How many departments did it take?

[kiddo]

How many rejections did you receive before being hired by a department? I just received my first rejection letter due to a failing score on my oral interview. I'm just wondering how many LEOs received rejections, but were still able to become a LEO at another department. Thanks.

[vadep]

I was hired by my number 1 choice... no rejections

Don't give up hope, and try to learn from your mistakes. Hopefully with the experience of a hiring process behind you, you'll do better next time.

[steelcityk9cop]

I was also hired by the first department I tested with. I was lucky, when I was performing my semester college internship at a local P.D. I was given a whole bunch of moc-orals from their oral board so I knew what to expect. Obviously you are a decent test taker to make it to the oral exam….. you just need to prepare better for it. Research the types of questions asked…..formulate answers for them. You will see how much similar your second oral will be to your first….. hopefully there won’t be a third for you! ;)

[kiddo]

This was my 2nd oral interview. I'm still waiting to hear back on the first one. I thought I had prepared well for the interview. I searched the real police forums and checked out online preparation guides to try and identify possible questions. I formulated answers to the questions, practiced answering, and researched the department. Any other tips you can give?

[Piggy]

I got two rejections. Third time was a charm.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

I was also hired with my first application with no LE experience. I went through the academy with someone who was already a PO (just switching agencies) and he got in on his third time applying to that particular department.

It all depends on what kind of person they're looking for at the time...

[JD45]

Took me three times before I got got hired. I always had difficulty with the oral boards.

[samseed101]

I applied for 2 depts at the same time. There was the dept I wanted, and then there was the one I liked but not as much. I ended up with conditional offers for both of them, and went with my first choice. But most people aren't as lucky. Don't give up on it.

[Switchback]

I got on with the first (only) with which I applied.

[retdetsgt]

The one and only I applied for.

[K9 Police]

First one. Had prior non-sworn experience in police departments.

K9

[Retired Trooper]

I applied for 2 at the same time. The one I wanted to work at the most ( where im currently employed ) didnt offer me until 1 year after the first dept hired me and I switched.

[S43riff]

1st one...dont go in there portraying yourself as a cop...they know your not a cop yet,,,just be level headed.

[Cinnamon]

1st one...no prior law enforcement...unless you count my bartending jobs...lol

I think it all depends on timing...and who they are looking for at the time. Don't give up home.

[lindat2957]

You can receive more than one "failing notice" at one department and still get hired at another....they generally break down the oral questions into situationals, how do you think on your feet: Ethical, how would you handle it if a fellow officer did this?: and a test of your knowledge....what you know about LE what you know about the city, what you did to prepare for the carear....If your weakness is just the oral that can be overcome...many people have problems with nervousness and eye contact and most importantly commiting to a decision....If you feel you are doing fine in these areas and dressed apropriately for the interview then perhaps if you could find LEO and run by how you answered the questions you could get some helpfull insight there....there are classes you can take at community colleges that can help you prepare and give the edge you need.....otherwise if you still feel that you are doing everything right the first place I would look is my background...in some departments the background is underway during the oral interview and if there are any weaknesses then this will come out......But if all is still good...don't sweat it...take some JC courses and get comfortable, while some of us got lucky and got hired with the first department, others had to try multiple before finding the right fit....and they still turn out to be damn good cops...so keep your head up and keep trying....