Need advice!!

[Chainsaw_chew]

Ok so i'm in a huge debate with my family what will increase my chances of working for a federal agency as an 1811. I have a BA in criminal justice, and currently working as a paralegal for NYC law department. I also graduated with honors. Which will increase my chances more, going for my Masters Degree or working for the NYPD as a LEO? Need feedback please. :o

[gapd01]

Ok so i'm in a huge debate with my family what will increase my chances of working for a federal agency as an 1811. I have a BA in criminal justice, and currently working as a paralegal for NYC law department. I also graduated with honors. Which will increase my chances more, going for my Masters Degree or working for the NYPD as a LEO? Need feedback please. :o

Well if you continue with your education you should specialize in a certain field that you want to work, like accounting for white collar crimes. Working for a police department would give you experience and additional training. Again i would try and take as many course in the field you want to eventually investigate.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Thanks gapd, that sounds good Anyone else have any more ideas or advice to offer? Anything would be appreciated thanks.

[df2338]

Dont forget that a lot of agencies also weigh 3 years of work history. It will depend on where youre going. Why not call a recruiter for whatever agency interests you? Get better information than annoyomous persons on the net. And Im not a fed, so take my info as it is.

[Ceeplark]

Ok so i'm in a huge debate with my family what will increase my chances of working for a federal agency as an 1811. I have a BA in criminal justice, and currently working as a paralegal for NYC law department. I also graduated with honors. Which will increase my chances more, going for my Masters Degree or working for the NYPD as a LEO? Need feedback please. :o

I think the Master's degree will, but I wouldn't do a Masters just to increase your chances.

Most 1811's only require an undergraduate degree, and I personally think that professional work experience will give you a better advantage for most 1811 positions.

If you have work experience that shows organization, leadership, communication skills, etc, I think you will fare better in the interview process, and ultimately be more competitive.

I think you would learn some great stuff with the NYPD, but I don't think it would make you more competitive for an 1811 slot. Just my 2 cents.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Ahh thanks for the information Ceeplark. I'm looking into many agencies that will increase my chances but this hiring freeze is not helping. Hopefully something will come up. I'm limited in time to make my decision since July is not too far away and i'm being called in for my medical May 3rd. More feedback please, thanks.

[L-1]

More feedback please, thanks.

Testing for government jobs is not like applying with a private business where things like a degree, prior experience, a neat haircut, speaking a second language, having a first aid card, or having been a Marine may impress someone.

Government hiring is very structured and you are scored ONLY on carefully defined criteria. Going off and getting specialized experience or a degree may make you feel good, but if it doesn't meet the scoring criteria it is worthless.

When you apply for a Federal job, you will be asked to fill out a Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) questionnaire and submit a resume. The KSA questionnaire will ask about specific skills and abilities as they relate to the job you are applying for. That is what you will be scored on. If you want to enhance you chances, I would take a look at the KSAs for the positions you are interested in and focus your efforts on gaining experience in the areas they score on.

Similarly, you need to shape your resume to the job you are applying for. For example, I've been retired for a couple of years and being bored, have applied for two different jobs with ICE. In submitting my resume, I shaped one to emphasize experience relevant to the first job. For the second app, I re-wrote my resume to emphasize experience relevant to the second job. You will need to do the same with your resume.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Wow thanks a lot! That's awesome advice thanks. Yes I know about the testing process, I tested for CBPO passed but won't hear anything for a while. The bad thing is, a lot of these agencies such as ICE(which i'm interested in) does not have anything open around the NY area so it's tough to really do anything about it right now. You're retired in law enforcement correct? So i'm assuming that you fit many of the requirements for those KSA's based on your experience. How is that going getting a spot with ICE? Anyone else have any input?

[Up_On_Base]

Don't forget that 1811's are CI's and that is the main mission for most agencies.

I would go local/county/state and gain some experience working your own cases and develop some skills. Who knows, you might love that agency and stay for 25+.

Going to the Feds sounds cool but not the best match for everyone.

[L-1]

You're retired in law enforcement correct? So i'm assuming that you fit many of the requirements for those KSA's based on your experience. How is that going getting a spot with ICE?

It's about as slow as molasses.

The first job I applied for had vacancies throughout the US. After waiting about 18 months, they sent me a notice saying the decided against filling any of the vacancies and were cancelling the testing process. I applied for the second job (a civilian position) about six weeks ago, I got my rating back maybe 10 days ago. Now it's just a matter of waiting. Having worked for 47 years of my life, I'm in no hurry to go back. :D

[Chainsaw_chew]

I wish you best of luck with that L-1

[gbotj]

First the paralegal job would look very nice to the FBI (I think)

This would be my game plan if I were in your position.

-Get your Masters in Accounting (alot of 1811's require this major, or one similar)
-Join NYPD, get patrol experience join an investigations unit such as Narcotics. In NYPD its very easy to get into narcotics, and they take you once you are off probation
- After 18 months in an investigations position you are automatically promoted to Detective.
- Work some cases and apply for a specialized unit dealing with investigations similar to the 1811 position you are applying to.

The NYPD also pays for you to go to college, so you can join NYPD and get your masters at the same time.

Before you know it you will have your masters plus 3 years experience in NYPD and the experience in the Law Department.

Good luck.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Good point, thanks. Bad thing is John Jay does not offer anything in accounting, and honestly nothing in accounting interests me. How long would it take after impact to get into an investigative unit? I'm hearing different things like it takes years to get into, and you have to know someone in there to get in. I would love to get into a specialized position that deals with investigations but heard its really difficult. :-(

[gbotj]

I have been told by family members that Narcotics comes to commands and recruits officers there. They try to get rookies but they are still on probation and can not join. But they take guys as soon as off probation. And like I said, 18 months in an investigations unit you automatically get promoted to Detective.

[Chainsaw_chew]

ahh ok that doesnt sound too bad thanks. I'll look more into that.