Professional Resume for a Career Change to Law Enforcement

Almost 20 percent of all U.S. workers planned to make a major career change in 2010, according to a survey by CareerBuilder. Applicants who want to change career face more than just a tough labor market -- they must also address the challenge of a resume that may not immediately appear relevant to the new career. Applicants seeking a career in law enforcement should identify their existing skills and experience that would be relevant to the law enforcement field, but they should also seek experience through volunteer and community activities and specific law enforcement qualifications.

Format

The U.S. Department of Labor suggests a "functional format" is the most effective resume format for applicants seeking a career change. This resume concentrates more on the applicant's skills and applicable experience, rather than being a chronological listing of work history. Work history can be unhelpful when it is unrelated to law enforcement. Instead, candidates should identify several functional areas applicable to law enforcement -- such as safety, security or investigation -- and list their experience gained in these areas from each former position.

Transferable Skills

Identify transferable skills from past experience, participation in community activities and education. For example, if an applicant took classes in criminal justice, criminal psychology or forensic science -- even if this was part of an overall unrelated degree -- mention the classes specifically in the resume. Highlight skill sets that would also be useful in law enforcement, such as working under pressure, observation and attention to detail or communication with distressed customers. Explain how your prior experience will translate to a career in law enforcement.

Volunteer or Community Experience

To get real-world experience in law enforcement and demonstrate your commitment to the career change on your resume, volunteer with a police department or other law enforcement agency. Place this experience upfront in the resume, or even mention it in your objective to bring it to the attention of the recruiting agency. If a volunteer position or internship is unavailable, schedule a ride-along with the agency you are interested in working for, attend a tour or open house of correctional facilities or become involved with a community organization such as Neighborhood Watch.

Qualifications

Take a pre-academy, basic academy or pass a specific qualification such as the California Peace Officer Standards and Training certification or equivalent in other states. Applicants should highlight this qualification as the first item on the resume -- above experience and other education -- as it will demonstrate that even though law enforcement represents a career change, the candidate has the necessary skills and abilities to be successful in the new career. Many academies are several months in length and represent a significant time commitment that will indicate the applicant's dedication to law enforcement.

References

• U.S. Department of Labor; Create an Effective Resume
• Career Builder; Thinking of a Career Change? Five Tips; Kate Lorenz; September 2007
• Sacramento Police Department; Volunteer Program
• Minnesota State Patrol; Minnesota State Patrol Applicant Frequently Asked Questions
• Sacramento Police Department; Police Academy
• University of California, San Francisco Police Department: Police Recruitment Process

Resources

• Career Builder; One-in-Five Workers Plan to Change Jobs in 2010; Jennifer Grasz; January 2010