Bail Bonds Agent.. Good In?

[Jelmore]

I'm currently testing to become an LE with my County's Sheriff Office.

When, last night at work (I work in retail) a regular customer of mine pretty much offered me a job as a Bail Bonds Agent. This would be in my County's Chair City (Martinez) where the Jail, and Court Systems are all located. Honestly, ive been looking for an "in" like this to get my LE career jump started. I am also a Criminal Justice Student close to getting my AA.

Would this be a wise choice to invest in, to get myself familiarized with the Criminal Justice System. Would a Bail Bonds Agent look good on a resume for a Peace Officer? How do you guys feel about Bail Bonds Agents?

Edit: This would be in Aladdin Bail Bonds.

[Citicop]

Honestly, I don't think it would help you very much at all.

And it would give you a lot of opportunities to get into situations you are not trained to deal with that could really hurt your chances in the long run.

The military would be a much better option than being a Bounty Hunter, IMHO.

-Citicop.

[Jelmore]

I guess my view of a Bail Bonds Agent never really reflected a "Bounty Hunter," I always say them as more of a financial agent that assists families in need of Bail. This is an eye opener, though.

How about in terms of a Police Agency looking at my Resume, and seeing that i worked as a Bail Bonds Agent? Would that tarnish my employment history/background?

[Citicop]

If you are talking about working in the office taking bonds and doing paperwork (as opposed to out bringing in people who skipped their bail) then I retract my cautionary comments.

If you are working in a bail bonds office, it won't be seen (I don't think) as a negative. But it won't help you any more than being an insurance agent or substitute teacher. Any solid work experience is helpful, but being a bail bondsmen won't give you any kind of a "leg up" on the competition.

Hope that helps-

-Citicop.

[Kimble]

If you are talking about working in the office taking bonds and doing paperwork (as opposed to out bringing in people who skipped their bail) then I retract my cautionary comments.

If you are working in a bail bonds office, it won't be seen (I don't think) as a negative. But it won't help you any more than being an insurance agent or substitute teacher. Any solid work experience is helpful, but being a bail bondsmen won't give you any kind of a "leg up" on the competition.

Hope that helps-

-Citicop.

Agree with Citicop. Not sure if being a bail bond agent would "help" you become a cop, but I also agree with Citicop's early statement that being a "fugitive recovery agent" (i.e. the guys that work for a bail bondsman who track down bail jumpers, like Dog the Bounty Hunter) will definitely not help you become a cop. In many instances, being a bounty hunter would bring more suspicion on you by a future LE employer, at the very least.

[Cat_Doc]

I've never really liked any neighborhood ice cream truck drivers I've met. The same applies to "bounty hunters"; for different reasons.

Being a "bounty hunter" or a bail bondsman will not score any more brownie points to getting hired than being a clerk at a retail store, based upon my experience at doing pre-employment background and screenings.

[Jelmore]

I've never really liked any neighborhood ice cream truck drivers I've met. The same applies to "bounty hunters"; for different reasons.

Being a "bounty hunter" or a bail bondsman will not score any more brownie points to getting hired than being a clerk at a retail store, based upon my experience at doing pre-employment background and screenings.

I really appreciate everyone's input, and advice here, it is really valuable to me.

My concern really wasn't looking at if being a Bail Bonds Agent would score me point in the hiring process. It was more geared towards whether or not it is going to be detrimental to my background/employment history. I don't want an Agency looking at my resume and seeing "Bail Bonds Agent," and thinking to themselves, "What's This guy up to? Why in the world was he a Bail Bonds Agent? I don't want him in my agency."

Looking for more for negatives, than positives. I can see the positives.

[PapaBear]

I really appreciate everyone's input, and advice here, it is really valuable to me.

My concern really wasn't looking at if being a Bail Bonds Agent would score me point in the hiring process. It was more geared towards whether or not it is going to be detrimental to my background/employment history. I don't want an Agency looking at my resume and seeing "Bail Bonds Agent," and thinking to themselves, "What's This guy up to? Why in the world was he a Bail Bonds Agent? I don't want him in my agency."

Looking for more for negatives, than positives. I can see the positives.

Unless you have a plausible excuse for quitting one job to take another, the more interesting query I would have as a background investigator would be why is this person jumping jobs? Working directly with the public is a greater enhancer for life experience than chasing bond jumpers. A job is a job; it is what you get out of the job that creates the whole you.

[Cat_Doc]

Unless you have a plausible excuse for quitting one job to take another, the more interesting query I would have as a background investigator would be why is this person jumping jobs?

Yep, people don't realize that being a "job gypsy" is one of the biggest negatives that BI's look at.

[Jelmore]

Unless you have a plausible excuse for quitting one job to take another, the more interesting query I would have as a background investigator would be why is this person jumping jobs? Working directly with the public is a greater enhancer for life experience than chasing bond jumpers. A job is a job; it is what you get out of the job that creates the whole you.

That's a very good point. I guess what appealed to me about it was it was a bit more money than my current job, but i've been with my employer for 3 years, and i am able to get by okay. My best bet right now would seem to be stay where i'm at, and work on getting hired as a LE.

Thanks guys, again.

[BP348]

Looking for more for negatives, than positives. I can see the positives.

Then you're better off then me because I can't see any positives to being a "Bounty Hunter". If you like what you do or at least don't mind what you do I'd stay there and if possible go to school. A decent job history with the same employer (really doesn't matter what you do) with a positive recommendation from your boss and a degree will get you way farther then the bail bond job ever will.

I also give a big +1 to the military suggestion. Not only does it give you all the above I mentioned about job history with same employer, the military will pay for your school and the other big plus an applicant can have for a LE job is military experience. Again it doesn't matter what you do in the military you just have to serve in the military.

[CelticSmackdown]

A job is a job; it is what you get out of the job that creates the whole you.

+1,000

I wore tights and strutted around on stage reciting Shakespeare for a living and I beat out 940 other people for the job I have now. Life experience, a good work history, and a clear record will open the door for you at many police departments.