the upload; like your name to David Davidson, fake address and phone number, fake email, et cetera. I've got a very solid resume.
UI??? Urinary Infection?
UI= Unemployment Insurance. Yes, I collected unemployment for 9 mos after getting out... Veteran's preference my ass. Seems it's pretty common these days... very sad.
Use your DD214; it'll remind you of classes you've taken and skills and awards you've accomplished.
^^^^^^ This^^^^ Meritorious masts, letters of accommodation, etc...................................
josh7328
03-21-2013, 14:25
unfortunately, I don't have my DD214 yet... or my ETS orders, even though I start terminal leave May 4th. Damn unit keeps draggin' their feet
hghclsswhitetrsh
03-21-2013, 14:27
Has the suggestion of saying you're not Ronin mentioned yet?
Sorry ronin...
Your transition class will help. You will like being on the outside, you will soon realize how many folks don't have the discipline, motivation, and skills you have learned. Best of luck.
V
StagLefty
03-21-2013, 14:45
so saying that I knocked out and apprehended Chuck Norris, while blindfolded isn't a good bullet point?
Before or after he shaved ?
josh7328
03-21-2013, 15:04
Mid shave. If I include first aid certifications and experience, how do you guys think I should go about that? I don't want to eat up a ton of space on my resume telling actual stories of my badassery. Are real-world first aid experiences something that should even be on a resume?
Has the suggestion of saying you're not Ronin mentioned yet?
Sorry ronin...
That'll only help if he's applying to Jeffco... [ROFL1]
josh7328
03-21-2013, 16:09
No, Thankfully, the departments I am applying at are suburbs in the Dallas area.
That'll only help if he's applying to Jeffco... [ROFL1]
No, Thankfully, the departments I am applying at are suburbs in the Dallas area.
Dallas huh? So how long are your horns? [LOL]
josh7328
03-21-2013, 16:47
Well you know what they say... EVERYTHING's bigger in Texas...
Dallas huh? So how long are your horns? [LOL]
Use your DD214; it'll remind you of classes you've taken and skills and awards you've accomplished.
You said that you don't have it yet, but it is very important that everything is on there so you need to actively seek out where to go to get a copy now and cross reference everything to make sure nothing got left out. That is one of the last steps before discharge and if there is something missing it is a bitch to run around and collect all the documentation that they need to add it to your DD214. But then you can use your copy to remind you of what you have done. You should be able to get a copy from legal. I was USN so it was different.
Also the class that I took upon exit was great and I still use the book that I received to this day to write my resume. Here is a link to the class webpage and it looks like you can download some of the books and resume writers. It is for marines and navy so there is no telling if you will be able to use it effectively.
http://www.turbotap.org/register.tpp
http://www.careeronestop.org/ReEmployment/Veterans/jobsearchhelp/job-search-tips.aspx
centrarchidae
03-21-2013, 19:46
LE recruiters will care a lot less about what you did, than how you did it. A cook who hated his job and was miserable for his entire hitch, but who did it and did it right the first time and didn't leave his teammates hanging, every time, is a much better prospect than an artillery spotter in the Ranger Regiment who might have been a PT stud and technical badass, but who considered himself to be too good to do the mundane, boring, or every-day crap. (When I was in blue, my department hired both of those guys. We kept the former cook.)
I'm assuming that being flexible, adaptible, responsible, and dependable under both normal and high-stress conditions were key parts of your job. Hammer the hell out of that. Anything that points to teamwork and sound decision-making is good for you.
Also, anything that suggests attention to detail and good writing skills.
And, I can only assume that if you picked up a second language, it's probably at least as useful in Texas as it would be in Colorado.
josh7328
03-21-2013, 20:21
Yeah I definitely want to learn Spanish. That gets me a pay raise in Texas and even opens up more opportunities within the LE field. Border Patrol would be sweet. Except for those bean bag bullets, lol.
LE recruiters will care a lot less about what you did, than how you did it. A cook who hated his job and was miserable for his entire hitch, but who did it and did it right the first time and didn't leave his teammates hanging, every time, is a much better prospect than an artillery spotter in the Ranger Regiment who might have been a PT stud and technical badass, but who considered himself to be too good to do the mundane, boring, or every-day crap. (When I was in blue, my department hired both of those guys. We kept the former cook.)
I'm assuming that being flexible, adaptible, responsible, and dependable under both normal and high-stress conditions were key parts of your job. Hammer the hell out of that. Anything that points to teamwork and sound decision-making is good for you.
Also, anything that suggests attention to detail and good writing skills.
And, I can only assume that if you picked up a second language, it's probably at least as useful in Texas as it would be in Colorado.
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