Seeking a Bit of Career Advice

[Welpe]

The local Sheriff's Department is currently hiring both entry Level Corrections Officers and Deputies. I'm planning on applying for the deputy position, along with a couple of other departments in the area and the CHP.

Since I am getting married in July, I am in need of a decent paying job especially considering my fiance has medical needs and will need insurance coverage. I do have a few jobs offers in the works from corporations, so my chances at getting a job, somewhere, are looking good.

Now my first choice is to become an LEO but if that doesn't work out right now, I'm prepared to take a corporate job and try the application process later. When I noticed the job announcement for the correctional officer position, I began to contemplate applying for that AND the deputy sheriff position. I figured corrections could be a good start and would be a well paying job while also being able to avoid working in the corporate environment.

My questions are:

-Do you think a department would look negatively upon the fact that I'm applying for both a Deputy Sheriff and a C/O position?

-If I end up having to take a corporate job, how many years should I stay with it so that I can show I am a dependable employee to any future LE BI's?

-Is it considered bad form to accept a job offer from a corporation while waiting on the LE application process and then later decline the offer and take an LE job if one were offered to me?

This seemed so much simpler a couple of years ago but now I'm not sure where my future is taking me.

Thanks in advance.

[Samuel]

Since I am getting married in July,
Congrats!

My questions are:

-Do you think a department would look negatively upon the fact that I'm applying for both a Deputy Sheriff and a C/O position?

I don't think so - especially after you explain that working in LE is a "lifelong dream" (or whatever the case may be) and that while your ultimate goal is to be sworn, if working as a C/O would help you get your foot in the door (gaining experience/knowledge, opportunity to show what you have to offer, etc), then you'd be willing to work as one...

-If I end up having to take a corporate job, how many years should I stay with it so that I can show I am a dependable employee to any future LE BI's?

I don't think there is a set number of years/amount of time. Of course, longer usually means more stability/commitment, but you could also use the argument that you were only doing the corporate gig to support your family until a LE position/opportunity became available...

-Is it considered bad form to accept a job offer from a corporation while waiting on the LE application process and then later decline the offer and take an LE job if one were offered to me?

Whether you hide your true intentions or you are straight up with them - both can still lead to burnt bridges (something you would rather avoid) but I think hiding would probably lead to more bridges being completely burnt...

This seemed so much simpler a couple of years ago but now I'm not sure where my future is taking me.

If you can make good money in the corporate world (probably better than LE money), why not consider being a "reserve" and getting the "best of both"?

OPINIONS embedded...

[Valor55]

There isn't enough cash in the world to get me to work in a jail.

Personally, I would just take whatever civilian world job that you can get. Pay the bills and look responsible until your LE career sorts itself out.

[Welpe]

Congrats!

Thanks! I think.... :D :eek:

but you could also use the argument that you were only doing the corporate gig to support your family until a LE position/opportunity became available...

Good point. We'll see how things play out I guess.

Whether you hide your true intentions or you are straight up with them - both can still lead to burnt bridges (something you would rather avoid) but I think hiding would probably lead to more bridges being completely burnt...

True enough, it seems weird though to take a job and let them know at the same time "Just wanted to let you guys know this is a temp thing for me, I'm out of here as soon as that first LE agency calls me with a job."

If you can make good money in the corporate world (probably better than LE money), why not consider being a "reserve" and getting the "best of both"?

I may do that if I end up taking the corporate job and like it well enough.

There isn't enough cash in the world to get me to work in a jail.

I kind of think I might like it. This is of course keeping in mind that inmates will throw their own body waste at me. I talked to a recruiter with this S/O and they said they hire a lot of entry level deputies out of corrections so it seems like a good starting point.

Personally, I would just take whatever civilian world job that you can get. Pay the bills and look responsible until your LE career sorts itself out.

We'll see what happens. As I expected, I received a job offer from two corporations. The one I'm considering starts at $59,000 a year plus over time with 80% of medical and dental paid. This includes two weeks vacation to start, several paid holidays, a relocation assistance package, a 9/80 schedule, a comprehensive 401(k) and a pension plan I can vest in after 5 years.

I will probably take this job and will keep my LE applications in process.

Thanks again.

[dan1210bso]

I would be careful about applying for CO and LE.. I know in my department they would rather hire you in a jail then on the road.. and once your in the jail its real hard to get out.