Whether you’ve decided to retire, were injured on the job, or have decided that it’s time to look for new job opportunities, leaving your job as a Police Officer may have you wondering where you could go next. You may also be thinking of which careers would be easy to transition given your law enforcement experience. So, what are the best jobs for ex-police officers? If your goal is to remain within the law enforcement field, here are some of the best jobs that you can pursue as an ex-police officer. We also include
The Best Jobs for Ex-Police Officers
- Private Investigator: Responsible for seeking/uncovering information and gathering evidence on behalf of clients.
- Cybersecurity Analyst: Assesses potential digital security risks for an organization.
- Parole Officer: Responsible for monitoring former offenders after they’ve been released from being incarcerated.
- Security Guard: Responsible for patrolling and protecting public or private buildings.
- Crime Scene Investigator: Gathers and manages crime scene evidence.
- Fish & Game Warden: Manage & protect land and natural environments. Enforce conservation laws.
- Forensic Accountant: Performs audits and investigates financial or fraudulent crimes.
- Background Investigator: A wide range of government agencies need background investigators. Conduct in-depth research on individuals before hiring or for other purposes.
- Adjunct Professor: Teaches students at postsecondary educational institutions; Ex-Police Officers can teach classes on topics such as criminal justice.
- Correctional Officer: Guards prisoners within state, local, or federal correctional facilities.
- Loss Prevention Manager: Responsible for protecting assets for a company from theft or fraud.
- Victim Advocate: Provides support to victims of crime.
- Intelligence Analyst: Gathers and analyzes information to help identify security threats.
- Firefighter: Responsible for combating fires to help protect people, property, and their environment.
- Fraud Investigator: Reviews allegations of fraud (Example: Credit card and insurance fraud).
- Probation Officer: Works with offenders who are currently serving probationary sentences.
- Fire Investigator: Responsible for determining causes of fires (ie. accidental or arson).
How Do I Start My Job Search as an Ex-Cop?
Looking for a new job can seem like a daunting task. These days, having access to a computer and internet connection can make a job search way easier than you think. There are plenty of websites that can provide you with a list of open positions near you. Simply entering a few key words into any search engine, or a short phrase such as “what are open positions in law enforcement near me?” can help get you off to a solid start on your job search. Aside from finding open positions, there are a few other items you want to work on to improve your job prospects. Some of those items are listed below:
Prepare your job-related documents
If you haven’t brushed up your resume or cover letter in a while, now is the time to do that. This includes adding any new positions, updating employment dates, listing any of your key skills and achievements, and updating your contact information. It’s important to tailor your cover letter and resume based on each position you’re applying for, so keep that in mind before pressing “Submit” on your job applications.
Clean-up your online presence
Employers can, and will, review a potential candidate’s social media accounts to learn more about them and if they would be a good fit for the role. It is in your best interest to make sure that they are impressed by what they will see. This does not mean that you have to delete any photo or status that does not feature you in a business suit or solely focus on you being a hard worker. What this DOES mean is that you do not want to have any content posted that may be considered offensive or distasteful. You can also take this time to update your privacy settings on your social media accounts, so the only content others see is what you are comfortable with them seeing. If you have a professional networking site, such as LinkedIn, make sure to also make updates to your account as you may want to use that platform to connect with potential employers.
Get in touch with your network
Employers who you have worked with in the past, or old colleagues that you keep in touch with, can be your best asset when you are looking for a new job. These people know your work ethic and can help get you in touch with potential recruiters or job roles. Having a personal recommendation from someone who you’ve worked with in the past can help land you a new role in no time. Make sure to let them know what exactly you’re looking for in a new job opportunity so they can point you in the right direction.
Use a job search platform that works for you
Whether it’s Indeed, Glassdoor, or LinkedIn, there are plenty of sites that can help make your job search easier. All these platforms have features that aim to make the application process smoother for you, such as saving your work history or resume to your account. These platforms will also recommend certain open positions to you based on your previous searches, which will help increase the number of opportunities you can apply for. Make sure to take some time navigating different job search platforms to see what works best for your individual needs and preferences.
Create goals for yourself
As we mentioned before, looking for a new job can feel scary or overwhelming. It does not have to feel this way, especially if you’re able to set some goals to make sure that you are setting yourself up for success. These goals can vary depending on what you want your job search to look like. As you’re creating your goals, ask yourself things like “how many jobs do I want to apply to each week?” or “how many interviews do I want to participate in every month?” These goals will help breakdown your job search into smaller, achievable milestones so you know you are on the right path each time you’ve met a milestone. It will also help reduce the chances of you getting discouraged and give you plenty of chances to celebrate some smaller “wins.”
What Can I Do to Improve My Resume?
You’ve cleaned up your online presence, decided which job search platform to use, and have begun networking with your old colleagues. Now what? If you’ve left polishing up your resume for last, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind while updating your resume:
Use keywords
Make sure you are using keywords from the job posting within your resume. This will improve your chances of having your resume reviewed by a recruiter.
Make sure your header catches their attention
Your header includes your contact information as well as a quick summary or career objective. A good header can quickly and effectively catch the attention of a recruiter, and increases your chances at landing an interview.
Pay attention to the details
Details include things such as format, grammar, and tenses. A good resume will have no grammatical errors, have a format and font that is consistent throughout the document, and will flow right in terms of the tenses used. This makes the reader know that you took time preparing your resume, and sets the bar for your level of professionalism.
Make sure to include a list of your top skills
Providing a recruiter with a list of your skills will let them know what you plan to bring to the table. As an ex-police officer, if you’re planning on changing careers or don’t have what you think is relevant experience for a position, make sure to add a list of transferable skills. These are skills that you would be able to use in different work settings even if the job itself is not one you’ve done before.
What are Some Police Officer Skills That are Transferable to Other Jobs?
In order to identify some skills from your previous job that can help you succeed in your new role, you can start by looking at job descriptions for roles you are applying for. Is there something in the description that you know you did well in your previous job? Is there something you enjoyed from your last job that you think would make a new and well-received contribution to your new role? These are some great questions to ask yourself as you’re listing your skills in your resume and job applications.
If you’re having a hard time coming up with tangible skills even after you’ve asked yourself these questions, here are some examples that may apply given your previous experience as a police officer:
- Situational Leadership
- Ability to Make Decisions Under Pressure
- Effectively Manage Competing Priorities
- Coaching and Mentoring New Staff
- Collaborate Effectively with Others
- Resilient and Adaptable
Final Thoughts / Tips – Best Jobs for Ex-Police Officers
There are a variety of job opportunities that you can pursue once you’ve decided to leave your job as a police officer. But finding these opportunities and choosing which one to pursue is half the battle; the application and interview process can be just as difficult as deciding what new career to pursue. Freshening up your resume and getting in touch with old contacts are key things you can do to improve your job search. Make sure that your resume includes key words for the job you’re applying for, as well as a list of transferable skills that you will be able to bring to the table as an ex-police officer.
References:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/jobs-for-police-officers
https://www.bluelightleavers.com/blog/How_to_Find_Jobs_for_Former_Police_Officers
https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/how-to-start-a-job-search-steps/
https://zety.com/blog/how-to-improve-resume
