Posted: 1/17/2007 4:53:33 PM EDT
| Hey all, quick question for any LEO who can answer. When filling an application or revising my resume, would it be wise to list 'competence with firearms' as a strength? Or would that make me seem too 'trigger-happy'? |
I listed competitive rifle shooting on a resume. It cost me the job 30 seconds before the end of the final interview when one of the interviewers was doing a final glance through it. They looked panicked when they saw it. It came off the next day. 
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Unless you have certificates of training, or have come in 1st in some competetions, I'd leave it off. The agency that hires you will teach you all they think you need to know about firearms.  I would present the attitude, if asked about firearms, that they are simply a tool to get a job done, and one of many that an Officer has at his disposal. |
+1 Leave it off unless you have certificates. |
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Actually, there are probably LEO interviewers out here, I have been on 3 hiring boards in my career and done interviews with about 36 or so potential officers. I know that when I applied for positions, I didn't list my "hobby" of combat shooting or IDPA, but I did list that I was an NRA certified Instructor, and also that I had a Certificate from my academy for being "Top Gun" (just meaning the best overall shooter in my Academy Class) as well as standing 3rd academically. The reasons I listed those were because they were easily verifiable by the departments and were in an LE setting as opposed to "Bob's bait and tackle and gun shop" If they ask you about hobbies during the interview, you can mention that you enjoy going shooting, but I wouldn't mention anything further than that. |
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This wasn't on my resume, but rather on my work history that I had pre-filled out for all the job apps I did. I wrote some pretty detailed descriptions for "job duties", including my military service. I listed weapons proficiency here, but didn't make it sound like I was a gun nut or anything (even though I am)... Example- Job Duties - Supervise howitzer operations, receive and implement orders, maintain physical fitness, maintain proficiency with individual and crew-served weapons, counsel and evaluate subordinates Just an idea... |
Just becareful w/that because it might be a subject they'll ask you explain more. Then later on, during psych eval the question might resurface. Don't know how true but there was a psychologist that supposible gave low scores/failed interviews when candidates advised that they 'carry' all the time. (w/permit) 
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