Associate Magazine-Jan/Mar 2021

Continued from "Executive Health, on page 24

smaller skills or certifications that “we” in law enforcement see as useless or insignificant. The corporate world does not see it the same way. For example, all those ICS mandated classes are gold in the professional world. Having advanced training in inci- dent command and structure is invaluable for any organization. Even having CPR certifications can set you apart from another candidate. Unlike a traditional resume or CV, there are no con- tent restrictions for LinkedIn. Let them scroll and scroll through all your experiences. With that said, let us talk about what not to add. LinkedIn is not Facebook or any other social media. You should treat this as your first impression for any professional engagement. It should be void of political stances, personal interactions, or any com- mentary that you would not say if you were in uniform in front of the media. Keep it professional. Additionally, this should go without saying, but just in case make sure that your added pic- tures are gun free. I know the temptation to add trophy photos or pictures of our “cool” days in SWAT is there, but most corporate roles will not want you to have guns in your pictures. Lastly, put together a traditional resume. Do not over think this part. Resumes are placeholders for applications. Many jobs will require them, but their value is low. I highly suggest that you tailor every resume to the specific job you are applying for. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS So now that you have your LinkedIn and resume completed, the process of networking will start. This is where you will start to connect via LinkedIn and reach out to those industry leaders who accept your connection. Start with local connections and see if the person is willing to meet with you for an informational meeting. Be mindful of their time, adjust to their schedule, and be prepared for the meeting. These meetings will be invaluable for you, so make sure to use the most of their experience. And always remember, this informational interview may not be for an open position, but make no mistake, this is a job interview. The impression made during the meeting will be lasting and could be the factor that gets you that inside recommendation for an open position in the future. KEEP THE FAITH For some, this may be a quick process. But the odds are it will take time and perseverance. Keep positive and be persistent. Treat your LinkedIn, networking, and job research as a full-time job. Set aside time on your calendar to carry out your tasks. Read the posts that business leaders and companies push out on LinkedIn. Take time to make positive comments about them. Use those as opportunities to message the sender to ask more in-depth questions about the company or the issue they posted about. Seek out ways to get an informational interview with the poster. Virtual interviews are just as good as in person as it establishes a connection between you and the business leader. If the person gives you some tips or advice, act on it. In the last five years of working in the corporate world, I have helped coach numerous law enforcement officers make the jump from cop to corporate. Those that have been successful have been the ones that actively listen and act on my advice. They change their LinkedIn or alter their resume as soon as I am done suggesting it. They make calls and network, then call or email me to debrief the interaction and get the next steps. The number one element as to who gets hired fastest are the ones willing to put in the work and make the necessary changes. continued on page 33