Previous Jobs

[sffloridabound]

I had a question in regards to previous jobs. How close do departments look at police officers previous jobs. I'm currently doing a loss prevention job full time but fear that I will not be able to keep a full time job during the school year. I'm pulling my hair out with 9 credits, a full time job, and guard commitment. Do police departments look closely at the amount of jobs a potential applicant has worked. Also, does it matter what type of jobs you work. I have a friend who opened a bar and needs a bartender, and I didn't know if that would look really bad on a police application. Any input would be useful and appreciated.
Thanks

[FidelisAdMortem]

They did look at my work record very closely. I was STRONGLY ENCOURAGED (read: you better tell them everything) to list ALL places of employment no matter how brief. That question and all of my answers regarding my previous employment were verified by the agency during my polygraph examination.

Don't sweat the bartender job. I used to work as a bouncer and it was no big deal.

Tell them everything you can remember. I had to call all of my previous employers in order to verify the dates I worked for them.

[PPDMO373]

I know folks that were prior military, Loss Provention, Security, worked in a bank, drove a beer truck, owned a shoe store, bartended, preachers, waitressed, dispatched, corrections officers, etc......

When I did backgrounds at for my old PD, I looked for job stability, what you were doing at the time you held the jobs (ie school, military, two jobs, etc...) and if you left a job, under what conditions you left.....

If you have to leave for school.....that should be no big deal.

As stated, just make sure you put ALL jobs down on your applications when the time comes....

Good luck.