In my training of police candidates, I’m very calculated in how I train and what I say because I don’t want those that I assist to be lead astray. I speak plain English, I use analogies often because they paint a mental picture and I teach through verbal repetition and three examples of terms I use very often are, standing out, working to be above average and the word reasonable.
Standing out, positively of course, during the hiring process isn’t just a good idea or something to strive for, it’s essential. Entering the hiring process as an “above average” candidate is also essential and finally it’s important that you know, the career of law enforcement and the basis for and the foundation on which our decisions are build, is reasonableness. We base our profession on this premise. As you move forward in your bid for a career in this most noble profession, please keep these three elements in mind .
For now, I’d like to answer a question that I’ve been asked many, many times over the years and it’s this. Is there anything I should know ahead of time about my written exam? My answer is two part and it is, yes there are a few things you should know. I always told applicants to find a good study guide and learn as much as you can about the testing proficiencies before the written exam.
I never told anyone where to look because I didn’t know. What I found out later was, the preparation guides that I found were substandard and they weren’t video based. I took care of that problem with Earn Your Badge and I’m very pleased with the result of the first ever, video based exam guide available.
So, that’s problem one solved right, the how to prepare. But other than proper preparation what is there to a written other that just showing up right? Remember, it’s your goal to be different than the others, not freaky different, but stand out positive different.
So, here are the six-slip-ups that I see most often, at the written entrance exam for law enforcement officer…