Work history, or lack of?

[intern]

I work as an intern at a state LE agency. I was DQ on my background. I contacted my background investigator, who said it was likely because of my lack of stable work history during the last 10 years (returning full-time science student, not the brightest one either, not taking a full load of classes each semester due to repeats/classes being unavailable, custodial grandparent helping raise our granddaughter from ages 1 1/2 to 7, and wife makes good money, not requiring me to work). My investigator said other than that, he could not see any reason why I would be precluded from a career in LE. My chief here said to withdraw my app, protecting me from a negative background check in my, well background. With that in mind, I'd like to know how I would answer the question (if I get that far) of withdrawing from the hiring process. Someone else suggested I really wasn't interested in the area of investigation I work in, but that smacks of a lie, and I sure as heck don't want to start a career in LE with a lie, especially since that would create more problems.

[explcdt8]

Now I'm not an officer, but from what I've seen on these boards, a lack of work experience can be an issue. This is manily because of the maturity it takes to be effective as an officer.

To remedy this, you can do a couple of things.

1. Finish your degree
2. Get a job, ANY job and be productive and get good recommendations, and show you can hold down a job.
3. Look into other oppurtunities within law enforcement, such as a Community Service Officer,
4. Build your volunteer experience.

Also, you said that "This may not be the area of investigation you are interested in."
It sounds like you are applying for an investigators position in an SBI or similar. Often times, they are lookng for prior police experience. If this is the case, look into applying as an officer/deputy/trooper etc. and build your investigations experience
P.S. You're absolutley right DONT LIE
P.P.S. Verifieds please correct any misinformation I may have given

[intern]

Actually, I meant to type "someone suggested that I say that I really wasn't interested in the area of investigation I work in", but that isn't true, and again, it smacks of dishonesty. I did work here as a volunteer for several months before I was hired as a student assistant (having to be interviewed again by the same people I report to now, and they didn't make the interview easy, but I passed). I do have my degree, and until I returned to school, was working steadily from the time I was in high school to late 1996, including military service. I'm not going to give up, and I'm not shy about work, especially seeing as how the process is S-L-O-W, and I need to do something in the interim (however long that may be). There are 3 state exams coming up, 1 county this weekend, I've applied to 2 agencies already, and I'm working out and staying up on my penal code sections and legal decisions. Again, I'm just looking for how I can answer the question about why I withdrew my application, especially since I won't lie, and know that to omit that I have already gone through a background investigation is a lie that will definitely cause me grief. The reason I was given by my background investigator is based on his speculation; he was a LEO for 31 years, and a background investigator for 15, so he knows his stuff, so I'm inclined to think he's correct. I'm not whining; I'm a big boy who knows life is often hard and unfair. I just want to make sure that a panel that interviews me know they will be getting an honest, candid, conscientious officer. Appreciate your comments. Good luck to you.

[dirtysubie]

"and wife makes good money, not requiring me to work"

does she have a sister ?? :eek: I want that job right there

Edit** Please by the love of God, use paragraphs

[intern]

Sorry, my bad! Yeah, she does have sisters; all married.

[explcdt8]

I have a question, in the first part of your paragraph you said something to the effect of:

I was DQ'ed on my background, and the only reason my investigator could find was the absence of a steady work history.

But later on you said:

My chief advised me to withdraw the application so I wouldn't have a negative background check, and I would like to know how to explain why I withdrew my application.

Do you know if you were DQ'ed or if you withdrew before you could get a DQ, because it sounds like you said both happened.

[joma]

from what i read,

i sum it up and the real question is whether you can hold a job right?

[intern]

I have a question, in the first part of your paragraph you said something to the effect of:

I was DQ'ed on my background, and the only reason my investigator could find was the absence of a steady work history.

But later on you said:

My chief advised me to withdraw the application so I wouldn't have a negative background check, and I would like to know how to explain why I withdrew my application.

Do you know if you were DQ'ed or if you withdrew before you could get a DQ, because it sounds like you said both happened.

Sorry for the confusion. My app was not signed off on by my chief's bosses, and she advised me to withdraw to avoid a negative background check.

When I mentioned the term "DQ'd", I used in the sense that based on the fact that my app wasn't approved, I was disqualified. I didn't receive a formal letter from the department advising me that I had been formally disqualified.

[explcdt8]

I see,

I would again say to tell the truth, say you had family issues, and you felt you would not be best qualified because of your lack of work.