How many times did you apply?

[los7883]

I'm trying not to get discouraged but was wondering how many times you have to your "dream" department...I would be going on my third time if I choose to apply for Irving again...but was wondering how many times others have tried over and over to get in, oh and let me know if you were successful :D

[Mike Romeo]

I got the department I wanted the first time. Guess I got lucky. ;)

[acreature]

Once.

Yes.

[phantasm]

Took the test twice already, and next year going to take it a 3rd. Am working for another agency in the meantime though, my 1st time taking their exam. Been working for them for almost 2 years now.

[los7883]

So you have to go through their hiring process from step one? I would think you could just do a lateral tranfer if you are already employed with a PD...

[madsnax]

Most Officers I know personally said it took them 3-5 times.

The general concensus is that about 1 in 7 make it the first time around.

[los7883]

...3 to 5 times??? And here i was kicking myself in the azz because I'll be going on my third try...but like some people were saying, if its truely the department i wanna be in i just have to stick to my guns and keep trying...but hell what do i do in the mean time? I have roughly 11 more months till i can apply again...

[DS Michelle]

I got the department I wanted the first time. Guess I got lucky. ;)

Me too :D

[SpacemanSpiff]

Just turned in my application for my 5th department... I was very surprised to find out how many people on this forum were hired on their first attempt. I considered myself a fairly competitive applicant, but that hasn't turned out to be the case. :(

At this point, I'm not even worried about getting my "dream department", I just want the job, any job! Good luck to you, and don't restrict yourself to one or two departments.

[Whtwolf14]

I was lucky too. Applied to VSP and was offered a spot in the next Academy. :cool:

[james13f]

...3 to 5 times??? And here i was kicking myself in the azz because I'll be going on my third try...but like some people were saying, if its truely the department i wanna be in i just have to stick to my guns and keep trying...but hell what do i do in the mean time? I have roughly 11 more months till i can apply again...

See if they have any non-sworn positions at the department you want so bad, that is what I did.

[Apollo8138]

I got in the second time I applied to my department. The first time I was 21. I went back at 24 and got hired and we just finished week 6 at the academy.

[los7883]

...IF ONLY!!!! Man I sure hope I get in the next time, if not somewhere else...

[Unit19]

Seven times and hired this one!!!! Would have applied seventy five if it took it.

[retdetsgt]

One, and it wasn't necessarily a "dream" dept., it was the only one around I was interested in. But I wasn't all that sure I wanted to be a cop.