PoliceLink

Who else is having trouble finding applicants, much less QUALITY applicants and what have you done to get the word out?

I've contacted several local universities and have posted on their job placement pages, Sent out myspace.com bulletins, posted on my policelink home page, went to local AF base and posted job openings for members that are getting discharged, and we have an internship with Career Technical College in Shreveport, La.

Everyone wants a job, they don't care about a career.  Our pay and benefits is competitive with the larger agencies in the area.  Any suggestions?  What have you tried that is "outside the box?"

thanks

Just a quick question but how wide of an area have you advertised to besides myspace and locally? That may be part of the problem. If you haven't tried the major career websites like Monster, Careerbuilder and Hotjobs...that may be a place to start. Also looking at it from a correctional officer's point of view...some, like myself, want to be on patrol so bad we can taste it but many times have a hard time getting there because we work in small towns and our hiring officials can be somewhat close minded about transferring within depts like that. Lord knows I've had my share of experience with that because I am a female AND because I started out in corrections. As you can see, 3 years later...I'm still in corrections. However, I do have the sense of mind to admit that if I get my physical abilities in a proper fitness range so I dont have a heart attack at the academy, I could apply to the larger agencies like Nashville Metro, or Franklin PD. But that's not the point of this post, lol. If you know anyone you can network through via the county jails in Louisiana...I bet you'd get a few quality folks interested. Good luck!

There is a good military transition magazine called GI Jobs and alot of police agencies advertise there.  As a military member, I check it out all the time since I will be retiring from active duty in a few years.  They also have a website gijobs.com

Your local SO's sound like the ones around here, LOL. Good Luck!

finally got a hit off of one of the local university websites.  In La., the agency hires someone and then puts them thru an academy.  We don't sponsor people to go thru the academy w/out a job.

snowfire72lady says ...

I want to be a cop and i am going to college for it ... No one not even a local as asked me to join them , i had to seek them out and sign up

  i want to move out of virginia and still be a cop

 We're starting to have some success from word of mouth and posting job vacancies on local university websites.  Nobody's been hired yet, but at least there seems to be SOME interest.

We haven't tried USAjobs.gov, but we've got posts on several local universities' jobplacement sites, the local military base's exit center, and have only gotten one hit from one of the universities.  We did hire one last week, so that leaves only one open position for us. 

Having you thought of improving your recruiting web page?  Or starting a whole new website dedicated to recruiting?  Check out these agencies recruiting sites, they are excellent.

Albuquerque, NM http://www.apdonline.com 

Mesquite, TX http://www.mesquitepolicevideo.com/recruiting.php

Jacksonville SO http://www.joinjso.com

People today want instant access to information.  Not just young people but those with families and busy lives as well.  I took a look at your agencies recruiting page (I am assuming you work for Shreveport since you mentioned the college there).  All the basic information is there but the site is easily forgetable.

I spend a lot of time researching agencies since I plan on going from Reserve LEO to full time when my enlistment is up.  I visit a lot of websites and the agencies that have good sites stick out in my mind.  A nice website reflects pride, professionalism, and shows the Department is serious about attracting quality candidates.  I'm not saying that the site will be great just because it's flashy, a flashy site is nice, but the content is what really drives it.  What kind of special units does your department have?  Brag about them.  Post more details about the pay and benefits.  Is health insurance covered 100% by the City?  80%?  What about dependant coverage?  Dental?  Vision?  Free gym membership or on-site gym?  How long is the academy?  What topics are learned?  A video of a graduation ceremony would be motivating for a prospective applicant.

Another nice thing is seeing pictures of real Officers from the department in action; videos are even better.  They make an applicant say "Wow I would really like to work with that person."

Just my two cents.

My sgt and two of our officers had preliminary interviews with 5 Friday evening.  At least 3 look promising and we've only got one position open right now.   Finally, we've got more apparently qualified applicants than we do positions open.