Exams conflict -- forced to choose

[guardianSJ]

Here's my dilemma (sp?): I had one written exam scheduled for a university department (let's call it "Dept. A"), and now -- on the same weekend -- along comes the PT for another department ("call it dept. B"). Argh! No alternate scheduling is possible with either, so I have to choose one or the other. How to decide what to do? :( :confused:

Here's what I'm thinking:

I've applied to both of these agencies before and been turned down by them both.

"A" allows me to live closer to home, where cost of living is less.
"A" would give me more interview possibilities, since they interview for each campus individually.

"B" is a larger department with more opportunity for advancement
"B" pays a bit more, although housing is more expensive
I've been through more of the process with "B"

Based just on those considerations alone, which would you folks choose?

[Jay7376]

I would go for B, closer to being done with that one.

[cntryboy0531]

B. You're doing more processing with them.. So your chances could look "better" with them.

[hopefull]

I agree, go with department B.
If you already took a written exam with department B, will department A accept it? I applied with several agencies, but only had to take the initial written entrance exam once and the others accepted the score. I'm in California and received a certificate with my test score from POST.

[Prometheus]

"B" is a larger department with more opportunity for advancement

That would make my choice right there.

[mxwelch]

B. You're doing more processing with them.. So your chances could look "better" with them.

Agreed.

[akfive0]

My question would be this......What were you turned down for in each department? I think what you need to look at is what are the realistic chances of getting hired by a department that turned me down for ??????? (reasons).
If one department turned you down for certain reasons that cannot be overcome, than testing for that department again may not be of any use. (example: turned down for criminal background then testing again with them will not help as you may get the same resut as before.)
You may need to choose the department that you KNOW you will have a chance to be selected.

[Nole795]

Askfive0 gave good advice. But Guardian you haven't mentioned the important stuff when looking at an agency: benefits (dont just look at pay, you need to research the health benefits, retirement, and how much you put in and what you receive, plus # of years). I know of some departments that pay pretty good but the premiums on a health insurance is over $300 for family a month, and they have to pay into their retirement. So the net pay is actually less then that of other agencies.

You also need to look at officer morale within the department. Do a couple of ride alongs to check.

Either way, good luck on your choice.

[guardianSJ]

delete

[Wig Wag]

Here's my dilemma (sp?): I had one written exam scheduled for a university department (let's call it "Dept. A"), and now -- on the same weekend -- along comes the PT for another department ("call it dept. B"). Argh! No alternate scheduling is possible with either, so I have to choose one or the other. How to decide what to do? :( :confused:
Here's what I'm thinking:
I've applied to both of these agencies before and been turned down by them both.
"A" allows me to live closer to home, where cost of living is less.
"A" would give me more interview possibilities, since they interview for each campus individually.
"B" is a larger department with more opportunity for advancement
"B" pays a bit more, although housing is more expensive
I've been through more of the process with "B"

Based just on those considerations alone, which would you folks choose?

guardianSJ,
I work for a large University department and find it is never boring even with the routine of the school schedule. But also find the advancement possibilities limited. If "A" allows you to transfer to another campus later on where opportunities are better that would be a plus. Universities have sometimes been viewed as safe havens from crime, but I write a lot of cases that are the same as a municipal dept would be sending you on. We see it all, and drug wise sometimes long before a particular drug hits the local population. If you have any questions in particular drop me a PM.

Wig Wag