In pursuing A Career In Public Safety, I needed a new suit for several upcoming interviews as I ventured into a career in Public Safety. I visited a men’s clothing store and was helped by a salesman who presented himself with a “kindred spirit” like connection. In the course of our conversations I discovered a commonality in many areas of life, but most importantly, a passion for A Career in Public Safety. The salesman was pursuing a Career In Public Safety as a police officer with a keen and genuine focus, telling me it was his calling to help people out of bad situations. But he said something to me that caused me to think seriously about my upcoming interviews. He said he would take a job with any department. It didn’t matter who hired him – it only mattered that he get hired. I had to admire that kind of determination. It is hard to find fault in that.
During the course of my career, I have seen colleagues and employees leave organizations mid-career, not because of pay but because they described the organization as “sucking the life out of them.” The career was satisfying but the workplace was insufferable – and for any number of reasons; an oppressive boss, tense relationships between management and labor or even negative internal relationships. I have witnessed good people flee organizations for lower paying jobs just to maintain their sanity.
After all of the hard work it takes to land a job in the public safety sector, don’t you owe it to yourself to land in a spot where you will thrive? It will pay dividends to invest some research into the organization prior to making an application. If you truly have the passion and drive, like my salesman, you do not need to settle for second rate. Working in any organization requires emotional intelligence and an ability to work with all types of personalities. No organization is perfect. But I want to encourage you to evaluate your potential employer in the aggregate sense. Your goal should be to screen and categorize the great from the radioactive.
It is a relatively easy task to obtain the information you need. Engage in a little detective work directed at both internal and external sources of information. Gathering both perspectives will give you a better gauge of reality.
Start by searching on the internet. If you find bad press in certain areas like financial or personal impropriety, especially at high levels, you can be sure that it will have a trickle-down effect on morale. You might find other clues. Employees who are honored publically for their good work suggests a culture that values its employee relationships. Look them up on social media. If they have an online presence, it suggests a modern approach to community outreach – and that is a good sign. Follow them on Twitter if they push information in that way.
If the potential employer is some distance away, go pay the place a visit. I suggest striking up conversations with anyone who might have a significant connection to the community, such as a realtor or Chamber of Commerce staff. Ask them about how the organization is perceived. Ask them about the local political climate.
Your internal sources are just as valuable. If you have an opportunity to participate in a ride-a-long, and many public safety agencies offer this, take advantage of it. Just remember that any contact with internal members of an organization is an opportunity for them to get an impression of you too.
Another source is City Hall or Administration. Stop in and obtain a printed copy of an annual report. It gives you yet another opportunity to ask about the organization and it may give you information about their challenges and opportunities.
Your career is a life-investment. Just like a financial investment, you don’t put your money just anywhere.
Best success in finding a great opportunity!
