Moving out of state, finding a job

[Rockphc]

I know about the whole search thing but i want this specific for my situation

Ok so I currently live in Ankeny, Iowa which is just north of Des Moines. I plan on moving to Wyoming in the next couple of years and im looking into either Casper, Laramie or Cheyenne. I am interested in a law enforcement job in any of these cities.

So this is where it begins, I have NOT been through any acadamy and im curious on how to approach this probable new chapter in my life. Should I apply first before even moving? That sounds like the smart thing to do but an out of state applicant doesnt seem very attractive to a hiring department.

I was thinking of paying my own way through the acadamy as it seems more attractive to a department if they didnt have to pay for the training. Would a job as an EMT keep me afloat until i landed a job if i did move first? I really just need advice on anything you can think of.

All of this is open to critisizm and im ready to accept it and change the plans accordingly so dont hold back and please just let it flow! Anything you can throw in on or off topic is also apreciated!

[McNulty]

Don't be too worried about applying from out-of-state. I lived 900 miles from my department when I was hired. They understood that while I wanted to make the move, I wasn't going to do it without a job. I'll bet that this is even more common now with jobs being short more in some areas than others. People need to go where work is.

As far as being an EMT, the important thing about employment before becoming a police officer is stability. It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you can show that you're of good character. If you want to be an EMT, go for it - just don't do it because you'll think it makes you look better. You'll have to keep working that job for awhile until you get hired, so you might as well enjoy it.

[Rockphc]

I have EMT certification and also have some experience with a small town FD. This is just one decent paying job I have a good chance at keeping me stable until I get a job. Should I be looking for an apartment to live in until the training and probation period is up?

[McNulty]

I have EMT certification and also have some experience with a small town FD. This is just one decent paying job I have a good chance at keeping me stable until I get a job. Should I be looking for an apartment to live in until the training and probation period is up?

Unless you're planning on commuting from Iowa to Wyoming every day, I'd assume you'd want to get a plce to live there.

[Kimble]

Should I apply first before even moving? That sounds like the smart thing to do but an out of state applicant doesnt seem very attractive to a hiring department.

Depends. I'm on my 4th (and plan to be final) agency, and was over 800 miles away with my 3rd agency when I applied. The distance didn't keep me from being hired, even though they interviewed at least 4 or 5 other applicants who were also active cops in the local area. If a department likes what you offer, and you can afford the travel to participate in the application process, it can (and does) work out.

[Rockphc]

Unless you're planning on commuting from Iowa to Wyoming every day, I'd assume you'd want to get a plce to live there.

I meant like buying a house at the start but honesty that did make me laugh and I wasn't really thinking when I put that down either, that's probably the smartest thing to do is to get an apartment first.

[qpd158]

Well if you don't know exactly where in Wyoming you want to be I would suggest going to those places you are interested in, find a job either as an EMT or factory work or whatever. Start applying for the LEO positions in the communities you would want to work for. I would not suggest you buy a home as soon as you move there. Establish your life first, then work on buying a home. You might end up in Casper and then realize that you would rather live in Jasper or the only work you can find is not in any of the cities of Wyoming.

Best of luck to you.

[Rockphc]

Thank you, this does sound like a good plan but I do still have other things to attend to now that I've actually sat down and thought. See my other thread if interested. There are some good valid points you all have set down for me and I appreciate it. If there's anything else you can think of then please don't hold back! I'm very grateful!

[retdetsgt]

So this is where it begins, I have NOT been through any acadamy and im curious on how to approach this probable new chapter in my life. Should I apply first before even moving? That sounds like the smart thing to do but an out of state applicant doesnt seem very attractive to a hiring department.

I was thinking of paying my own way through the acadamy as it seems more attractive to a department if they didnt have to pay for the training. Would a job as an EMT keep me afloat until i landed a job if i did move first? I really just need advice on anything you can think of.

Put in applications first and take the test before you move would be my advice. Police jobs are really hard to get right now. When my old department opened up applications last time, they had their maximum number in 7 minutes and closed it down. I wouldn't move anywhere in hopes of getting a police job later.

Some states (like Oregon) don't have self sponsored academies so that wouldn't be a problem. Whoever hires you would send you and pay you while you attend. To me, that beats the hell out of the other alternative.....

We have a lot of private ambulance companies out here so getting an EMT job probably wouldn't be that difficult. In areas where the fire departments run the ambulances, that would make it difficult because you'd have to take the fire fighter's exam and at least out here, they are really competitive.