My Status, Any advice would be appreciated (Fairfax County, US Capitol)

[TaekwonV]

I'm currently in the hiring process for Fairfax County in VA as well as the U.S. Capitol Police. I feel that is a good career choice at this point and a natural progression from the military. I've been told the USCP are more or less glorified security guards despite their higher salaries. Fairfax on the other hand looks like a great place to work and the area is suburban just like my hometown in Suffolk County, NY. I'm 23 years old and money still is a factor to me but I am getting ahead of myself. I have not been hired yet by either department. I just had a couple concerns that I would like clarified, and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

1. Would it be safe to say that I will most likely be hired by Fairfax County with my current qualifications?
- 3 years Army
- 60 College Credits
- Solid Work History and Good Credit
- No Criminal Records or Substance Abuse
- 2 Traffic Violations
- Asian (This seems to be the most important to them)

I have passed the written, polygraph, and physical agility test with Fairfax County in the month of March. They seem to be eager to speed me along the process as I have 3 more appointments scheduled for next month to include personal interview, phsychological testing, and medical testing.

Reason I am asking is because I hear so many differing opinions on getting hired. USCP for example gives the impression that people should not bother applying as you will not get hired. Fairfax has given me the impression that they want me asap. Browsing through the forums I realize that it is indeed tough to get the job and at any given time they can say "Thanks but no thanks"

2. Do you guys have any tips or advice for a Personal Interview?

There is no Oral Board scheduled in the hiring process for Fairfax County. I do however, have a Personal Interview approaching fast. Would this be the equivalent to the board from other departments? I have gone through each step with minor preparation but most people emphasize the "Oral" portion of the process. If it is a 1 on 1 discussion, how will it differ from an Oral Board?
Are the same types of questions asked, and are the same "type" of responses preferred?

3. Why do people fail the Physchological Test?

I've read some stories of people failing this step. Most people give the standard advice "Relax and be honest" but if people are still failing, is that enough? A frequent poster in another site explains that is indeed not an interview but a test that you can pass/fail.



These are my main concerns as of right now, and I hope anyone curious enough to browse my thread will at least throw in their .02 cents. I will glady listen to all and any advice. Thank you.

[Cinnamon]

Sounds like you are going to have no problem at all. TRUST ME.... You see, I have a friend...yeah, that's it....a friend with one of those depts....They are rushing you along...good sign!

Medical---if you don't have any issues...don't worry about it. Just like going to your own doctor...except you will be there 5x longer. JOY

Psych---just a very long test. about 4-6 hours. They will ask you a million questions...and they all seem the same. It's several multiple choice tests...then you talk to a shrink. Weird day, but just go with it. WOOOOSHAAA helps...hehe

Personal Interview---if I remember correctly, this will be the last thing. Mine lasted 5 minutes and it ended with "WELCOME ABOARD"

PM me if you have anymore questions and I will be glad to help out. :D

[Valor55]

None of us have a Magic 8 Ball so we can't tell you what is going to happen.

As long as your background is clean and you do well I suspect you'll be fine. Fairfax County is a great place to work, I've worked there. Great equipment and they take good care of the officers. Lots of different environments too. You can be in a neighborhood with million dollar homes on one call and the next call in a ghetto.

The psych tests are designed to detect dishonesty, so don't. They aren't necessarily looking for "sanity" but certain personality types. You may be completely normal and not pass because you don't fit what they are looking for. Mostly voodoo if you ask me but I'm not in charge. Just go and be honest. If it doesn't work this time try again somewhere else. I know at least one cop who was told he wasn't being hired because he didn't have the right personality and wouldn't enjoy the job. He got hired at another department and loves the job. :rolleyes:

[TaekwonV]

Sounds like you are going to have no problem at all. TRUST ME.... You see, I have a friend...yeah, that's it....a friend with one of those depts....They are rushing you along...good sign!

Medical---if you don't have any issues...don't worry about it. Just like going to your own doctor...except you will be there 5x longer. JOY

Psych---just a very long test. about 4-6 hours. They will ask you a million questions...and they all seem the same. It's several multiple choice tests...then you talk to a shrink. Weird day, but just go with it. WOOOOSHAAA helps...hehe

Personal Interview---if I remember correctly, this will be the last thing. Mine lasted 5 minutes and it ended with "WELCOME ABOARD"

PM me if you have anymore questions and I will be glad to help out. :D

My personal interview is the first appointment scheduled. Is it more of a conditional offer of employment rather than a competitive board? I'd like to prepare as much as possible since most officers agree the oral board is the most integral part of the hiring process.
Thanks for the responses so far and I'll be sure to pm you if anything else arises. :D

[Cinnamon]

My personal interview is the first appointment scheduled. Is it more of a conditional offer of employment rather than a competitive board? I'd like to prepare as much as possible since most officers agree the oral board is the most integral part of the hiring process.
Thanks for the responses so far and I'll be sure to pm you if anything else arises. :D

Hmmmm, ok, sounds about right. So go in there and just be honest. It's probably gonna go something like this... "Why do you want to be a cop? or Why should we hire you over someone else? or who knows...just be yourself and good luck.

[elendur]

My cousin and his father work for Fairfax County PD, school resource officer and bike patrol. If I don't get in with the NYPD, that's probably the place I'd go to next. Location is the only thing that held me back from trying there first, as they really make it out to be a great job.

They always seem to be recruiting too, I can't tell you how many articles I've seen about them stealing away recruits from other areas :p . My cousin's dad seems to be going all over the country for recruitment.

[Cinnamon]

There are a lot of cops with FX from New York...you would be amazed

[elendur]

That's where they both came from initially :p

[Valor55]

There are a lot of cops with FX from New York...you would be amazed

Had to be at least half our academy was from Buffalo.