Preparation while waiting for the call?

[benseventeen]

I am 22 years old (I turn 23 in May) and I applied to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in mid-January 2011. I am majoring in Business and currently I’m finishing up my Bachelor’s degree. My GPA is 2.91. For the past 2 years I’ve worked as an insurance agent and really disliked the work, which is why I quit and decided to pursue a career I know I am passionate about.

I completed the civil service application and took a physical abilities assessment which I passed (did 35 pushups in 1 minute, 27 situps in 1 minute, 22” vertical leap, 12:37 on the 1.5 mile run, and ran 300 meters in 61 seconds). I feel like I did okay on the physical abilities test. All I have as far as background issues is 1 speeding ticket (80 in 65) and I also got a ticket for failing to change the address on my DL within 10 days of moving. I’ve never done drugs or used tobacco. Now I'm just waiting for the background investigator to call.

I am somewhat anxious about the hiring process because I know it will take a long time (3-6 months) and I could be waiting for nothing if they decide not to hire me. However, I know this is the career I want to be in, and I will do what it takes to get hired with an agency here in FL eventually (i.e. self-sponsor, reserve deputy, etc), if my first choice doesn't work out.

I just want to know what I should be doing in the meantime to prepare for the job. I am currently doing 100 pushups, 100 situps, and 100 bicep curls 4 times a week as well as running 1.8 miles every weekday, with 10:38 being my best time so far. What else should I be doing but waiting for the BI to call?

[marinepilot]

First off, Welcome to RP from the Florida Panhandle! This is a great place with tons of good info, so please, take some time and look around, explore the space. Also, we have a great Search function you can use to find what other people have asked previously about things you wish to know.

Second, best of luck to you in your pursuit of this new career. It takes a while, but it's worth it. From what you've said in your post, doesn't sound like you're a bad candidate.

I don't see where you've mentioned that you've filled out your background application; have you already done that and turned it in? If not, that's something you could be doing in addition to the physical regime you're doing. Things like getting your work history together along with names and numbers of supervisors, getting professional and personal references, and all your documentation you'll need such as birth certificate, DL, SS card, etc.

If you have done all that already, I would just keep doing what you're doing while you wait.

[benseventeen]

First off, Welcome to RP from the Florida Panhandle! This is a great place with tons of good info, so please, take some time and look around, explore the space. Also, we have a great Search function you can use to find what other people have asked previously about things you wish to know.

Second, best of luck to you in your pursuit of this new career. It takes a while, but it's worth it. From what you've said in your post, doesn't sound like you're a bad candidate.

I don't see where you've mentioned that you've filled out your background application; have you already done that and turned it in? If not, that's something you could be doing in addition to the physical regime you're doing. Things like getting your work history together along with names and numbers of supervisors, getting professional and personal references, and all your documentation you'll need such as birth certificate, DL, SS card, etc.

If you have done all that already, I would just keep doing what you're doing while you wait.

Thanks for the warm welcome, I appreciate it. I have enjoyed lurking, er, I mean researching this site. So far it seems pretty cool.

Yes, I failed to mention that I did turn in all my documentation/applications a couple of weeks ago. They said all I have to do now is wait for a BI to be assigned to my file and after that the BI will contact me.

[marinepilot]

Yes, I failed to mention that I did turn in all my documentation/applications a couple of weeks ago. They said all I have to do now is wait for a BI to be assigned to my file and after that the BI will contact me.

Well, I guess then that you'll have to keep working out so that you don't sit on pins & needles constantly while waiting!